v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v Farmer 14th Annual ... Castanias, CPA, ... Self parking is $19 per day Sunday ... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v. 427 Lorch Street

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November 3 - 4, 2011Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis

Presented by University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives

Farmer Cooperatives Conference

Farmer Cooperatives Conference

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Meeting Competitive Challenges: Cooperative Structure and Finance for the Future

Farmer Cooperatives Conference 14th Annualv

The Farmer Cooperatives Conference is a national conference that offers

strategic thinking on current cooperative issues and trends. Organized by the

University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives with assistance from a national

planning committee of business and academic experts, this conference is

possible through the strong support of leaders in the agricultural cooperative

sector. We appreciate their commitment.

The University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives is an interdisciplinary center that combines the resources of the University of Wisconsin – Madison and the University of Wisconsin Extension to foster understanding about cooperatives.

The Farmer Cooperatives Conference has the generous support of these sponsors:

Star Partners $10,000 and above CoBank

Conference Partners $5,000 - $9,999CHS

Program Supporters $2,000 - $4,999Dorsey & Whitney LLPFarm FoundationGROWMARKLand O’LakesLindquist & VennumNCFC Education FoundationStoel Rives LLP

Contributors Under $1,000Clifton Gunderson

Thank you to the Ralph K. Morris Foundation for its support through scholarship funding.

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Cooperatives in an era of global consolidationCooperatives are facing fast-paced changes in the control of global transportation, terminals, and other assets. How are cooperatives reinventing themselves to stay competitive?

Price volatility, energy and the credit marketplaceCommodity price volatility, rising energy costs and a changing credit marketplace are consistent challenges for every agribusiness. What are the trends and conse-quences that are challenging cooperatives today?

Innovative approaches to financeCapitalization needs, equity plans, and tax issues are challenges that require innovative solutions. What new methods and programs are being implemented by cooperatives?

Risk managementCooperatives face a balancing act as risk is driven down the supply chain. What tools can they offer to support members’ risk management?

Attend this year’s conference for an outstanding opportunity to

explore the latest issues affecting farmer cooperatives and to network

with your colleagues.

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The rapid pace of consolidation in global agricultural markets is challenging all

agribusinesses. Cooperatives are faced with unprecedented demands to innovate,

grow and seek out valuable partners.

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This year’s program for the 14th annual Farmer Cooperatives Conference is a unique opportunity to hear cooperative leaders assess their business environment. Topics will include:

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Thursday, November 3, 2011 Focus on Structure

Noon-1 p.m. Registration and Light Lunch

1-2 p.m. Trends in the Global MarketplaceFocus on agriculture in the global economy.

Terry Barr, Senior Director of Industry Research, Knowledge Exchange Division, CoBank

2-3 p.m. A Perspective on Global ChallengesConcerns about sovereign food security are leading to a focus on ownership and control of food-related infrastructure. Cooperatives are facing fast-paced changes in the control of global transportation, terminals and other assets.

Mark Palmquist, Executive Vice President, CHS, Inc.

3:30-5:15 p.m. Cooperatives in an Era of Consolidation What is driving structural change? How are cooperatives reacting? A look at joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions of private companies and cooperatives, regionalization and new businesses.

Moderator: Brent Hueth, Associate Professor and Director, University of Wisconsin Center for CooperativesRich Vanderpool, General Manager, Sunrise Ag Service Sam Skemp, General Manager, Frontier FS CooperativeJeff Nielsen, General Manager, United Farmers Cooperative

5:45-6:30 p.m. Reception Sponsored by CoBank

6:30-8:30 p.m. Dinner and SpeakersWelcome: Carl Casale, CEO, CHS, Inc.“Ethanol: A Cautionary Tale”C. Ford Runge, Distinguished McKnight Professor of Applied Economics & Law, University of Minnesota

Sponsored by Ralph K. Morris Foundation



Friday, November 4, 2011 Focus on Finance

7-8 a.m. Continental Breakfast

8-8:40 a.m. Innovative Approaches to Finance: Banker PerspectiveHow do cooperatives keep their businesses strong and their bankers happy in a high risk environment marked by commodity price volatility? What can borrowers expect in a changing credit marketplace?

Moderator: Michael Boland, Professor and Koller Chair, University of MinnesotaMike Hechtner, Central Region President, Regional Agribusiness Banking Group, CoBank

8:40-9:20 a.m. Innovative Approaches to Finance: Educator PerspectiveAn overview of a widely used decision-making framework for income distribution and equity management strategies. Innovative approaches include non-qualified distributions, revolv-ing fund redemptions and the Domestic Production Activities Deduction (Section 199).

David Barton, Professor and Director Emeritus, Arthur Capper Cooperative Center, Kansas State University

9:20-10 a.m. Innovative Approaches to Finance: Tax Accountant PerspectiveA discussion of Section 199 utilization, book versus tax accounting, patronage and non-patronage treatment of earnings, income distribution and equity management alterna-tives and consequences, and fair value accounting impacts.

Teree Castanias, CPA, Consultant and Tax Accountant

10:30-Noon Innovative Approaches to Finance: Case StudiesCPI, a grain marketing and farm supply local co-op, had an unusually complex income distribution and equity management program as a result of several mergers. CoBank has an innovative program for managing equity and distributions. Panelists will discuss how and why these cooperatives decided to institute new methods and programs.

Moderator: David Barton, Professor and Director Emeritus, ACCC, KSUBob Fifield, CEO, Cooperative Producers, Inc.Teree Castanias, CPA, Consultant and Tax AccountantCoBank panelist, TBA

Noon-1 p.m. Lunch Sponsored by GROWMARK

1-2:30 p.m. Meeting the Challenges of Risk for Cooperatives and Their MembersCooperatives face a balancing act as risk is driven down the supply chain. What tools can they offer to support members’ risk management?

Tom Neher, Vice President, Agribusiness, AgStarSteve Watrin, Manager, Risk Management, Land O’Lakes

Adjournment



Conference AccommodationsRadisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis

35 S. Seventh St., Minneapolis, MN 55402 • (612) 339-4900 or (800) 333-3333

• Conference attendees are responsible for their own hotel reservations. A special conference room rate of $139 per night for single or double occupancy, plus 13.4% tax, is available for a limited number of reservations made on or before October 11, 2011. Refer to

“Farmer Cooperatives Conference” when making the reservation to get the special rate.

• Make hotel reservations online or contact the Radisson Plaza Hotel Minneapolis at 800-333-3333 or 612-339-4900. Visit www.radisson.com for additional hotel information and registration.

• Self parking is available in the heated Plaza VII ramp directly beneath the hotel, with elevators leading to the lobby. The

ramp entrance is on Seventh Street. Self parking is $19 per day Sunday through Friday.

• Valet parking is available 24 hours for $25 per day.

• The hotel is located about 12 miles from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which is about a 20-45 minute drive depending on traffic. SuperShuttle service is available for approximately $19 one way, or $36 roundtrip from the airport (www.supershuttle.com). Taxi fares are approximately $35 one way from the airport to the hotel. The hotel’s web site has useful links to maps, direc-tions and other information. Or call CALS Conference Services at (608) 263-1672.



Scholarship InformationScholarships may be available through the Ralph K. Morris Foundation Cooperative Leadership Fund. Please visit their website at www.ralphkmorrisfoundation.org for more information.

What others have said about previous conferences: • “Top notch speakers, with deep knowledge of strategy.”• “Timely information for the co-op / business world.”• “First timer and it won’t be my last.”• “This is a high quality program, created in the heart of the

co-op world.”• “Overall excellent conference!”

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Register by October 6 for the full conference to take advantage of Early Registration savings!

Convenient and easy online registration: www.uwcc.wisc.edu

For registration questions or to request mail-in registration forms, contact CALS Conference Services at (608) 263-1672.

Early Rate Regular Rate

November 3-4 $360 per person $405 per personFull conference $325 per person (2 or more) $360 per person (2 or more)Includes light lunch, reception and evening banquet November 3rd, continental breakfast and lunch November 4th, breaks, and materials.

November 3 $135 per personIncludes light lunch, breaks and materials. Does not include reception or banquet.

November 3 $40 per personReception & evening banquet only

November 4 $260 per personIncludes continental breakfast, lunch, breaks and materials.

Please note that registration refunds cannot be made for cancellations received after October 20, 2011. Substitute registrations are accepted.

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Special Pre-Conference Opportunity9 a.m. – Noon, November 3, 2011

Agricultural Cooperatives: Economics, Opportunities and Structure in a New Era of Food, Fiber and Fuel A panel of cooperative professionals and experts are working to identify critical issues and research needs facing agricultural cooperatives. Farmer Cooperative Conference regis-trants are invited to attend this session of reports on strategies, research, and policy issues at no charge.

This pre-conference panel is part of the NCERA-210 workshop, which precedes the Farmer Cooperatives Conference at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Minneapolis. We invite you to register for this event when you register for the conference. For information on the rest of the NCERA-210 workshop (November 2-3), please visit www.agecon.ksu.edu/accc/ncera210.


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v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v Farmer 14th Annual ... Castanias, CPA, ... Self parking is $19 per day Sunday ... v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v v. 427 Lorch Street