Many U.S. agricultural cooperatives have roots dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with governance practices that have evolved to reflect their growth and change. The increasing complexity of farm and cooperative operations coupled with dynamic business, economic, and social environments are creating new challenges for governance. In this interactive session, cooperative leaders will reflect on governance practices and trends surfaced by the UW Center for Cooperatives’ recent report Cooperative Governance Research Initiative Ag Sector Findings. The panel will discuss topics such as board service limits, compensation, trust, and healthy dissent in the board room.
Heather Beaner, Director, Agtegra
Jason Brancel, President and CEO, Riceland Foods, Inc.
Jake Taylor, Vice Chairman, MFA Oil
Moderator: Courtney Berner, Executive Director, UW Center for Cooperatives
File: Cooperative-Governance-in-Action-Slides.pdf
Farmers routinely use sophisticated technologies, such as GPS-driven precision farming equipment, to optimize resources and minimize yield losses. With the internet abuzz with the rapid breakthrough of generative artificial intelligence (AI) programs such as ChatGPT and questions about their impacts on many industries, this session will take a high-level look at AI applications in the farming space. For all of the innovative solutions like drone technology, driverless trucks, and harnessing algorithms and data-driven models, there are practical challenges like data privacy, cost, and interpretability. This session will explore the opportunities and challenges facing farmer cooperatives in delivering value to members through AI applications.
Nathan Joraanstad, Director of Engineering, Bushel
Moderator: Doug O’Brien, President and CEO, National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International
File: Leveraging-Artificial-Intelligence-in-the-Agriculture-Industry-Presentation.pdf
In this session, Dr. Wilson will explore U.S. and global agricultural trade developments including impacts from the war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, and increased competition.
Dr. William Wilson, CHS Chair in Risk Management and Trading, University Distinguished Professor, North Dakota State University
File: Cooperative-Risk-Management-Presentation-Slides.pdf
Attracting and retaining talent is a huge challenge. What worked in the past isn’t as effective today. Talent is available in unconventional areas and requires a different approach. In this session, agribusiness leaders will share their co-ops’ strategies to address the labor shortage through flex labor programs meeting the workforce at their availability and partnering with local service organizations to hire apprentices.
Presented by:
Tony Bedard, Chief Executive Officer, Frontier Co-op
Brandon Calvert, Senior Manufacturing Director, Supply Chain, Land O’ Lakes Inc.
Moderator: Angie Coleman, Organizational Development Consultant, FCCS
File: Alternative-Approaches-to-the-Labor-Shortage.pdf
In this session, cooperative leaders will share the strategies their cooperatives have used to address member equity challenges.
File: Pathways-to-Addressing-Member-Equity-Challenges.pdf
Over the past several decades, farmer cooperatives have been challenged with maintaining adequate equity to finance growth while balancing the need to retire member equity. Some cooperatives have delayed or slowed equity redemption to address immediate financial concerns. Equity redemption is a complex balancing act—it is difficult to design an equity program that meets the cooperative’s capital needs and is attractive to members. Additionally, it is important to manage the expectations of the members and have clear communication regarding any changes to equity management programs. In this session, cooperative leaders will share the strategies their cooperatives have used to address member equity challenges.
Presented by:
Scott Buchli, Member Relations, Land O’Lakes Inc.
David Johnsrud, Director, CHS Inc.
Matt Severson, CEO, Premier Co-op
Moderated by: Dr. Keri Jacobs, Associate Professor of Ag & Applied Economics, MFA Chair and GICL Distinguished Fellow, University of Missouri
This session will highlight the trends, challenges, and opportunities for farmer-owned cooperatives with a focus on policy.
Presented by Chuck Conner, President & CEO, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
File: Policy-Update-Presentation-Slides.pdf
This session will highlight the trends, challenges, and opportunities for farmer-owned cooperatives with a focus on policy.
Presented by Chuck Conner, President & CEO, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Farmers and co-op managers face a challenge hiring and retaining qualified employees. In this session, leaders will share how their co-ops are leveraging the cooperative difference to retain talent and to build cooperative culture.
Kimberly Frederickson, Director of Learning and Organizational Development, Organic Valley
File: Kimberly_fredrickson.pdf
Farmers and co-op managers face a challenge hiring and retaining qualified employees. In this session, leaders will share how their co-ops are leveraging the cooperative difference to retain talent and to build cooperative culture.
Phil Kenkel, Professor and Bill Fitzwater Cooperative Chair, Oklahoma State University
File: Phil_Kenkel.pdf
Farmers and co-op managers face a challenge hiring and retaining qualified employees. In this session, leaders will share how their co-ops are leveraging the cooperative difference to retain talent and to build cooperative culture.
Tessa Burgener, Communications Manager, Aurora Cooperative
File: Tessa_Burgener.pdf
Farmer cooperatives use a variety of defined benefit and defined contribution programs for their employees. As mergers become more common, directors need to understand the differences between plans and the impact on the cooperative.
Mike Boland, Professor and Director, University of Minnesota Food Industry Center
Tim Goodman, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney
Mike Trosen, General Manager, Meadowland Farmers Co-op
File: Defined_Benefit_Plans.pdf