Michigan Cooperative Development Program
The Michigan Cooperative Development Program assists new and existing cooperatives, and employee-owned companies through education, research, and technical assistance.
48 Co-ops
received technical assistance
20 Years
of co-op development expertise
9 Staff
strategically located across the state
The Michigan Cooperative Development Program exists to support current and emerging cooperative and employee-owned enterprises in meeting their business goals. The program has 20 years of experience in supporting housing, worker, producer, consumer, purchasing, and multi-stakeholder co-ops.
We offer no-cost education and technical assistance to support co-ops at all points in their business journey. Services include:
- business planning
- financial analysis
- feasibility studies
- board trainings
- bylaws development
- marketing plans
- business succession
- legal incorporation
All types of co-ops are eligible for assistance. For more information, contact Bill Knudson at knudsonw@msu.edu or Parker Jones at jonesp28@msu.edu.
A Handbook for New Cooperative Directors
Published
Topics in Cooperative Governance
Published
News
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Exploring the possibility of a grass-fed and grain-fed beef producer co-op in Michigan
Published on January 13, 2020
The idea of a producer owned cooperative for grass-fed and grain-fed beef is something that has been talked about for a while. The speakers at this meeting, will share their stories of such cooperatives. -
Starting a cooperative and developing a business plan: Phase 2
Published on June 4, 2015
Having enough interest in starting a cooperative is just the first step, developing a viable business plan, when implemented, that meets the identified needs is the second. -
Detroit People's Food Co-op: More than Just a Grocery Store
Published on September 1, 2014
On July 12, 2014, the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network (DBCFSN) kicked off the membership drive for the Detroit People's Food Co-op at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History. -
Edible flint urban farmers co-op has community impact beyond food
Published on August 24, 2011
This urban gardening effort in the City of Flint produces multiple benefits towards a healthier community.
Events
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Dec 3
Filing by the Deadline for the Corporate Transparency Act: Discussion and Filing Tips
December 3, 2024 6:00PM – 7:00PM Webinar meeting on Zoom
Join us for this webinar on tips for filing under the Corporate Transparency Act, an overview of the Act, and discussion of who needs to file.
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Dec 5
Michigan Cottage Food Law Dec. 5 2024
December 5, 2024 10:00AM – 12:00PM Zoom Webinar
The Michigan Cottage Food Law, Food safety practices related to producing cottage foods and how to start a cottage food business.
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Dec 10
Moving Beyond Cottage Food Dec. 10, 2024
December 10, 2024 6:00PM – 8:00PM Zoom Webinar
Entrepreneurs and cottage food operators can learn basic knowledge to guide them in the right direction for becoming a licensed food operator and Moving Beyond Cottage Foods.
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Jan 24
Planning for Profit: Marketing and Production Budget Workshop
January 24, 2025 – January 31, 2025 Kalamazoo Valley Community College Culinary and Allied Health Building Room CAH223, 418 E. Walnut Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Learn tools to maximize your profit by choosing the crop and market mix that works best for your farm.