Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 252, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 October 1911 — How to Start a Successful Co-operative Creamery [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

How to Start a Successful Co-operative Creamery

By H. C. MILLS,

I, Dairy Department, Purdne Experiment Station

Purdue University Agricultural Extension

The successful Organization of a cooperative creamery should not start rwlth the selling of stock, but with an accurate cow census. It should be determined by those Interested in the success of the creamery how many cows can be depended upon to furnish milk for the creamery when started. The creamery should not be started unless between 350 and 100 dairy cows are available. The location of the community with respect to large dairy markets should be considered. If located within shipping distance of city milk plants or large private creameries, the suOcess of the cooperative creamery may be doubtful. In fact, the cooperative creamery Is really unnecessary in such cases because the competition of two private, creameries will insure the highest price possible. If a sufficient number of cows are available and the creamery seems to be needed, the next step Is the selling of the stock. A dairymen’s picnic or meeting may be held and some successful farmers or members of the dairy department of the experiment station asked to explain the advantages of-the creamery and of dairy farming. At this meeting a committee may be appointed for selling stock. When suffideht stock Is sold, a meeting of stockholders may be

held and officers elected. The officers should be elected because of business ability along dairy lines. The manager should be a ma* knowing something about creamery operation, If possible, and In a position to give much of his time to creamery work. The manager should be allowed to visit other creameries at the company’s expense, and learn how they are run. The buttermaker should next be secured, and much depends upon his selection. He can best be secured through the assistance of a dairy scmool. An efficient man should be secured, although a higher salary must be paid than for some one with fewer recommendations. The buttermaker may assist in the planning and building of the creamery and the purchasing of the creamery machinery. Cooperation of stockholders and patrons of the creamery should be secured by occasional creamery picnics and dairy meetings. Every stockholder should be made to feel that his help is needed and that a part of the creamery belongs to him. The success of the creamery depends upon hearty cooperation, which can only be secured where the farming cofamunity is composed of nourtpoTM. neighborly people.

A Successful Cooperative Creamery.