DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


 UNDER THE FLORIDA COOPERATIVE
 MARKETING ACT?
 A. Under Florida law three or more persons en-
gaged in the production of any agricultural products, or
three or more cooperative associations, may form a non-
profit cooperative association.

 4 Q. WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP THAT SHOULD
 BE TAKEN BY A GROUP OF AGRICUL-
 TURAL PRODUCERS CONSIDERING THE
 ORGANIZATION OF A COOPERATIVE?
 A. At a meeting of producers, cooperative mar-
keting or purchasing or service should be thoroughly dis-
cussed as it applies to the commodities under considera-
tion and to local conditions. The prospective members
should determine whether. (1) there is a real need for
a producer-owned and controlled association; (2) a co-
operative can do the job better than it is now being
done; (3) there is sufficient volume of business to assure
savings to the members; (4) the members can be de-
pended on for loyal support in bad times as well as good:
(5) the producers are willing to put their own capital into
a cooperative enterprise: and (6) competent and aggres-
sive leadership is available. Be sure that some outsider
is not encouraging the formation of the cooperative in
order to sell property or equipment or get a job. The
answers to these and similar questions will have a direct
bearing on the success or failure of a new association.

 5. Q. WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP?
 A. If the decision is to go ahead, the group then
should elect at least 3 producers as incorporating or
temporary directors. Usually a group of 7 or 9 incor-
porating directors is elected. These directors may be
instructed by the group to complete the organization,
obtain a charter, prepare by-laws for the consideration of
the new association, and to take such other action as may
be desirable. A smaller group of 3 or 5 often meet to