Tune into WOL 1450 AM, 95.9 FM or the WOL Livestream on Thursday, November 13 at 10:30 a.m. EDT for Everything Co-op, hosted by Vernon Oakes.
This week, Vernon speaks with Michael Parker and Lindsey Lusher Shute, co-founders of Farm Generations Cooperative and among the recipients of this year’s Co-op Innovation Awards. They will share updates on the cooperative’s work, including GrownBy, their farmer-owned software platform, and discuss how receiving the award will support their mission.
Lindsey Lusher Shute co-founded the National Young Farmers Coalition and served as its executive director for a decade. She is also an owner of Hearty Roots Farm, a diversified vegetable and livestock farm in New York’s Hudson Valley. During her tenure at Young Farmers, Lindsey built a national network of 150,000 farmers and advocates, advancing grassroots efforts around land access, conservation, credit, student debt and farmer training. She has delivered keynote addresses at conferences nationwide.
Michael Parker has built a diverse career spanning agriculture, food, entrepreneurship and education. A first-generation farmer, he is currently developing a grass-fed beef operation in Cooperstown, NY. Mike also works on land access and business services initiatives with the National Young Farmers Coalition and oversees a farm viability grant program and business planning course for the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Operations Information Management from Georgetown University.
Farm Generations Cooperative is dedicated to empowering local farmers and fostering transparency throughout the food supply chain. Blending innovative technology with agricultural traditions, the cooperative strives to create a more just and sustainable future for food producers and consumers alike. In 2019, the cooperative launched GrownBy, the first free, farmer-owned software platform designed for local farm sales. By connecting growers directly with customers across the country, GrownBy promotes fair, efficient exchanges and helps small farmers succeed by collectively strengthening local communities and building a more resilient agricultural system.
The Co-op Innovation Awards honor organizations that strengthen food, housing and worker co-ops. Each year, recipients receive up to $50,000 to expand cooperative development, drive shared prosperity, and build lasting community impact through innovative collaboration.