Co-operative Farming: January 2021 news

28 January 2021

Learn from other farmers, increase skills and build connections

Mentoring is an exciting element of the Co-operative Farming program. For people already connected to farming, fishing or forestry co-operatives, or those looking to form a co-operative, there is the opportunity to learn from one of our experienced mentors. Our co-operative champions are ready and waiting to provide support.

“Working together with your fellow growers. People in your industry that are doing the same thing makes so much sense. Because at the end of the day, we’re not competing against each other.”
– Doriana Mangili, Sweeter Banana Co-operative

Mentoring can be as simple as a phone call or someone to chat to over email about their experience building a co-op.

Potential topics of conversation could be:

• Preparing to export – what to look out for
• How to effectively manage growth – pitfalls to avoid
• The essentials for setting up an effective collaboration / joint ventures
• How to maintain membership engagement through tough times
• Steps for managing conflict within a co-op
• How to better collaborate and communicate in a difficult situation.

If you are interested in finding out more or to apply for support, advice and guidance from a champion, please complete our Apply for a Champion form (scroll down to under Champion profiles). We will work with you to find a good fit with one of our champions or someone from the Co-operative Farming community.

Co-operative Farming is a program designed to support farmers, fishers and foresters build their education and knowledge of co-ops so please visit the Co-operative Farming website to see the courses on offer and contact us if your group would like to learn more about co-ops and their performance, management and governance.

We are able to provide customised training and workshops as necessary. All you need to do is contact us so we can work with you to understand your requirements. 

“There’s an opportunity here to look at how we farm together and how we can improve some of the efficiencies and some of the problems that we’re facing as farmers” -Stuart Crosthwaite, Mountain Milk Co-operative

Get in touch

If you have questions or would like more information or support to plan, start or run a co-op, please get in touch with the Co-operative Farming team.

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