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Cooperatives are mutually-owned, democratically-controlled businesses based on values of self-help and equity. The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences Center for Cooperatives assists entrepreneurs, educates the community, and generates knowledge about the cooperative business model with a special focus on food, agriculture, and rural communities. 

Learn more about the Center's work in the short video below that was created for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the OSU South Centers, the CFAES location where the Center for Cooperatives is housed. 

 

*Highlights of CFAES Center for Cooperatives Video Transcript

 

 

News

  1. Financing a Cooperative

    Financing a Cooperative - Appalachia Cooperates Initiative Online Learning Session

    Feb 26, 2025

    Learn about financing a cooperative with Shobna Dhewant with Capital Impact Partners. Whether you’re a new cooperative or looking to expand, this online session will provide insights to help navigate the financial landscape.

  2. Building Community: Connect with Cooperators on Appalachia Cooperates Initiative Peer Networking Calls this Spring 2025

    Feb 22, 2025

    Are you looking for cooperative development resources? New to cooperatives and want to connect with other cooperators? Want to learn from the experiences of folks building cooperatives? Join us for peer networking calls as part of the Appalachia Cooperates Initiative!  

  3. Attendees of Food and Farm Marketing Basics in January 2025 network following the event.

    Center and Partners Bring “Food and Farm Marketing Basics” Workshop to Fairfield County, Ohio

    Feb 22, 2025

    Who is my target customer? What information do I need to price my products to make a profit? How can I help customers recognize my business across advertising platforms?

more news

Recent Videos

A Q&A with Co-op Worker Owners in Appalachia
A Q&A with Co-op Worker Owners in Appalachia

Appalachia Cooperates Initiative: A Q&A with Co-op Worker Owners in Appalachia (August 14, 2024)

Panelist Speakers: Grace Corbin & Josh Brown, Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina, Octavia Corden, Phat Daddy's on Da Tracks, and Mavery Davis, New Economy Works West Virginia. 

Curious about how worker cooperatives actually work? Grace Corbin and Josh Brown, worker owners and board members with Casa Nueva Cantina, Phat Daddy’s On Da Tracks’ co-founder and worker-owner Octavia Corden, and Mavery Davis with New Economy Works West Virginia, share their experiences building and governing their worker-owned restaurants in Athens, Ohio, and Charleston, West Virginia, respectively.  

Read more about the program in a blog post from the CFAES Center for Cooperatives.  
A Q&A with Co-op Worker Owners in Appalachia
A Q&A with Co-op Worker Owners in Appalachia

Appalachia Cooperates Initiative: A Q&A with Co-op Worker Owners in Appalachia (August 14, 2024)

Panelist Speakers: Grace Corbin & Josh Brown, Casa Nueva Restaurant & Cantina, Octavia Corden, Phat Daddy's on Da Tracks, and Mavery Davis, New Economy Works West Virginia. 

Curious about how worker cooperatives actually work? Grace Corbin and Josh Brown, worker owners and board members with Casa Nueva Cantina, Phat Daddy’s On Da Tracks’ co-founder and worker-owner Octavia Corden, and Mavery Davis with New Economy Works West Virginia, share their experiences building and governing their worker-owned restaurants in Athens, Ohio, and Charleston, West Virginia, respectively.  

Read more about the program in a blog post from the CFAES Center for Cooperatives.  
10 Questions to Ask Your Co-op Attorney
10 Questions to Ask your Attorney When Building your Cooperative

Appalachia Cooperates Initiative: 10 Questions to Ask your Attorney When Building your Cooperative (December 11, 2024) 

Panelist Speakers: Mike Russell, Esq., attorney with The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, and Jacqueline Radebaugh, Esq., Managing Partner and Shareholder with Jason Wiener p.c.

Cooperative attorneys, Mike Russell and Jacqueline Radebaugh discuss working effectively with an attorney as cooperators build their business, including how to prepare for working with an attorney who can best advise on the right structure for a cooperative. Staff from the CFAES Center for Cooperatives share resources for locating professional advisors for a cooperative or other emerging business, with a focus on Appalachia. Check out this handout summarizing Mike and Jacqueline’s suggested 10 questions cooperative entrepreneurs should ask an attorney when building a new co-op!
10 Questions to Ask your Attorney When Building your Cooperative
10 Questions to Ask your Attorney When Building your Cooperative

Appalachia Cooperates Initiative: 10 Questions to Ask your Attorney When Building your Cooperative (December 11, 2024) 

Panelist Speakers: Mike Russell, Esq., attorney with The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, and Jacqueline Radebaugh, Esq., Managing Partner and Shareholder with Jason Wiener p.c.

Cooperative attorneys, Mike Russell and Jacqueline Radebaugh discuss working effectively with an attorney as cooperators build their business, including how to prepare for working with an attorney who can best advise on the right structure for a cooperative. Staff from the CFAES Center for Cooperatives share resources for locating professional advisors for a cooperative or other emerging business, with a focus on Appalachia. Check out this handout summarizing Mike and Jacqueline’s suggested 10 questions cooperative entrepreneurs should ask an attorney when building a new co-op!
Dennis Bolling Co-op Member Benefits
Cooperative Member Benefits

Dennis Bolling, CEO (ret.) United Producers Inc.
Cooperative Member Benefits
Cooperative Member Benefits

Dennis Bolling, CEO (ret.) United Producers Inc.
Cooperative movement in Ohio
The Future of Ohio Co-ops

Chris Bruynis, Extension Educator
The Future of Ohio Co-ops
The Future of Ohio Co-ops

Chris Bruynis, Extension Educator