Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership

08/27/2026

"They can't compete with community."

That's the mindset behind Fertile Ground Cooperative, a worker-owned composting business in Oklahoma City that's proving small, locally-driven businesses can go head-to-head with massive waste industry monopolies... and win on their own terms.

In this episode of the Composting for Community Podcast, founder and CEO Terry Craghead shares how Fertile Ground grew from a backyard composting project into a thriving worker-owned cooperative that's diverting waste, creating dignified jobs, and building real community wealth. This was all done while operating in an industry dominated by a handful of national corporations.

Terry's story is a powerful example of what's possible when workers own their labor and have a real voice in the business they help build. It's a mindset that resonates deeply with everything we champion here at MNCEO!

Listen to the full episode:
https://ilsr.org/articles/terry-craghead/

08/25/2026

The Fall 2026 MNCEO Ambassador Program cohort is filling up - and the window to join is closing!

If you're a CPA, financial advisor, attorney, or economic development professional, employee ownership is likely already coming up in conversations with your clients. The Ambassador Program ensures you're equipped to guide them with confidence.

This is a limited cohort, and seats are going quickly. If you want to be ready when your clients start asking questions, now is the time to act: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/r5g5wuC4UKKR4L4TJ1hv

08/19/2026

If you're a business owner, the best thing you can do is start succession planning early. The truth is, you don't need to have a timeline or final decision before you reach out to MNCEO to learn about employee-ownership. You just need to be curious about your options!

❓ Start by asking yourself: "What do I want my legacy to look like? Do I want to stay involved, or step back? How soon do I want to retire fully?"

These are all questions we can help you consider, too. A simple conversation with MNCEO can help you understand which paths are even available to you, long before you need to make any decisions.

➡️ The owners who end up with the best outcomes are usually the ones who started planning years (not months!) before they needed to. Reach out to MNCEO for a free, no-pressure conversation!

https://mnceo.org/home

08/13/2026

📣 Join our friends at University of Minnesota Extension for an upcoming Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) course! EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE: Aug. 14

Looking to strengthen your BRE skills or bring fresh ideas to your work supporting local businesses? This five-week online course explores timely topics like business succession, workforce challenges, retaining childcare providers, emerging entrepreneurs, and more.

📅 Sept. 29–Oct. 30
💻 Online, with weekly modules you can complete on your own time
⏰ EARLY-BIRD DEADLINE: Aug. 14

The course combines presentations, videos, readings, discussions with other economic developers, guest experts, and hands-on practice with real businesses.

If you’re an economic or community development professional—or a stakeholder supporting local businesses—this is a great opportunity to gain practical tools, make connections, and deepen your BRE knowledge.

👉 Learn more and register:

Learn how to create a thriving local business community in an eight-week online course.

08/12/2026

Check out this data ➡️ Minnesota's 243 ESOP companies hold $165 billion in plan assets, and the average employee-owner has $199,395 growing in their account!

Employee ownership isn't just a "feel-good" idea. It's a proven, data-backed wealth-building strategy that's already changing lives for workers across Minnesota.

If you're a business owner exploring your options, this is the kind of legacy worth leaving behind. Read the full Top 50 Report and see what's possible:https://assets.cdn.filesafe.space/UhB1vTetpaW50VaUNjPD/media/6a3d422af16006435711fecd.pdf

08/11/2026

Another inspiring day at the Minnesota-Cooperative Summit!

Minnesota Center For Employee Ownership (MNCEO) (MNCEO) was honored to join a panel discussion exploring worker-owned cooperatives as a business succession strategy. It was a privilege to hear Sara McGarraugh share The Improve Group journey from sole ownership to a thriving worker-owned cooperative alongside Marty Ruddy and Ben Ratzlaff with TerraFirma Building & Remodeling.

Co-moderator Zack Filipovich, MBA, CVA, CEPA, CMA highlighted a sobering reality: tens of thousands of business owners over the age of 60 will transition out of their companies in the coming years. For many, worker ownership offers a powerful path to preserve local businesses, retain jobs, and build wealth for employees.

At the Minnesota Center For Employee Ownership (MNCEO), we believe every business owner deserves to understand all of their ownership transition options—including worker-owned cooperatives, ESOPs, Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs), and direct employee ownership. If you're beginning to think about succession planning or simply want to explore what's possible, we're here to help you take the first step.

The future of business ownership is local, people-centered, and built to last.
. (Photo Cred Sara McGarraugh )

08/10/2026

The fall is closer than you think - and the next MNCEO Ambassador Program cohort is starting soon!

If you're a CPA, financial advisor, attorney, or economic development professional, your clients are going to ask you about succession options. The question is whether you'll be ready to answer.

The MNCEO Ambassador Program exists to make sure you are.

This isn't a passive webinar or a PDF to skim. It's an immersive, cohort-based program that puts you in direct conversation with people inside employee-owned businesses, so you can bring that knowledge back to the clients who need it most.

Walk away with:
→ A real understanding of ESOPs, Worker-Owned Cooperatives, and EOTs
→ A strong network of professionals across Minnesota who are leading this movement
→ Practical tools to integrate employee ownership into the work you already do

Spots are limited and the Fall 2026 cohort is filling up. Don't be the advisor who wishes they had signed up sooner!

Get on the interest list now before it's too late → https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/r5g5wuC4UKKR4L4TJ1hv

08/07/2026

➡️ Employee ownership is NOT just an exit strategy. It's a growth strategy!

If you're thinking about transitioning to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) or Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), you don't have to be retirement ready. In fact, both models can be powerful strategic decisions for business owners who are focused on growth, not just succession.

💡 An ESOP can provide capital to scale, improve employee performance and retention, and deliver significant tax advantages, all while you're still actively running the company.
💡 An EOT offers long-term structural stability that supports sustainable growth from the inside out.

Employee ownership isn't a finish line. For many owners, it's the move that takes their business to the next level.

Curious whether now is the right time to explore your options? MNCEO is here to help you think it through. Let's talk!

https://mnceo.org/

08/05/2026

Thinking about selling your business someday? This is the best place to start!

Our free guide, "Selling Your Business to Your Employees," breaks down the employee ownership models available to Minnesota business owners and how each one works in practice.

No jargon, no sales pitch. Just clear, honest information to help you explore your options.

The best exits aren't just good for the owner. They're good for everyone who helped build the business!

Download your free copy today: https://link.mnceo.org/widget/form/xxdWdYHcEIkqvduFeclC

08/04/2026

Help business owners explore employee ownership with confidence. Join MNCEO’s Ambassador Program to gain valuable knowledge, practical tools, and connections with industry professionals.

Learn more: www.mnceo.org/events