The annual Farmer Cooperatives Conference was initiated in 1998 with the objective of assisting directors, management and employees of cooperatives, professional organizations, government and academia in:

1. keeping abreast of major trends and issues impacting the existing and future business environment,
2. gaining insights from other cooperatives, industry leaders, and researchers as to innovative approaches in addressing these issues and achieving business success, in achieving excellence in governance, capitalization and financing, management, business structures and strategic alliances, enhancing value to members, growing businesses domestically and globally, enhancing the cooperative business advantage and other related issues,
3. creating value to participants from the information presented, critical thinking and exchange of ideas.

The 2001 conference built upon these previous conferences by focusing on how farmer cooperatives may position themselves for success in the 21st century. The program began with an in-depth look at the major trends in the domestic and international business environment of the entire food system from farm inputs to the consumer food products and opportunities for cooperatives in this environment. This was followed by a closer look at the effectiveness of the existing cooperative business structures, adjusting to meet the diverse needs and demands of the farmer-member- customer and the customers of ingredient and food products, and the ways of capturing the competitive business advantage of farmer cooperatives.

The first conference in 1998 was designed to serve as a catalyst for invigorated thinking about the future of farmer cooperatives. Speakers assessed the powerful forces associated with an increasing globalization and industrialization of agriculture and the approaches farmer cooperatives should embrace to realize their full potential. The 1999 conference focused on excellence in governance. The objective was to help cooperative leaders identify governance systems and approaches to fit their cooperative's changing business. Building financial strength was the theme for the 2000 conference. Presented and discussed were innovative approaches to capital budgeting, debt and equity financing, equity management, financing joint ventures, international financing and the changing role of the audit committee.

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