Not listed SINCE 1996, THE RMFU CO-OP CENTER HAS SUPPORTED RURAL COMMUNITIES INCOLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND WYOMINGBY HELPING FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND ENTREPRENEURS BUILD AND MANAGE THEIR OWN BUSINESSES USING THECOOPERATIVE MODEL.WE OFFER:COOPERATIVE AND MUTUALLY OWNED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTTRUST BUILDING, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND BOARD AND LEADERSHIP TRAININGFUNDRAISING, POLICY AND PROCEDURES, MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT AND LEGAL GUIDANCEMARKET CONNECTIONSTRAINING AND EDUCATION OF THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT MODELCOOPERATIVES ARECOMMUNITY-OWNED BUSINESSESWHERE PEOPLE POOL RESOURCES AND WORK TOGETHER TO MEET SHARED NEEDS. THEY KEEP OWNERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING LOCAL, HELPING COMMUNITIES BUILD LASTING SOLUTIONS AND STRONGER ECONOMIES. CO-OPS AREN'T JUST BUSINESSES--THEY'REDEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATIONSRUN BY THEIR MEMBERS. WHEN YOU USE CO-OP SERVICES, YOU'RE DIRECTLY INVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE.OUR PRIORITIESRURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTTHROUGH COOPERATIVE AND MEMBER-OWNED BUSINESSESWORKFORCE TRAININGSTRENGTHENING RURAL FOOD SYSTEMSSUPPORTING VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTUREOUR GOAL IS TO HELP COMMUNITIESTAKE CONTROL OF THEIR ECONOMIC FUTUREBY REDUCING DEPENDENCE ON OUTSIDE SYSTEMS AND RESTORING LOCAL DECISION-MAKING POWER. COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISES LEAD TOGREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY,BETTER MARKET ACCESS, ANDSTRONGER LOCAL ECONOMIES.FROM PRODUCER CO-OPS AND FOOD HUBS TO MARKETING VENTURES AND RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, RMFU HELPS CREATEDURABLE, COMMUNITY-OWNED BUSINESSESTHAT GENERATE JOBS, RAISE INCOMES, AND BUILD LEADERSHIP WITHIN RURAL COMMUNITIES.RURAL AREAS IN COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND WYOMING FACE SERIOUS BARRIERS:FOOD ACCESSMANY RURAL AREAS LACK GROCERY STORES WITH FRESH, AFFORDABLE FOOD--EVEN IN AGRICULTURAL REGIONS.LONG DISTANCES, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND LIMITED PUBLIC TRANSIT MAKE IT HARD FOR RESIDENTS TO REACH FOOD STORES.HARSH WEATHER AND ICY ROADS ALSO MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR DELIVERY TRUCKS AND CONSUMERS TO ACCESS THESE AREAS.AS A RESULT, MANY RELY ON CONVENIENCE STORES WITH LIMITED AND EXPENSIVE OPTIONS.FARM LABOR SHORTAGESTHE U.S. AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY NEEDED AROUND2.4 MILLION MORE FARM WORKERS IN 2024.POLICY CHANGES REDUCED LABOR POOL.WORKERS FACEEXTREME HEAT,UNSAFE CONDITIONS,LIMITED HOUSING, ANDFAMILY SEPARATION.LAND ACCESSFARMLAND IS INCREASINGLY BEING BOUGHT BYINVESTORS, DEVELOPERS, AND FOREIGN ENTITIES, DRIVING UP PRICES AND PUSHING OUT LOCAL FARMERS.URBAN EXPANSIONNEAR CITIES LIKE DENVER, SANTA FE, AND CHEYENNE IS CONVERTING FARMLAND INTO HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS.WATER SCARCITYIS A MAJOR ISSUE DUE TO DROUGHT, OVERUSE, AND CLIMATE CHANGE.MEASURING OUTCOMES AND DATA COLLECTION:WE USE A STRUCTURED SYSTEM TO TRACK PROGRESS AND ENSURE OUR CLIENTS RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.THE CLIENT INTAKE FORM HELPS US UNDERSTANDWHO THE GROUP ISTHEIR MISSION AND GOALSTHEIR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONSERVICES NEEDEDIT ALSO TELLS US WHERE THEY ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. THIS INFORMATION HELPS US CREATE A CUSTOMIZEDWORKPLANAND OFFICIALLY,ESTABLISH THEM AS A CLIENT.AFTER EACH MEETING OR ENGAGEMENT, WE UPDATE OURPROJECT TRACKERANDQUARTERLY REPORTSTO MONITOR PROGRESS AND IDENTIFY ANY CHALLENGES OR BARRIERS THE GROUP IS FACING.WE ALSO USE APERFORMANCE OUTCOME AND MEASURES DATABASETO TRACK KEY MILESTONES, INCLUDING:NUMBER OF GROUPS, BUSINESSES, AND COOPERATIVES ASSISTED OR INCORPORATEDJOBS CREATED OR SAVEDFEASIBILITY STUDIES, BUSINESS PLANS, AND FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS DEVELOPEDPOLICIES AND PROCEDURES ESTABLISHEDFISCAL SPONSORSHIPS AND GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTEDEVENTS, CONFERENCES, AND WORKSHOPS HELDTEAM COLLABORATION AND REVIEWOUR TEAM REGULARLY MEETS TO REVIEW EACH PROJECT'S STATUS, DISCUSS SPECIFIC OUTCOMES, AND IDENTIFY WAYS TO KEEP THE PROJECT ON TRACK. THESE MEETINGS HELP US STAY ALIGNED WITH THE GOALS OUTLINED IN EACH WORKPLAN AND ENSURE WE'RE PROVIDING THE BEST POSSIBLE SUPPORT.MEASURING SUCCESSSUCCESS IS MEASURED BY THE OUTCOMES OF EACH WORKPLAN. OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO HELP CLIENTS:INCORPORATE AS A LEGAL BUSINESS ENTITYMOVE INTO OPERATIONAL STAGESAPPLY FOR FUNDING OR LOANSPROVIDE THEIR COMMUNITIES WITH ACCESS TO FOOD, JOBS, AND LANDBY GUIDING CLIENTS THROUGH EACH STEP OF THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WE HELP BUILD STRONG, COMMUNITY-OWNED BUSINESSES THAT IMPROVE LOCAL ECONOMIES AND QUALITY OF LIFE.THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN FARMERS UNION WORKS TO STRENGTHEN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND WYOMING BY FOCUSING ON KEY AREAS: STRENGTHENING RURAL FOOD SYSTEMS, SKILLED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURAL LAND ACCESS, AND CO-OP EDUCATION.1. STRENGTHENING RURAL FOOD SYSTEMSMANY RURAL AREAS IN OUR REGION FACE CHALLENGES CONNECTING LOCAL PRODUCERS WITH LOCAL CONSUMERS, ESPECIALLY IN GROCERY STORES AND FOOD MARKETS. THESE GAPS ARE OFTEN DUE TO THE VAST GEOGRAPHY AND SEASONAL LIMITATIONS.TO ADDRESS THIS, RMFU IS HELPING COMMUNITIES:LAUNCH BUYING CLUBSOPEN BRICK-AND-MORTAR GROCERY CO-OPSDEVELOP LOCAL FOOD MARKETS WHERE NONE EXISTSTHESE EFFORTS EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL FARMERS AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCERS TO SELL THEIR GOODS YEAR-ROUND, KEEPING FOOD DOLLARS IN THE COMMUNITY.2. DEVELOPING A SKILLED RURAL WORKFORCEA STRONG FOOD SYSTEM DEPENDS ON A SKILLED AND STABLE WORKFORCE. AS TRADITIONAL JOBS DECLINE IN RURAL AREAS, RMFU SEES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL WORKERS TO ORGANIZE, OWN, AND OPERATE ESSENTIAL SERVICE AND TRADE BUSINESSES.ONE EXAMPLE IS THE AGRICULTURE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CO-OP PROJECT IN COLORADO, WHICH ADDRESSES THE FARM LABOR SHORTAGE BY CREATING A WORKER-OWNED COOPERATIVE. THIS MODEL ENSURES FAIR PAY, HUMANE TREATMENT, AND KEEPS WORKERS ROOTED IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY.3. EXPANDING ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL LANDTO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM, FARMERS AND RANCHERS NEED ACCESS TO LAND--AND THE FINANCIAL TOOLS TO MAKE IT VIABLE.RMFU'S LAND ACCESS INITIATIVES HELP BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO LAND OWNERSHIP AND LEASING BY:EXPLORING INNOVATIVE OWNERSHIP MODELSSUPPORTING LEASING ARRANGEMENTSCREATING PATHWAYS TO BUILD FINANCIAL EQUITYTHESE,EFFORTS HELP PRODUCERS GROW THEIR BUSINESSES AND CONTRIBUTE TO THRIVING RURAL ECONOMIES.INVESTING IN FUTURE LEADERSRMFU ALSO INVESTS IN THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AGES 7-18. THESE INCLUDE:CAMPS AND DAY CLASSESSCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM FOCUSED ON COOPERATIVE BUSINESS MODELS AND RURAL LEADERSHIPYOUTH LEARN HANDS-ON SKILLS AND EXPLORE HOW COOPERATIVES SUPPORT RURAL COMMUNITIES.THE RMFU FELLOWS PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED IN 1987, IS A COMPETITIVE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE THAT PREPARES 16 ADULTS (AGES 21-50) EACH YEAR TO BECOME AGRICULTURAL AND COOPERATIVE LEADERS. OVER 12 MONTHS, FELLOWS PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS, VISIT CO-OPS, AND FARM & RANCH BUSINESSES.WHY THIS MATTERSRMFU CO-OP CENTER HAS A LONG HISTORY OF HELPING FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES LAUNCH COOPERATIVES. RESIDENTS COME TO US WITH A CHALLENGE--LIKE HOW TO SELL THEIR FOOD PRODUCTS LOCALLY OR HOW TO BRING FOOD TO THEIR COMMUNITY, OTHERS NEED ACCESS TO SKILLED FARM AND RANCH LABORERS, AND BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS NEED ACCESS TO LAND.BY ACHIEVING THE GOALS OUTLINED, WE CAN:OPEN GROCERY STORES AND FOOD MARKETS WHERE NONE CURRENTLY EXIST SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO FOODCREATE STABLE, YEAR-ROUND JOBS THAT ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO STAY AND INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIESHELP FARMS GROW TO FULL CAPACITY AND THRIVE $0 6/1/26 Not listed SINCE 1996, THE RMFU CO-OP CENTER HAS SUPPORTED RURAL COMMUNITIES INCOLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND WYOMINGBY HELPING FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND ENTREPRENEURS BUILD AND MANAGE THEIR OWN BUSINESSES USING THECOOPERATIVE MODEL.WE OFFER:COOPERATIVE AND MUTUALLY OWNED BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SUPPORTTRUST BUILDING, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND BOARD AND LEADERSHIP TRAININGFUNDRAISING, POLICY AND PROCEDURES, MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT AND LEGAL GUIDANCEMARKET CONNECTIONSTRAINING AND EDUCATION OF THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT MODELCOOPERATIVES ARECOMMUNITY-OWNED BUSINESSESWHERE PEOPLE POOL RESOURCES AND WORK TOGETHER TO MEET SHARED NEEDS. THEY KEEP OWNERSHIP AND DECISION-MAKING LOCAL, HELPING COMMUNITIES BUILD LASTING SOLUTIONS AND STRONGER ECONOMIES. CO-OPS AREN'T JUST BUSINESSES--THEY'REDEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATIONSRUN BY THEIR MEMBERS. WHEN YOU USE CO-OP SERVICES, YOU'RE DIRECTLY INVESTING IN YOUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE.OUR PRIORITIESRURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTTHROUGH COOPERATIVE AND MEMBER-OWNED BUSINESSESWORKFORCE TRAININGSTRENGTHENING RURAL FOOD SYSTEMSSUPPORTING VALUE-ADDED AGRICULTUREOUR GOAL IS TO HELP COMMUNITIESTAKE CONTROL OF THEIR ECONOMIC FUTUREBY REDUCING DEPENDENCE ON OUTSIDE SYSTEMS AND RESTORING LOCAL DECISION-MAKING POWER. COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISES LEAD TOGREATER SELF-SUFFICIENCY,BETTER MARKET ACCESS, ANDSTRONGER LOCAL ECONOMIES.FROM PRODUCER CO-OPS AND FOOD HUBS TO MARKETING VENTURES AND RURAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, RMFU HELPS CREATEDURABLE, COMMUNITY-OWNED BUSINESSESTHAT GENERATE JOBS, RAISE INCOMES, AND BUILD LEADERSHIP WITHIN RURAL COMMUNITIES.RURAL AREAS IN COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND WYOMING FACE SERIOUS BARRIERS:FOOD ACCESSMANY RURAL AREAS LACK GROCERY STORES WITH FRESH, AFFORDABLE FOOD--EVEN IN AGRICULTURAL REGIONS.LONG DISTANCES, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND LIMITED PUBLIC TRANSIT MAKE IT HARD FOR RESIDENTS TO REACH FOOD STORES.HARSH WEATHER AND ICY ROADS ALSO MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR DELIVERY TRUCKS AND CONSUMERS TO ACCESS THESE AREAS.AS A RESULT, MANY RELY ON CONVENIENCE STORES WITH LIMITED AND EXPENSIVE OPTIONS.FARM LABOR SHORTAGESTHE U.S. AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY NEEDED AROUND2.4 MILLION MORE FARM WORKERS IN 2024.POLICY CHANGES REDUCED LABOR POOL.WORKERS FACEEXTREME HEAT,UNSAFE CONDITIONS,LIMITED HOUSING, ANDFAMILY SEPARATION.LAND ACCESSFARMLAND IS INCREASINGLY BEING BOUGHT BYINVESTORS, DEVELOPERS, AND FOREIGN ENTITIES, DRIVING UP PRICES AND PUSHING OUT LOCAL FARMERS.URBAN EXPANSIONNEAR CITIES LIKE DENVER, SANTA FE, AND CHEYENNE IS CONVERTING FARMLAND INTO HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS.WATER SCARCITYIS A MAJOR ISSUE DUE TO DROUGHT, OVERUSE, AND CLIMATE CHANGE.MEASURING OUTCOMES AND DATA COLLECTION:WE USE A STRUCTURED SYSTEM TO TRACK PROGRESS AND ENSURE OUR CLIENTS RECEIVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.THE CLIENT INTAKE FORM HELPS US UNDERSTANDWHO THE GROUP ISTHEIR MISSION AND GOALSTHEIR GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONSERVICES NEEDEDIT ALSO TELLS US WHERE THEY ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. THIS INFORMATION HELPS US CREATE A CUSTOMIZEDWORKPLANAND OFFICIALLY,ESTABLISH THEM AS A CLIENT.AFTER EACH MEETING OR ENGAGEMENT, WE UPDATE OURPROJECT TRACKERANDQUARTERLY REPORTSTO MONITOR PROGRESS AND IDENTIFY ANY CHALLENGES OR BARRIERS THE GROUP IS FACING.WE ALSO USE APERFORMANCE OUTCOME AND MEASURES DATABASETO TRACK KEY MILESTONES, INCLUDING:NUMBER OF GROUPS, BUSINESSES, AND COOPERATIVES ASSISTED OR INCORPORATEDJOBS CREATED OR SAVEDFEASIBILITY STUDIES, BUSINESS PLANS, AND FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS DEVELOPEDPOLICIES AND PROCEDURES ESTABLISHEDFISCAL SPONSORSHIPS AND GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTEDEVENTS, CONFERENCES, AND WORKSHOPS HELDTEAM COLLABORATION AND REVIEWOUR TEAM REGULARLY MEETS TO REVIEW EACH PROJECT'S STATUS, DISCUSS SPECIFIC OUTCOMES, AND IDENTIFY WAYS TO KEEP THE PROJECT ON TRACK. THESE MEETINGS HELP US STAY ALIGNED WITH THE GOALS OUTLINED IN EACH WORKPLAN AND ENSURE WE'RE PROVIDING THE BEST POSSIBLE SUPPORT.MEASURING SUCCESSSUCCESS IS MEASURED BY THE OUTCOMES OF EACH WORKPLAN. OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO HELP CLIENTS:INCORPORATE AS A LEGAL BUSINESS ENTITYMOVE INTO OPERATIONAL STAGESAPPLY FOR FUNDING OR LOANSPROVIDE THEIR COMMUNITIES WITH ACCESS TO FOOD, JOBS, AND LANDBY GUIDING CLIENTS THROUGH EACH STEP OF THE COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS, WE HELP BUILD STRONG, COMMUNITY-OWNED BUSINESSES THAT IMPROVE LOCAL ECONOMIES AND QUALITY OF LIFE.THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN FARMERS UNION WORKS TO STRENGTHEN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND WYOMING BY FOCUSING ON KEY AREAS: STRENGTHENING RURAL FOOD SYSTEMS, SKILLED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURAL LAND ACCESS, AND CO-OP EDUCATION.1. STRENGTHENING RURAL FOOD SYSTEMSMANY RURAL AREAS IN OUR REGION FACE CHALLENGES CONNECTING LOCAL PRODUCERS WITH LOCAL CONSUMERS, ESPECIALLY IN GROCERY STORES AND FOOD MARKETS. THESE GAPS ARE OFTEN DUE TO THE VAST GEOGRAPHY AND SEASONAL LIMITATIONS.TO ADDRESS THIS, RMFU IS HELPING COMMUNITIES:LAUNCH BUYING CLUBSOPEN BRICK-AND-MORTAR GROCERY CO-OPSDEVELOP LOCAL FOOD MARKETS WHERE NONE EXISTSTHESE EFFORTS EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL FARMERS AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCERS TO SELL THEIR GOODS YEAR-ROUND, KEEPING FOOD DOLLARS IN THE COMMUNITY.2. DEVELOPING A SKILLED RURAL WORKFORCEA STRONG FOOD SYSTEM DEPENDS ON A SKILLED AND STABLE WORKFORCE. AS TRADITIONAL JOBS DECLINE IN RURAL AREAS, RMFU SEES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL WORKERS TO ORGANIZE, OWN, AND OPERATE ESSENTIAL SERVICE AND TRADE BUSINESSES.ONE EXAMPLE IS THE AGRICULTURE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CO-OP PROJECT IN COLORADO, WHICH ADDRESSES THE FARM LABOR SHORTAGE BY CREATING A WORKER-OWNED COOPERATIVE. THIS MODEL ENSURES FAIR PAY, HUMANE TREATMENT, AND KEEPS WORKERS ROOTED IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY.3. EXPANDING ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL LANDTO BUILD A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM, FARMERS AND RANCHERS NEED ACCESS TO LAND--AND THE FINANCIAL TOOLS TO MAKE IT VIABLE.RMFU'S LAND ACCESS INITIATIVES HELP BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO LAND OWNERSHIP AND LEASING BY:EXPLORING INNOVATIVE OWNERSHIP MODELSSUPPORTING LEASING ARRANGEMENTSCREATING PATHWAYS TO BUILD FINANCIAL EQUITYTHESE,EFFORTS HELP PRODUCERS GROW THEIR BUSINESSES AND CONTRIBUTE TO THRIVING RURAL ECONOMIES.INVESTING IN FUTURE LEADERSRMFU ALSO INVESTS IN THE NEXT GENERATION THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AGES 7-18. THESE INCLUDE:CAMPS AND DAY CLASSESSCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM FOCUSED ON COOPERATIVE BUSINESS MODELS AND RURAL LEADERSHIPYOUTH LEARN HANDS-ON SKILLS AND EXPLORE HOW COOPERATIVES SUPPORT RURAL COMMUNITIES.THE RMFU FELLOWS PROGRAM, ESTABLISHED IN 1987, IS A COMPETITIVE LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE THAT PREPARES 16 ADULTS (AGES 21-50) EACH YEAR TO BECOME AGRICULTURAL AND COOPERATIVE LEADERS. OVER 12 MONTHS, FELLOWS PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS, VISIT CO-OPS, AND FARM & RANCH BUSINESSES.WHY THIS MATTERSRMFU CO-OP CENTER HAS A LONG HISTORY OF HELPING FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES LAUNCH COOPERATIVES. RESIDENTS COME TO US WITH A CHALLENGE--LIKE HOW TO SELL THEIR FOOD PRODUCTS LOCALLY OR HOW TO BRING FOOD TO THEIR COMMUNITY, OTHERS NEED ACCESS TO SKILLED FARM AND RANCH LABORERS, AND BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS NEED ACCESS TO LAND.BY ACHIEVING THE GOALS OUTLINED, WE CAN:OPEN GROCERY STORES AND FOOD MARKETS WHERE NONE CURRENTLY EXIST SO PEOPLE CAN HAVE ACCESS TO FOODCREATE STABLE, YEAR-ROUND JOBS THAT ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO STAY AND INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITIESHELP FARMS GROW TO FULL CAPACITY AND THRIVE $494.0k 9/26/25