COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURE IN FLORIDA


 Introduction

 There are various kinds of cooperation. We are con-
cerned here with farmer cooperatives only. Determining
this kind by elimination we have

 WHAT A CO-OP IS NOT
 A co-op is not for the profit of stockholders: Stocks
are limited to a specified rate of interest. The privilege
of retiring all stocks at par is retained by the Cooperative
if its members so determine.
 It is not a co-partnership organization
 It is not a philanthropic organization
 It is not a fraternal order
 It is not a charitable institution
 It is not a civic club
 It does not adhere to socialism
 It is basically opposed to communism
 Then what is it?

 It is a business organization which acts for a group
engaged in a specific business. The members are in the
market to either sell or buy the materials which they
produce or purchase.
 It is a non-profit organization because all net profits
are returned to the patrons in proportion to the value
of the business he has transacted through the organiza-
tion. It is incorporated for legal protection. Usually one
member one vote.
 Why is it to be preferred to individual operation?
Because volume means advantage in the business world
A co-op pools the business of many into one unit for
operation.