Membership Overview
Joining our agricultural cooperative means becoming part of a mission-driven network committed to transforming the way nut crops are grown, processed, and brought to market.
General membership opens the door to shared success, innovation, and impact. Whether you’re a
grower
gatherer
aggregator
involved in our operations
a likeminded organization
As a member, you’ll gain access to a variety of resources, tools, and collaborative opportunities designed to support your work, amplify your voice, and grow the cooperative as a whole.
From shared infrastructure, to branding rights and decision-making power, every benefit is tailored to help our members thrive while contributing to a resilient, transparent, and regenerative food system.
Members participate in governance and have the opportunity to shape the future of our organization.
Our cooperative model ensures that value is returned to those who contribute it.
Read on to explore the benefits available to all members.
Whether you’re contributing raw materials, lending operational support, or purchasing our products in bulk, your membership gives you a stake in our collective success.
If you’d like more information about membership, including the crops and products we’re working with, products that are being explored, responsibilities and benefits of membership, and other information, please contact Bern.
Membership Classes
Producer Members
Stop just selling crops. Start owning the supply chain.
Producer Membership puts power back in growers' hands:
Guaranteed market access with transparent, fair pricing
Equity stake in value-added products made from your harvest
Hands-on support from grove to processing line
Voting rights to shape cooperative operations
Producer members earn patronage by selling their crops to KTCC.
Grow your business. Build regenerative systems. Keep the value you create.
Worker Members
We haven’t created the Worker Member class yet.
But when we do, worker members may perform a variety of roles for the cooperative including harvesting, processing crops, transporting equipment, materials, & goods, administrative tasks, research, marketing, managing social media, and education. There is also potential for nursery production and maintenance work in future years.
Worker members will earn patronage through hours they work as employees of the co-op.
Email us if you want to help us build the Worker membership class.
Wholesaler Members
We haven’t created the Wholesale Member class yet.
Wholesaler members will be individuals, businesses, and other organizations that purchase wholesale quantities of the cooperative’s products, including unprocessed crops and processed or value-added products such as oils and flours.
Wholesaler members will earn patronage by purchasing products wholesale from the co-op.
Email us if you want to help us build the Wholesaler membership class.
Benefits for all Member Classes
Marketing & Promotion Support
Inclusion in co-op marketing materials, social media, and press releases.
Storytelling opportunities to highlight your role in the supply chain.
A percentage of dividends is distributed to our members
Receive percentage of profits.
Access to Shared Resources
Use of shared processing equipment, delivery infrastructure (if available), cold storage (if available).
Assistance from the co-op with coordinating labor for harvests and other activities that benefit from additional labor.
Group Purchasing Power
Possible discounts on supplies, equipment, packaging, or inputs through co-op-negotiated bulk deals.
Use of Co-op Branding
License to use the cooperative brand on approved products or promotional materials, increasing visibility and trust.
Education and Training
Priority access to enroll, subscribe, attend, benefit from, educational and training programs offered by the cooperative.
Voting on Co-op Board Members
Participation in shaping KTCC’s Board of Directors.
Advocacy & Representation
Representation in regional agricultural or food policy discussions.
Collective voice to advocate for better policies and support.
If you’d like more information about membership, including the crops and products we’re working with, products that are being explored, responsibilities and benefits of membership, and other information, please contact Bern.
Are you interested in becoming a Producer member of Keystone Tree Crops Cooperative?
You live in PA (or thereabouts). You’re growing the right crops. And you’re down for the cause!
Follow this link to get more instructions and information (new tab) about becoming a Producer member of KTCC. You can also access the member application there.
Yellowbud Harvester’s Guidebook
Everything you need to know about harvesting yellowbud (bitternut) hickory nuts for Keystone Tree Crop Cooperative
