SINGLEPRODUCERMEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
*vegetable, fruit, eggs
Thank you for your interest in joining the Fifth Season Cooperative! To begin the application process, complete the form below. The Board of Directors reviews each application and a staff member will contact you once your application has been processed. Please note that submitting a membership application does not guarantee membership.
Please return all applications to:
Fifth Season Cooperative
Jamie Deaver, Office Manager
1201 N Main St.,Suite 9
Viroqua, WI 54665
(608) 6382667
Business Name ______
Business Address ______
City ______State ______Zip______
Representative ______
Business Phone ______
Phone (other) ______
Email ______
Website ______
ALL APPLICANTS:
What products would you like sell as a member of the cooperative?
Seasonal Fresh Vegetables
Salad Greens
Fall Root Crops
Apples
Berries
Other ______
What crops/products do you specialize in?
How many acres (average) do you have in production?
What crops/products are you interested in wholesaling?
Would you be willing to shift production of a crop for which the cooperative has a high demand?
Please list all certifications for your business here. (GAP, Organic, Healthy Grown, food processing, egg handler, etc.)Attach a copy of any current certifications.
Is your pack shed indoors? If not, list the site you utilize to complete wash and pack. Please attach a copy of your most recent water test results.
Do you have a method of delivery currently in place? Please describe.
Please explain your lot number or field trace-back system. Attach a label with pack date/trace back or lot number and farm identity.
*For egg producers: Please list methods for feeding and care of animals. Fifth Season Cooperative requires animals be free of antibiotics and growth hormones. Please read the guidelines for meat and eggs listed on our website. Use a separate piece of paper if needed.
The cooperative supports sustainable and organic production in our region. With this in mind please describe your growing practices. Please use a second sheet of paper if needed.
Do you have a method of delivery currently in place? Please describe.
By submitting this application I affirm that all statements made about my business in this application are true, correct and complete and I have given a truthful representation of my operation, practices, and origin of products.
Sign______Title______Date______
This completes your application. Applying to the cooperative does not guarantee acceptance. Please allow the cooperative six to eight weeks for a decision on your application. A fee of $25 is due upon submittal of the application. This is your Class A voting share in the cooperative. All remaining fees must be paid within one calendar year. Failure may result in removal from the cooperative.Thank you.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND FILES
WHAT FIFTH SEASON PROVIDES FOR ITS MEMBERS
Fifth Season will help our producer/processor members tomarket local produce, meat, egg, and dairy products. We will work with buyer members to develop initial projects and ongoing efforts when incorporate local and sustainable foods into food service operations. Our services include:
Buyers:
SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FOR LOCAL FOOD PURCHASING
ACCESS TO A GROWING LIST OF LOCAL FARMERS,
PROCESSORS AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS
INFORMATION ON SEASONAL AVAILABILITY
OF PRODUCTS IN YOUR REGION
SIMPLE ORDER, INVOICE AND DELIVERY SYSTEMS
MARKETING ASSISTANCE AND MATERIALS SUCH AS PRODUCT INFORMATION AND FARMER PICTURES AND STORIES
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON NUTRITION, LOCAL FOODS AND SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
ASSISTANCE WITH LOCAL SOURCING QUESTIONS RELATED TO INSURANCE, FOOD SAFETY, MENU PLANNING AND RECIPES
Producers and Processors:
PRODUCTS PROMOTED TO OUR BUYERS AND THROUGH OUR DITRIBUTOR
FARMS AND PROCESSORS PROMOTED TO ALL BUYERS MAINTAINING PRODUCT IDENTITY AND INTEGRITY
A FAIR PRICE TO ALL MEMBERS FROM THE PRODUCER TO THE BUYER
LIABILITY INSURANCE UMBRELLA AND PRODUCT QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCESS THROUGH REINHART FOODSERVICE, LA CROSSE
EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROMOTED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO PROCESSOR AND PRODUCER MEMBERS THROUGH THE COOPERATIVE
PROMOTION AND EDUCATION ON LOCAL, SUSTAINABLE FOODS TO THE COMMUNITIES AT LARGE
A SOLID WHOLESALE MARKET FOR LOCAL/REGIONAL PRODUCTS
Membership Classes/ ONE TIME Class A Membership Fees
The membership fee is a one-time fee to the cooperative. A $25 voting share included in the membership fee shall be refunded upon withdrawal from the cooperative.
Membership fees must be paid in full within 1 calendar year from acceptance into the cooperative.Your $25 voting share must be paid to submit your application to the Board of Directors for approval.
Producers $250.00
Growers in the region who sell produce, fruit, or eggs
Producer Groups $750.00
Agricultural businesses in the region that aggregate and sell produce, fruit, or eggs.
Processors $750.00
Businesses from the region that make value-added products (dairy, meats, dry goods, refrigerated and frozen goods)
Distributors $750.00
Businesses from the region that transport agricultural products
Workers $250.00
Employees who contribute to the Co-op’s success through their labor
Class ABuyers; required to make minimum purchases per calendar year and apply to the cooperative.
Institutions and foodservice operations within the region,which purchase product from the Co-op, under a Class A voting membership.
Buyer Pool; no requirements, no formal membership in the cooperative
A cooperative, or co-op, is a business that is owned and controlled by its users or members and that distributes benefits to its members based on use often in the form of patronage earnings or dividends. Cooperatives are typically governed by a member-elected board of directors that represents the interests of the members in decision making. Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy and equality, equity and solidarity and abide by seven cooperative principles:
1) Voluntary and open membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.
2) Democratic member control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership.
3) Member economic participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of the cooperative. The economic benefits of a cooperative operation are returned to the members, reinvested in the co-op, or used to provide member services.
4) Autonomy and independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
5) Education, training, and information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
6) Cooperation among cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
7) Concern for community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.
Member Rights
♦ Vote in board elections or on ballots
♦ Attend annual and special meetings
♦ Run for a position on the board of directors or serve on committees
Member Responsibilities
♦ Contribute to the Co-op’s capital by purchasing membership shares
♦ Patronize the Co-op
♦ Know and understand the criteria for participation, product standards, bylaws, and policies of the Co-op
♦ Participate in educational activities mandated by the board of directors or product committees
♦ Keep current on the activities and actions of the Co-0p, attend annual and special meetings, vote in
elections, and respond to surveys
♦ Participate in committee work
♦ Share experience and provide member-to-member education as requested
♦Promote the Co-op and encourage others to become members
♦ Contact local, state, and federal representatives on issues related to the Co-op’s mission
Membership
i. Producer-A grower who sells product through the Co-op which meets the Co-op’s most recent product standards, and is located within the 7 Rivers region. If a product cannot be produced to established quality standards by current Co-op members within the 7 Rivers region, the board may offer membership to an eligible producer within the region (as defined by the board of directors). A grower is eligible for membership as a “Producer Member” upon:
1)Purchase of one share of Class A membership stock.
2)Payment of any producer fees, as determined by the board of directors.
3)Compliance with all equity requirements of the Co-op.
4)Maintenance of active status. Producer members must deliver product through the Co-op at least once during the calendar year.
5)Executing a membership agreement with the Fifth Season Cooperative.