This can be especially critical in the early stages of formation of the cooperative. Members of a successful cooperative venture typically have to make considerable sacrifices of time and financial resources as they are working to create a new marketing opportunity for themselves. Cooperative board members need to be committed to keeping the cooperative in touch with a changing customer and with new technologies that can potentially impact the cooperative's way of doing business. Strong management must be in place to oversee the day to day operations of any cooperative effort. Investment in good people is every bit a critical as investment in equipment and farmers considering a move into a cooperative effort should be prepared to pay for the right personnel to make the cooperative a success.
Cooperation can open many doors of opportunity for our farmers across Kentucky.
The process of making cooperation work, however, should be carefully thought through. Demand for new products and services that our farmers can provide is expanding all over the world. New market development partnerships with other farmers that secures access to special equipment and personnel will be one way for our farmers across the commonwealth to play a role in the design of our future food and fiber system. Agricultural Economics Home Page College of Agriculture University of Kentucky For problems or questions about this Web Page, contact Karen Pulliam .