Capitalizing on Collaboration
A cooperative is a business organization that is owned and governed by the members who use its products, supplies, or services, joining together likeminded individuals or organizations to achieve a common goal.
An agricultural co-op pools together the resources of its farmer members with the expertise of ag professionals working in specific areas to help maximize returns to the members so their farms and ranches can stay bountiful for years to come, without exhausting resources.
The 7 Cooperative Principles
The 7 Cooperative Principles
Voluntary & Open Membership
Membership in a cooperative is open to anyone without gender, social, racial, or religious discrimination. As a member, you can join, do business with, or leave the cooperative at any time.
Democratic Owner Control
One member, one vote. As a member of a cooperative, your voice will be heard. All members have an equal voice in making policies and electing representatives.
Member Economic Participation
Members contribute to and equally control the capital or the profit of the cooperative. The profit of the cooperative is returned to the members, reinvested in the cooperative, or used to provide owner services.
Autonomy & Independence
Cooperatives are self-governed organizations and are controlled by their members. Only members can make changes to the cooperative.
Education, Training & Information
Cooperatives provide technical training and education to their members so they can, in turn contribute to the development and growth of their cooperatives. Cooperatives also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, regional, national, and international structures. Cooperatives work with other cooperatives.
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members. You can do something for the community even as you keep succeeding.
Membership in a cooperative is open to anyone without gender, social, racial, or religious discrimination. As a member, you can join, do business with, or leave the cooperative at any time.
One member, one vote. As a member of a cooperative, your voice will be heard. All members have an equal voice in making policies and electing representatives.
Members contribute to and equally control the capital or the profit of the cooperative. The profit of the cooperative is returned to the members, reinvested in the cooperative, or used to provide owner services.
Cooperatives are self-governed organizations and are controlled by their members. Only members can make changes to the cooperative.
Cooperatives provide technical training and education to their members so they can, in turn contribute to the development and growth of their cooperatives. Cooperatives also inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, regional, national, and international structures. Cooperatives work with other cooperatives.
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members. You can do something for the community even as you keep succeeding.