Cooperative Development Services

Cooperative Development Services (CDS) is a nonprofit organization engaged in cooperative development in the United States. CDS works primarily with food cooperatives and senior housing cooperatives, providing consultation services and co-sponsoring conferences and programs for board members, managers and other professionals in the cooperative sector.

Cooperative Development Services
TypeNonprofit organization
Founded1985
HeadquartersMadison, Wisconsin
St. Paul, Minnesota
Key people
Kevin Edberg, Executive Director
Gary Sloan, Chair
Websitecdsus.coop

CDS has staff in Madison, Wisconsin and St. Paul, Minnesota and is run by a 12-member board of directors.

History

Cooperative Development Services was founded in 1985 by Rod Nilsestuen.[1]

Programs

Cooperative Board Leadership Development (CBLD) is a program providing support to the boards of food cooperatives. CBLD works with cooperatives to help define the role that Boards play in relation to staff.[2]

Policy Governance: A complete system of board leadership that is proactive, future-based and clearly differentiates between governance and management responsibilities. It empowers management while assuring accountability of performance.

Forestry cooperatives

Cooperative Development Services assists in the development of sustainable forestry cooperatives and associations. Since 1998, CDS has been involved in the formation of 25 forestry cooperatives. CDS has received nearly $1 million in grant assistance from the USDA's rural cooperative development grants program.[3] CDS is a founding partner in WoodWorks, a network of organizations that provide services to forestry cooperatives.

Food Co-op 500

Food Co-op 500 is a program to increase the number of food cooperatives in the United States to 500 by 2015.[4] As of 2009, there were approximately 300 food cooperatives in operation. The program is supported by CDS along with the National Cooperative Grocers Association and the National Cooperative Bank.[5] CDS offers free outlines detailing the seven steps in forming a cooperative.[6]

Renewable energy

CDS assists organizations with founding businesses and funding projects in the renewable energy industry. CDS has helped organizations with projects involving biodiesel and wind energy.

Value-added agriculture

CDS works with agricultural and livestock businesses to create revenue through value-added products. The organization assists businesses in obtaining grants such as the Value-Added Producer Grants available through the USDA.

References
  1. Chaptman, Dennis. Doyle enlists farm co-op leader. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 3 January 2003.
  2. Stone, Mary. Natural foods co-op finds solid ground. Archived 17 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine Rochester Business Journal. 27 November 2009.
  3. NCBA honors Sen. Kohl. Rural Cooperatives. 1 July 2001.
  4. Gutierrez, Bertrand M. Group Calls Meeting to Explore Setting Up Food Co-op; Residents Say They Need Convenience of a Nearby Grocery Store as Downtown Develops. Winston-Salem Journal. 21 January 2006.
  5. Petersen, Laura. Trying to be cooperative: Community-owned market envisioned on H Street corridor. The Common Denominator. 19 September 2005.
  6. Dresang, Joel. Co-ops give power to the customers. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 16 August 1996.
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