The USDA Rural Development Cooperatives program website is a good resource. The mission of the Cooperative Services Program is to promote understanding and use of the cooperative form of business as a viable organizational option for marketing and distributing agricultural products.

They serve cooperative members, directors, management, educational institutions, organizations, rural residents, and all others with an interest in the cooperative form of business.

They strive to assist them to effectively use cooperatives to improve their economic well-being and quality of life.

CP provides technical assistance to existing cooperatives facing specific problems or challenges. Technical assistance could include helping a cooperative develop a strategic marketing plan to cope with new competitive forces, in making a crucial decision whether to merge or form a joint venture with other cooperatives, or in finding a way to turn the raw products of cooperative members into value-added products. These matters are often life and death issues not only for a cooperative, but for the rural communities in which they operate.

CP can help improve a cooperative's business structure and operating efficiency. This work often involves an analysis of operations or assessing the economic feasibility of new facilities or adding new products or services. Studies cover the full range of decisionmaking facing cooperative business enterprises. Technical assistance is largely designed to benefit a specific cooperative business or group. However, the results often provide business strategy for all cooperatives.
Where To Get More Co-op Information
For further information or assistance for cooperatives, contact:

USDA Rural Development/ Cooperative Programs
Stop 3250
Washington, D.C. 20250-3250
Telephone: (202) 720-7558
FAX Number: (202)720-4641
E-mail: coopinfo@wdc.usda.gov

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