On Tuesday, September 9 from 2-4 p.m. EDT the Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development (IAWGCD) will host its first meeting of 2025. The conversation is called “Economic Prosperity through Forestry Cooperatives,” and will explore how forestry professionals are leveraging cooperative models to strengthen local economies, raise capital and pathways to access federal support.  

During the meeting USDA Forest Service and Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service Cooperative Services Branch staff, among others, will discuss available programs and how to access support. 

Register for the September 9 IAWGCD Meeting

The IAWGCD meetings occur as a result of the cooperative community’s advocacy. The 2014 Farm Bill established a mandate that the Agriculture Secretary “chair an interagency working group to foster cooperative development and ensure coordination with federal agencies and… cooperative organizations.” 7 U.S.C. section 1932(e)(12). Learn more about the IAWGCD here, including additional resources, recordings of past meetings and past publications.

The conversation will be moderated by Cooperative Development Expert Margaret Bau and include the following panelists:

• J.R. Claeys, USDA Rural Development Rural Business-Cooperative Service Administrator 

• Henry Schienebeck, Executive Director, Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association 

• Dana Doran, Executive Director Professional Logging Contractors 

• Kelly Maynard, Cooperative Development Specialist, The University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives 

• Brian Brashaw, PhD, Assistant Director of Cooperative Forestry – Wood Innovations, USDA Forest Service 

• Laura Delaney, Liaison, Timber Professionals Cooperative 

• Scott Madden, President, Maine Forest Stewardship Cooperative 

• Cari Sabel, Business & Cooperative Program Specialist, USDA Rural Development Wisconsin 
• James W. Meyer, Vice President – Commercial Lender, AbbyBank 

Credit unions share importance of active, constant advocacy at this week’s Congressional Caucus

Have a question about the RCDG application process? Check out our FAQ

NCBA CLUSA will keep members updated on future convenings of the IAWGCD. To learn more, ask a question or plug into our advocacy work, reach us at advocacy@ncba.coop. 

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*Cooperative Service Branch Bulletins fall under Cooperative Development and Interagency Working Group on Cooperative Development Bulletins fall under Community Development