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Editor's Notes

• #2: <Remember: slooooooowwww and be natural> I appreciate the opportunity to be here… Very timely event!
• #3: <Go slow>
• #4: <…slowly…> Intro self and sectors
• #5: <ehm, breath> Co-ops are dynamic and relevant in today’s economy
• #6: What does this mean: the equity owners of a co-op are the same people who: - democratically govern the business thru 1-member = 1-vote - are the beneficiaries of the services provided
• #7: <are you going slowly enough> Co-ops are defined by ownership In this collection of cooperative business’s logo’s, I see groups of people who had a need: - they could not meet individually and - which was unfulfilled by the traditional investor-owned private sector
• #8: <S.L.O.W.> Because co-op businesses are: - comprised of the community - they are representative of the community - and they are a part of the community Co-ops: - Keep profits, ownership and control local - Are less vulnerable to take-over and closure by outside decision-makers ; often stay long after others leave - Are trusted business partners; people like to deal with the producer Co-ops have an innate edge on investor-owned corporations and they have an opportunity to sell it!
• #9: To close on the general info…
• #10: Building blocks of economic cooperation Authority: - basic authority and responsibility imposed by law, in other words the incorporating statute - Bylaws and policy provide guidance and clarify authority Ultimate authority from 2 places: Comes from members and this overall system The co-op is theirs and without their desire to create and perpetuate co-op, the board wouldn’t exist Members place their needs, trust and Board of their choosing.
• #12: Note how co-ops can leverage producers “up” the chain This helps co-op members retain a chain of custody for members
• #13: - 1988 - CROPP (Coulee Region Organic Produce Pool) = 7 farms selling produce expanded into distro of fruits, veg and dairy - "CROPP" was adjusted to Co-op Regions of Organic Producer Pools The Un-Corporation In an era where corporations dominate all facets of business including government, global energy, ag and global food supply, Organic Valley serves small farmers and rural community health by combining two alternative business models - the family farm and the co-op. Our co-op was founded to nurture local communities by keeping farmers on the land, farming. We understood from the beginning that we would need to pool our product in a cooperative fashion to accomplish that goal. How it Works Farmer members establish equity thru joining: - elect national Board - regional executive committees carry opinions to Board In addition to a member-determined pay-price and equity ownership in a leading national food brand, members receive numerous benefits including support in production, certification, farm planning, feed sourcing, veterinary consultation and more. Adding Value thru values! With the customer, building a new vision Building our base of loyal customers allows us to bring more farm families into the co-op, along with the land, water, and animals that they protect.
• #16: It’s the smell of sage after a summer thunderstorm, the cool shade of a Ponderosa Pine forest.  It’s the 80 year old weathered hands saddling a horse in the Blue Mountains,  the future of a 6 year old in a one room school on the High Desert. It’s a trout in a beaver built pond,  haystacks on an Aspen framed meadow. It’s the hardy quail running to join the cattle for a meal, the welcome ring of a dinner bell at dusk.
• #17: Member Dick Bradbury: ..we've realized that the people part of it is much more critical than the cows. The rancher-to-consumer connection is what gives us the uniqueness of our product. Also, the idea that the consumer feels they are dealing directly with the people who actually grow their food . Mary Bradbury: The people who eat the product need to be partners Doc Hatfield, founder: Most of the ranchers are rural, conservative, Republican, heterosexual and religious. And most of the customers are urban, secular, Democratic, liberal, and you'd think they wouldn't mesh. Connie Hatfield on Berkeley, CA Customers: They have a lot of piercings, tattoos and colored hair and different things. But it's really interesting to mix our cultures and be able to stay on the land because we started to market our products. Adding value by selling more directly to consumers and thru connecting Thereby ranchers could set their price to cover the cost of production, plus a reasonable return on investment, and a reasonable profit.
• #18: Eco-tourism uses revenue to promote conservation and geo extends ethic to culture and history