Agricultural cooperatives are a big business, according to a USDA Rural Development Cooperative Services Branch report released in November.

Cooperatives are member-owned, member-driven businesses, and with almost 2 million members nationally and gross business volume over $200 billion annually, they play a key role in agricultural supply chains.

Recognizing the vital role that cooperatives play in the financial success of production agriculture, the Michigan Farm Bureau — in partnership with Foster Swift, Michigan Milk Producers Association, GreenStone Farm Credit Services, Michigan Pork Producers Association, Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association and Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan — is hosting a workshop to educate attendees on the “Fundamentals of Co-ops.”

The event will be from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 22 at the James B. Henry Center for Executive Development, 3535 Forest Road, Lansing, Mich.

Click here for registration information. The fee is $50.

Continental breakfast will be provided, after which attendees will learn about the co-op business model and principles, current trends in agricultural cooperatives, and the roles of co-op member-owners and leaders.

Topics include: 

After the core training, Foster Swift attorney Todd Hoppe will present on the “Legal Rights of Co-op Members.” Hoppe specializes in representing cooperatives, including agricultural marketing and supply cooperatives, consumer cooperatives, and purchasing groups organized as cooperatives.

Source: Foster Swift