Membership and Production Requirements

  1. To be Certified Organic by a certifying agency recognized by the USDA. CROPP is not liable for errors or omissions in the certification process.
  2. To use seeds, fertilizers, pest controls, packing materials etc. that meet the requirements of the chosen organic certifying agency and USDA National Organic standards.
  3. To make every effort to deliver all farm products signed up for with the produce coordinator. Although a member is not responsible for problems beyond their control, each member's production has an effect on the other produce pool members and the cooperative as a whole.
  4. To communicate regularly with the CROPP Produce Pool Coordinator concerning the progress of crops and any issues relating to production. This includes a two-week notice before harvest begins and a weekly (or more frequent) projection for dates and volumes of harvest and delivery.
  5. To follow post-harvest, packing, and storage standards relating to appearance, freshness and handling. CROPP has the right to refuse the receipt of produce that is judged unacceptable by these standards or for lack of communication prior to shipment.
  6. To transport all produce to the CROPP facility in Cashton, WI or contract and pay for pick-up from the farm by the CROPP produce truck. For growers outside of our region, CROPP can assist with arranging trucking to our warehouse or direct shipping to customers. The produce coordinator will determine how best to serve these members on a case by case basis.
  7. To use Organic Valley branded packaging for all produce to be marketed through CROPP and to accept the cost of such packaging. CROPP designs, purchases and stores all vegetable packaging and dispenses it at actual cost as a service to its members.
  8. To accept the current CROPP produce commission structure as it relates to crop payments. This structure will vary depending on many factors including crop variety, gross sales volume, region of production, and direct shipment of produce.
  9. To authorize CROPP to determine grower pay prices according to our yearly price pooling system. All growers will be paid the same base price per unit of a particular crop on a regular basis throughout the season, plus a pooling bonus at the end of the year. The pooling bonus is determined by the difference between the sales price and the base price plus twenty percent commission and freight. CROPP pays its vegetable growers bi-weekly and all pooling bonus averaging is done on a yearly basis.
  10. To make equity investments according to current Produce Pool Equity Policy. The current requirement is a minimum of $250.00 or 5.5% of yearly gross sales volume and will be deducted from a new member's crop payments in the fall of their first year.
  11. The Cooperative cannot guarantee results or profit and therefore, the Member agrees to release the Cooperative and its employees from any and all liability for any damages that occur as a result of the cooperative's advice or requirements regarding production.
  12. To pay added charges for produce incorrectly boxed, labeled, sorted, washed, or re-packed and to pay labor charges of $9.00 per hour for CROPP staff to correct the problem.

CROPP Commitments and Services

  1. To provide a central warehouse, refrigerated storage, marketing and distribution for #1 quality organic produce grown by its members.
  2. To use our best effort in marketing to get the highest overall price for produce and to use sound business practices to keep the cooperative's expenses as low as possible.
  3. To recommend sources for and varieties of seeds, plants and certified organic amendments as well as to share production recommendations and quality standards among its membership.
  4. To perform financial accounting for all transactions between growers and CROPP, between buyers and CROPP etc.
  5. To provide the member with support in dealing with individual organic certification issues and to keep the membership informed about current changes in USDA rules and policies.
  6. To provide a regular newsletter as well as notification of events, meetings and important policy decisions to the membership.
  7. To provide a copy of the CROPP bylaws upon request to all members. All records are open and available to growers according to the bylaws.
  8. To strive to pay members within 15 days of the end of the month, minus all service charges, fees and commissions.
  9. To consult with the Produce Executive Committee on policies affecting the vegetable program. The PEC is a group of produce pool members that acts as an advisory body to CROPP produce pool management and staff.

CROPP commits to serving the needs of its produce pool members to the best of its ability and in the spirit of cooperation.

For more information contact the pools team.