618.01 Definitions.—In construing this chapter, where the context permits, the word, phrase, or term: (1) “Agricultural products” shall include aquacultural, horticultural, viticultural, forestry, aquatic, dairy, livestock, poultry, bee, and any farm products. (2) “Member” shall include actual members of associations without capital stock and holders of common stock in associations organized with capital stock. (3) “Association” means any corporation […]
618.02 Who may organize association.—Three or more persons engaged in the production of any agricultural products, or three or more associations, may form a nonprofit cooperative association under the provisions of this chapter. History.—s. 3, ch. 9300, 1923; CGL 6468; s. 3, ch. 14675, 1931.
618.03 Preliminary investigation.—Every group of persons contemplating the organization of an association under this chapter is urged to communicate with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which will inform it whatever a survey of the marketing conditions affecting the commodities to be handled by the proposed association indicates regarding probable success. History.—s. 5, ch. 9300, […]
618.04 Articles of incorporation; fees.—Each association organized under this chapter shall prepare and file articles of incorporation setting forth: (1) The name of the association, which may or may not include the word “cooperative” or any abbreviation thereof; (2) The purpose for which it is formed; (3) The place where its principal office within the state will be located; […]
618.05 Amendment of articles of incorporation.—The articles of incorporation may be altered or amended at any regular meeting or any special meeting called for the purpose. An amendment must first be approved by two-thirds of the directors and then adopted by a vote representing a majority of a quorum of the members attending a meeting of […]
618.06 Purposes of incorporation.—An association may be organized under this chapter for the purpose of engaging in any cooperative activity in connection with the producing, marketing, or selling of agricultural products; or with the growing, harvesting, preserving, drying, processing, canning, packing, grading, storing, warehousing, handling, shipping, or utilizing such products; or the manufacturing or marketing of […]
618.07 Powers of corporations.—Except as the same may be limited in its articles of incorporation, each association organized under this chapter shall have the following powers: (1) To engage in any activity in connection with the producing, marketing, selling, preserving, growing, harvesting, drying, processing, manufacturing, canning, packing, grading, warehousing, storing, handling, or utilizing of agricultural products or […]
618.08 Corporations may mortgage farm supplies.—A mortgage, executed by a cooperative association, may cover its stock of farm supplies, changing in specifics, which stock mortgagor is permitted to retain in its possession and sell in the usual course of business. The lien of such mortgage shall be lost on all farm supplies sold up to the […]
618.09 Bylaws.—Each association incorporated under this chapter shall adopt for its government and management, a code of bylaws not inconsistent with the powers granted by this chapter. A majority vote of a quorum of the members or stockholders attending a meeting, of which notice of the proposed bylaws shall have been given, is sufficient to adopt […]
618.10 Membership of corporation.— (1) Under the terms and conditions prescribed in the bylaws adopted by it, an association may admit as members, or issue common stock only to persons engaged in the production of agricultural products and to associations as defined in this chapter. (2) An association organized hereunder may become a member or stockholder of any […]
618.11 How meetings called.—In its bylaws each association shall provide for one or more regular meetings annually. The board of directors shall have the right to call a special meeting at any time, and 10 percent of the members or stockholders may file a petition stating the specific business to be brought before the association and […]
618.12 Directors; election.— (1) The affairs of the association shall be managed by a board of not less than three directors, to be elected by the members or stockholders, with such qualifications as may be provided for in the articles of incorporation or the bylaws. The bylaws may provide that the territory in which the association has […]
618.13 Officers; election.—The directors shall elect from their number a president and one or more vice presidents. They shall also elect a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers as may be provided for in the bylaws, none of whom need be directors or members of the association. The office of secretary and treasurer may be […]
618.14 Removal of officers and directors.— (1) Any member may bring charges against an officer or director by filing them in writing with the secretary of the association, together with a petition signed by 10 percent of the members, requesting the removal of the officer or director in question. The removal shall be voted upon at the […]
618.15 Capital stock and membership.— (1) When a member of an association organized without capital stock has paid his or her membership fee in full the member shall receive a certificate of membership. An association may issue its shares of stock having no par value from time to time for such consideration as may be fixed by […]
618.16 Referendum upon certain motions.—Upon demand of one-third of the entire board of directors made immediately and so recorded at the same meeting at which the original motion was passed any matter that has been approved or passed by the board must be referred to the entire membership or the stockholders for decision at the next […]
618.17 Marketing contracts.—The association and its members may make and execute marketing contracts requiring the members to sell, for any period of time, all or any specified part of their agricultural products or specified commodities exclusively to or through the association or any agencies designated by the association. The contracts may provide that the association may […]
618.18 Remedies for breach of marketing contract.— (1) The bylaws and the marketing contract may fix, as liquidated damages, specific sums to be paid by the member or stockholder of the association upon the breach by her or him of any provisions of the marketing contract regarding the sale or delivery or withholding of products; and may […]
618.19 Contracts and agreements with other like associations.—Any association may, upon resolution adopted by its board of directors, enter into all necessary and proper contracts and agreements and make all necessary and proper stipulations, agreements and contracts, and arrangements with any other cooperative corporation, association or associations, formed in this or in any other state, for […]
618.20 Purchase of interest in like corporations.— (1) An association may organize, form, operate, own, control, have an interest in, own stock of, or be a member of any other association or corporation, with or without capital stock, and engaged in planting, growing, producing, preserving, drying, processing, canning, packing, storing, warehousing, handling, shipping, utilizing, manufacturing, or selling […]
