FEATURES & NEWS
Flying the coop
Why members leave co-ops and ways to prevent it
By Catherine Merlo
USDA, MSU Extension help
Crooked Bow beef take a bow
Leaving home?
Reasons vary for co-op conversions; critics remain wary
By Nancy Jorgensen
Co-op stock exchange
Why choice of trading rules matters
for new-generation co-op stockholders
By Steven J. Holland & Robert King
Of necessity & invention
Conference shows diversity of responses
by co-ops to changing markets
By Kimberly Zeuli
Charley’s Angels
Co-ops show true colors sending aid to
Hurricane Charley-ravaged Southern states
By Stephen Thompson
Retail co-ops advised to foster member
identification, not force conformity
By Janet Ciccone
Paper or plastic?
For single-serve milk market, the answer is plastic
By Dan Campbell
DEPARTMENTS
COMMENTARY
VALUE-ADDED CORNER
LEGAL CORNER
NEWSLINE
NEW USDA CO-OP PUBLICATIONS
On the Cover:
Our cover story discusses strategy for preventing members from “flying the
coop.” Greg Spalenka’s art has also been featured in Time, Newsweek, The
Wall Street Journal, New York and Los Angeles Times and many other publications
and books. To see more, visit: www.spalenka.com.
Gilbert Gonzales, Acting Under Secretary, USDA Rural Development
Peter Thomas, Administrator, Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Roberta D. Purcell, Deputy Administrator, USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Dan Campbell, Editor
Vision Integrated Marketing/KOTA, Design
Have a cooperative-related question?
Call (202) 720-6483, or
Fax (202) 720-4641, Information Director
RURAL COOPERATIVES (1088-8845) is published bimonthly by Rural Business-Cooperative Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Stop 0705, Washington, DC. 20250-0705 The Secretary of Agriculture has determined that publication of this periodical is necessary in the transaction of public business required by law of the Department. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, DC. and additional mailing offices. Copies may be obtained from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC, 20402, at $23 per year. Postmaster: send address change to: Rural Cooperatives, USDA/RBS, Stop 3255, Wash., DC 20250-3255.
Mention in RURAL COOPERATIVES of company and brand names does not signify endorsement over other companies' products and services.
Unless otherwise stated, contents of this publication are not copyrighted and may be reprinted freely. For noncopyrighted articles, mention of source will be appreciated but is not required.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD), USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
