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Catalyzing worker co-ops & the solidarity economy

Vermont has history of farming cooperatively, not corporately

As the cooperative movement gained momentum, Vermont established a state commissioner of agriculture in 1909, with Orlando Martin leading vital educational initiatives for farmers. The federal extension service played a critical role in bolstering local agricultural support.

E.S. Brigham, the first commissioner, emphasized the critical necessity of cooperation to tackle marketing challenges and advocated for the formation of cooperative organizations to guarantee fair pricing. By the 1920s, a robust network of cooperative creameries flourished, demonstrating the formidable strength of farmer collaboration.

The cooperative movement in the U.S. was inspired by European models, particularly the Rochdale principles. The passage of the Capper-Volstead Act in 1922 solidified the legal framework for cooperatives, providing essential antitrust protections.

Read the rest at Vermont Daily Chronicle

 

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