Ag needs fuel cooperative approach

In Northern Colorado, where agriculture strongly influences local economies, the agricultural cooperative — the "co-op" — stands out as a unique creature among other agri-businesses.On the one hand, the co-op is a business form much like that of the corporation. It incorporates under state laws, creates bylaws, elects directors, employs day-to-day managers, makes a profit and pays income taxes,
On the other hand, the co-op is an entirely different species.
"What distinguishes a cooperative is that the users of the cooperative, the customers, also own the business," explained Richard King, executive director of the Colorado Cooperative Council, a voluntary, nonprofit…