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  • From: "Julie Meyer" <jmeyer AT shaysnet.com>
  • To: "market farming" <market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: small scale producer cooperatives conference
  • Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2000 13:11:49 -0500

This is shaping up to be an exceptional conference! As a coordinator of this conference, I would be happy to answer any questions. If you would like to talk to other farmers who will be in atttendance, let me know! Hope to see you there! Info about this event is also on the web at www.smallfarm.org
Sincerely,
Julie Meyer

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 AT 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.









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