| This article examines farmers’ assessment of the effectiveness of cooperatives as compared with proprietary firms in providing goods and services. The areas of consideration were marketing, market share, business functions, service, stability, and public involvement. Farmers indicated that cooperatives’ greatest advantages were in the areas of service and public involvement. Respondents indicated that cooperatives were more willing to provide low profit products and services, establish programs that best met needs, and provide low profit products and services, establish programs that best met needs, and provide a more dependable source of supplies and services. They also provided a greater enhancement of welfare and in general reduced the risks facing... |
