Structure

As an incorporated co-operative, the Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-operative is an example of how a community of individuals concerned about preserving and stewarding organic farmland can take tangible action to achieve their collective goals. In order to operate effectively, the co-operative is structured in the following manner:

Shareholders

Shareholders are the core of the Co-operative's ability to exist. Through an investment of $5,000, each shareholder provides capital toward the ownership and maintenace of the farm. Many shareholders are also active in decision-making within the co-operative. They attend monthly meetings and participate in committees around subjects such as finances, building and maintenance, communications and housing. The co-operative uses a consensus model for decision-making. All leaseholders on the farm must do work directly related to a farm business and must be shareholders.

Shares in the Co-operative are "par value" shares; they do not increase in value, even if the organization's assets appreciate over time. This was established to avoid a situation where members might ever try to sell the farm in order to realize capital gains in their investment. A shareholder may redeem their share, provided it does not put the Co-operative in a compromised financial position.

Stewards

The Co-operative's Stewards are a team of people who carry out the functions of a Board of Directors, in accordance with strategic direction established by the membership. These volunteers discuss and fine-tune proposals that are to be presented to shareholders, organize monthly shareholder meetings and facilitate communication between various committees and shareholders.

Teams

The Co-operative's Teams function similar to committees. Shareholders with expertise or interest in particular areas of the farm's operations meet regularly or on an ad hoc basis to establish direction and proposals to the general membership. Examples of teams currently functioning include Finance, Administration and Leases, Housing, Communication, and Building and Baintenance. There is also a Farm Team that includes individuals who work and/or live on the farm.

Farm Team

The Farm Team is comprised of individuals who live and/or work on the farm. These individuals lease land and facilities from the Co-operative and oversee the day-to-day operations of the actual farm. Farm Team members participate at a number of levels of the Co-operative and provide special support to operationalizing the Co-operative's overall goals. Farm Team members must also be shareholders in the Co-operative.