1 Our mission is to enhance the quality of life and economic opportunities for rural Mississippi residents through the development of cooperative businesses . THE QUIET MOVEMENT MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVES A State Association of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund Sep 2012 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Third QUARTER EDITION 2012 NEWSLETTER This article has been dedicated to the international year of cooperatives; I am sure many of us are not aware that India is the largest milk producer in the world today. It was really interesting to know during my research that India utilized their strong cooperative infrastructure in a very effective manner to achieve such a land- mark in the world. India named this White Revolution or Operation Flood. With an annual production of 108 million tons, 65 per cent of which is produced a national herd of 113 million head of cattle/ buffaloes, India is the world’s largest milk-producing country ahead of the second largest milk producer United States of America with76 mil- lion tons. Approximately 75 million dairy farming house- holds, mostly small farmers are linked to cooperatives. Milking is done by hand, and the milk is then transported to the village collection centers or it is collected by local milkmen. About 45 per cent of the milk is used by the farming households and only 15 to 20 per cent is delivered to formal milk processors. The majority of milk products are produced and marketed in India by Anand Milk Union Limited (AMUL). It was formed in 1946, it’s a brand name managed by one of the premier Indian cooperative organization; the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF). The White Revolution did not only affect the Indian Economy but the Indian social scenario as well. Traditionally, India’s dairy cooperative societies were run by men, but with time, this has gradually changed. Today, about 18% of cooperative members are women and nearly all the women cooperatives are functioning in the country. Over 1000 women in Gujarat’s Sundarnagar district proved that modern technologies can ameliorate the worries of poor rural women. The White Revolu- tion or Operation Flood has helped farmers or cooperative members, direct their own development, placing control of the resources they create in their own hands. A 'National Milk Grid', links milk producers throughout India with consumers in over 700 towns and cities, reducing seasonal and regional price variations while ensuring that the producer gets a major share of the price consumers pay. The ultimate benefits achieved. Cooperative Works!!! BY: Nitu Srivastava
Transcript
1
Our mission is to enhance the quality of life and economic opportunities
for rural Mississippi residents through the development of cooperative businesses.
THE
QUIET MOVEMENT
MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF COOPERATIVES A State Association of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund
Sep
201
2
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Third QUARTER EDITION 2012 NEWSLETTER
This article has been dedicated to the international year of cooperatives;
I am sure many of us are not aware that India is the largest milk producer in the world
today. It was really interesting to know during my research that India utilized their
strong cooperative infrastructure in a very effective manner to achieve such a land-
mark in the world. India named this White Revolution or Operation Flood. With an
annual production of 108 million tons, 65 per cent of which is produced a national
herd of 113 million head of
cattle/ buffaloes, India is the
world’s largest milk-producing
country ahead of the second
largest milk producer United
States of America with76 mil-
lion tons. Approximately 75
million dairy farming house-
holds, mostly small farmers
are linked to cooperatives.
Milking is done by hand, and
the milk is then transported to the village collection centers or it is collected by local
milkmen. About 45 per cent of the milk is used by the farming households and only
15 to 20 per cent is delivered to formal milk processors.
The majority of milk products are produced and marketed in India by Anand Milk
Union Limited (AMUL). It was formed in 1946, it’s a brand name managed by one of
the premier Indian cooperative organization; the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd. (GCMMF).
The White Revolution did not only affect the Indian Economy but the Indian social scenario as well. Traditionally, India’s
dairy cooperative societies were run by men, but with time, this has gradually changed. Today, about 18% of cooperative
members are women and nearly all the women cooperatives are functioning in the country. Over 1000 women in Gujarat’s
Sundarnagar district proved that modern technologies can ameliorate the worries of poor rural women. The White Revolu-
tion or Operation Flood has helped farmers or cooperative members, direct their own development, placing control of the
resources they create in their own hands. A 'National Milk Grid', links milk producers throughout India with consumers in
over 700 towns and cities, reducing seasonal and regional price variations while ensuring that the producer gets a major
share of the price consumers pay.
The ultimate benefits achieved.
Cooperative Works!!!
BY: Nitu Srivastava
2
Agribusiness Management Specialists are assigned to different counties to provide service to small farmers
and ranchers. We are to help them become economically sound and increase their profitability. Training and
technical assistance are provided through workshops on USDA Programs, farm management, vegetable and
livestock production along with cooperative development training.
I was assigned to Oktibbeha County to find small farmers and hopefully start a co-op. I was fortunate to meet Mr. Or-
lando Trainer, a Supervisor for District Two in Oktibbeha County. He is a member of Winston County Self Help Co-op
in Winston County. He knows the values of being a part of a co-op and he became my help on the inside. When we
talked, I found out that he had been meeting with a group of small farmers and invited me to the meeting. I told them
about the plan Mississippi Association of Cooperatives (MAC) had for starting a co-op in Oktibbeha County. I passed
out some pamphlets with information concerning MAC and the services they provide.
They now meet on a monthly basis. They have met several times and have ready for undergone continuous cooperative
development . It is great to have a man on the inside that is willing to help.
SECOND QUARTER EDITION 2012 NEWSLETTER
Inside Help By: Conston Scott
Going Back to the Basics: Let’s have a Cooperative Revival
By: Savannah Jackson-Hales
In order for your cooperative to be truly successful, we have to keep in mind and act upon the 7 Basic Cooperative Princi-
ples. We know that the world is not perfect and only in a perfect world will you have harmony all the time in your coop-
erative. In running your business, just know that you will be offended, you will get mad, and you will have the desire to
just give up and quit, but guess what? You are not alone. Everybody at one point or another go through these same feel-
ings, and only the strong willed survives them. When your passion exceeds your discomfort, you will experience more in-
stances of success. Sometimes in this cooperative world that we live in, we have to be refreshed on what being in a coop-
erative is all about, the 7 Basic Cooperative Principles. Sometimes, just like the church, we need a revival, and reviewing
these principles just might be the revival that we need along with some Cooperative and Board Trainings. So here are the 7
Basic Cooperative Principles:
1. Open Membership- A cooperative is open to all persons who have a common need or interest.
2. Democratic Member Control- Cooperatives are democratically controlled by their members. Person- One Vote.
3. Member Economic Participation- Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their
cooperative. There is a Limited Return on Investment to ensure that the Benefits Returned According to Use of the co-
operative go to those who use it most by the members being both owners and customers. Members allocate surpluses that
benefit members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative, and those who support other activities approved
by the membership. Any margins earned on operations above expenses in operating and developing their cooperative,
capital reserved as the common property of the cooperative, and capital subscribed as a condition of membership, is avail-
able for return to the members based on their patronage of the cooperative. Of the expenses that can be reduced by volun-
tary efforts of the members, reduces the costs to all of the members. A smart concept to keep in mind is Business for
Cash Whenever Practical. Cooperatives must raise most of their capital and operating funds because granting credit is
expensive and always risky.
4. Autonomy and Independence- Cooperatives are self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into
agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms
that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5. Constant Education, Training, and Information- Cooperatives provide education and training their members, elected
representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They
inform the public - particularly young people and opinion leaders - about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6. Cooperation Among Cooperatives- Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative
movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7. Concern for the Community- Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through poli-
cies approved by their members.
Keeping in harmony with the celebration of the International Year of the Cooperatives, your state association, the Missis-
sippi Association of Cooperatives FSC/LAF, will be hosting our very own statewide cooperative revival, the Mississippi
Cooperative Summit, on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at the Regency Hotel in Jackson, MS from 8am- 3pm. Our hope is
that you will be reintroduced to these seven principles on a much grander scale; so that you can go back to your own coop-
erative and revive the business, the membership, the community, and most importantly yourself. As we all know, true
change starts within you first. Let’s get to it Cooperatives!
3
THE STATE COORDINATOR’S REPORT FROM THE DESK OF BEN F. BURKETT
SECOND QUARTER EDITION 2012 NEWSLETTER
2.5 X 2025
Visit Our MAC Website :
www.mississippiassociation.coop
Like us on Face book
Thank you very much everyone, to all MAC
staff, farmers, Board member, and volunteers
for making the 45th Federation of Southern
Cooperatives/ LAF Annual meeting in Epes,
Alabama successful and for helping us pre-
pare Friday night’s dinner.
During the month of June I traveled to Senegal, West Af-
rica where I visited the Federation of Africa Associated
Cooperative member FEPERRS. In Senegal, I met with the
President of the Board of Director about the status of the
Cooperative. They need assistance from federation in mar-
keting their local grown rice. Also in month of June, we
marketed produce to one of our old customers; the Gulf
Coast Produce Distributors Inc. Indian Springs Cooperative
sold $3000.00 in produce to this company.
I continue to represent Federation of Southern Coopera-
tives/ LAF on the Board of the National Family Farm Coa-
lition (NFFC). We had our NFFC summer meeting in
Omaha, NE. Darnella Winston and Maya Crooks went with
me to that meeting. Please note that the MAC Board meet-
ing will be held on Saturday, September 15th, 2012.
We will have a 40 year celebration & fundraiser dinner on
December 13, 2012 at 7pm in Jackson MS. Ticket will go
on sale on September the 15th 2012. The tickets are $100
per person per ticket. For more information contact me on
my cell @ 601-310-5223 or at the office @601-354-2750
To stay abreast of
the many exciting
things we are in-
volved in at the
Mississippi Asso-
ciation of Coopera-
tives, please visit
our Website at
www.mississippiassociation.coop or befriend us on MAC
Face Book.
As we approach the middle of 2012, it is wise for cooperatives as well as business owners to review their business plan
for the cooperative and their individual farming operations. The overall purpose of a business plan is a blue print or road
map on steps on how to successfully plan and operate your business.
The key elements that a business plan consists of are:
Executive Summary - Who you are and what you want to do
What are your products/services?
Describe how you will market your product ( why you can succeed),
Outline a timetable for planning and implementing your business,
Put together a basic financial presentation (expenses, projected sales, need for financing and cash flow).
In order to apply for loans or other outside funding a business plan is needed to demonstrate how knowledgeable the
business owners and cooperative members are of their field. FSA Loans, SBA, banks, or credit unions each will require a
business plan to apply for funding.
If you would like more information or assistance on developing your successful business plan please contact the Missis-
sippi Center for Cooperative Development 601-354-2750.
Congratulations! Mrs.
Shirley Blakely, for being
re-elected as Mississippi’s
representative. She was
also elected as Chair-
woman of the Federation
of Southern Cooperatives/
LAF. Executive Board.
Mrs. Blakely, we are so
proud of you, and may you
continue to represent the
state of Mississippi. Shirley Blakely
Business Plan By :Tywan Arrington
$ Assets + Owners Equity
Goals Business Plan ? Balance Sheet
SWOT Analysis SUM() Cash Flow Income Statement
4
Mississippi Association of Cooperatives 233 East Hamilton Street Jackson, Mississippi, 39202
COOPERATIVE MEMBERSHIP
Attala County Self Help Cooperative
Beat 4 Farms Cooperative A.A.L
Family Farmers Cooperative
Indian Springs Farmers Association,Inc.
Milestone Cooperative Association
Mississippi Delta Southern Rural Black
Women in Agriculture
Mid-South Progressive Agricultural Group
New Community Cooperative
North Bolivar Development Cooperative
North Delta Produce Growers Cooperative
South Rankin County Farmers Association
Shuqualak Community Action Group
Winston County Self Help Cooperative
East Central Federal Credit Union (Hope)
Shelby Bolivar County Federal Credit Union
Shreveport Federal Credit Union
First Delta Federal Credit Union
Cooperative Associate Membership Bogue Chitto / Lincoln County Community
Center
Quitman County Development Organization
SECOND QUARTER EDITION 2012 NEWSLETTER
Staff Roster
Ben F. Burkett
State Coordinator
Myra Bryant
Executive Director
Kimberly Crisler
Director of Finance/Housing
Daisy Garrett
Administrative Assistant/
Outreach Coordinator/
Facilities Manager
Tywan Arrington
Agribusiness Management Specialist
Joe Barnes
Agribusiness Management Specialist
Maya Crooks
Agribusiness Management Specialist
Savannah Jackson-Hales
Cooperative Business Development
Specialist
Antonia Montgomery
Agribusiness Management Specialist
Angela L. Moore
Secretary/Bookkeeper
Conston Scott
Agribusiness Management Specialist
Nitu Srivastava
Information Technology Specialist
Daniel Teague
Agribusiness Management Specialist
LyTanya Toomer
MS Agriculture Mediation
Program Specialist
Darnella B. Winston
Cooperatives Field Specialist
Otis Wright, Jr.
Agribusiness
Management Specialist
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Hubert Nicholson President
Jessica Foxx Vice President Celeste Rogers
Secretary Charles Houston
Treasurer Sandra Bennett
Assistant Secretary
Board Members: Mae Ida Wesley Lynn Stapleton Jessie Fleming
