Michigan Cooperative Development Program

 

The Michigan Cooperative Development Program assists new and existing cooperatives, and employee-owned companies through education, research, and technical assistance. 

48 Co-ops

received technical assistance

20 Years

of co-op development expertise

9 Staff

strategically located across the state

The Michigan Cooperative Development Program exists to support current and emerging cooperative and employee-owned enterprises in meeting their business goals. The program has 20 years of experience in supporting housing, worker, producer, consumer, purchasing, and multi-stakeholder co-ops. 

We offer no-cost education and technical assistance to support co-ops at all points in their business journey. Services include:

  • business planning
  • financial analysis
  • feasibility studies
  • board trainings
  • bylaws development
  • marketing plans
  • business succession
  • legal incorporation

All types of co-ops are eligible for assistance. For more information, contact Bill Knudson at knudsonw@msu.edu or Parker Jones at jonesp28@msu.edu.

Topics in Cooperative Governance

Published

News

Events

  • May 12

    Moving Beyond Cottage Food May 12, 2025

    May 12, 2025 6:00PM – 7:30PM Zoom Webinar

    Entrepreneurs and cottage food operators can learn basic knowledge to guide them in the right direction for becoming a licensed food operator and Moving Beyond Cottage Foods.

  • May 15

    Land Access Workshop for Beginning Farmers

    May 15, 2025 5:30PM – 8:30PM Kalamazoo Valley Community College Food Innovation Center, 224 E Crosstown Pkwy, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

    Free workshop to learn farming skills and provide feedback on new curriculum.

  • May 19

    Michigan Cottage Food Law

    May 19, 2025 2:00PM – 4:00PM Zoom Webinar

    The Michigan Cottage Food Law, Food safety practices related to producing cottage foods and how to start a cottage food business.

  • May 21

    Preventive Controls for Human Food: PCQI Blended Training Course Part 2

    May 21, 2025 7:30AM – 5:00PM MSU Food Processing and Innovation Center, 3361 Hulett Road, Okemos, MI 48864

    This course is recognized by the FDA and successful completion of this course is one way to meet the requirements for a preventive controls qualified individual (PCQI).