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Abstract
Small agricultural producers around the country are finding it increasingly difficult to remain competitive in a market place dominated by the consolidation of agricultural production. This consolidation has had a serious impact on vegetable growers in northeastern Colorado who have recently banded together to form a cooperative in the hopes that they would be in a better position to market their vegetables. This paper discusses the results of the market and feasibility study. Section I provides a review of the literature on vertical coordination. Section II details the analysis of the fresh and processed vegetable market. Section III then provides a discussion of the processing feasibility study and addresses the importance of incorporating knowledge management into production decisions-even for producers with small operations. The paper then closes with recommendations and directions for future studies.