Summary Information
A-G Cooperative Creamery Records
1923-1974
- A-G Cooperative Creamery (Trempealeau County, Wis.)
La Crosse Micro 6; Micro 534
2 reels of microfilm (35 mm)
UW-La Crosse Murphy Library / La Crosse Area Research Ctr. (Map)Wisconsin Historical Society (Map)
Records of a farmer cooperative which operated a creamery, poultry business, grain elevator, fertilizer plant, welding shop, truck service garage, cheese plant, and wood shaving plant; including the articles of incorporation and by-laws, minutes, annual reports, and scattered reports on the distribution of assets, sales, and expenses.
English
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-whs-micr0534 ↑ Bookmark this ↑
Biography/History
The A-G Cooperative Creamery is one of the most successful and highly integrated farmer cooperatives in Wisconsin. It was formed in February 1924 by a merger of the Arcadia Farmers' Cooperative Creamery Company and the Glencoe Cooperative Creamery. Its headquarters are in the Town of Arcadia, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. Before 1944 it was known as the A-G Creamery Company.
Much of the success of the A-G Cooperative Creamery can be attributed to Arthur C. Schultz who has been general manager since it was organized in 1924. Throughout its history the cooperative has been constantly growing and expanding its services. In 1925 it started a chick hatchery, and in 1927 purchased a grain elevator and went into the feed business. It expanded the poultry operation after 1950 by adding a broiler chicken processing plant. In addition to these services, the Cooperative now operates a fertilizer blending plant, a welding and steel fabricating shop, a truck service garage, a cheese plant, and a wood shaving plant to supply the litter needed by its broiler growers.
This expansion is reflected in the number of persons employed by the Cooperative and its annual income. Since 1924 the number of employees has grown from three to two hundred fifteen, and the annual payroll from $7000 to $1,500,000. The total receipts have risen from $340,000 to $34,700,000.
For further information see the historical sketch in the 1973 annual report of the Cooperative and a published history of the A-G Cooperative Creamery, Integration at the Grass Roots by Henry H. Bakken and Louis A. Mejia. For a description of the broiler chicken operation see the Milwaukee Journal's Sunday March 2, 1975 magazine section.
Scope and Content Note
The A-G Cooperative Creamery records span the years 1923-1974. Included are a 1964 copy of the articles of incorporation and by-laws; minutes of meetings, 1923-1974; annual reports, 1923-1973; and some scattered reports on the distribution of assets, sales, and expenses.
The articles of incorporation and by-laws contain information on how the organization is governed, duties of officers and members, distribution of income, and other information about the Cooperative.
The minutes are complete from the formation of the Cooperative in 1923. Included are minutes of annual membership meetings and of monthly and special directors meetings. Subjects covered include general business, election of officers, financial information, and discussions on payment of fees and claims.
The annual reports are also complete. Earlier reports include only summary income and expenditure statements, but the more recent reports contain more detailed information. This includes additional statistics on the disposition of profits, liabilities, capitol stock, and reserves.
The distribution reports appear to be from the 1960s and 1970s, but are largely undated. They show graphically the distribution of assets, sales, operating expenses, patrons equity reserves, and other information.
Administrative/Restriction Information
Originals loaned for microfilming by Arthur C. Schultz, September 23, 1974. Accession Number: M74-435
Processed by Harry Miller and John Pfeil, November 1974.
Contents List
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La Crosse Micro 6 / Micro 534
Reel
1
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Articles of incorporation and by-laws, 1964
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Reel
1
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Minutes, 1923-1924
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Reel
2
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Annual reports, 1924-1973
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Reel
2
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Distribution reports, 1960s and undated
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