University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives
THE VIDEO
New Generation Farmer Cooperatives:
The Development Process
Excerpts from the 1998 Cooperative Development Training Conference
Held in Eau Claire and Madison, Wisconsin
Intended Audience for this Video:
Farmers, Extension Agents, Community Leaders,
Cooperative Leaders, etc. who are considering starting a new “value-added”
cooperative.
This training video explores the following topics:
- An Introduction to New Generation (ie Value Added) Farmer Cooperatives
- An Overview of new co-ops in North Dakota.
- A Case Study of Mountain View Harvest Cooperative (a wheat processing bakery in Colorado).
- Picking the right “players” for the development team.
- The Importance of Communication.
- Getting community support.
- Feasibility Study vs. Business Plan.
- Legal Issues…. Strategic Alliances….New Technology….Financing.
The Trainers who Appear on the Video:
| Bob Cropp: |
Director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives,
Bob gives a basic ten minute introduction to what makes these new co-ops
different. |
| Barry Bjornson: |
Formerly of the National Farmers Union, Barry was involved in
the start-up of numerous New Generation Cooperatives. He discusses
a number of examples from North Dakota. |
| Dave Carter: |
As President of Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (Aurora, CO), Dave played
a lead role in starting Mountain View Harvest. He tells that story. |
| Everett Dabrinski: |
Wheat farmer, board member of Dakota Pasta Growers Co-op, Carrington,
ND. |
| Lee Estensen: |
Formerly with St. Paul Bank for Cooperatives, now with Farm Credit
Leasing, Minneapolis, MN. |
| Allen Gerber: |
President of Minnesota Association of Cooperatives, St. Paul, MN. |
| Ron McFall: |
Co-op attorney for Doherty, Rumble and Butler, St. Paul, MN.. |
| Cindy Thyfault: |
Business consultant, Westar Trade Resources, Amarillo, TX. |
| Randy Torgerson: |
Assistant Administrator for USDA Rural Business – Cooperative
Services, Washington, DC. |
|
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