Karen Killebrew has provided us with the name of the USDA Rural Development Cooperatives expert located in Davis, Karen Firestein. I have talked with her on the phone and she will be sending us some information to review. USDA funds the California Center for Cooperative Development to assist local groups in forming coops, and this would be our primary contact. At a later time, when the Food Alliance is working on specific projects, e.g. a community kitchen, USDA Rural Development can get involved. Meanwhile, Karen did say that she is willing to come up, or have us come down, and get familiar with what USDA Rural Development has to offer. I will post the information I get from Karen upon receipt. Jeff Bordelon