Cooperative Business Development

Forestry Co-ops Generate Income, Conserve Resources WoodWorks, a project of CooperationWorks!, helps small landowners form co-ops that sustainably harvest wood from small plots of forestland. The co-ops generate income as they conserve natural resources. More than 25 forest owner co-ops and associations have emerged from this project. WoodWorks has developed a "How-To" manual for would-be forestry co-ops. For more information, contact CooperationWorks! at cw@vcn.com.

NCBA's Cooperative Business Development program develops new and helps existing cooperatives through our partnership with CooperationWorks!—a network of rural co-op development centers—and our Urban Cooperative Development Initiative. This program also helps NCBA members develop important relationships with other co-ops to enhance their business opportunities. Through our annual Cooperative Development Forum and our network of cooperative legal and business experts, we help co-ops solve their most pressing business, governance and membership challenges.

NCBA also works closely with the Cooperative Development Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization that promotes self-help and mutual aid in community, economic, and social development through new cooperatives.

For more information, contact Adam Schwartz, Vice President of Public Affairs and Member Services, at (202) 383-5456 or aschwartz@ncba.coop.