Transcript Document

Marketing through
Cooperatives:
Opportunities for WI
Growers
Wisconsin Fresh Fruit &
Vegetable Conference
January 3, 2011
What’s the problem or opportunity?
• Can it be better accomplished collaboratively than
independently?
• Is there a common benefit that will motivate the
group to work together?
A co-op is …
• Organized to provide needed goods or services to
its members, not returns to investors
• Owned and controlled by the members, who
patronize the co-op
• Operates at cost/distributes net margins on the
basis of patronage
Cooperatives can address
needs in:
• Marketing
• Supply
• Service
Functions of a marketing
co-op
• Bargaining
Functions of a marketing
co-op
• Bargaining
• Pooling
Functions of a marketing
co-op
• Bargaining
• Pooling
• Operations
Functions of a marketing
co-op
•
•
•
•
Bargaining
Pooling
Operations
Processing
Functions of a marketing
co-op
•
•
•
•
•
Bargaining
Pooling
Operations
Processing
Branding
How do co-ops operate?
• Member requirements
• Role of:
– Members
– Board of Directors
– Management
Starting a cooperative
• Is there an agreement on common need?
• Is there a business concept that can meet
this need?
• Are there individuals willing to take on
leadership roles?
• Is there a potential co-op membership
base?
For more information on
cooperatives:
• www.uwcc.wisc.edu
•
Lynn Pitman
[email protected]
– University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives