The RMFU Cooperative Development Center was established in 1996 to provide technical, financial, and educational assistance for new and existing cooperative businesses and projects. Cooperatives are time-tested business models and for 25 years, we have helped small to mid-scale family farmers and ranchers, rural entrepreneurs, and rural service agencies begin, grow, and re-tool businesses, resulting in increased economies of scale, meaningful job creation, better quality of life, and increased income opportunities for rural citizens.
Exploratory Meeting – Co-Op 101 and Co-Op Types
Facilitate planning process.
Assist with feasibility studies and business plan development.
Organizational development and member capacity building.
Governance and Board Development.
Develop Policies and Procedures.
Legal assistance (Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws)
Ongoing support following start-up.
Connections to sharing community of Co-Ops.
Connections to Co-Op Friendly Service Providers
Accounting and Bookkeeping Specialists
Lenders
Grants