Collaborative Marketing
Collaborative Marketing


Table of Contents

Introduction

Exploring Collaborative Marketing

Getting Started

Collaborative Marketing Group Profiles

Resource Guide

Resource Guide

There are many federal, state, public, and private resources available to assist you with business planning, product development, marketing plans, financing and legal considerations. Based on conversations with members of existing collaborative marketing groups (CMGs), we’ve identified the following agencies, organizations, and businesses that may be able to provide technical and financial assistance as well as other services. Because of the large number of businesses available, we cannot provide a complete listing in the Resource Guide. Instead, only those private businesses identified by CMG participants and other project collaborators are included here. The Resource Guide also includes publications and videos. Complete contact information for each resource provider is located at the end of the Resource Guide in alphabetical order.

The resources are organized according to the following topics:

  1. Business and Strategic Planning
  2. Business Structure
  3. Cooperative Principles, Development, and Management
  4. Finance
  5. Legal
  6. Marketing and Collective Bargaining
  7. Membership
  8. Product Development and Facility Design
  9. Transportation and Distribution
  10. Contact Information

    Use these resources as a starting point. Once you’ve identified resource agencies, organizations, businesses and/or individuals, be sure to ask questions - interview them to make sure that the resources they offer fit your needs and that you feel comfortable working together. Depending on the service your group requires, it may be necessary to identify a resource specialist who has experience working primarily with groups rather than individuals. Remember, the group development process can be very challenging and surprising!

    Moreover, tap your local resources. Consult those agencies or businesses with whom you have worked in the past, whether it be an accountant, marketing specialist, county extension educator, lender, or lawyer. Or take time for a visit to your local or nearby university library where a wealth of informational resources are available at no cost.

    Business and Strategic Planning

    Complete contact information for each resource provider is located at the end of the Resource Guide in alphabetical order.

    Services

    All of the agencies listed below offer assistance with business planning, feasibility studies, and strategic plans.

    • AgriBank, Inc. Offers strategic planning services to individuals and groups.
    • Cooperative Development Services. Provides consulting services to develop business and strategic plans for newly formed cooperatives on a fee-for-service basis.
    • Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Value-Added Agricultural Cooperative Grant Program. Assists with the identification of business planning consultants.
    • Minnesota Small Business Development Centers. Central, southwest, and northwest offices provide expertise on business planning for agricultural and forest products.
    • US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Minnesota. Provides feasibility study, strategic planning, and business planning assistance. Offers operational assistance to existing cooperatives.
    • University of Minnesota Extension Service. Assists with board training, strategic planning, and marketing plan development.

    Publications

    The USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service offers a comprehensive listing of USDA publications called Rural Cooperative Publications (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/cir4/cir4.htm). This listing includes commodity-specific cooperative-related publications in addition to resources about general cooperative formation, management, structure, organization, finance, and legal issues. The following publications list includes many non-commodity-specific publications taken from the USDA listing as well as other non-USDA publications.

    • Business Planning for Cooperatives, Walden Swanson and Mary Myers. Cooperative Development Services, University of Wisconsin, 1992. 113 pgs.
    • How to Really Create a Successful Business Plan, David E. Gumpert. Boston Inc. Magazine Publishing, 1997. 221 pgs.
    • Strategic Planning: A Conceptual for Small and Midsize Farmer Co-ops, James Wadsworth, James Staiert and Beverly Rotan. Research Report 112. USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1993. 19 pgs.
    • Strategic Planning Handbook for Cooperatives, Jerry Namken and Galen W. Rapp. CIR 48. USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1994. 32 pgs.

    Business Structure

    Complete contact information for each resource provider is located at the end of the Resource Guide in alphabetical order.

    Publications

    • The ABCs of LLCs: Limited Liability Companies Offer New Option for Rural Businesses, Donald A. Frederick. "Rural Cooperatives," Center for Cooperatives, University of Wisconsin, July/August 1997. 5 pgs.
    • Considerations When Selecting an Organizational Structure for Your Business, A.M. Morrow. FS 323, Oregon State UniversityExtension Service, November 1994.
    • Cooperative Organization and Structure, Donald L. Vogelsang, John M. Bailey, Lloyd Biser, E. Eldon Eversull, and Warren Mather. CIR 1. Section 6, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1993. 56 pgs.
    • The Impact of LLCs on Cooperatives: Bane, Boon or Non-Event? Donald A. Frederick. "Journal of Cooperatives," Volume 13, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, 1998. 8 pgs.
    • The Structure of Cooperatives, Tammy Meyer. CIR 45, Section 3, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, October 1994. 4 pgs.
    • What New Generation Cooperative Officials Should Know About Members and Their Concerns, Frayne Olson, Theron F. Kibbe, and Gary A. Goreham. Report Number 41, North Dakota Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Fargo, March 1998. 8 pgs.

    Cooperative Principles, Development, and Management

    Complete contact information for each resource provider is located at the end of the Resource Guide in alphabetical order.

    Services

    Agencies and universities listed below assist with board training, articles of incorporation, bylaws, cooperative structure, and cooperative management.

    • American Management Association. Provides specialized training workshops for new and developed businesses on a range of management topics.
    • Center for Cooperatives, University of Wisconsin. Assists with board training for newly developed or existing cooperatives.
    • Cooperative Development Initiative. Provides board training, strategic planning, and research on cooperative issues. May be phasing out services beginning May 2000.
    • Cooperative Development Services. Provides board training and other assistance with all phases of cooperative development on a fee-for-service basis.
    • Cooperative Foundation. Serves as an educational resource and provides support through organizations involved in cooperative education and development.
    • Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Value-Added Agricultural Cooperative Grant Program. Assists groups with the development of management plans and consultant referrals.
    • Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division. Provides start-up filing forms, such as Articles of Incorporation and registration for small businesses, cooperatives, partnerships, LLCs and LLPs.
    • National Cooperative Business Association. Website lists information and resources about cooperative development, organization, and financing.
    • US Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Minnesota. Provides board training and other technical assistance.
    • University of Minnesota Extension Service. Assists with board training, strategic planning, and marketing plan development.

    Publications

    • Adding Value for Sustainability (comprehensive guide on small-scale processing, food safety, financing, and marketing information), Duncan Hilchey and Kristen Markley. Cornell University, Farming Alternatives Program, July 1998. 85 pgs.
    • Challenges to the Cooperative Board of Directors, Dave Gutknecht, ed. Cooperative Grocer, 1996. 42 pgs.
    • Cooperation Works! E.G. Nadeau and David J. Thompson. ISBN: 1-883477-13-1, Lone Oak Press, Rochester, Minnesota, 1996. 205 pgs.
    • Cooperative Management, Galen W. Rapp. CIR 1, Section 8, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1995. 35 pgs.
    • Cooperative Business Principles, Tammy Meyer. CIR 45, Section 2, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1996. 4 pgs.
    • Cooperative Communications, Gene Ingalsbe. CIR 1, Section 11, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1988. 48 pgs.
    • Cooperatives, Principles and Practices, Marvin Schaars. Center for Cooperatives, University of Wisconsin, 1980 (new edition forthcoming 1999/2000). 99 pgs.
    • Creating ‘Coop Fever’: A Rural Developer’s Guide to Forming Cooperatives, William Patrie. Report number 54, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, July 1998. 24 pgs.
    • Evaluating Board Performance, Bob Cropp. Center for Cooperatives, University of Wisconsin, January 1996. 7 pgs.
    • How to Start a Cooperative, Galen Rapp and Gerald Ely. Report number 7, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, September 1996. 32 pgs.
    • Make No Small Plans: A Cooperative Revival for Rural America, Lee Egerstrom. Lone Oak Press, Ltd, Rochester, Minnesota, 1994.
    • Steps to Starting a Marketing Co-op, Karen Zimbelman, E. Kim Coontz, and Audrey Malan. ISBN: 1-885641-15-X, Center for Cooperatives, University of California, 1996. 37 pgs.
    • The Social Mission of Farm Cooperatives: What Should It Be and How Should It Be Realized? Center for Rural Affairs, August 1996. 3 pgs.
    • Understanding Cooperative Principles and Practices, David W. Park. F-209, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University, 1998. 4 pgs.
    • What Co-op Employees Do, Galen W. Rapp. CIR 18, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1995. 33 pgs.
    • What the Co-op Manager Does, C. H. Kirkman, Jr. and Gene Ingalsbe. CIR 16,USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1993. 30 pgs.
    • What Is Cooperation? The Philosophy of Cooperation and Its Relationship to Cooperative Structure and Operations, F. Groves. Center for Cooperatives, University of Wisconsin, February 1981. 27 pgs.
    • Who Runs the Cooperative (Board of Directors), Tammy Meyer. CIR 45, Section 5, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, October 1994. 4 pgs.

    Videos

    • How to Start a Cooperative. Sound, color. USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1991. 31 minutes.
    • Cooperatives: Partners in Trade. Sound, converted slide set, color. USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1989. 10 minutes.
    • New Generation Farmer Cooperatives: The Development Process. Sound, color. Center for Cooperatives, University of Wisconsin, 1998. 57 minutes.
    • What Co-op Directors Do. Sound, color. USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1993. 24 minutes.

    Finance

    Complete contact information for each resource provider is located at the end of the Resource Guide in alphabetical order.

    Services

    Agencies, businesses, and universities listed below assist directly or indirectly with loan financing, grants, accounting, and/or financial projections.

    • AgriBank, Inc. Provides loans for individual farmers and start-up businesses.
    • Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute (AURI). Finances individual or group development of business plans, feasibility studies, product development, and marketing plans through a matching grants program of up to $15,000.
    • American Management Association. Offers training seminars on financial management.
    • Cooperative Development Services (CDS). Assists groups with the identification of financing sources and provides advice on finance application process.
    • Farm Service Agency. Makes loans available for the purpose of cooperative stock purchases.
    • Minnesota Association of Cooperatives. Website provides listing of Minnesota accountants and lenders.
    • Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Value-Added Agricultural Cooperative Grant Program. Offers matching grants of up to $50,000 to groups organized as cooperatives. Grants awarded in stages for business planning, feasibility studies, legal documentation, and marketing plans.
    • Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development. Identifies potential sources of financing for start-up businesses.
    • North Country Cooperative Development Fund. Provides loans to cooperatives throughout the Midwest with some technical assistance for borrowers.
    • Co-Bank. Federally chartered, customer-owned cooperative bank serving rural America. Provides loans and financial services to agricultural cooperatives and other eligible organizations, including rural electric, water, and telecommunications systems.
    • Small Business Administration, Individual local and state SBA Offices. Provides loans mostly for profit businesses falling within SBA’s maximum size standard guidelines (varying by type of business). Rates vary with maturity, size of loan, and specific lending program.
    • US Department of Agriculture: Rural Development, Minnesota. Provides loan guarantees, low-interest loans, and grants to groups organized as a cooperative and other forms of rural businesses.
    • US Department of Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Provides grants for rural development initiatives.

    Publications

    • Base Capital Financing of Cooperatives, Robert C. Rathbone and Donald R. Davidson. CIR 51, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1995. 26 pgs.
    • Cooperative Finance and Taxation, Robert C. Rathbone. CIR 1, Section 9, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1995. 26 pgs.
    • Equity Redemption and Member Equity, Robert C. Rathbone and Roger A. Wissman. Research Report 124, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1993. 25 pgs.
    • Financial Instruments Used by Cooperatives, Mary Beth Matthews. Research Report 68, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1988. 89 pgs.
    • Financing Co-ops, Robert Rathone. CIR 45, Section 7, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, (no date). 4 pgs.
    • Financing New-Wave Cooperative Ventures, Dennis A. Johnson. St. Paul Bank of Cooperatives, Fall 1994. 4 pgs.
    • Income Tax Treatment of Cooperatives, Donald A. Frederick. CIR 45, Section 8, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, January 1995. 4 pgs.
    • Leasing as an Alternative Method of Financing Agricultural Cooperatives, Glenn D. Peterson and Eric E. Gill. Research Report 83, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1990. 56 pgs.
    • Managing Your Cooperative’s Equity, Robert C. Rathbone. CIR 56, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1997. 29 pgs.
    • Questions and Answers About Agriculture Loan Officers and Farmers’ Investments in New Generation Cooperatives, Frayne Olson, Theron F. Kibbe, Gary A. Goreham. Report Number 42, NDSU Extension Service, Agricultural Economics, North Dakota State University, Fargo, March 1998. 8 pgs.
    • Understanding Cooperative Bookeeping and Financial Statements, Robert W. Binion. CIR 57, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1998. 42 pgs.
    • Working With Financial Statements, Roger Wissman. CIR 43, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1991. 21 pgs.

    Videos

    • Approaching Your Banker for a Loan. Sound, color. Minnesota Bankers Association, 1998. 20 minutes.

    Legal

    Complete contact information for each resource provider is located at the end of the Resource Guide in alphabetical order.

    Services

    The following agencies and businesses provide listings of lawyers and/or legal services.

    • Gunhus, Grinnell, Klinger, Swenson & Guy, Ltd. Law firm specializing in business planning for agricultural cooperatives, corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
    • Lindquist & Vennum, P.L.L.P. Law firm with expertise in agricultural cooperative legal issues.
    • Martindale-Hubbel Law Directory Assistance. Provides a complete listing of attorneys by state, practice, and firm.

    Publications

    • Cooperative Principles and Legal Foundations, Martin A. Abrahamsen, J. Warren Mather, James R. Baarda, and James Kelly. CIR 1, Section 1, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1993. 26 pgs.
    • Legal Guide for Farm Marketers: Answers to Questions About Direct Marketing, CSAs, Farmers Markets, Organic Certification, Roadside Stands, Local Processing, Employment, Taxes and Insurance, Neil Hamilton. Drake Agricultural Law Center, Drake University, Des Moines, 1999.
    • Legal Foundations of a Cooperative, Donald A. Frederick. CIR 45, Section 9,USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, March 1995. 4 pgs.
    • Marketing Agencies in Common: It Takes Two (or more) to Tango, William L. Sippel. Year In Cooperatives magazine, Fall 1997. 3 pages.
    • Sample Legal Documents for Cooperatives, Donald A. Frederick. CIR 40, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1995. 65 pgs.

    Marketing and Collective Bargaining

    Complete contact information for each resource provider is located at the end of the Resource Guide in alphabetical order.

    Services

    Agencies, businesses, and organizations listed below offer technical assistance on developing marketing plans and/or provide private business consultants with marketing expertise.

    • Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute (AURI). Assists and finances the development of marketing plans.
    • American Management Association. Provides seminars and publications on marketing management.
    • Cooperative Development Services (CDS). Develop marketing plans for cooperatives on a fee-for-service basis.
    • Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Value-Added Agricultural Cooperative Grant Program. Assists with the development and financing of marketing plans for cooperatives.
    • Minnesota Small Business Development Centers. Central, southwest, and northwest offices provide in-house expertise on agricultural marketing plans. Also serve as a resource and referral network for marketing consultants throughout Minnesota.
    • US Department of Agriculture: Rural Development, Minnesota. Provides technical and financial assistance for marketing research.

    Publications

    • Cooperative Farm Bargaining and Price Negotiation, Ralph B. Bunje. CIR 26, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1988. 194 pgs.
    • Developing a Marketing Plan, Stan Bevers, Mark Waller, Steve Amosson, and Dean McCorkle. RM3-3.0, Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University, April 1998. 3 pgs.
    • Emerging Markets for Family Farms: Opportunities to Prosper Through Social and Environmental Responsibility, Kelly O’Neill. Center for Rural Affairs, May 1997. 61 pgs.
    • Farm Bargaining Cooperatives: Group Action, Greater Gain, Gerald D. Marcus and Donald A. Frederick. Research Report 130, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1994. 160 pgs.
    • Marketing of Agriculture Products, Richard L. Kohls and Joseph N. Uhl. ISBN: 0-13-231275-1, Prentice-Hall, Inc, June 1997. 560 pgs.
    • Marketing Cooperatives, Marc Warman. CIR 45, Section 15, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, May 1998. 4 pgs.
    • Marketing Coordination in Agricultural Cooperatives, Roger A. Wissman. Research Report 159, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1997. 13 pgs.
    • The Marketing Plan, William M. Luther. American Management Association, August 1992. 209 pgs.
    • Practical Marketing Research, Jeffery L. Pope. American Management Association, January 1993. 325 pgs.
    • Product Position, Russell Tronstad. Direct Farm Marketing and Tourism Handbook, Arizona Cooperative Extension, Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics, University of Arizona, Tuscon, 1995.

    Videos

    • Anybody’s Dream: A Decision Case for Marketing Alternative Crops, T. Dunrud and S. Simmons. Sound, color. University of Minnesota Extension Service, Extension Store, University of Minnesota, July 1998. 14 minutes.

    Membership

    Complete contact information for each resource provider is located at the end of the Resource Guide in alphabetical order.

    Publications

    • Cooperative Member Responsibilities and Control, C.H. Kirkman, Jr. CIR 1, Section 7, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1993. 26 pgs.
    • Farmer Cooperatives: Members and Use, Charles A. Kraenzle, Roger A. Wissman, Thomas Gray, Beverly L. Rotan, and Celestine Adams. Research Report 77, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1989. 42 pgs.
    • Five Questions to Ask Before Joining a New Processing Cooperative, Frayne Olson. EC-1108, North Dakota Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Fargo, July 1996. 6 pgs.
    • Member Control of Cooperatives - What It Means and How It Is Exercised, Michael Cook, C. Brice Ratchford, and Brian Griffith. G902, Missouri Extension Service, University of Missouri, Columbia, 1998. 4 pgs.
    • Members Make Co-op Work, C. H. Kirkman, Jr. and Gene Ingalsbe. CIR 12, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1993. 29 pgs.
    • New Generation Cooperative Membership: How Do Members Differ from Nonmembers? Frayne Olson, Theron F. Kibbe, and Gary A. Goreham. Report Number 40, North Dakota Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Fargo, March 1998. 8 pgs.
    • Should I Join a New Processing Cooperative? Frayne Olson. EB-67, North Dakota Extension Service, North Dakota State University, Fargo, July 1996. 12 pgs.

    Product Development and Facility Design

    Complete contact information for each resource provider is located at the end of the Resource Guide in alphabetical order.

    Services

    The organizations listed below assist with all phases of product development, including processing, packaging, and marketing.

    • Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute (AURI). Assists with value-added product development from start-to-finish. Provides access to a product development lab and kitchen.
    • Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Value-Added Agricultural Cooperative Grant Program. Assists cooperatives with product and building/facility design.

    Transportation and Distribution

    Complete contact information for each resource provider is located at the end of the Resource Guide in alphabetical order.

    Publications

    • Co-op Marketing Agencies in Common, Bruce J. Reynolds. Research Report 127, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1994. 32 pgs.
    • Marketing and Transportation of Grain by Local Cooperatives, Charles L. Hunley and David E. Cummins. Research Report 115, USDA, Rural Business Cooperative Service, 1993. 16 pgs.

    Contact Information

    Direct contact information for all CMGs, agencies, universities, private businesses, and organizations listed in the Resource Guide or profiles is provided in alphabetical order below. Please contact these resource groups directly for questions and assistance in their area of expertise.

    • AgriBank, Inc. Gordon Foss, 375 Jackson St., St. Paul, MN 55101-1850. Tel: (651) 282-8433. Fax: (651) 282-8510.
    • Agricultural Utilization and Research Institute (AURI). 1380 Energy Lane, Suite 112 West, St. Paul, MN 55108. Tel: (651) 603-8108. Fax: (651) 637-2851. Web: http://www.auri.org
    • American Management Association. 1601 Broadway, New York, NY 10019-7420. Tel: (800) 262-9699. Web: http://www.amanet.org
    • Apple Crisp Cooperative. Harry Hoch, Route 1, Box 196, LaCrescent, MN 55947. Tel: (507) 643-6329. Email: hoch1@means.net
    • Arizona Extension Service, University of Arizona. PO Box 210023, Tuscon, AZ 85721-0023. Tel: (520) 621-6241. Fax: (520) 621-6250. Web: http://www.arizona.edu/AREC/ext/exthome
    • Center for Cooperatives, University of California. One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616. Tel: (530) 752-2048. Fax: (530) 752-5451. Email: centerforcoops@ucdavis.edu. Web: http://cooperatives.ucdavis.edu
    • Center for Cooperatives, University of Wisconsin. 230 Taylor Hall, 427 Lorch St., Madison, WI 53706-1503. Tel: (608) 262-3981. Fax: (608) 262-3251. Web: http://www.wisc.edu/uwcc
    • Center for Rural Affairs. 101 S. Tallman St., Walthill, NE 68067. Tel: (402) 846-5428. Fax: (402) 846-5420. Web: http://www.cfra.org
    • Central Minnesota Buckwheat Growers Cooperative. DeEtta Bilek, Route 1, Box 4, Aldrich, MN 56434. Tel: (218) 445-5475. Fax: (218) 445-5673. Email: deebilek@wcta.net
    • CoBank. 375 Jackson St., St. Paul, MN 55101. Tel: (651) 282-8200. Fax: (651) 282-8201. Web: http://www.spbc.com
    • Cooperative Development Initiative, University of Wisconsin. Dave Trechter or Linda Jacobson, Agricultural Economics, 410 S 3rd St, RDI Building, River Falls, WI 54022. Tel: (715) 425-3129 or 3176. Fax: (715) 425-4479. Email: david.d.trechter@uwrf.edu or linda.r.jacobson@uwrf.edu.
    • Cooperative Development Services. Rosemary Mahoney, 30 W. Mifflin St., Madison, WI 53703. Tel: (608) 258-4391. Fax: (608) 258-4394.
    • Cooperative Foundation. William J. Nelson, PO Box 64047, St. Paul, MN 55164-0047. Tel: (651) 451-5481. Fax: (651) 451-5073.
    • Cornell University, Farming Alternatives Program. 17 Warren Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853. Tel: (607) 255-9832. Fax: (607) 254-2896. Web: http://www.cals.cornell.edu/dept/ruralsoc/fap
    • Coullee Region Organic Produce Pool (CROPP) Cooperative. 507 W. Main, PO Box 159, LaFarge, WI 54639. Tel: (608) 625-2602. Fax: (608) 625-2600. Web: http://www.organicvalley.com
    • Dawson Buying Station. Carmen Fernholz, Route 2, Box 9A, Madison, MN 56256. Tel: (320) 598-3010. Fax: (320) 598-7347.
    • Drake Agricultural Law Center. Neil Hamilton, Cartwright Hall, 2507 University Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311-4505. Tel: (515) 271-3985 or (800) 443-7253. Fax: (515) 271-2530. Web: http://www.drake.edu
    • Farm Service Agency. Tracy Beckman, 375 Jackson St., Suite 400, St. Paul, MN 55101. Tel: (651) 602-7700. Fax: (651) 607-7743.
    • Gunhus, Grinnell, Klinger, Swenson & Guy, Ltd. Steve Noack, 514 Gate City Bldg., PO Box 2781, Fargo, ND 58108-2783. Tel: (701) 235-2506. Fax: (701) 235-9862. Web: http://www.fm-law.com
    • Lindquist & Vennum, P.L.L.P, Attorneys at Law, 4200 IDS Center, 80 South Eighth St., Minneapolis, MN 55402-2205. Tel: (612) 371-3211. Fax: (612) 371-3207.
    • Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Customer Assistance, 121 Chanlon Rd, New Providence, NJ 07974-1541. Tel: (800) 526-4902. Fax: (908) 464-3553. Web: http:/ www.lawyers.com
    • Minnesota Agro-Forestry Cooperative. Joe Dooley, 7121 Annapolis Lane, Maple Grove, MN 55311. Tel: (612) 420-7561.
    • Minnesota Association of Cooperatives. 30 E. 7th St., Suite 1720, St. Paul, MN 55102. Tel: (651) 228-0213. Fax: (651) 228-1184. Web: http://www.mncoop.org
    • Minnesota Bankers Association. Suite 200, 7601 France Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55435-5998. Tel: (612) 835-3900. Fax: (612) 896-1100. Web: http:/ www.minnbankcenter.org
    • Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Value -Added Grant Program. Terry Dalbec. 90 West Plato Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55107-2094. Tel: (651) 215-0368. Fax: (651) 296-6890. Web: http://www.mda.state.mn.us
    • Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, Business and Community Development. 121 East 7th Place, St. Paul, MN 55101. Tel: (651) 297-1291. Fax: (651) 296-1290. Web: http://www.dted.state.mn.us
    • Minnesota Secretary of State, Business Services Division. Room 180, State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155. Tel: (651) 296-2803. Web: http://www.sos.state.mn.us
    • Minnesota Small Business Development Centers. Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development, 500 Metro Square, 121 Seventh Place East, St. Paul, MN 55101-2146. Tel: (651) 297-5770. Fax: (651) 296-1260. Web: http://www.sba.gov/sbdc/
    • Missouri Extension Service, University of Missouri. 2800 Maguire Blvd, Columbia, MO 65211. Tel: (800) 292-0969. Fax: (573) 884-5038. Web: http://www.missouri.edu.
    • National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. 50 F St., Suite 900, Washington, DC 20001. Tel: (202) 626-8700. Fax: (202) 626-8722. Web: http://www.ncfc.org
    • National Cooperative Business Association. Leta Mach, New York Ave. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005-2160. Tel: (202) 638-6222. Fax: (202) 638-6222. Web: http://www.cooperative.org
    • National Farmers Organization. 2505 Elwood Dr., Ames, IA 50010. Tel: (800) 247-2110. Fax: (515) 292-7106. Web: http://www.NFO.ORG
    • North Country Cooperative Development Fund. Margaret Lund, 1219 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. Tel: (612) 331-9103. Fax: (612) 331-9145.
    • North Dakota Extension Service, University of North Dakota. PO Box 5437, Fargo, ND 58105-5437. Tel: (701) 231-8642. Fax: (701) 231-1059. Web: http://www.ext.nodak.edu
    • Oklahoma Extension Service, Oklahoma State University. 109 University Printing Bldg., Stillwater, OK 74078-7001. Tel: (405) 744-5385. Web: http//pio.okstate.edu
    • Oregon State University Extension Service. Extension and Station Communications, Oregon State University, 422 Kerr Administration, Corvallis, OR 97311-2119. Fax: (541) 737-0887. Email: puborders@orst.edu. Web: http://osu.orst.edu/extension/
    • Prairie Farmers Cooperative. Dennis Timmerman, RR1 Box 69, Boyd, MN 56218. Tel/Fax: (320) 855-2311.
    • Prairie Lamb Cooperative. John Essame, Route 1, Box 26B, Belview, MN 56214. Tel: (507) 925-4415. Fax: (507) 925-4202. Email: essame@rconnect.com
    • Rangeland Farmers Cooperative. Jim Spangler, RR2, Box 21, Morgan, MN 56266. Tel/Fax: (507) 249-3399.
    • St. Paul Bank of Cooperatives and Co-Bank. 375 Jackson St., St. Paul, MN 55101. Tel: (651) 282-8200. Fax: (651) 282-8201. Web: http://www.spbc.com
    • St. Paul Growers Association. Manager Jack Gerten, 290 East 5th St., St. Paul, MN 55101. Tel: (651) 227-8101. Fax: (651) 227-9012.
    • Small Business Administration, Individual local and state SBA Offices. Tel: (800) 827-5722. Web: http://www.sba.gov.
    • Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University. Department of Agricultural Economics, College Station, Texas 77843-2124. Tel: (409) 845-4911. Fax: (409) 845-4906. Web: http://agextension.tamu.edu
    • University of Minnesota, Center for Alternative Plant and Animal Science. Chris Hansen, 354 Alderman Hall, 1970 Folwell Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108. Tel: (612) 625-5747. Fax: (612) 625-9757. Web: http://capap.coafes.umn.edu
    • University of Minnesota Extension Service. Contact your local county office.
    • University of Minnesota Extension Service. David Trechter, Tel: (715) 425-3129. Fax: (715) 425-4479. Email: david.d.trechter@uwrf.edu.
    • University of Minnesota Extension Service, Extension Store. 20 Coffey Hall, 1420 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN 55108-6069. Tel: (612) 625-8173. Fax: (612) 625-6281. Web: http://www.extension.umn.edu
    • US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Business Cooperative Service. PO Box 3250, Washington, DC 20250-3255. Tel: (202) 720-3350. Fax: (202) 690-2750. Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov
    • US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development, Minnesota. 410 Farm Credit Bldg., 375 Jackson St., St. Paul, MN 55101-1853. Tel: (651) 602-7800. Fax: (651) 602-7824.
    • US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). National Office, USDA, Room 3868, South Building, Ag Box 2223, Washington DC 20250-2223. Tel: (202) 720-5203. Fax: (202) 720-6071. Web: http://www.sare.org
    • WesMIN Natural Resource Council. 900 Robert St. NE, Suite 104, Alexandria, MN 56308. Tel: (320) 763-4733. Fax: (320) 762-5502.
    • Whole Farm Cooperative. Phill Arnold, Route 2, Box 36, Long Prairie, MN 56347. Tel: (320) 732-4398.

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