|
|
|
Learning from Costa Rican Co-ops
|
|
|
|
Kristin Forde Hurkes, a cooperative development specialist at the UW Center for Cooperatives, participated in a cooperative study tour in Costa Rica from February 15 to 25. Participation in the tour was supported by the Ralph K. Morris Foundation and Isthmus Engineering and was organized by St. Mary’s University International Centre for Co-operative Management in collaboration with Universidad FUNDEPOS. Over the course of the tour, participants visited 20 cooperatives across various sectors, including credit unions; dairy, sugar, salt, and coffee producer cooperatives; electric utility cooperatives; worker cooperatives; artisan cooperatives; and a fishing cooperative.
|
|
Photo of group on fishing co-op tour
|
|
|
|
The group, consisting of 23 people from five countries, explored the theme of sustainability, witnessing firsthand how cooperatives in Costa Rica are leading efforts to reduce emissions and reverse deforestation. Key takeaways from the tour included the strong relationship between public institutions and the cooperative economy, as well as cooperatives' contributions to a public cooperative educational institution and commitment to social benefits.
Thank you to Isthmus Engineering and the Ralph K. Morris Foundation for sponsoring this trip.
|
|
Photo of participants in Costa Rica
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCMA 2025 Coming to Duluth, Minnesota
|
|
|
|
|
We are thrilled to announce that the Consumer Cooperative Management Association (CCMA) Conference is coming to Duluth, Minnesota, for the first time! Set against the backdrop of Lake Superior and the breathtaking Northern Lights, CCMA 2025 promises to be an inspiring and transformative gathering for food co-op leaders nationwide.
This year’s conference theme celebrates the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025) and its powerful message: Cooperatives Build a Better World. The theme highlights the transformative role cooperatives play in addressing global challenges and fostering shared prosperity, resilience, and sustainability.
Drawing inspiration from the Northern Lights visible in Duluth, MN, the theme symbolizes the beauty and potential of individuals working together, and how cooperatives—like auroras—can illuminate the path toward a brighter shared future. By embracing the principles of collective action and solidarity, cooperatives create a spectrum of possibilities locally and globally.
What to Expect at CCMA 2025:
- Inspiring Keynote Speakers – Thought leaders and experts will discuss pressing issues and emerging trends in retail grocery and the cooperative movement.
- Engaging Breakout Sessions – With 25 sessions led by cooperative peers, attendees will gain insights into best practices, innovative strategies, and lessons learned.
- Co-op Tours – Groups will visit host co-op stores, community organizations dedicated to food access, and organic producers in and around Duluth.
- Networking & Social Events – There are many opportunities to build connections with fellow cooperators through engaging activities and shared experiences.
- Community Boards – Attendees can join topic-focused discussions and collaborate with like-minded peers.
- In-App Peer Networking – A digital platform will help attendees connect, share ideas, and continue discussions beyond the conference.
Join us as we harness the collective power of cooperation to build a more sustainable and equitable future. Whether you are a longtime food cooperative leader or new to the movement, CCMA 2025 will be an invaluable opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired.
For more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit the CCMA website. We look forward to seeing you in Duluth!
|
|
|
|
|
Meet our 2025 Scholarship Awardees, Colleen Henegan and Erick Molina!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colleen Henegan is a PhD candidate in environment and resources at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. Her research takes a holistic approach to analyzing climate change and its effects on crop yields in Zambia, with the goal of providing scientifically accurate policy recommendations that are relevant to stakeholders.
|
|
|
|
Erick Molina is a current second year PhD student in the Department of Agriculture and Applied Economics. His research seeks to address the critical challenge of misaligned incentives in Uganda’s dairy sector by introducing quality-contingent contracts, where cooperatives pay farmers premiums for higher-quality milk. The project aims to work directly with cooperatives, leveraging their role in the value chain as key intermediaries for quality control.
|
|
|
|
The Graduate Student Scholarships for Research, Outreach, and Training on Cooperatives honors Dr. Ann Hoyt and Barbara and Thomas Lyon. Dr. Hoyt is internationally recognized for her innovative research and contributions to co-op education. Thomas Lyon was an agriculturalist, a cooperator, and a former University of Wisconsin Board of Regents president. Established in 2013, the Barbara and Thomas Lyon Scholarship Fund supports graduate students with an expressed interest in cooperative business.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advancing Cooperative Governance Research: CGRI 2024 Progress
|
This past summer, the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives (UWCC) conducted the second wave of data collection for the Cooperative Governance Research Initiative (CGRI). We are pleased to share that the data cleaning for the CGRI 2024 survey is complete and we are now working on analysis.
A total of 436 cooperatives, credit unions, and insurance mutuals participated in this year’s survey, resulting in a 12% response rate. Notably, 225 of these respondents also participated in the 2021 survey, reflecting a 49% return rate.
In the coming months, we plan to share detailed findings through research reports, research briefs, and sector specific reports. Stay tuned for deeper insights into cooperative governance trends and practices.
Below, you’ll find a quick snapshot of the characteristics of our 2024 survey respondents.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In Brief: Resources and Updates
|
|
Ag Sector Research Brief Available
|
|
|
|
Our latest release from the Cooperative Governance Research Initiative (CGRI) is a research brief entitled The Role of Right Mix and Board Development Practices in Governance Outcomes is now available. The research brief, which our Executive Director Courtney Berner co-authored with Dr. Keri Jacobs and Dr. Jasper Grashuis, uses data from the 2021 CGRI survey to explore how board composition, recruitment, and development practices influence governance outcomes in agricultural cooperatives. The findings suggest that while recruitment practices are important, confidence in having the “right mix” of board members and investing in director development through thoughtful onboarding and advanced training have the most measurable impact on governance success. The research brief is a follow up to the report on CGRI Ag Sector Findings we released in 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
UN Declares 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives
|
|
|
|
The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives, with the theme “Cooperatives Build a Better World.” This global initiative recognizes the critical role cooperatives play in advancing sustainable development.
Objectives of the IYC2025
- Raise awareness about the impact and potential of cooperatives globally.
- Encourage governments, private sectors, and civil society to support cooperative initiatives.
- Showcase success stories and innovations in cooperative models.
- Promote policies and practices that enable cooperatives to thrive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Events
|
|
|
|
CCMA 2025
May 29 - 31, 2025
Duluth, Minnesota
We are excited to bring CCMA to Duluth, Minnesota, for the first time ever! Food cooperators can expect engaging keynote speakers highlighting issues impacting the cooperative movement, breakout sessions featuring cooperative peers sharing their lessons learned and strategies for the future, co-op tours highlighting the local gems that Duluth has to offer, and social activities to connect and network with food cooperative peers.
Early bird registration is open now!
|
|
|
|
|
Training for New Employees of Cooperatives
Spring Training Series:
April 23, 2025, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
April 30, 2025, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Zoom
Fall Training Series:
October 22, 2025, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
October 29, 2025, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Zoom
|
This training is designed for employees of cooperatives seeking to deepen their understanding of the cooperative model. By the end of this training, attendees will have a stronger grasp of the cooperative identity and its impact on communities and economies.
This training is only for cooperatives based in Wisconsin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
