Non Technical Summary
Since 1996, the RMFU Co-op Center has supported rural communities inColorado, New Mexico, and Wyomingby helping farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs build and manage their own businesses using thecooperative model.We offer:Cooperative and mutually owned business development supportTrust building, conflict resolution, and board and leadership trainingFundraising, policy and procedures, membership recruitment and legal guidanceMarket connectionsTraining and education of the cooperative development modelCooperatives arecommunity-owned businesseswhere people pool resources and work together to meet shared needs. They keep ownership and decision-making local, helping communities build lasting solutions and stronger economies. Co-ops aren't just businesses--they'redemocratic organizationsrun by their members. When you use co-op services, you're directly investing in your community's future.Our PrioritiesRural economic developmentthrough cooperative and member-owned businessesWorkforce trainingStrengthening rural food systemsSupporting value-added agricultureOur goal is to help communitiestake control of their economic futureby reducing dependence on outside systems and restoring local decision-making power. Cooperative enterprises lead togreater self-sufficiency,better market access, andstronger local economies.From producer co-ops and food hubs to marketing ventures and rural business development, RMFU helps createdurable, community-owned businessesthat generate jobs, raise incomes, and build leadership within rural communities.Rural areas in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming face serious barriers:Food AccessMany rural areas lack grocery stores with fresh, affordable food--even in agricultural regions.Long distances, mountainous terrain, and limited public transit make it hard for residents to reach food stores.Harsh weather and icy roads also make it difficult for delivery trucks and consumers to access these areas.As a result, many rely on convenience stores with limited and expensive options.Farm Labor ShortagesThe U.S. agricultural industry needed around2.4 million more farm workers in 2024.Policy changes reduced labor pool.Workers faceextreme heat,unsafe conditions,limited housing, andfamily separation.Land AccessFarmland is increasingly being bought byinvestors, developers, and foreign entities, driving up prices and pushing out local farmers.Urban expansionnear cities like Denver, Santa Fe, and Cheyenne is converting farmland into housing and commercial developments.Water scarcityis a major issue due to drought, overuse, and climate change.Measuring Outcomes and Data Collection:We use a structured system to track progress and ensure our clients receive the support they need to succeed.The Client Intake Form helps us understandWho the group isTheir mission and goalsTheir geographic locationServices neededIt also tells us where they are in the development process. This information helps us create a customizedworkplanand officially establish them as a client.After each meeting or engagement, we update ourProject TrackerandQuarterly Reportsto monitor progress and identify any challenges or barriers the group is facing.We also use aPerformance Outcome and Measures databaseto track key milestones, including:Number of groups, businesses, and cooperatives assisted or incorporatedJobs created or savedFeasibility studies, business plans, and financial projections developedPolicies and procedures establishedFiscal sponsorships and grant proposals submittedEvents, Conferences, and Workshops heldTeam Collaboration and ReviewOur team regularly meets to review each project's status, discuss specific outcomes, and identify ways to keep the project on track. These meetings help us stay aligned with the goals outlined in each workplan and ensure we're providing the best possible support.Measuring SuccessSuccess is measured by the outcomes of each workplan. Our ultimate goal is to help clients:Incorporate as a legal business entityMove into operational stagesApply for funding or loansProvide their communities with access to food, jobs, and landBy guiding clients through each step of the cooperative development process, we help build strong, community-owned businesses that improve local economies and quality of life.The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union works to strengthen rural communities in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming by focusing on key areas: strengthening rural food systems, skilled workforce development, agricultural land access, and co-op education.1. Strengthening Rural Food SystemsMany rural areas in our region face challenges connecting local producers with local consumers, especially in grocery stores and food markets. These gaps are often due to the vast geography and seasonal limitations.To address this, RMFU is helping communities:Launch buying clubsOpen brick-and-mortar grocery co-opsDevelop local food markets where none existsThese efforts expand opportunities for local farmers and value-added producers to sell their goods year-round, keeping food dollars in the community.2. Developing a Skilled Rural WorkforceA strong food system depends on a skilled and stable workforce. As traditional jobs decline in rural areas, RMFU sees an opportunity for local workers to organize, own, and operate essential service and trade businesses.One example is the Agriculture Workforce Development Co-op Project in Colorado, which addresses the farm labor shortage by creating a worker-owned cooperative. This model ensures fair pay, humane treatment, and keeps workers rooted in the local economy.3. Expanding Access to Agricultural LandTo build a sustainable food system, farmers and ranchers need access to land--and the financial tools to make it viable.RMFU's land access initiatives help beginning farmers and ranchers overcome barriers to land ownership and leasing by:Exploring innovative ownership modelsSupporting leasing arrangementsCreating pathways to build financial equityThese efforts help producers grow their businesses and contribute to thriving rural economies.Investing in Future LeadersRMFU also invests in the next generation through educational programs for youth ages 7-18. These include:Camps and day classesSchool-based curriculum focused on cooperative business models and rural leadershipYouth learn hands-on skills and explore how cooperatives support rural communities.The RMFU Fellows Program, established in 1987, is a competitive leadership initiative that prepares 16 adults (ages 21-50) each year to become agricultural and cooperative leaders. Over 12 months, Fellows participate in workshops, visit co-ops, and farm & ranch businesses.Why This MattersRMFU Co-op Center has a long history of helping farmers, ranchers, and rural communities launch cooperatives. Residents come to us with a challenge--like how to sell their food products locally or how to bring food to their community, others need access to skilled farm and ranch laborers, and beginning farmers and ranchers need access to land.By achieving the goals outlined, we can:Open grocery stores and food markets where none currently exist so people can have access to foodCreate stable, year-round jobs that encourage families to stay and invest in their communitiesHelp farms grow to full capacity and thrive

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
601	6050	0001	100%

Knowledge Area
601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management;

Subject Of Investigation
6050 - Communities, areas, and regions;

Field Of Science
0001 - Administration;

Goals / Objectives
The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU), a membership-based organization representing over 22,000 farmers and ranchers across Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming, will lead the implementation of this proposal. As a chapter of the National Farmers Union, RMFU is part of a nationwide network of 33 state-level organizations committed to strengthening rural communities and promoting economic development in agricultural regions. RMFU brings decades of experience in cooperative development and a deep understanding of the unique challenges facing rural areas--particularly those related to food systems, market access, land availability, and the shortage of agricultural labor. This expertise positions RMFU as a trusted leader in advancing innovative, community-driven solutions that restore economic power to rural residents.Task 1: Strengthening Rural Food Systems and Increasing Economic Vitality for Local Farms and Ranches.Salida Local Food Co-op (CO)Magdalena Food Co-op (NM)Pine River Valley Buying Club (CO)These initiatives aim to improve access to fresh, local food in rural areas. Despite the presence of farms and ranches, many communities lack direct access to healthy, locally produced food. The Salida Food Co-op will operate a brick-and-mortar grocery store sourcing directly from local producers and serving as a regional aggregation hub. The Pine River Valley Buying Club will connect residents to regional food hubs, while the Magdalena Food Co-op will provide a critical market for producers and serve a community currently without a grocery store.Outcomes:Improved food access for rural communities10 FTE jobsDevelop 2 business plans, 1 feasibility study, and 10 workshops per initiativeTask 2: Expanding Ag Land Access & Financial Opportunity for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, this task addresses the growing challenge of land affordability for beginning and intermediate farmers and ranchers. RMFU will support three land access projects, primarily in Colorado, through innovative models involving land trusts, nonprofits, cooperatives, and educational institutions.Initiatives:The MLC's land-holding LLC, will manage land acquisitions and long-term access for new producersThe Old Fort Long-Term Land Access (LTLA) Project at Fort Lewis College, offering ten-year leases for specialty crop production under a hybrid governance modelA small-scale vegetable and flower grower initiative on private land, with potential for replicationOutcomes:Expanded land access for new and transitioning producersDevelopment of collaborative ownership and leasing modelsOutreach to retiring landowners to facilitate values-aligned land transfersTechnical assistance including business planning, legal consultation, and cooperative governance supportTask 3: Agriculture Workforce DevelopmentThis task focuses on establishing a farmworker-owned cooperative to address the critical labor shortage affecting small and mid-sized farms and ranches in Colorado. The cooperative will provide skilled labor services while ensuring fair treatment, humane working conditions, and equitable pay.Outcomes:Creation of a sustainable, worker-owned farm labor cooperativeRecruit 10 cooperative members and 10 farm/ranch clients, leading to 100 new jobsCooperative training and leadership workshops1 Website developedTask 4: Wyoming Cooperative ApproachesIn partnership with Trillium Cooperative, the RMFU Co-op Center will lead a targeted initiative to expand cooperative education, outreach, and technical assistance across Wyoming, with the goal of strengthening rural economies through cooperative business models.Outcomes:Increase awareness and adoption of cooperative models among rural producers, community members, and organizationsStrengthening organization capacity and leadership within emerging cooperativesTask 5: Innovation in Agricultural Processes for Multi-Stakeholder Regional Enterprise Network in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, led by a local landowner and sheep herder. This initiative aims to create a wool pellet manufacturing cooperative that addresses both agricultural sustainability and economic opportunity in a semi-arid region.Objectives:Wool producers, who will share access to a centralized processing facilityEnd stage users, potato farmers, will benefit from the soil-enhancing properties of wool pellets3 FTE to operate and manage the facilityOne new agricultural cooperative supporting wool producers and crop farmersDevelopment of a prototype pellet product with proven benefits for water retention and crop efficiencyIncreased collaboration among producers, conservation districts, and extension servicesIn its first year, RMFU facilitated community meetings, funded a positive feasibility study, and collaborated with a local conservation district to secure funding for equipment procurement. We will continue to provide cooperative development support, and strategic guidance as the founding group moves toward full implementation.Task 6: Cooperative Education, Outreach, and TrainingThe Fellows Program, established in 1987 by the RMFU Foundation, is a competitive leadership initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of agricultural leaders in rural communities. In response to persistent challenges such as economic instability, depopulation, and limited leadership pipelines, the program equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to strengthen rural economies, advocate for agricultural interests, and promote cooperative development.Each year, the program selects 16 Fellows through a competitive process. Over a 12-month period, participants will engage in a combination of online and in-person workshops focused on rural food systems, agricultural policy, economic development, and leadership. Experiential learning is a core component, including site visits to cooperatives, engagement with industry leaders, and hands-on exposure to community-based initiatives.Objectives:Graduation of 16 Fellows in 2026, prepared to lead initiatives in agriculture and rural developmentIncreased leadership capacity within rural communitiesContinued impact through alumni-led projects in food systems, cooperative development, and rural economic developmentEnhanced visibility and sustainability of cooperative models through grassroots leadershipThe Fellows Program has a proven track record of producing leaders who go on to spearhead impactful initiatives in their communities. Through this grant, RMFU will continue to invest in rural leadership as a cornerstone of long-term agricultural and rural economic resilience.Cooperative Leadership Youth ProgramThe RMFU Cooperative Leadership Youth Program provides hands-on educational experiences for youth ages 7-18, preparing the next generation of cooperative leaders in rural communities. Through a combination of overnight camps, day classes, and school-based programs, the initiative introduces young participants to cooperative business models, rural leadership, and the role of cooperatives in strengthening local economies.Objectives:60 youth participated in overnight camps focused on in-depth cooperative learning100 youth engaged in day classes across rural towns150 students will take part in school-based programs through a partnership with Colorado Ag in the Classroom14 workshops related to cooperative development

Project Methods
The RMFU Co-op Center connects with new clients through conferences, cooperative presentations, existing clients, government agencies, networking events, word-of-mouth referrals, and partner organizations like Cooperation Works! and Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center, and Community Wealth Building who refers to us clients who are not in their service area. These clients range from individuals looking to form a new enterprise to established cooperatives needing training or guidance. To determine eligibility for support, the RMFU Co-op Center uses the following criteria. We prioritize work with rural residents and groups that meet one or more of the following:Two or more individuals actively working together and prepared to collaborateProject benefits remote, rural countiesLimited access to capital, markets, or technical resourcesFacing long-term population loss, out-migration, or job declineExperiencing economic disruption due to drought, wildfire, hail, or other natural conditionsWillingness to commit time to planning, development, and follow-throughAbility to contribute or leverage resources in support of the projectFor each co-op project, we follow a proven cooperative development methodology. The process is flexible and may take several years, with steps happening in different orders depending on the group's needs.Initial IntakeEvaluate business idea and create value proposition (who, what, why about the idea)Exploratory MeetingMeet with community members to gauge interest. Includes participation in community meetings and an introductory workshop on co-ops.Co-op EducationIntroduce the co-op business model, types of co-ops, and cooperative principles.Organizational DevelopmentSupport the group in forming an organization.Consult with industry specific experts (FCI).Build leadership and member capacity.Planning & Steering Committee FormationHelp form a steering committee.Facilitate planning workshops.Provide peer learning, case studies, and resource to increase knowledgeFeasibility & Business PlanningAssist with feasibility studies and business plan development.Based on the study results, decide whether to move forward or reassess.Governance SetupElect a board of directors.Create policies and procedures.Legal FormationDraft Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation.Legally incorporate the co-op.Note:These steps are not strictly linear; they may overlap or occur at different times. The process can take multiple years depending on the group's progress and the complexities of the business idea. Fundraising is encouraged throughout all stages of development.The RMFU Center works with contractors who live and operate near the communities they serve; these experts bring to projects a deep understanding of regional economic challenges and connections to stakeholders who may benefit from the co-op or who the co-op may benefit from. We also engage in specialized mentor/mentee relations with partners. Another benefit of the RMFU Foundation is our membership team who hosts farm succession, wellness, and emergency evacuation planning events through community gatherings to foster connection, support, and information sharing.The Co-op Center uses both quantitative and qualitative tools to measure the success of its projects and overall operations. Each task area in the FY2025 Work Plan includes a performance table that defines scope, timelines, and measurable performance outcomes. These tables are updated quarterly and used to track progress, guide improvements, and evaluate results. For any new projects outside the current Work Plan, the same format will be used to establish scope and benchmarks.The Co-op Center also uses a beneficiary-focused evaluation tool that collects both numerical and written feedback. The tool includes 10 questions--seven rated on a 1-7 scale (e.g., "How would you rate RMFU's knowledge in cooperative development?") and three open-ended prompts (e.g., "Where could RMFU improve?" or "What other services would be helpful?"). Evaluations are distributed annually to a sample of clients and may be followed up by phone or in-person conversations. Feedback is reviewed by program staff, contractors, and the advisory board to refine processes and improve service delivery. As part of this ongoing work, we are evaluating tracking systems and process improvements to better support our clients and streamline operations.