Cooperative Development

SC Cooperatives

The cooperative structure is an established community entity with solid roots in agriculture. As cooperative members, producers can better negotiate and agree on a price for their product, giving them more leverage with buyers.

Types of Cooperatives, Benefits & Constraints

As the local foods movement has gained momentum, local food cooperatives have become increasingly vital to linking farmers to the local supply chain. The value chain for a cooperative consists of many layers between the producer and final consumer.

Role of Cooperatives in Local Food Chains

Cooperatives can help farmers succeed by uniting members, providing scale, coordination, and improved marketing. The cooperative structure is an established community entity with strong roots in agriculture.

Cooperative Development Links

A helpful collection of Presentations, Publications and Technical Assistance Resources about Cooperative Development in the Ag-Business.

Collaborative Meat Processing Opportunities

This workbook focuses on Local Retail/Wholesale Meat Marketing , Local Meat Processing – Challenges and Opportunities, Opportunity for a Regional Cooperative or Collaboratively-owned, Cooperatives vs. Other Business Ownership Models and Grants and Other Financial Assistance Options.

HOW WE HELP

We provide technical assistance to cooperatives, mutually-owned businesses, and other small business within multiple industries, but with a strong focus on agricultural businesses.

Attendees of the Acre Program receive training in marketing, financial planning, value-added processes, legal requirements, state and federal grant opportunities, and more.

Feeding Innovation is designed to support entrepreneurs interested in developing or expanding healthy food businesses in food deserts or underserved areas of the state.

This Program helps our state’s new farmers development of their farm businesses by providing innovative research-based agribusiness education, administering technical assistance, and more.