HARRISBURG - “I suggest the
keys to operating a successful
cooperative are basically the same
as for any other business entity,”
commented J. Ward Cooper,
president, Pennsylvania
Association of Farmer
Cooperatives (PAFC), at the
association’s annual meeting here.
Noting the annual meeting
theme, “Cooperatives: The Force
of The Future,” Cooper outlined
several key factors necessary for
survival in today’s economy.
Among those, Cooper mentioned
(1) achieving the best possible
results for investors, (2) em
phasizing profitability, (3) taking
an active role in the political
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Cooper lists keys to successful coo
process, (4) cooperating with other
companies involved in agriculture
and (5) ensuring that products and
services are good, valuable to the
user and timely.
“Finally, I challenge you to be
innovative. Cooperatives should be
in the forefront of developing and
using the latest technology,” he
said.
As examples, Cooper cited the
squeezable jellies marketed by
National Grape Cooperative with
its Welch Foods brand and an
aseptic package for applesauce
used by Knouse Foods for its
Mussleman and Lucky Leaf labels.
Codper was followed by
Executive Secretary Kathy E. Gill,
Cage Systems Specialists.
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who outlined goals for PAFC; ISW6
is the organization’s first full year
with an executive secretary since
the early ‘6os.
She said the PAFC “must
examine its capital needs in
relation to the services demanded
by member cooperatives” just as
cooperatives must examine their
capital needs, equity requirements
and return on member equity.
She also touched on the necessity
of remaining politically involved.
“And I am working to become
known as the person to turn to for
information on where the state’s '
cooperatives stand on issues,” she
said.
Reminding the audience that
PAFC has its roots in education,
Gill applauded the association’s
track record - a high school youth
program which celebrated its
silver anniversary this year, a
three-day program for cooperative
couples “which has just hit its
teens, a director's program that
has passed the terrible twos and an
infant employee program.”
She reminded the audience that
educational programs like those
Sponsored oy VaKC "are not a
substitute for in-house cooperative
education. The two are com
plimentary, and both are im
perative.’,’
In closing, she told the audience
that when “describing PAFC to
outsiders, I do not say it is an
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Luncheon were, from left, State Rep. William Telek from
Cambria County, Rep. Edwin Johnson of Blair County, State
Ag Secretary Richard E. Grubb and Pennsylvania Rural
Electric President William F. Matson.
organization that covers the state
like a blanket. Rather, it is like a
quilt...many patches, many colors,
many sizes...all woven together by
a common thread - cooperation.”
Gill’s remarks preceeded a
panel discussion on “Positioning
for the Future,” which featured
Pat O’Donnell of National Grape,
Joyce Bupp of the Middle Atlantic
Division of Dairymen and Reider
Bennett-White of the Baltimore
Farm Credit Council.
O’Donnell, general manager,
related how National Grape
Cooperative responded to a grape
surplus. The organization
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erative
developed frozen concentrates
which met consumer desires for all
natural, no preservative, products.
Later, the firm introduced the
squeezable jellies commented on
by Cooper.
Bupp, a Dairymen director,
focused on member relations and
the importance of full, accurate
and timely information. She
credits such communications
programs with satisfied, loyal
members.
Finally, Bennett-White, chief
operating officer, told the audience
of 100 that politcal affairs is an
ongoing process, necessary in both
good and bad years.