The accomplishment of the present study objectifies to examine, through a case study in the associated of a agricultural cooperative of the west of Paraná, the existent relationship between an invigoration strategy and the small proprietor's associative behavior. As corollary, it was evidenced that that strategy is materialized in a need of defense of the economic interests, production valorizing and construction ofthe small proprietor's identity. Another aspect evidenced in the results of the case study, demonstrates that the socialcatholicism, summed up in the cooperation relationships, supplied the bases for the development of the associativism of the area of inclusion of the cooperative in study.
Small landowner; Cooperativism; Regional development