Montana Cooperative Development Center

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Montana Cooperative Development Center The Montana Cooperative Development Center is the statewide resource for cooperative development.

isn't a series of lectures!Both groups have been up, moving, talking, listening, brainstorming, collaborating, and cre...
10/20/2026

isn't a series of lectures!

Both groups have been up, moving, talking, listening, brainstorming, collaborating, and creatively learning.

If you prefer to be talked at for a whole event, make sure you don't sign up for next year.

But if you are in the co-op space, as a leader, developer, or engagement in your community, you're going to want to put this in your plans for next year.

Co-op word of the week: member-owned.That phrase may get used a lot, but what does it actually mean and why does it matt...
10/20/2026

Co-op word of the week: member-owned.

That phrase may get used a lot, but what does it actually mean and why does it matter?

A co-op is not just a business that serves people. It is a business owned by the people who use it, work in it, or depend on it.

That ownership can look different depending on the type of co-op, but the idea is the same: the people closest to the need have a voice in the structure built to meet it.

That is one of the reasons co-ops show up in so many parts of Montana life, from electricity and broadband to credit unions, agriculture, food access, worker ownership, and community-led solutions.

Member-owned means people are not just customers on the outside.
They are part of the cooperative story.

What is one co-op word or concept you wish more people understood?

Co-ops start here.

10/20/2026

It feels great to make these kinds of announcements!
We were just awarded over $500,000 in grant funding from USDA Rural Development! USDA Rural Development

We were honored to have JP Pendleton, Branch Chief of UDSA Rural Development and Bill Warden, Montana's State Director of Rural Development join us at our reception to make this big announcement.

Thank you Montana's Credit Unions for being partners on this and Rocky Mountain Credit Union for being great hosts tonight. Even better to have U.S. Co-ops represented in the room and during co-op month, as well!
Quite a night.

Kicking off breakout sessions, both learning cooperative 101 but now with tailored focus on roles and how each group eng...
10/19/2026

Kicking off breakout sessions, both learning cooperative 101 but now with tailored focus on roles and how each group engages.

The web! We're all connected. So are our needs, our opportunities, our communities. Doing our first sessions with Gerr...
10/19/2026

The web!

We're all connected. So are our needs, our opportunities, our communities.

Doing our first sessions with Gerry Singleton of Montana's Credit Unions to kick off and already learning a lot from each other!

Co-op Academy starts tomorrow in Bozeman!The 2026 Montana Co-op Academy takes place October 19–21, 2026, with a Monday a...
10/18/2026

Co-op Academy starts tomorrow in Bozeman!
The 2026 Montana Co-op Academy takes place October 19–21, 2026, with a Monday afternoon, Tuesday full day, and Wednesday morning schedule.

We’re looking forward to gathering with co-op leaders, community partners, outreach staff, economic development professionals, and people working to strengthen cooperative solutions across Montana.

This week is about practical learning, useful tools, good conversations, and connection across the statewide cooperative table.
If you are joining us, we’ll see you soon.

Co-ops start here.

Co-op Academy is almost here, and we’re excited to gather in Bozeman next week!The 2026 Montana Co-op Academy takes plac...
10/17/2026

Co-op Academy is almost here, and we’re excited to gather in Bozeman next week!

The 2026 Montana Co-op Academy takes place October 19–21, 2026, in Bozeman, Montana, with a Monday afternoon, Tuesday full day, and Wednesday morning schedule.

What makes this gathering special is that it brings together people from across Montana’s cooperative ecosystem.
Co-op leaders.
Rising leaders.
Outreach staff.
Community partners.
Extension.
Economic development.
People exploring cooperative ideas and community-based solutions.

That mix matters.

Strong cooperatives do not happen in isolation. They grow through leadership, relationships, practical tools, and people willing to learn from each other.

That is what Co-op Academy is for.

If you have been thinking about joining us, there is still time.
Register or learn more:
www.montanacouncil.coop/2026-co-op-academy

Co-ops start here.

Co-op Month is a good time to thank the co-ops that show up in everyday life.Maybe it is the electric co-op keeping the ...
10/16/2026

Co-op Month is a good time to thank the co-ops that show up in everyday life.

Maybe it is the electric co-op keeping the lights on.
The telecom co-op connecting your community.
The credit union helping people access financial services.
The ag co-op supporting producers.
The food co-op or grocery effort keeping food closer to home.
The worker-owned business building a different kind of workplace.
The cooperative staff, board members, and leaders who keep showing up.

Co-ops are built by people.
They keep going because members, employees, directors, and communities choose to participate.

Tag a co-op you appreciate and thank them for being part of Montana’s cooperative community.

Co-ops start here.

We’re excited to welcome Lyndsay Gutierrez, Membership and Outreach Director for the Montana Council of Cooperatives, to...
10/16/2026

We’re excited to welcome Lyndsay Gutierrez, Membership and Outreach Director for the Montana Council of Cooperatives, to the 2026 Montana Co-op Academy, happening October 19–21 in Bozeman.

Lyndsay’s work focuses on helping connect people, organizations, and opportunities across Montana’s cooperative ecosystem. Through MCOC’s outreach, membership, communications, and cooperative development support, she helps communities and partners see where cooperative tools may fit and how people can move ideas toward practical next steps.

At Co-op Academy, Lyndsay will lead participants through an interactive abundance mapping exercise designed to help people think about the strengths, relationships, resources, and opportunities already present in their communities and cooperative networks.

It is a practical way to look at what is already here, who is already connected, and where shared action may be possible.

Co-op Academy is built for people who are helping lead, strengthen, communicate, and build cooperative work across Montana.
Join us in Bozeman.

Co-ops start here.

This could be you! Co-op Academy is coming up next week, and this is a good one to share with someone who should be in t...
10/15/2026

This could be you!
Co-op Academy is coming up next week, and this is a good one to share with someone who should be in the room.

The 2026 Montana Co-op Academy takes place October 19–21, 2026, in Bozeman, Montana.

It is designed for:
Co-op leaders.
Rising leaders.
Managers and department heads.
Directors and senior staff.
Outreach and communications staff.
Community partners.
Extension and economic development professionals.
People exploring cooperative development in Montana.

The Academy includes two tracks: Cooperative Leadership and Cooperative Development & Community Engagement.
If your work touches cooperative leadership, member engagement, community needs, local ownership, or practical problem-solving, this Academy was built with you in mind.

Tag someone who should know about this, or send it to a colleague who belongs in the room.
Register on our website or reach out to [email protected]

Co-ops start here.

Address

PO Box 3027, 207 Smelter Avenue NE #7
Great Falls, MT
59403

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

+14067271517

Website

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