The purpose of this chapter is to do all of the following:

The following are all here recognized:

Associations which are organized pursuant to this chapter are “nonprofit,” since they are not organized to make profit for themselves, as such, or for their members, as such, but only for their members as producers.

Any provisions of law which are in conflict with this chapter do not apply to any association which is provided for in this chapter.

Any exemption under any existing law which applies to any agricultural product in the possession, or under the control, of the individual producer, shall apply similarly and completely to such product which is delivered by its farmer members that are in the possession, or under the control, of the association.

A person, firm, corporation, or association, that is hereafter organized or doing business in this state, may not use the word “cooperative” as part of its corporate name or other business name or title for producers’ cooperative marketing activities, unless it has complied with this chapter or is otherwise authorized by Chapter 22 (commencing with Section 26220) of Division 10 of the Business and Professions Code.

Any corporation or association which is organized pursuant to previously existing statutes for the purpose of cooperatively marketing products as defined in this chapter or under Title 23 (commencing with Section 653aa), Part 4, Division 1 of the Civil Code shall be deemed to be organized and existing pursuant to, and by virtue of, this chapter, and all of the provisions of this chapter, and any of the restrictions and benefits of such provisions, shall apply to such corporation.

Any association which is organized pursuant to this chapter is not any of the following:

The marketing contracts and agreements between an association which is organized pursuant to this chapter and its members and any agreements authorized in this chapter are not illegal, in restraint of trade, or contrary to any statute which is enacted against pooling or combinations.

The General Corporation Law (Division 1 (commencing with Section 100) of Title 1 of the Corporations Code) as added by Chapter 682 of the Statutes of 1975 and as heretofore or hereinafter amended and all powers and rights under such law applies to each association which is organized pursuant to this chapter, except where such provisions are in conflict with or inconsistent with the express provisions of this chapter. For the purpose of associations organized without shares of stock, the members shall be deemed to be “shareholders” as the term is used in the General Corporation Law.