February 23, 2026

Written by Ben Nelson, Cooperative Network Executive Director

What if your cooperative’s biggest challenge could unlock opportunities for all of us? Cooperatives are the backbone of our communities, powering local economies while navigating tough hurdles like workforce shortages, capital access, regulatory pressures, and competitive markets. That’s exactly what Cooperative Network aims to achieve—to evolve our longstanding advocacy work—through new Engagement and Insight (EI) Visits, inspired by proven Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) programs that drive real growth.

These straightforward, confidential 60-90 minute conversations with members and non-members will dive into your world: from operations and financial stability to strategic priorities and network satisfaction. We’ll ask about your biggest pain points—think member engagement, technology needs, or expansion plans—and explore opportunities, especially the growing demand for economic development services like grant access, succession planning, board training, and peer cohorts.

The real power comes from aggregation: all data we collect will stay anonymous, creating a valuable, cross-sector benchmark tool we will share back with members to refine our advocacy, training, group purchasing, and innovative offerings so everyone benefits from this important work. Imagine insights that verify needs for tailored economic support, helping cooperatives grow while maximizing membership benefits.

This isn’t just about data collection, it’s about partnership, embodying Cooperative Principle 6: cooperation among cooperatives to strengthen our movement through shared structures. Your input will help us build a more responsive network, spark service upgrades that deliver more value, and harness our collective strength to solve the real-world challenges you’ve been facing.

Ready to share your story? Reach out to me at ben.nelson@cooperativenetwork.coop or (608) 258-4413 to schedule an EI Visit today. Let’s build a stronger network together!