AM*Uncaster Farming, Saturday, October 1, 1988 PA Farmer Cooperatives (Continued from Pag* A 1) attending the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Association of Far mer Cooperatives, held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Sheraton West. Theme for the meeting was, 'Cooperation in a Changing Environment.” Keynote speaker was Dr. Bruce Anderson, associate professor in the department of agricultural eco nomics at Cornell University, and a specialist in ag cooperative research and extension. Dr. Ander son has also taught and conducted related research at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sci ences, working with Swedish and Finnish agricultural cooperatives. “Cooperatives have great poten tial; they should be a dominant agricultural force. But we must appreciate them for today, not for what they’ve done in the past,” Dr. Anderson emphasized. He recommended that ag cooperatives include non-member directors on their boards for spe cialized expertise, form mutually useful partnerships with non cooperative entities and offer dif ferential pricing as justified. Prime responsibility of any cooperative, says the Cornell spe cialist, is to expand the market for the member-owners products and ultimately earn financial returns. Too many farmers, he adds, do not really want their cooperatives to make money. Member-owners must likewise accept their foremost responsibili ty in the democratic structure of cooperative principles-to express their opinions on the operations and direction of their cooperative. Changes challenging coopera tive leadership are in the markets, economic factors and numbers of members. Cooperatives are deal ing with excess plant capacity, foreign ownership, corporate buy outs of traditional family business, heavy competition and over investment in costly member services. Other factors of change include decreasing membership and diminishing loyalty to coopera tives. Producers and their coopera tives are often unable to exert real market power due to disunity (Turn to Pag* A 25) RG-BORRD™ Fiberglass (FRP) UIfILLBOARD PRNCL FOR: Milkrooms, Parlors, Feed Mongers 11 • Panels 4’xB' - 4’xlo’ Prices Start At $24.00 • Rolls 24” 48” - NEW - 30” For Mangers • Laminated Textured Or Smooth Plywood or Waferboard • Vinyl 3/8” Ceiling Board 4 xB’ $37.00 Send for Free Samples NORBCO €OUIPM€NT Corner Rt. 233 & South St., PO Box 370 Westmoreland, N.Y. 13490 TEL 315-853-3936 DEALER & CONTRACTOR INQUIRIES WELCQME Donald McMutt, Berks Co. Vo-Ag t PAFC Distinguished Service Award goes to Dr. Randall PAFC’s Master Educator Award from Kathy Gin. executive Torgerson, administrator, Ag Cooperative Service, USDA, secretary of the cooperative. (left). The award is presented by Robert Pardue, last years winner. Features: • Energy Free! • Counterbalance drinker floats require little force to actuate. Does not depend on water level to maintain seal. • Rounded edges for livestock protection. .&s=s=&, • Recessed drain holes for easy cleaning. • Cool water in summer and frost free in winter. • Valve is anti-syphon non-float operated. Positive shutoff. h • Sealed to prevent algae formation. ENERGY-FREE LIVESTOCK FOUNTAINS Just add water! mam Ritchie
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers