But not impossible.
Sarah continued.
"If twelve farms contribute startup capital, and Eli's shop provides space under a documented lease, the initial cash requirement becomes manageable."
Claire frowned.
"What about working capital?"
"Still need it."
"Technician wages?"
"Included."
"Training?"
"Separate reserve."
Claire looked toward Maya.
The mechanic nodded.
"I've listed the systems we can actually support at launch. We shouldn't advertise anything beyond that."
Eli added, "And we need a dispatch system that tells customers the truth about delays."
Wes laughed.
"Imagine that."
Several farmers smiled.
Claire studied the list.
For a long moment, she could not speak.
Then she looked toward the largest grower in the room, a man named Grant Miller.
He managed a farming operation far larger than hers and had purchased several combines through AgriTech.
Claire had never expected him to attend.
"Why are you here?"
Grant folded his arms.
"Because my service bills have doubled in four years."
She waited.
"And last harvest, I had a machine waiting eight days for a sensor."
Claire nodded.
He looked toward the others.
"I'm not saying we abandon the dealership for every repair. But I want another option."
Several farmers agreed.
Grant turned back to Claire.
"And I don't want a cooperative where the biggest farmer gets all the votes."
Claire stared.
He smiled faintly.
"Your rules are the best part."
She felt warmth rise in her chest.
For years, she had assumed the largest operations would never support equal governance.
But Grant understood something she had not expected.
A company controlled by acreage could eventually become another version of the system they were trying to escape.
He wanted an organization that was useful even when somebody else became the largest customer.
Sarah closed the laptop.
"We've also arranged a meeting with a cooperative attorney."
Claire looked toward her.
"When?"
"Tomorrow morning."
She stared.
"Tomorrow?"
Sarah nodded.
Wes smiled.
"We figured you'd want to move quickly."
Claire looked around at the faces.
For the first time in nearly two weeks, she felt tears gathering for a reason other than frustration.
"Why are you doing this?"
The room became quiet.
Wes approached.
He placed one hand on the old workbench.
"Because your daddy was the kind of man who'd drop his own work to help somebody else finish harvest."
Claire looked down.
Wes continued.
"Because most of us have been treated like we ought to be grateful for service we already paid for."
He looked around the room.
"And because somebody finally stopped complaining long enough to ask whether we could do something better."
Claire wiped her eyes.
She laughed softly.
"I haven't stopped complaining."
The room erupted in laughter.
Wes grinned.