The Cooperative Advantage
Our strength comes from our member farms, the Family of Farms of CROPP Cooperative.
One farm, one vote
Every member farm enjoys the same potential. "We work for the farmers," says George Siemon, the CEO of CROPP Cooperative. "When it comes down to it, they are the bosses, and we take our direction from them. These folks are passionate about their Co-op!"
Our farmers make up our Board of Directors; they are the guiding hand for our business. Every farmer can be heard; each has an equal vote.
True local representation
Each regional pool of farmers elects a representative to serve on their pool’s Executive Committee, which makes recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Board governs the co-op, so the voice of the farmer is heard clearly.
Control your future
We are committed to farm gate pricing, and our successful collective bargaining efforts have brought stable and steadily rising farmer pay prices.
The co-op structure puts the farmer in the drivers seat.
Our foundation "Y in the road" policy ensures that farmers are paid first for their production, and the business is run on the remainder, not the other way around.
We are a family of farms
Membership in CROPP Cooperative provides brand equity. Our labels are nationally recognized as representing America’s organic family farmers.
Our success speaks for itself: we have become the nation’s largest organic farmer cooperative, with a diverse product line and an equally diverse member base. Our excellent reputation gives us power in the marketplace. We are the Number One organic brand in natural supermarkets, and the #4 organic brand in all supermarkets.
Our Organic Valley and Organic Prairie labels are a vehicle to protect the long-term pay price to the farmers and their stability in the organic marketplace.
Regional is sustainable
We work to match local production with local markets as much as possible, and utilize regional processors, keeping money in the local economy.
Our milk cartons tell the story of our local farmers. Citizen consumers can identify with supporting farmers in their area.
Hope for the next generation
Organic is a new model of farming that is not subject to the vagaries of commodity markets. Low input sustainable methods often require less initial investment.
Our farmer equity program returns 8% to the farmers, which is paid back upon request, not in the form of promised dividends but as a solid investment.
Invest in your future… "I see it as my personal retirement account," says Travis Forgues, CROPP Cooperative dairy farmer, "And what better investment than my fellow farmers?"
We are leaders of the organic revolution
CROPP’s leadership has been proactive in development of standards for organic production.
CROPP Cooperative’s producer pools continue to raise the bar, setting higher standards in order to maximize organic potential.
"Keeping farmers on the land revitalizes America’s rural landscape. We are proud to be a part of a new agricultural renaissance," says George Siemon. "Organic farming is a vision of hope."
We stand on solid ground
We aren’t burdened by bricks and mortar. We rely on co-processors to manufacture our products. Our long term investment is in our farmers and our employees.
Our auditors reflect our confidence that we are in excellent financial position, with very little debt and a solid balance sheet. Our equity to asset ratio is 44%. The average among dairy co-ops is 33.76%. As our chief financial officer says, equity equals independence.
Our fantastic growth reflects the growth of the organic movement, but as we have grown, our efficiencies have increased.
Opportunity is knocking
There are options for you on your farm. Our impressive product line means the potential is there for on-farm diversification.
Our devotion to the betterment of our farmers leads us to provide the best in member services.
We are there to assist you through the transition process to bring your farm into certified organic production.
We are the real deal
Joining our cooperative means joining with over 1200 family farmers who choose to collectively market together. Our success speaks for itself.
We continue to strive to educate our citizen consumers on the issues facing farmers, the strong environmental gift that organic farmers give to the landscape, and the difference their food dollar choices make. They believe and trust in us.
We are a cooperative of family farmers, not a cumbersome, profiteering corporation.
Put your roots down!
To learn more about the strength of the Organic Valley and Organic Prairie brands, visit www.organicvalley.coop and www.organicprairie.coop.
