Agenda:

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8:00 am Networking Breakfast

Join Summit stakeholders for a light breakfast, coffee, and tea for a chance to connect with each other and engage with the resource tables in Oyate Hall at the University of Minnesota Morris.

9:00 am Welcome and Opening Remarks

  • Mark Ritchie, Former Secretary of State of Minnesota

9:20 am Keynote “Co-operatively Building a Better World”

  • Jerome Warren, Postdoctoral Researcher, Uni Cologne Political Economy, Cooperative Studies & Sustainability

10:00 am Co-ops Are All Around Us

We’ll hear lightning talks featuring co-op success stories from various sectors showcasing how powerful, versatile, and sustainable cooperatives can be.

  • MC: Stu Lourey

  • Consumer Cooperatives: Ryan Pesch, Manna Foods

  • Real Estate Investment Cooperatives: Leslie Watson, NEIC

  • TBD 1

  • TBD 2

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Co-op Level Setting

As we are inviting those new to cooperatives to attend this event, we intend to provide the basic elements on cooperatives for more equal participation in the subsequent discussions.

  • MC: Stu Lourey

  • Everything you wanted to know about a co-op but were afraid to ask: Cathy Statz

  • How co-ops can increase opportunities for everyone: Christina Nicholson and Nkuli Shongwe, Nexus Community Partners

  • A cooperative policy agenda: what could we tackle together: Senator Aric Putnam

  • Finding funding for your cooperative project: Christina Jennings and Ashley Anderson, Shared Capital Cooperative

  • Your co-op needs you! Kathy Draeger and Erik Hatlestad

Noon: Lunch and International Year of Cooperatives Panel

Hear from world co-op leaders and researchers about why 2025 has been declared the International Year of Cooperatives and how co-ops are uniquely suited to help achieve SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)

  • Moderator: Gretchen Hacquard, International Cooperative Alliance

  • Jerome Warren

  • Karen Weldon

In the afternoon, attendees will dive deeper into the real-world examples of cooperatives that are meeting deep community needs and learn how to incorporate cooperative strategies to meet the economic and social needs of our state in the years to come.

1:30 pm Breakouts Part 1: Creative Cooperative Solutions for Thorny Community Issues

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. The breakout sessions will dig into six thorny issues that face communities across the state of Minnesota and showcase 2-3 cooperative solutions for each topic that are helping address them.

Breakout options:

  • Housing: Northcountry Cooperative Foundation, Natividad Seefeld, Dennis Johnson, Gunnar Carlson

  • Childcare: Nancy Johnson, Papermoon Childcare Cooperative, Energy Capital Cooperative Child Care

  • Small business changes: Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership, Terra Firma, John Dally

  • Energy/climate: Dr. Gabe Chan, Cooperative Energy Futures, Great River Energy, Mike Reese

  • Agriculture: Minnesota Farmers Union, Kelsey Zaavedra, Meatsmith Co-op

  • Nursing care/home care: Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers

2:15pm Break

2:30 pm Breakouts Part 2: Creative Cooperative Solutions for Thorny Community Issues

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. The breakout sessions will dig into six thorny issues that face communities across the state of Minnesota and showcase 2-3 cooperative solutions for each topic that are helping address them.

Breakout options:

  • Housing: Northcountry Cooperative Foundation, Natividad Seefeld, Dennis Johnson, Gunnar Carlson

  • Childcare: Nancy Johnson, Papermoon Childcare Cooperative, Energy Capital Cooperative Child Care

  • Small business changes: Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership, Terra Firma, John Dally

  • Energy/climate: Dr. Gabe Chan, Cooperative Energy Futures, Great River Energy, Mike Reese

  • Agriculture: Minnesota Farmers Union, Kelsey Zaavedra, Meatsmith Co-op

  • Nursing care/home care: Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers

3:15pm Break

3:30 pm Wrap-up Activity: What This Means for Minnesota

Taking into account the lessons we have learned from the international cooperative movement, what is possible and what is most needed for this moment in Minnesota.

  • Kelly Asche, Senior Researcher at the Center for Rural Policy and Development

  • Katie Marty and Tory, CoMinnesota

4:15 pm Closing Reception Happy Hour

Close with a toast to the possibilities and learning generated during the Summit. Sponsored by Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative and Cooperative Development Services (in honor of their 40th anniversary this year)!

5:30 pm Adjourn