The
MSU Product Center will be hosting
3 conferences this spring to help groups interested in forming cooperatives answer preliminary questions.
A well rounded group of attorneys, financiers, consumer cooperatives and small cooperative representatives and staff help them investigate what their options might be and discuss topics like 5-year strategic plans, long range planning and financing.
“We want to foster sustainable businesses, said Tom Kalchik, director of the Michigan Cooperative Development Program. “Many times we have individuals working on the same thing. If we can get them to work cooperatively they are in a better position to serve customers rather than trying to compete.”
Growers that work within a cooperative are often times more attractive to buyers because they can deal with one entity for delivery and payment. A great local example would be the
Allen Street Market where they work with growers in the area to deliver food to food hubs that are a part of the project.
Attendees are required to preregister for upcoming conferences.
Click here for more information.
Source: Tom Kalchik, Michigan Cooperative Development Program
Writer: Tashmica Torok, Innovation News Editor
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