A farm cooperative is an organization formed by farmers who pool their resources to achieve common economic goals, such as purchasing supplies, marketing products, or processing goods. Members contribute to the cooperative's capital and share in its profits based on their level of participation. This collaborative approach helps reduce costs, enhance bargaining power, and provide access to services that individual farmers might not afford. Ultimately, cooperatives aim to improve the economic well-being of their members while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Ocean Spray is an example of a farm cooperative. It is owned and operated by its member cranberry and grapefruit farmers who work together to produce and market their agricultural products.
Fellowship Farm Cooperative Association was created in 1915.
Wilco - farm supply cooperative - was created in 1967.
Shared farm work and animal husbandry in common pastures by village neighbors were a part of cooperative village farming in England.
A dairy farm cooperative
A farm owned and operated by a group of peasant workers is referred to as a cooperative.
Lloyd C Biser has written: 'Farm supply cooperatives' -- subject(s): Agriculture, Cooperative, Cooperative Agriculture, Farm supplies
Cecile Murphy has written: 'Cooperative development and functions in specialty crop industries, with case studies of the U.S. tart cherry and farm-raised catfish industries' -- subject(s): Agriculture, Cooperative, Case studies, Catfishes, Cooperative Agriculture, Cooperative marketing, Cooperative marketing of farm produce, Sour cherry
One notable example of a farm cooperative is the Land O'Lakes, Inc. Founded in 1921, it is a farmer-owned cooperative that primarily focuses on dairy products, but also engages in various agricultural services and product marketing. Land O'Lakes operates with the goal of supporting its farmer-members by providing them with resources, marketing assistance, and a platform to collectively sell their products. This cooperative model enables farmers to work together for better pricing and shared benefits.
It recommended: 1. voluntary participation of farmers in cooperative farming.2. Absentee landlords are not to be its members.3.farmers unable to engage in farm work due to disability/sex etc are allowed to participate but they must not exceed 1/4th of total membership.
Farm cooperatives helped farmers pool their money to buy tools and supplies.
A cooperative farm.