Rocky Mountain Cooperative Development Center - USDA Cooperative Development Grant

Funder: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), awarded to Rocky Mountain Cooperative Development Center (operates under RMFU)

Geographic Scope: Rocky Mountain region (Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming)

Award Amount: $291,690 (grant awarded to the center for technical assistance and education programs)

Purpose: Create or retain jobs in rural areas through development of new rural cooperatives, value-added processing and marketing businesses. Support producers in forming cooperatives and adding value to agricultural products.

Eligible Activities

Funds can be used for:

• Producer education and technical assistance in:
  • Cooperative startup
  • Marketing
  • Management
  • Value-added production
• Feasibility studies and research for starting cooperatives
• Accounting and legal assistance
• Technical information and referral services

Types of Cooperatives Supported

• Natural meats cooperatives
• Vegetable processing cooperatives
• Value-added agricultural projects
• Other producer-owned cooperatives

Who Can Use the Center

• Individual producers
• Groups of producers
• Anyone interested in forming a producer-owned cooperative

Contact Information

Director: Robert Mailander

Address: Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, 7900 E. Union Ave., Suite 200, Denver, CO 80237

How to Access Services

Producers or groups of producers interested in cooperative development should:

1. Contact the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Development Center directly at 303-752-5800
2. Speak with Director Robert Mailander to discuss your cooperative development needs

Types of Assistance Available

• Initial consultation and guidance
• Feasibility study support
• Technical research assistance
• Accounting and legal guidance
• Marketing consultation
• Management training
• Referral services for specialized expertise

Note: This is a technical assistance grant to the center, not a direct funding opportunity. The center uses grant funds to provide free or reduced-cost services to producer groups developing cooperatives.