United We Grow:
A Working Conference for Small-Scale Vegetable
and Fruit Cooperatives in the Northeast
MARCH 1-2, 2000
Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center
Mt. Bethel, PA
Sponsored by the "NE Small-Scale Grower
Cooperative Project":
* Farming Alternatives Program, Cornell University
* Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group
* Cornell Cooperative Enterprise Program
* New England Small Farm Institute
Contributing co-sponsors of this conference:
* USDA Rural-Business Cooperative Service
* Farm Foundation
* Northeast Cooperatives
* Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development
* Cooperative Development Institute/Cooperative
Life
Small-scale fruit and vegetable cooperatives have
the potential to be an increasingly important
component of a vital Northeast agriculture. With
over forty such co-ops in the region, we have
much to learn from one another and from people
with a passion for co-ops from across the country.
The purpose of this conference is to strengthen
existing cooperatives, foster new co-op
development, and promote networking and
organizing.
What are the current opportunities and challenges
facing small-scale grower co-ops in the
Northeast? What are the characteristics of
successful co-ops? How can co-ops work together
to increase opportunities for commercial fruit
and vegetable farmers and for the industry as a
whole? These are some of the questions that this
conference will address.
Co-op members, administrators, and advocates from
Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi will join the
Northeast cooperative community to share
information and ideas, successes and challenges.
We will also consider the potential for creating
regional structures and activities to build our
strength.
Emerging from a two-year research project
investigating experiences of small-scale producer
cooperatives in the Northeast, this conference is
an opportunity to learn from and network with
other small-scale grower cooperative members and
supporters. Through "participatory action"
research, project team members have been
conducting intensive surveys and interviews with
over 40 co-op managers and board members. Many of
the provocative findings will be presented at
this conference.
Featured Guests:
Ann Brewer, manager of Georgia Grown Cooperative,
Inc., a successful producer cooperative marketing
to restaurants.
Magid Dagher, a member of the Mississippi
Association of the Federation of Southern
Cooperatives and Director of Small Farm
Development Center, Alcorn State University, MS.
Duncan Hilchey, co-author of Marketing
Cooperatively: One Region's Answer, Senior
Extension Associate at Cornell University's
Farming Alternatives Program and senior
researcher for this project.
Gus Townes, a primary organizer and marketing
specialist with the Federation of Southern
Cooperatives for over 15 years, and director of
the Federation's Rural Training Center in Alabama.
Schedule of Events:
Wednesday, March 1st:
9:00-10:00 Registration
10:00 Welcome and Plenary: "The Importance of
Producer Co-ops"- Magid Dagher (Small Farm
Development Center, MS), "Results of N.E. Co-op
Managers' Survey"- Duncan Hilchey (Cornell
University, NY)
11:00 Workshop Sessions:
A. Innovative Co-op Marketing Strategies- Ann
Brewer (Georgia Grown, GA), Roberta MacDonald
(Cabot Creamery, VT), Chris Poshpeck (Deep Root
Organic Truck Farmers, VT)
B. Getting Started- Roger Allbee (Cooperative
Development Institute, MA),
Doyle Freeman (Alliance, PA)
C. Financial Management- Gerald Ely (USDA Rural
Development, PA), Laura Howard (Sustainable
Business Solutions, MA)
D. Research and Policy Issues- Gil Gillespie
(Cornell
University, NY), Kathy Ruhf (New England Small
Farm Institute, MA)
12:30 Lunch
1:30 Workshop Sessions:
E. Co-op Philosophy- Lynn Benander
(CDI/Cooperative Life, MA), Randall Torgerson
(USDA RBCS, D.C.)
F. Planning Primer- Bruce Anderson (Cornell
University, NY), Laura Howard (Sustainable
Business Solutions, MA)
G. Dilemmas of Scale- Magid Dagher (Mississippi
Federation of Southern Cooperatives, MS), Tom
Gray (USDA RBCS, D.C.), Carol Stull (Finger Lakes
Organic Growers Cooperative, NY)
H. Effective Boards and Managers- Father Randy
Eldridge (H.O.M.E., ME), Chris Fullerton
(Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative, PA),
Brian Henehan (Cornell University, NY)
3:00 Break
3:30 Facilitated Discussion Groups: For board
members, managers, "start-ups," "veterans,"
service providers, and co-op members. Identify
issues and network with peers.
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Resource Reception:
7:00-7:45 What's Out There? Public and private
cooperative resources and support. Lynn Benander
(CDI), Susan Clare, (Local Enterprise Assistance
Fund, MA), Bob Pestridge (USDA CDS).
7:45-8:30 Stories from Afar, with Ann Brewer and
Magid Dagher.
8:30-on: Stories from Home: Share successes,
challenges, innovations, lessons; a chance to
tell your story and hear from others in the
Northeast.
Thursday, March 2nd:
8:30 Breakfast
9:30 Plenary: "Getting Organized"- Gus Townes
(Federation of Southern Cooperatives, AL)
10:30 Networking and Organizing: Structured
breakout sessions to brainstorm & plan regional
actions to strengthen our co-ops.
12:30 Lunch and Roundtable: Co-operation between
Northeast Co-operatives and growers.
1:30 Plenary: "Next Steps: Developing An Action
Plan: Kathy Ruhf (NESFI, MA)
3:00 Adjourn
Logistics:
Registration: fee of $60 includes 2-day
conference events, 4 meals, 2 breaks, reception,
and materials.
A Special Deal: for "participating cooperatives,"
registration fee is waived for a second
representative from your cooperative. One free
registration per co-op. ("Participating" means
Cornell has contacted you for the research study
and you have completed and returned your
questionnaire. If you haven't, just drop it in
the mail before
applying for the discount.)
Lodging: Rooms at the Tuscarora Inn and
Conference Ctr. Are double occupancy at
$70/person/night.
Meals: Registration includes Wednesday lunch and
dinner, and Thursday breakfast and lunch. Early
Arrival? Reserve a room for Tuesday night, which
includes a breakfast on Wednesday.
Any questions? Special needs? Looking to carpool?
Contact Julie Meyer at (413) 665-7725 between 8am
and 6pm or jmeyer@shaysnet.com.
Deadline for registration is February 11, 2000
Registration:
Name:__________________________________
Participating cooperative or other affiliation:
________________________________
Address:__________________________________________
____________
_____
Day Phone Number/ Evening Phone Number:
_______________/________________
E-mail or fax:_______________________
Check here if you are the 2nd representative from
your co-op
(your registration fee is waived). ___
Roommate Preference (Name):_______________
Special dietary needs?______________________
1) Registration at $60 ____
2) Lodging Wednesday, 3/1/99 @ $70 ____
Single room? Add $20 ____
3) Early arrival Tuesday night lodging/
Wednesday breakfast? @ $70 ____
Single room? Add $20 ____
Total amount enclosed: _____
Mail with check payable to NESFI, to:
United We Grow, C/O Julie Meyer,
288 Hadley Road, Sunderland, MA 01375
Registration Deadline: 2/11/00
Directions: From the east: Going west on Route
80, go to exit 4 in New Jersey (Columbia-
Blairstown). Follow signs to Columbia then to
the Portland Bridge. Go over bridge, through the
tollbooth, and make the first right hand turn. At
the stop sign, make another right turn onto River
Road (not marked). Follow this road, along the
Delaware River, for three miles to
Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center. From the
south: Follow 611 north. When 611 exits before
the Portland toll bridge, make right turn
(instead of following 611). Follow this road,
along the Delaware River, for three miles to
Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center. From the
west: Going east on Route 80, exit at Delaware
Water Gap - Exit 53 (last exit in PA). Follow
sign to Route 611 South (pass Ramada Inn on your
left, continue to traffic light, make left onto
611 South). Stay on this road until you come to
the town of Portland- about 5 miles. When you
come through the town, Route 611 turns right. Do
not turn. Keep going straight under the bridge
and continue
on this road, along the Delaware River, for three
miles to Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center.
Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center, 3300 River
Road, Mt Bethel, PA (570) 897-6000.
To Unsubscribe: Email majordomo@ces.ncsu.edu with the command
"unsubscribe sanet-mg". If you receive the digest format, use the command
"unsubscribe sanet-mg-digest".
To Subscribe to Digest: Email majordomo@ces.ncsu.edu with the command
"subscribe sanet-mg-digest".
All messages to sanet-mg are archived at:
http://www.sare.org/htdocs/hypermail
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sun Feb 06 2000 - 12:00:19 EST