Co-operative Farming: Future proofing Aussie farmers, fishers and foresters. We provide primary producers with the resources and advice they need to start or grow co-operatives.
FIND OUT MORECo-operative Farming outcomes
Grow 7 new co-operatives and 14 early-stage co-operatives
689 program participants in 58 workshops
$3.5m media value generated
Latest news
New research released today paints a saddening picture of the mental health of Australia’s hard-working farmers with close to third (30%) reporting a decline in their mental health over the past few years.
Co-operation – it’s the Terang way The Terang Co-op is the retail heart of the small town of Terang and the lifeblood of the community, providing jobs, a sense of ownership and opportunities for local producers. Talking to journalist Michael Cavanagh, Kevin Ford reflects on the co-op ahead of his retirement as CEO, explaining how the.
The BCCM has established Australia’s first national network of agricultural co-operatives to promote information sharing, shared learning and problem-solving.
Meet our team
Representing SA, VIC and TAS
Since 1998, Simon and his wife have owned and operated a 200-acre property 50km south of Adelaide. They run 80 cattle, produce approximately 2000L of olive oil annually and look after a 300-hectare eucalypt and pine forest. Simon has a great love of the land and of the people in rural communities. Simon is also the former chair of Almondco Australia Limited, a SA-based almond processing company. Almondco has a powerful cooperative culture focusing on the best interests of its almond grower members. It is a fully vertically integrated company with both domestic and export markets and an annual turnover of approximately $250m. Simon finished this role in early 2020.
Representing NSW, ACT and QLD
Greg has spent his entire life working in the agricultural sector, firstly as a dairy share farmer, then moving to farm ownership in his mid-twenties. Greg currently runs a 300-strong dairy herd in partnership with his wife and son at Goolmangar near Lismore. Greg is also a member of the Northern Rivers Cooperatives Alliance. He is a strong believer in working co-operatively for better outcomes for all. Greg was a Director of Norco Co-operative Limited since 1996 and held the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1999 to 2020.
Representing WA and NT
Greg is the former Group CEO of Capricorn Society and serves as a director of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the global peak body for co-operatives. He is also the Chair of the ICA Audit and Risk Committee and the Chairman of the Margaret River Wine Association. He has held a variety of relevant directorships including CUSCAL, Edith Cowan University, Automotive Holdings, COOPS WA and Home Building Society. Greg was the Chairman of the Australian International Year of Cooperatives Secretariat, led the formation of the Business Councils of Mutuals and Cooperatives in Australia and was a director. In 2019 he was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia, recognising his outstanding achievement and service to business and to the community.
The work Sorted. and the BCCM did to bring together a likeminded group of fishermen and their families, and solidify the direction for the establishment of the LCFC has been and continues to be, instrumental to the LCFC’s successful operation.
Justin Phillips, Secretary & Assisting ConsultantLimestone Coast Fishermen’s Co-operative LimitedOur partners
