Cooperatively Building a Better World

July 29-30, 2025 | University of Minnesota Morris

The first annual Minnesota Cooperative Summit was presented by CoMinnesota, Minnesota Farmers Union, University of Minnesota Morris, and West Central Initiative.

At the first annual Minnesota Cooperative Summit, we:

  • Celebrated the International Year of Cooperatives

  • Learned about the power and versatility of the cooperative model

  • Engaged in Minnesota’s rich history of cooperation to do better together

  • Gained inspiration from creative co-op success stories

Co-ops have the power to build a better world that includes everyone. Co-ops have been and will continue to be key for economic development in our state, from succession planning to incorporating marginalized groups to solving challenges that cannot be done alone.

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What is a Cooperative?

Cooperatives are people-centred enterprises jointly owned and democratically controlled by and for their members to realise their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations.

As enterprises based on values and principles, they put fairness and equality first allowing people to create sustainable enterprises that generate long-term jobs and prosperity.

Managed by producers, users or workers, cooperatives are run according to the 'one member, one vote' rule.

Blank white sheet of paper.

Cooperatives are uniquely positioned to meet the economic and social needs in the state of Minnesota, offering versatile and powerful solutions that center people along with profit.