Cooperatives are businesses owned and operated by a group of individuals or farm businesses for their mutual benefit. While cooperatives do business like other businesses, they are structured differently. Learning about the structure of a cooperative is the initial step in deciding if you want to form one.
What is a Cooperative and Why Form One?
How to Form a Cooperative in Hawai‘i Presentation describing the cooperative business model and steps to forming one.
Hawai‘i’s New Wave of Cooperatives While cooperatives have been critical to Hawai‘i’s agriculture through the last century, the current wave of cooperatives developing in Hawai‘i since the recession represents a new breed. Interesting new models of food hubs, multi-stakeholder, and worker cooperatives are solving local food system problems.
Coops 101 This USDA booklet introduces the basics of cooperative businesses.
How to Start a Cooperative This USDA booklet describes the necessary steps towards forming a cooperative.
Cooperative Principles Cooperatives follow seven internationally recognized principles that guide their business conduct.
Stop/Go Points in Cooperative Development Process Margaret Bau’s presentation on the process and key decision points.
Steps to Forming a Cooperative NWCDC handout asking the critical questions for each stage of development.
Keys to Success Suggestions for success in developing your cooperative as well as potential pitfalls to avoid from UWisconsin CDC.
Considering Cooperation Cornell’s in-depth paper considering the options for working together and meeting farmers’ needs including cooperatives.
Cooperatives FAQ Answers to frequently-asked questions about cooperatives.
Steps in Cooperative Development Simply stated steps to cooperative development including responsible party and stop and go points.
Cooperatives Explained Tim O’Connell’s presentation explaining cooperatives, what they are, why to make one, and important pieces of making/sustaining a cooperative.
Cooperatives What are cooperatives, what they provide, the user principle, etc. all answered by Tim O’Connell.
Interesting Uses of the Cooperative Model
Multi-Stakeholder Cooperatives This new form of cooperative is being used in the local food system to bring farmers and consumers together in the same business.
Equipment-Sharing Cooperatives These guidelines assist in asking the right questions to form effective groups to manage shared equipment.
Other Co-op Resources
The Circle of Responsibilities for Co-op Boards
Co-op Essentials: What They Are and the Role of Members, Directors, Managers, and Employees
Cooperative Directors: Asking Necessary Questions
Assessing Performance and Needs of Cooperative Boards of Directors
Vital Steps: A Cooperative Feasibility Study Guide
Nominating, Electing, and Compensating Co-op Directors
Sample Legal Documents for Cooperatives
Sample Policies for Cooperatives
Understanding Cooperative Bookkeeping and Financial Statements
Guide to Starting a Food Co-op
Coordinating Farm Labor Across Farms: A Toolbox for Diversified Farmers and Farmworkers