Agricultural Co-Ops for Small Farmers
Event Details
Date
June 11, 2025
Time
1pm - 2pm EST
Location
Zoom
Host
NY FarmNet
Ag Co-ops are member-owned organizations that can provide big benefits for those involved. In this webinar, attendees will gain a high-level overview of the farmer co-op business model including the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a co-op strategy. This webinar is for all producers, regardless of size or enterprise, who are thinking about starting a co-op and to gain an understanding of what's involved. Presented by Nicole Tommell, Director of the Cooperative Enterprise Program at Cornell University.
Presenter Bio:
Nicole Tommell is the Director of the Cooperative Enterprise Program at the Cornell Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. She also serves as Executive Secretary/ Treasurer of the Northeast Cooperative Council, servicing agricultural and financial cooperatives.
Before her role in the Cooperative Enterprise Program, Nicole was the Farm Business Management Specialist for the Central NY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team. In this role, she worked with producers in financial management, human resources and other topics.
Dairy
Livestock
Forages
Grains
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We send out a bi-weekly e-newsletter that has announcements, upcoming programs, and opportunities for you! Registration is quick, easy, and free. Click here to sign up today!Farmers Can Join MeatSuite For Free!
MeatSuite.com is a free resource provided by Cornell University where NY meat farmers can create a farm profile and list their bulk (wholes, halves, quarters) and bundled (i.e. Grilling Bundle) meat products.Why should farmers join?
1. It's free and easy!
2. Connect with more local customers. In the past year the MeatSuite.com farm directory had 8,300 visits from New York consumers. Farm profiles get as many as 25 views per month from potential local customers. We also spotlight MeatSuite farms on social media and bring attention and purchases to farms through highlights and giveaways.
How do I join?
Farmers can visit https://www.meatsuite.com/farmers/ to create a free farm profile. You must list at least one product for your farm's profile to go live. You'll also have access to Cornell's free Meat Price Calculator, a helpful tool for pricing your meat to make a profit.
While you're on MeatSuite, check out the "Creating Consumer-Friendly Bulk Meats" publication on the log-in page. It has tips on how to create bulk meat products that are easier for first-time buyers to say "yes" to.
If you have any questions as you create your farm profile or products, we're here to help! Please email Matt LeRoux at mnl28@cornell.edu.