(a) Articles of incorporation of a cooperative shall recite that they are executed pursuant to this part; shall state the name of the cooperative, the address of its principal office, the names and addresses of the incorporators, and the names and addresses of its trustees; and may contain any provisions, not inconsistent with this part, which are deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of its business, including provisions for the issuance of nonvoting shares of stock as provided in this Code section.

(b) Such articles shall be signed by each incorporator and acknowledged by at least two of the incorporators. If the incorporators are cooperatives, the articles shall be signed by representatives of each cooperative and acknowledged by representatives of at least two cooperatives.

(c) It shall not be necessary to recite in the articles of incorporation of a cooperative the purpose for which it is organized or any of its corporate powers.

(d) If a cooperative desires to issue nonvoting shares of stock, its articles of incorporation shall state:

(1) The total number of such shares of stock which may be issued and the par value of each share;

(2) The fixed or maximum rate of dividends on the par value of such shares of stock, in either case not exceeding 4 percent per annum, and whether dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative;

(3) Whether such shares of stock may be issued to members only or to members and nonmembers;

(4) The maximum number of such shares of stock which may be owned by any person; and

(5) The terms and conditions on which such shares of stock may be transferred, redeemed, and retired.