Small-Scale Grower Cooperatives in the Northeast United States: A Study of Organizational Characteristics, Manager, Member and Director Attitudes, and the Potential for Improving Regional Inter-Cooperative Collaboration

摘要

Between 1999 and 2001, managers, directors, and grower members of 25 small-scale fruit and vegetable cooperatives (annual gross sales of $10M or less) in the Northeast United States were surveyed to learn about their organizational characteristics, management strategies, and impacts on members. The results show the critical importance of small-scale cooperatives to their members, and members' farms and families, as well as reveal small-scale grower cooperative organizational fragility and vulnerability. Among the important challenges identified are a general lack of manager stability, underdeveloped business management skills, and maintaining member commitment. However, many respondents are interested in working together to better their industry, and potential areas for such inter-cooperative activities are identified.