Cooperative Director Training: Changing the Way Extension Programs Are Presented

Through a survey administered to agricultural cooperatives throughout Colorado and Indiana, it became apparent that cooperative directors could benefit from new Extension educational workshops that help them understand how to run a successful cooperative. Through a newly designed hands-on certification Extension program using cases, interactive exercises, and a simulation, directors have been given many opportunities to interact with members of both their own cooperative as well as other cooperatives around the state. First-year evaluations have been very high, and some cooperatives are requiring that their directors get certified through this program if they wish to remain on their respective boards.