Cooperative Information

Cooperatives, and Calcot is a cooperative, are a type of business organization.

Calcot is a producer-owned cooperative, organized under the Capper-Volstead Act of 1922, which made farmer-owned cooperatives legal in the U.S. Until the passage of the act, many business people feared cooperatives would allow monopolies to form, but in reality, cooperatives were and are an important part of the financial structure for many of America’s family-owned farms.

Cooperatives differ from corporations in intent and structure: whereas a corporation is set up to make a profit to return to shareholders—who may or may not have a vested interest in the success of the business, other than being an investor in the stock—a cooperative is set up to benefit only or primarily those who use its products and services, and is therefore owned by those who invest in it.

In other words, a cooperative is a business that spreads financial risk and rewards amongst its owners.

Cooperatives operate under seven principles:

1. Voluntary and open membership
2. Democratic member control
3. Members’ economic participation
4. Autonomy and independence
5. Education, training and information
6. Cooperation among cooperatives
7. Concern for community Voluntary and open membership

Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all able to use their services and willing to accept membership responsibilities, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. Cooperatives are democratic organizations, controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. Elected representatives are fully accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives (such as Calcot), members have equal voting rights (each member has only one vote, regardless of member volume or participation).

Members’ economic participation

Members contribute equitably to and democratically control cooperative financial capital. At least part of that capital is the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting activities approved by the membership.

Autonomy and independence

Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If the cooperative enters into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, it is done so on terms that ensure democratic control by the members to maintain their cooperative autonomy.

Education, training and information

Cooperatives provide education and training for members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of the cooperative. Cooperatives also inform the general public, particularly opinion leaders and young people, about the nature and benefits of the cooperative business model.

Cooperation among cooperatives

Cooperatives serve members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.

Concern for community

While focusing on members needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.