2. Does it pay for Organic Valley to be socially responsible? Organic Valley Cooperative planted its seeds in the lands and barns of a half-dozen family farmers in Wisconsin nearly 20 years ago. And although U.S. family farms seem to be a dying breed—more than 6 million have failed during this time period—Organic Valley is growing. Driven by the belief that meat, produce, and dairy products should be free of pesticides, antibiotics, and synthetic hormones, the fi rst group of Organic Valley farmers set up a cooperative with an offi ce in tiny LaFarge, Wisconsin, whose population is still less than 800. More and more farmers are joining the cooperative—and as consumer demand for organic products is increasing, so are sales. As a result, Organic Valley is adding 30 to 50 organizational staff employees per year. Growth like that requires greater management, particularly in the highly risky business environment of agriculture.