Search

Growing up, I remember my dad and other farmers talking about the local co-op. It was usually in reference to selling grain or buying fertilizer, pesticide, or other crop inputs. To me, a co-op was a place. A place where farmers purchased supplies or sold their crops. I thought it was similar to the local tractor dealership or any other physical place where farmers do business. It wasn’t until I was in college that I realized that a co-op was more than a business where farmers purchase supplies or sold crops. It was, in a way, their business.

Historically, when large companies win state and federal grants to expand broadband access, they often cherry-pick a path serving larger population centers to enhance profits. This approach, while beneficial for investors, results in islands of unserved and underserved communities that become even more difficult and expensive to reach. Without a financial incentive to serve the smaller and more rural areas, they are bypassed time and time again for larger, more profitable service areas. 

Learn more about KDC's available positions by clicking on the job descriptions below!

Cooperative Consultant

Operations Manager

Exacerbated by the twin problems of class and racial inequalities, their suffering exposed gaps in health care and economic resources, catalyzing millions of citizens to take matters into their own hands. In spite of the stressors of quarantining, or maybe because of it, people came together to forge ahead. Thousands of new mutual aid groups — in the form of block associations, neighborhood councils, or extensions of philanthropic organizations — developed alongside more seasoned organizations.

Big and old co-operatives are underutilised in two ways: as arenas for ordinary people to exercise democratic control over the economic system; and as vehicles to nurture new and small co-operatives to expand democratic control into more areas of the economy. Member participation is too often lacking; turnout in elections is low and member resolutions are rare. Meanwhile, smaller and newer co-operatives too often perceive the old giants as distant and uninterested.

GARFIELD PARK — A group of food cooperatives have joined forces to feed more people struggling with food insecurity as part of an initiative called ChiMeals.

The co-ops will work together to share resources and expertise, expand their networks, raise money and support each other in their shared goals of creating wealth-building opportunities while improving access to healthy food. The co-ops involved in ChiMeals include ChiFresh Kitchen, Cocina Compartida de Trabajadores Cooperativistas and Cooperativa Visionarias.

Trains owned by passengers and staff could be running on the mainline track in Somerset by summer next year, according to a new train operator.

The proposals from rail user co-operative GO-OP would see a "significant addition" to the current timetables for a Somerset and Wiltshire link.

Read the rest at Somerset County Gazette

Trailer 3' "Hacking for the Commons", a 87' documentary by Philippe Borrel (aka "La bataille du Libre") from Philippe Borrel on Vimeo.

Despite data, security and censorship issues – not to mention ‘Zoom fatigue’ – its easy interface and business orientation meant that Zoom soon came to dominate the global online market share, well ahead of Microsoft Teams, Skype and Google Meet. It currently ranks No. 1 in 44 countries and has over 300 million daily meeting participants. ‘To Zoom’ is a new verb. 

The Foundation for Intentional Community (FIC) is committed to supporting the development of intentional communities as pathways towards a more just and sustainable world. Now is an excellent time to become part of our decades old non-profit organization as we expand our remote working team.

See open positions below…

Marketing Manager

Community Engagement Assistant

All  cooperators are invited to our 2nd Annual Regional Rendezvous. We especially encourage worker-owners to attend. The theme is the Role of Worker Owners in Cooperative Development. 

The event will be held May 21st and 22nd, all virtually via Zoom.

Register to be sent the Zoom links (we will not be posting them publicly due to concerns about zoom-bombing). 

Today, Co-ops are multi-million dollar businesses, so successful they’ve prompted mainstream grocery stores to stock organic food. But in the 1970s, it almost ended before it began, as internecine battles and even hostile takeovers threatened this burgeoning movement.