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in charge. It was interesting Vanna
sacrificed her food to serve her feeling
good. Vanna seemed really motivated
by feeling good. Vanna, though, was
keenly aware she could not exist alone.
She was always part of and supported
the herd in the pasture and barn. It
was as if she realized her safety, fun,
and well-being came from the alpaca
community.
“But, being first in line, having the
feed for herself and being in charge is
inconsistent with the notion of alpaca
community,” I reasoned. “If alpacas
serve only their individual interests,
there would be no community,” my
mind continued.
“Community” is defined as an inter-
acting group of people. It became clear
to me Vanna did not understand she
is part of the alpaca community by
definition. And, therefore, by serving
her community she, too, is served.
I wanted to tell Vanna that working
together to serve every alpaca’s interest
builds community. And, that it feels
good to serve community because
community in turn serves her needs.
“It’s like being on a baseball team.
If you wish to win, you have to play
for the team – not for yourself,” my
mind added.
“Many people have been like Vanna,”
shot across my mind. “Maybe that’s
just the way of life,” I concluded. My
mind wandered into thoughts about
American history.
T
he American Industrial Revolution
is of interest to me. In the 1800s,
the entrepreneurial spirit inspired
people to build businesses around their
invented products and manufacturing
methods. They felt good – making
money and serving society with quality
of life enhancers. However, balance
between these “feel goods” was some-
times lost.
After the Civil War, American
industry thrived. More and more
businesses were started. Businesses
became more productive and enlarged
their markets. Competition soon
became fierce. Rivals feared loss of
profits and risked their survival.
Business leaders realized being alone
in the jungle of competition did not
work as well as working together.
They realized the value of community
– the community of business leaders.
Trusteeships were set up where
competitors transferred their business
ownership to trusts in which they
received an ownership interest. This
resulted in centralized control of prices
and output within the particular indus-
try. Tobacco, sugar, and many other
industries did this. J. P. Morgan is well
known for controlling the steel industry
and J. D. Rockefeller for controlling
the oil industry. The once fearful
industry leaders thrived. Soon, the
money making “feel good” lost balance
with serving society – in this case, the
American community.
The trusts gained monopolistic
power. It was abused by the industry
giants in ways that hurt the American
community. Fixing prices at any level,
for example, was possible. The
American community needed to restore
balance or it would be destroyed.
Spring 2010
83
Alpaca farmers
produce an
agricultural
commodity – fiber.
It can be made into
consumer products.
Fiber can contribute
significantly to farm
income. The
cooperative business
model marketing
efficiency can
maximize this
fiber income.