Introducing CAN…
a worker-owned cooperative, community organizer, think tank, research hub, and cooperative business developer working to transform the economy for craft agriculture in the North Coast.
Our Purpose
The purpose of the Cooperative Agriculture Network is to unite local stakeholders in alternative agriculture production in the Emerald Triangle to develop and implement community-driven cooperative solutions that promote equitable resource distribution, local reinvestment, multigenerational land stewardship, and the prosperity of our rural communities.
CAN Strategic Doing Convening
Creating Actionable Projects
for Our Agricultural Future
With Dr. Scott Hucheson
co-author of “Strategic Doing”
In partership with the CalPoly Humboldt Environmental Stewardship Symposium
Turning Ideas Into Action for Humboldt County Agriculture
Imagine the Emerald Triangle craft agriculture supply chain joining forces to build something so strong and so connected that our products resist corporate consolidation and successfully capitalize on our worldwide reputation. What would that look like?
The first CAN Strategic Doing Convening took place on March 29 at Cal-Poly Humboldt in Arcata, California. This half-day, in-person event brought together farmers, advocates, and industry leaders across agricultural sectors in the Emerald Triangle by collaboratively creating actionable projects that make an immediate impact.
Four pathfinder projects emerged from the convening and CAN is guiding their progress over the course of 2024-25.
CAN Tailored Academy
The Cooperative Agriculture Network runs an annual Cooperative Academy to provide you with training, resources and mentorship for effective cooperation, whether you’re cooperating with your neighbors, starting a multi-farm co-op, or contributing to the industry-wide initiative.
CAN specializes in meeting facilitation training, bylaws development and power-sharing skills training.
Our Research
Contact us for copies of our research.
SURVEY 2023-4
The research analysis revealed a broad consensus on the benefits of cooperative efforts, concerns about redundant, expensive, and complex regulations, and a common theme advocating for streamlined, consolidated regulations, cooperative incentives for water conservation, and improved trust between farmers and agencies, enhanced inter-agency collaboration.
SURVEY 2021-2
From August 6 to September 12, 2021 we conducted a survey to alternative farmers on the North Coast of California. A significant 82 responses came in, allowing for robust data to analyze. Compiled by CASP a federal 501c3 education nonprofit, the survey findings represent the first phase of a research project studying the efforts of Cooperation Humboldt to understand what services would be of value to alternative agriculture farmers.
INTERVIEWS
In Phase 2, twenty-eight participants were contacted for follow-up discussions. What comes out of this study is that alternative agriculture on the North Coast is about much more than just farming an agricultural product, it’s also a way of life: sharing genetics and resources, participating in the community and growing a diversity of food and vegetables. The research shows that this is an essential factor for success.
Cooperative Solutions for Small Agriculture in Humboldt, California: A Policy Report by Emma Karnes
This report addresses the problem that small agriculture in Humboldt California is systematically disincentivized and disempowered from successfully entering and thriving in today’s market.
Meet Our Worker-Owners
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Shawn Cherry
Shawn (he/him) is co-owner operator of Cherry Valley Farms and co-founder of the Salmon Creek Legacy Farms cooperative.
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Indy Riggs
Indy (he/him) is the owner of Galactic Farms in Stafford, CA and a Board Member for Humboldt County Growers Allaince.
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Nicole Riggs
Nicole (she/her) is the executive director of the Humboldt Area Peoples Archive, founder of Manifesto Synergies, Affiliate Researcher with CASP and board director with the Humboldt Community Business Development Center.
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Cara Cordoni
Cara (she/her) is a Leadership Coach who works with women entrepreneurs and leaders at all levels. She is a Cooperative Developer and a the original visionary behind the CAN project.
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Tobin McKee
Tobin (they/them) is a Cooperative Business Developer and Facilitation Trainer, a member at Santa Rosa Creek Commons Housing Co-op, a worker-owner at Full Cycle Compost.and a worker-director Bienestar Collective..