The Organic Maple Cooperative
page 3
Producer Member Benefits and Requirements
As a producer of the Organic Maple Cooperative you will build an ownership stake in the Maple Valley brand. The mission of Maple Valley is to return a fair price to producers year after year. The Organic Maple Cooperative business model annually determines a predictable and fair price for the producer and then operates the business on a margin that supports brand development and sales of our maple syrup. Our producers sustainably tap anywhere between 100 to 50,000 taps. The opportunity for sales through the Organic Maple Cooperative is best for those producers who do not have stable markets for their bulk syrup. Another strength of our cooperative is the ability of our members to source additional syrup from other members at a minimal cost. For those smaller producers, we offer a strong network of experienced producers and technical support to grow your production and sell your maple syrup in the best market channels available to you.
Producer Benefits
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Year to year stable and fair price
Year to year stable and fair price•Producer participation in establishing pay price
Producer participation in establishing pay price•Equity stake in a well recognized organic maple syrup brand (Maple Valley via your bulk maple syrup sales)
Equity stake in a well recognized organic maple syrup brand (Maple Valley via your bulk maple syrup sales) •Education and information sharing to develop and improve maple production
Education and information sharing to develop and improve maple production•Resource sharing of equipment and supply purchasing
Resource sharing of equipment and supply purchasing•Ability to buy and sell syrup within a membership that stretches from Quebec, Northeast U.S. and the Great Lakes region
Ability to buy and sell syrup within a membership that stretches from Quebec, Northeast U.S. and the Great Lakes region• Equity contribution of Preferred stock earns 6.5% annually
Producer Requirements
• Purchase 1 - Class A membership stock($25)
Purchase 1 - Class A membership stock($25)•Receive USDA accredited Organic Certification
Receive USDA accredited Organic Certification•Sign a membership agreement
Sign a membership agreement•Agree to guidelines for quantity and quality production standards for taste, brix and syrup cleanliness as defined by the management of the co-op
Agree to guidelines for quantity and quality production standards for taste, brix and syrup cleanliness as defined by the management of the co-opProducer Voting Member Requirements:
A producer is a voting member when they have:
•Purchased 1 - Class A membership stock($25) and 9 - Class B preferred stocks($25/ea and pays a 6.5% annual dividend)
Purchased 1 - Class A membership stock($25) and 9 - Class B preferred stocks($25/ea and pays a 6.5% annual dividend)•Received USDA accredited Organic Certification
Received USDA accredited Organic Certification•Signed a membership agreement
Signed a membership agreement •Agreed to guidelines for quantity and quality production standards for taste, brix and syrup cleanliness as defined by the management of the co-op
Agreed to guidelines for quantity and quality production standards for taste, brix and syrup cleanliness as defined by the management of the co-op•Good financial standing with the co-op
Good financial standing with the co-op•Future patronage is based on total volume of sales to the co-op
Future patronage is based on total volume of sales to the co-op
Aiding in Woodland Stewardship Helping Sustain Family Farms
Organic Maple Cooperative
919 Front Street
Cashton, WI 54619
tel 1.800.760.1449
fax 1.800.865.4602
