To understand how Kansas might begin to create a more inclusive cooperative ecosystem, this report examines K.S.A. Chapter 17-15 compared to other general cooperative laws, including Chapter 185 in Wisconsin, Chapter 308A in Minnesota, and the Uniform Limited Cooperative Associations Act. For each, we asked and answered 35 questions that are pertinent to the cooperative business model, focusing on key provisions related to formation, governing documents, board of directors, membership, voting, fundraising, profit distribution, mergers, consolidation, and dissolution.

Comparing Cooperative Statutes: Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Uniform Limited Cooperative Associations Act (PDF)

This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the Rural Access Distribution Cooperative in Walsh County, North Dakota. Co-op members purchase collectively from suppliers, ensuring better pricing and more diversified product offerings. The fact sheet also provides a list of Key Performance Indicators that have contributed to the success of this model.

Purchasing Cooperatives in Rural Grocery (PDF)

As Kansans explore innovative solutions to address local challenges, the cooperative business model is one possible strategy for promoting community development. The 2024 Cooperative Stakeholder Convening was held in Wichita, KS, on December 4, 2024. It featured a deep dive into the cooperative business model, updates on co-op development efforts in the region, and discussions on how to strengthen the co-op ecosystem across Kansas.

A summary of the convening is online.

There are two primary cooperative statutes in Kansas: (1) K.S.A. 17-15 Cooperative Societies Act and (2) K.S.A. 17-16 Cooperative Marketing Act.1,2 While the Cooperative Marketing Act focuses on agricultural cooperatives, the Cooperative Societies Act is more generalized to other sectors.

This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the cooperative business model and walks through various sections of the Kansas Cooperative Societies Act.

Navigating the Kansas Cooperative Societies Act (PDF)

On November 29, 2023, thirty-five Kansans gathered in Manhattan, Kansas to discuss the cooperative business model. The convening was organized by the Rural Grocery Initiative with panelists and speakers from the ARCHER Lab in the College of Health and Human Sciences, the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center, the Kansas Cooperative Council, the Kansas Small Business Development Center, and the Kansas Rural Center. Attendees included representatives from a variety of sectors: small business and economic development, extension and academia, philanthropy and nonprofit, government, renewable energy, childcare, agriculture, and more.

A summary of the convening and presentation is online.

The Business Transitions: Exploring Solutions through Cooperative Ownership workshop was held in Phillipsburg, Kansas, in May 2023. It shared how the cooperative ownership model can be a viable solution for rural independent business owners transitioning out of their business.

A summary of the workshop and presentation is online.

With members of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, this webinar explores the consumer cooperative grocery model. It features a rural community in Nebraska that opened a cooperatively-owned grocery store.

Access the recording and PowerPoint slides online.

Joined by the Democracy at Work Institute and the Cooperative Development Institute, this webinar explores the worker-owned cooperative model. It showcases how a grocery store in rural Maine transitioned to this ownership model.

Access the recording and PowerPoint slides online.

Many communities have identified innovative solutions to ensure their local grocery store continues operating and thriving well into the future. This fact sheet shares examples of community-supported grocery stores in rural Kansas, including cooperative grocery stores.

Rural Grocery Ownership Models (PDF)

Businesses of all kinds work with legal and tax professionals. Cooperatives are no different. Given their unique business strucutre, finding this technical support can be a challenge. This is why the Rural Grocery Initiative is developing a directory of attorneys and accountants who have experience with - or who are open to working with - cooperative businesses in the state of Kansas.

Access the directory online.