5th Annual Farmer Cooperatives Conference Set For Nov. 13-15

Many cooperatives today are re-organizing and forming strategic alliances in order to meet both member and consumer needs and to improve their bottom line. Reflecting these developments, "Restructuring for Troubled Times" is the theme for the Fifth Annual Farmer's Cooperative Conference. Held at Sheraton Westport in St. Louis, Missouri, from Nov. 13-15, the conference will provide relevant and timely information on alternative business structures to a diverse audience of cooperative managers, employees and board members, university researchers and educators, and other cooperative leaders.

Over the course of two days, the conference will cover major issues surrounding cooperative restructuring. Panel discussions led by cooperative managers, industry leaders and researchers will introduce various perspectives on innovative business approaches. A distinguished speaker list, case studies and presentations by legal advisors are other highlights of this year's conference. In addition, conference participants will have an opportunity to meet with members of NCR-194, a group of university academics and USDA representatives who are involved in research and education on cooperative issues.

Speakers for the conference include: John Johnson, President and CEO, CHS Cooperatives, Barry F. Kriebel, CEO and President, Sun-Maid Growers of California, Robert G. Hensley, Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Tom Larson, Executive Vice President for Member and Public Affairs, CHS Cooperatives, Daniel Schultz, CPA, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and Michael Swanson, Vice President and Agricultural Economist, Wells Fargo and Co.

The University of Wisconsin's Center for Cooperatives (UWCC) established the Farmer Cooperatives Conference in 1998 to provide co-op directors, management, professional organizations, government and academia with the following:

* Information on major trends and issues impacting the existing and future business environment;

* Insights into innovative approaches to achieving business success and enhancing value to co-op members;

* Presentations that create value to conference participants and encourage critical thinking and the exchange of ideas.

Information on the conference including registration details is available on the UWCC website: http://www.wisc.edu/uwcc.

About UWCCEstablished in 1962, the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives strives to study, promote and research cooperative action as a means of meeting the economic and social needs of people. We also organize various extension/outreach programs directed at all aspects of cooperative business principles, organizing cooperatives, cooperative financing, cooperative structure, cooperative management, leadership and governance, and related topics for both agricultural and consumer cooperatives. (http://www.wisc.edu/uwcc)