Boosting co-op strength - Four pillars to consider

Nov 03, 2023

Co-ops are community keystones, more so in rural settings. Their strength is directly proportional to the informed participation of their members. Here's how to amplify your co-op's impact:

Inclusivity: Co-ops cater to diverse groups. It's crucial that while they might focus on specific goods or services, they must stand firm against discrimination. Adopting and showcasing a commitment to DEI can be a game-changer. Initiatives like DEI-centric events, feedback sessions, and member training can cultivate a sense of belonging.
Structure and Governance: A transparent insight into the co-op's hierarchy allows members to understand their role and the overall functioning. Knowledge dispels ambiguity and motivates members to take active parts, including leadership positions.
Finances: Openness about financial matters, from membership fees to investment returns, cements trust. Clear financial pathways ensure members see the value they derive from their co-op investments.
Benefits: Co-ops aren't just about financial gains. They offer members a chance to be part of a like-minded community, stand united against larger market players, and tap into learning resources. Promoting these opportunities can significantly bolster member engagement.

By focusing on these pillars, co-ops can navigate the path to success, fostering a dynamic and inclusive community.

Video: Seeing the Whole Season: How Continuous Crop Modeling Is Changing Breeding

Plant breeding has long been shaped by snapshots. A walk through a plot. A single set of notes. A yield check at the end of the season. But crops do not grow in moments. They change every day.

In this conversation, Gary Nijak of AerialPLOT explains how continuous crop modeling is changing the way breeders see, measure, and select plants by capturing growth, stress, and recovery across the entire season, not just at isolated points in time.

Nijak breaks down why point-in-time observations can miss critical performance signals, how repeated, season-long data collection removes the human bottleneck in breeding, and what becomes possible when every plot is treated as a living data set. He also explores how continuous modeling allows breeding programs to move beyond vague descriptors and toward measurable, repeatable insights that connect directly to on-farm outcomes.

This conversation explores:

• What continuous crop modeling is and how it works

• Why traditional field observations fall short over a full growing season

• How scale and repeated measurement change breeding decisions

• What “digital twins” of plots mean for selection and performance

• Why data, not hardware, is driving the next shift in breeding innovation As data-driven breeding moves from research into real-world programs, this discussion offers a clear look at how seeing the whole season is reshaping value for breeders, seed companies, and farmers, and why this may be only the beginning.