Join in National Celebration of Co-op Month in October This October New England Farmers Union is joining over 65,000 co-operatives and credit unions across the United States in celebrating Co-op Month, observed nationally since 1964. This year’s theme, “Owning Our Identity,” was chosen by the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA) as an opportunity to … Read More
Solidarity is one of the core values of the co-operative movement, standing with one another collectively to empower each of us to build a better life. And one of the principles that best demonstrates solidarity in action is co-operation among co-operatives, working together within and across co-operative associations for mutual support, collaboration, and more impact … Read More
Ugly but lovely, imperfect, misfit, cosmetically challenged, produce with personality — whatever you call it, the wonky fruits and vegetables movement has gained traction within the last year, and Spoiler Alert is working to help farmers make the most of their oddly shaped and blemished product. We all know that a lot of great produce … Read More
GUEST BLOG POST By Marcus Smith In February, I had the opportunity to participate in the 2016 National Farmers Union (NFU) College Conference on Co-operatives (CCOC) in Minneapolis, MN. This annual event is designed to help shape the next generation of co-operative leaders, and my exposure to the co-ops, speakers, and other participants was a learning … Read More
As supporters of cooperative businesses and young professionals, the nation’s second largest general farm organization hosted more than 110 students from 15 colleges and universities in Minneapolis, MN, in late February. The 2016 National Farmers Union (NFU) College Conference on Cooperatives (CCOC) provided a three-day interactive learning experience designed to help shape the next generation … Read More
Co-operators from food co-ops throughout New England gathered in Greenfield, Mass., this weekend at the fifth Annual Meeting of the Neighboring Food Co-op Association (NFCA). The NFCA is an affiliate member of New England Farmers Union, and the two organizations have partnered on many projects and programs, including Healthy Food For All, a program that … Read More
Artisan Beverage Cooperative, a Greenfield, Mass.-based maker of high quality beverages, a worker-owned co-operative, and a New England Farmers Union member, recently secured approval of its Direct Public Offering (DPO) to Massachusetts residents. This method of “investment-based crowd-funding” is not widely known, but is being pioneered by socially-responsible, mission-based companies such as Equal Exchange, Real … Read More
What happens when a chef, obsessed with using local ingredients finds he’s spending more time finding and ordering food than actually cooking it? If the chef is Matt Tortora, he starts a tech company and builds an online platform to connect food service workers and chefs directly to local producers. Tortora and his team at Crave … Read More
New farmers assembled the Arts Block in Greenfield, Massachusetts, on Dec. 12 from all over New England, New York state, and even Canada for the Northeast New Farmer Winter Gathering. Roughly 150 attendees arrived with enthusiasm and energy to participate in an anti-oppression training facilitated by representatives of Springfield-based Gardening the Community. Liz Wills-O’Gilvie and … Read More
New England Farmers Union’s sixth annual convention, Gearing Up for Success, drew roughly 60 members of the farming community when it met on Nov. 6-8 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH. Attendees heard from national, regional, state, and local agricultural leaders on subjects such as federal agricultural policy, food safety, local and regional … Read More