Publications about Cooperatives

Most of the cooperative-related publications listed below are from the University of California, some of which were funded by the Rural Cooperatives Center, and its predecessor, the Center for Cooperatives. Many of the publications are still available in hard copy through the UC Agriculture & Natural Resources Catalog, (800) 994-8849.

A Legal Sourcebook For California Cooperatives, by Van P. Baldwin, is one important text for the administration of cooperatives. The Sourcebook provides information, sample documents and additional resources useful to new cooperatives in the process of forming, as well as existing cooperatives in their ongoing business.

Publications about Cooperatives are listed by topic:

Agriculture, Consumer, Finance, General, Housing, Worker

Publication are also available in an alphabetical list by title.

Agriculture

The Bottom Line on the Conversion of Diamond Walnut. ARE Update, July/August 2005, Shermain Hardesty

New State Statutes Allow Nonmember Equity Capital for Cooperatives. Shermain D. Hardesty.

Positioning California's Agricultural Cooperatives for the Future. Shermain D. Hardesty, ARE Update, Vol. 8, No. 3, Jan/Feb, 2005

The Bankruptcy of Tri Valley Growers:What Went Wrong and What Can We Learn From It? Himawan Hariyoga and Richard J. Sexton, ARE Update, Vol.7, No.6, July/Aug, 2004

Lessons from a Failed Cooperative: The Rice Growers Association Experience. Jennifer. Keeling, ARE Update, Vol.7, No.3, Jan/Feb, 2004

Horticultural Auction Markets: Linking Small Farms with Consumer Demand. Laura Tourte and Mark Gaskell, Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems, 19(3) 129:134

Farmworker Cooperative Housing:Training Needs Assessment. Dewey Bandy (pdf file size 431k)

California’s Farmworker Housing Cooperatives: Lessons on Farmworker Ownership and Management.
Dewey Bandy, Ph.D. and Robert Weiner, Ph.D. pdf (file size 344k)

Comparative Financial Performance of Agricultural Cooperatives and Investor-Owned Firms.
(Non-technical version, pdf file size 188k) Shermain D. Hardesty, Vikas D. Salgia

Comparative Financial Performance of Agricultural Cooperatives and Investor-Owned Firms.
(Technical version, pdf file size 97k) Shermain D. Hardesty, Vikas D. Salgia

The Economic Feasibility of Forming a California Wheat Cooperative. Jay E. Noel, James J. Ahern, David J. Schaffner, Jill Johnson, Kristina Muelrath, Kyle Schroeder. pdf (file size 604k)

Agricultural Cooperative Issues for the 1990s Download 600 KB pdf
WP5

Adapting Cooperative Policies to Succeed in Changing Food and Fiber Industries Download 500 KB pdf
WP3

Agricultural Cooperatives as Effective Marketers of Value-Added Products Download 1600 kb pdf
Hardesty
Capital requirements and funding, strategic planning, reorientation of corporate culture, and managerial requirements.
27 pages   1992   R4
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Agricultural Marketing Cooperatives: An Annotated Bibliography Download 4200 kb pdf
Schaffner
A user-friendly bibliography containing more than 300 entries ranging from E.G. Nourse's seminal 1922 article, "The Economic Philosophy of Cooperation," through articles appearing in the 1995 Journal of Cooperatives.
80 pages   1995   R28 
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Base Capital Plan Download 274 KB pdf
WP6

California Agricultural Cooperatives: Managers' Strategies and Attitudes Towards Finances and Risk Download 910 KB pdf
Blank and Thompson
Cooperative borrowing, lending, and financial services in a changing risk environment.
30 pages   1994   R21
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Cooperative Principles and Regulations: Aiding or Hampering Cooperative Efforts at Value-Added Marketing? Download 2000 kb pdf
Hardesty
A penetrating analysis of the legal and institutional environment for the cooperative form of business.
27 pages   1992   R3  
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California Processed Fruit and Vegetable Industry: Information for Mediators of Bargaining Disputes between Growers and Processors. Download 1530 kb pdf
Lang
Sketches of each sector provide a basic understanding of each industry, key trends, and the terminology used in discussions between growers and packers.
46 pages   1999   R41
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Cooperatives as a Source of Countervailing Power in the California Lamb Market Download 2000 kb pdf
Butler and Burnett
Provides evidence of the presence of monopsony power, and discusses alternative cooperative solutions.
20 pages   1992   R9  
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Co-ops: What Farmers Think! Download 3500 kb .pdf
Siebert
A survey of producers' attitudes and expectations about cooperatives as they compete in a rapidly changing environment.
53 pages   1994   R24  
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Director Liability an Overview for directors of Ag. Cooperatives Download 411 KB pdf
WP2

Information About California Marketing Cooperatives Download 389 KB pdf
WP8

Procedimientos para Establecer una Cooperativa de Comercializacion Download 3200 kb pdf
(Steps to Starting a Marketing Co-op)
Zimbelman, Coontz, and Malan
Esta publicacion esta redactada para las personas interesadas en establecer una cooperativa de comercializacion. Presenta una vision general de los pasos basicos para organizar una cooperativa, las actividades de puesta en marcha, y ejemplos.
40 paginas   1994   R31 
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Steps to Starting a Marketing Co-op
Zimbelman, Coontz, and Malan
(Spanish version available.) User-friendly guide to incorporating a marketing cooperative. Presents an overview of the basic steps of the co-op organizing process and examples of contemporary marketing cooperatives. Download 1210 kb pdf
40 pages     1994     R31
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Starting a Cooperative for Hardwoods and Special Forest Products Download 1000 kb pdf
Gray and Lang
Guide to forming a cooperative or network of producers in a forest-product industry.
39 pages   1995   R25 
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Starting an Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Download (1933 KB pdf )
Center for Cooperatives
Guides new agricultural marketing cooperatives from conception to operation.
45 pages   1994   B5 
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Strengthening Agricultural Cooperatives: An Inquiry into Expert Beliefs Download 1500 kb pdf
Lang
Report on factors believed by experts to be important to the success of cooperatives. Includes a survey of cooperative experts to assess their beliefs about selected characteristics affecting success and failure of cooperatives. Also includes a series of open-ended interviews with experienced cooperative leaders to obtain their insights on the same issues.
R43

The Changing Food and Fiber Industries: Implications for Cooperatives Download 370 KB pdf
WP4

The Role of Bargaining Cooperatives in a Global Market Economy Download 68 KB pdf
WP10

Consumer

A Legal Sourcebook for California Cooperatives: Start-up and Administration Download Page
Baldwin, Third Edition
Designed to assist those responsible for the ongoing governance of California worker and consumer cooperatives. Includes sample by-laws, samples in Word and RTF format available.
2004  R30A 
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The Economic Status of California Food Cooperatives Download 7200 kb pdf
Bandy
Examines the economic and organizational health of food cooperatives, and identifies emerging trends within the sector.
16 pages   1992   R16 
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The Greenbelt Cooperative: Success and Decline Download Zip or pdf: Part 1...Part 2...Part 3...Part 4
Cooper and Mohn
The 50-year history of Greenbelt Cooperative Services in Maryland--which grew from a tiny food co-op in 1937 to the nation's largest consumer-owned cooperative, and went on to declare bankruptcy in 1989.
258 pages   1992   B2  
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The Role of Member Education in West Coast Retail Consumer Food Cooperatives Download 1800 kb pdf
Fish
Analyzes education programs in nineteen west coast food cooperatives.
24 pages   1993   R14
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What Happened to the Berkeley Co-op? A Collection of Opinions Download 3600 kb pdf
Edited by Fullerton
Historical fact and insider opinions combine to chart the decline and collapse of the giant Consumer Cooperative of Berkeley. Introduction by Ralph Nader.
107 pages   1992   B1 
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Finance

Innovations in Cooperative Finance Download 1720 kb pdf
Collection of papers presented at a conference in December 1990. Addresses issues of modification of basic financial structure.
32 pages   1990   R18  
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The Lending Performance of Community Development Credit Unions Download 2500 kb pdf
Isbister
Documents successes in directing capital towards low-income people in impoverished communities, and addresses barriers created by recent federal policies.
42 pages   1992   R7
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Thin Cats: The Community Development Credit Union Movement in the United States
Download Zip or .Part 1...Part 2...Part 3...Part 4
Isbister
At a time when the gap between rich and poor Americans is growing, CDCUs are part of a strategy for change. Thin Cats documents the history, role, and accomplishments of the country's CDCUs.
203 pages   1994   B4 
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General

A Legal Sourcebook for California Cooperatives: Start-up and Administration Download Page
Baldwin, Third Edition
Designed to assist those responsible for the ongoing governance of California worker and consumer cooperatives. Includes sample by-laws, samples in Word and RTF format available.
2004  R30A 
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Cooperation Works Download pdf or Part 1...Part 2...Part 3...Part 4
(Nadeau & Thompson) CDS B11

Pacific Coast Cooperatives... Download 917 KB pdf
R42

California's Contributions to Cooperation Download 877 KB pdf
WP1

Ownership...and Control of US and Selected Cooperatives Download 1592 KB pdf
WP11

Director Liability 2nd ed. Download 397 KB pdf
WP2

Analysis of Economic Motives for Cooperative Conversions to Corporations Download 700 kb pdf
Collins
Describes the three primary motives for corporate conversion; equity access, liquidity, and asset acquisition. Contains case studies and analysis.
18 pages   1992   R1
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California Cooperative Directory and Resource Guide
Gawn, Coontz, and Bandy
Listing of over 820 California consumer, worker, housing, etc. cooperatives and the resource organizations that serve them. Summary information for each sector highlights operating structures, membership, revenue, and other information.
43 pages   1991   R22 
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Creating Jobs Through Cooperative Development Download 4200 kb pdf
Conover, Molina, and Morris
Are cooperatives effective as employment mechanisms? Case studies and analysis.
64 pages   1993   R13 
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Economic Theory of Cooperation
Download Zip 7500 kb or Part 1...Part 2...Part 3...Part 4...Part 5...Part 6...cover (all 1500 kb or less)
Emelianoff
Reprint of the 1948 classic. Russian immigrant's view of U.S.cooperatives offers insight for cooperative thinkers of today.
270 pages   1995   B8  
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Guide to Assembling a Director Handbook Download 300 kb pdf
Spatz
This easy-to-use guide is designed to assist cooperatives in developing their own Directors' Handbook. The three-ring binder format makes it flexible and easy to update.
57 pages   1997   R34  
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How Californians See Cooperatives Download Zip 3500 kb or Part 1, 1600 kb ...Part 2, 2200 kb
Barnes, Coontz, and Sutherland
Presents the results of a comprehensive statewide survey that assesses public awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of cooperatives.
101 pages     1995     R23
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PacificCoastCooperatives: Selected Characteristics and Major Challenges Download 150 kb pdf
Lang
Survey and report of challenges faced by U.S. west coast cooperatives.
28 pages     2001    R42
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Perceptions of Cooperatives: What They Mean to California's Cooperative Leaders
Download 2600 kb pdf
Coontz, James, Lang, Ruth, Siebert, Spatz
Study findings help co-op directors understand and shape government and public policies and member relations strategies.
68 pages     1995     R38
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Strategic Planning and Performance: Helping Directors and Managers Communicate
Download 700 kb pdf
Noel and Schaffner
Shows how the evaluation process improves communication between directors and managers, and determines where they agree or disagree on issues critical to the overall performance of their agricultural cooperative.
28 pages   1996   R29 
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Weavers of Dreams: The Origins of the Modern Cooperative Movement
Download 4400 kb pdf or Part 1 2400 kb...Part 2 2000 kb
Thompson
The story of the Rochdale Pioneers, impoverished millworkers who started the store that is the birthplace of today's modern cooperative movement.
113 pages     1994     B6
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West Coast Cooperative Directory and Resource Guide Download 2800 kb pdf
Coontz, Lang and Spatz
Revised and expanded. Lists nearly 2,000 co-ops and resource groups in California, Oregon, and Washington; data summarizes co-ops by sector and by state.
110 pages     1999     R22
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Housing

California’s Farmworker Housing Cooperatives: Lessons on Farmworker Ownership & Management.
Download
Dewey Bandy, Ph.D. and Robert Weiner, Ph.D. pdf (file size 344k)

Farmworker Cooperative Housing:Training Needs Assessment .
Download
Dewey Bandy (pdf file size 431k)

An Assesment of ...Farm Workers' Need for Housing. Download1144 KB

Resident Participation In HUD Affordable Housing Preservation Projects. Download 126 KB

California's Lower-Income Housing Cooperatives Download 3000 kb pdf
The Agora Group
A thorough review of financing mechanisms for expanding California's affordable housing stock through cooperative development.
49 pages   1992   R8 
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Characteristics and Operational Performance of California's Permanent Housing Cooperatives
Download 700 kb pdf
Bandy
Reviews operational and financial performance of stock and limited equity housing cooperatives in California
12 pages   1993   R17 
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An Assessment of Migrant and Farm Workers' Need for Housing in California: How A Cooperative Model has Helped Meet that Need Download 1200 kb pdf
Gordon
Documents the housing shortfall for migrant and non-migrant seasonal workers and includes recommendations for how to address the issue with cooperative housing.
54 pages   1995   R27 
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Cooperative Housing Compendium: Resources for Collaborative Living Download Zip
Edited by Cohen and Arkin
Catalog of cooperative housing from co-housing to mobile home cooperatives to land trusts.
190 pages   1993   B3 
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Limited Equity Housing Cooperatives: A Financing Opportunity for California Lenders
Download 1200 kb pdf
Rioux
For those who seek loans and those who make them; identifies alternatives that lenders should consider when underwriting loans for LEHCs.
30 pages   1994   R20 
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Paradise for Sale Download 1500 kb pdf
Lategola
Puts a human face on the struggle of inner city residents to take control of a deplorable housing situation, and shows how federal housing policies and housing development professionals can help or hinder such efforts.
47 pages   1996   R32 
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Resident Participation in HUD Affordable Housing Preservation Projects: What Works?
Goldberg Gray
Hardcopy available for 5.00 (cost of shipping and handling only) This research addresses structures and issues in resident participation in six very distinct HUD properties in California. Each of these properties went through a buy-out process in the period 1992-1996. During that process residents participated in choosing a non-profit partner, or creating their own non-profit or cooperative corporation to take on ownership of the property. This publication addresses which models worked best and where difficulties arose.
39 pages  2000
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Social Benefits of Affordable Housing Cooperatives Download 900 kb pdf
Mushrush, Larson, and Krause
By comparing three models of affordable housing, a cooperative complex, a traditional rental complex, and dispersed rental "voucher" units, the authors construct a compelling case for cooperative housing. This study should inform the work of affordable housing developers and policy-makers as they look for better ways to support low-income families.
25 pages   1997   R35 
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The Hidden History of Housing Cooperatives Download Zip or Part 1...Part 2...Part 3...Part 4
Heskin and Leavitt
The work of 20 housing experts which covers the history, evolution, and policy implications of low-income housing cooperatives in North America and Europe. Recommended for anyone looking for significant and practicable approaches to housing problems.
335 pages   1995   B10 
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Worker

Made in the USA: American Worker Cooperatives (DVD or VHS)
This introduction to the worker cooperative model illustrates the model's potential as a creative method of optimizing salary potential and work opportunities. It presents the varied uses of the worker cooperative model, from creating jobs for individuals with few marketable job skills to expanding markets and earning potential for professionals with technical skills. The video also discusses some of the critical issues linked to successful co-op development and functioning.
Available from: Rayve Productions, PO Box 726, Windsor, CA 95492. Phone: 800-852-4890

Cooperando Download 1600 kb pdf
Worker Ownership Education Project
Una guia bilingue de materiales educativos en espanol sobre cooperativas de trabajadores. Contiene materiales de varios paises de habla hispana y de Estados Unidos útiles para individuos que esten tratando de iniciar sus propios negocios, organizaciones comunitarias sin fines de lucro involucradas en proyectos de creacion de trabajos, y personal de asistencia tecnica que trabaje en proyectos de desarrollo economico en paises de habla hispana.
51 paginas   1997   R36 
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Management Recruiting, Development and Retention Practices Among West Coast Consumer and Worker Cooperatives Download 1500 kb pdf
Green
Analyzes the results of a survey of managers and representative board members on a number of key management issues.
24 pages   1993   R15 
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 Non-Member Equity Instruments for Consumer & Worker Co-ops Download 1200 kb pdf
Storey
Methods for cooperative businesses and outside equity investors to work together.
21 pages   1992   R2
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Procedimientos para Establecer una Cooperativa de Trabajadores Download 500 pdf
(Steps to Starting a Worker Co-op)
Zimbelman, Coontz, and Malan
El establecimiento de una cooperativa para generar ingresos y oportunidades de empleo.
59 paginas   1999   R33S 
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Projecting the Long-Term Consequences of ESOP vs. Co-op Conversion of a Firm on Employee Benefits and Company Cash Download 1000 kb pdf
Kaswan
Economic outcomes for a hypothetical firm over a 15-year period.
21 pages   1992   R5 
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Steps to Starting a Worker Co-op Download 1600 kb pdf
Hansen, Coontz, and Malan
User-friendly guide for people interested in organizing a cooperative to create income and employment opportunities. Includes organizing steps, discussion of feasibility study and business plan, examples, and an annotated bibliography.
59 pages   1997   R33 
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The Application of Labor Law to Workers' Cooperatives Download 1200 kb pdf
Helfman
On the basis of a detailed examination of labor law and its use in specific court cases, the author makes a compelling case for needed changes.
21 pages   1992   R10 
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The WAGES Curriculum: Teachers' Guide to Starting Cooperatives in Low Income Communities
Download Zip 800 kb
Morris
A comprehensive manual for guiding groups of workers looking to cooperatives as a strategy for building skills and income potential.
180 pages   1998   R39
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Worker-Owned Plywood Companies of the Pacific Northwest Download 1200 kb pdf
Craig and Pencavel
An econometric analysis of the comparative performance of worker-owned cooperatives with investor-owned firms within the same industry.
20 pages   1993   R11 
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