Randy G. Harmson

General manager,
Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association,, Inc.

"Farmers need a cooperative that will help them stand toe-to-toe with food manufacturers and processors to establish fair prices for their commodities."

Co-op description: Michigan Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Association (MACMA) is the Michigan Farm Bureau's marketing affiliate. This cooperative was organized in 1961 to provide marketing, bargaining and various group marketing and related services. MACMA counts more than 2,000 farmer-members, who voluntarily work together to improve the profitability of their operations. MACMA's five divisions - for Michigan's processing apples, red tart cherries, asparagus, plums and feeder pigs - provide industry information, establish and negotiate prices and bargain with processors.

Background: Harmson grew up in rural Michigan. A Vietnam veteran, he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Central Michigan University and a master's degree from Michigan State University. Harmson has worked in both private and public organizations, dealing with the promotion and marketing of food on a national and international basis. "I've been involved in cooperatives as a member and a manager," Harmson says.

What developments are taking place at MACMA? "MACMA, like many cooperatives, is faced with rapid change from all directions," says Harmson. "Membership, services, financial resources, and technology all present challenges in the context of today's world market and the industrialization of agriculture." In response, MACMU has helped: 

•  form CherrCo, Inc., a federated cooperative for tart cherry cooperatives interested in establishing tart cherry prices on a national basis;  
• develop a plan for a new and innovative value-added Hog Networking Cooperative;
•  expand marketing and bargaining for processing apples beyond Michigan; 
• establish a "one-stop shop" for farm labor management information; 
•  support the proposed establishment of a regional/national Ag Employers Association (formed as a farmer-owned stock cooperative), and has actively worked for national marketing and bargaining legislation.

Goals for MACMA: "MACMA's role today is as important as it was 30 years ago," says Harmson. "Farmers, large and small, need to be profitable. They need a cooperative that will provide them with timely and accurate information, and help them stand toe-to-toe with food manufacturers and processors to establish fair prices for their commodities." He notes that farmers not only need to capture more value-added returns for their efforts but to have a more significant voice in the food industry. "The MACMA philosophy on a national level could significantly support food security," Harmson adds.

Biggest MACMA concerns? "Where do I start?" asks Harmson. He points to the Food Quality Protection Act, other economic and environmental challenges and risk management. "But my biggest concern for our members, and U.S. farmers in general, is that we won't be able to compete in the world market because of inadequate trade policies," he says.

Key rural development issues? "The clash between new rural home owners and farmers," Harmson says. "Also, subsequent township ordinances limiting what, when, where, and how farmers can farm."

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