|
 |
|
|
Co-ops may add value to North Dakota's crops, says Carrington farmer
Gusiaas, an investor in five different cooperatives and a member of the board of directors for two co-ops, advocates processing crops for local profit before farmers ship them to larger plants. "It started with American Crystal Sugar, when farmers started raising sugar beets and adding value to [them]," he says. "It moved out every direction from there. Now it's kind of a religion." North Dakotans take pride in processing their crops locally. Linda Ova of Bigg Dogg Cuisine in Pingree creates and markets salsas, jellies, sauces and other products from her own crops, from just one kitchen in her home. The business gives her income the extra push it needs. Members of value-added cooperatives take the business opportunity a step further. In the co-ops, growers band together to process their crops and create more income for themselves. Dakota Growers Pasta in Carrington, for instance, processes North Dakota crops locally and creates pasta which is then shipped to markets throughout the country. Gusiaas says the idea of localizing crops not only adds income, but also leads to a more advanced sense of business. "Being involved with these co-ops teaches us to be more professional," he says. "We're business people, and it's about time we started acting like business people." But Gusiaas adds that not all farmers take advantage of the open window of opportunity offered by co-ops. "Farmers are pretty independent and they want to be their own boss," he says. For some, a cooperative may not be the best environment for growth. Gusiaas, however, says he thinks those farmers have lost a great opportunity. "They're missing out," he says. "I think we're sitting on a gold mine," Gusiaas continues. "North Dakota's future looks very bright if we keep adding value and processing what we produce."
|
Roger Gusiaas, a
farmer and co-op member from Carrington, predicts a dim future for production
agriculture. However, Gusiaas says he believes that value-added cooperatives
could doctor the outlook for North Dakota farmers.