Co-op 101

The following is a collection of material to aid in the understanding of the cooperative business model. Due to their unique structure of ownership by customers, cooperatives are often misunderstood, even by those who use them. Additional material about cooperative management can be found in our Newsletter and Presentations sections.

Co-op 101 CD-ROM

Sit back and relax while you watch this lesson introducing the cooperative business model. This was previously distributed as a CD-ROM, but we have brought this lesson online to ensure its contnued availability. We haven't duplicated the entire CD experience, but the lesson is fully accessible through the table of contents to the left of the video window.

Defining Today's Cooperative Business

Defining the Cooperative

Cooperative businesses are a common sight across rural America. Yet, they are often misunderstood—sometimes by those who use them. A basic understanding of their origin, operation, and challenges bring newfound respect for this unique type of business. This brief and informative article describes the cooperative business in familiar terms.

Cooperative Management Letter, CML06-05

The New Generation Cooperative

New generation cooperatives focus on value added processing, allowing the farmer to hold onto a larger share of the consumer dollar and guarantee him a buyer of his commodities. While not strictly “new”, this concept has gained newfound interest as state legislatures contemplate new cooperative business models. This brief article helps to explain the operation of this alternative to the traditional cooperative.

Cooperative Management Letter, CML07-01