Networks & Know-How: Building Stronger Cooperative Communities at Common Ground 2026

Attendees of the 2026 Common Ground Conference take a break to celebrate their accomplishments.

In September, resident leaders from CoNorth-affiliated communities across Minnesota and Wisconsin gathered in Bloomington for Common Ground 2026. This year’s theme, Networks & Know-How, captured what the annual gathering is all about: giving residents practical tools to lead their cooperatives while building connections with people who understand the opportunities and challenges of resident ownership.

Over two days, participants learned from CoNorth staff, outside experts and one another. Sessions covered practical topics including cooperative finances, property management and titling issues, filling vacant home sites, and strengthening community leadership.

Residents traded ideas with each other and industry experts, and built relationships with leaders from other cooperatives. Those connections create a network residents can continue to turn to for ideas, encouragement and problem-solving long after Common Ground ends.

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us—and to the partners and sponsors who helped make the gathering possible.