Future proofing your farm using a collaborative approach

Farming Together

Growing the organic growers of tomorrow with a co-operative model

Harcourt Organic Farming Co-operative

Amanda Scott chats to Hugh and Katie Finlay of Harcourt Organic Farming Co-operative.

Realising as they aged, they could not physically continue with all the farm work required, Katie and Hugh formed a co-operative that would not only ensure the farm’s continued productivity, it would also help mentor the next generation of farmers and offer them greater lease security.

The farm includes five enterprises on site: including a dairy, orchard, market garden, fruit tree nursery and the Grow Great Fruit online teaching business. The couple share their secrets to making it work: From negotiating watertight contracts to building community and trust among its members.

In this episode we explore:

• Katie’s discovery of her ‘inner farmer’
• Graceful exit: Reaching a stage that they could not physically continue with farm work and looking towards succession
• Creating a model with Gung Hoe Growers
• Creating a campaign and https://gunghoegrowers.com.au/prospectus to engage with a new orchardist
• Deciding on a co-op model: To ensure the four business were not duplicating effort and costs.
• Negotiating with NASAA for the four businesses to be certified under the one
• Co-marketing benefits
• The growing interest of young famers and the importance of growing the next generation
• Nurturing the happy farming family: The importance of regular check-ins
• The importance of lease security for young farmers: establishing 9-year leases with the farmers signing up each three years
• Using a consultant to get the base template right and negotiating with farmers to make it fair for all parties
• Egos and personalities
• Building goodwill in the community volunteers, chefs, customers
• Commitment to environment, a commitment to sustainability, to regenerative agriculture, to organics
• The importance of mentoring and the gift growing young passionate farmers
• Newsletter and Weekly co-op blog

Extra resources:

Grow Great Fruit website

Harcourt Organic Farming co-op website

Become a member of Grow Great Fruit

Grow Great Fruit Free Online Workshops:

Subscribe to the Harcourt Organic Farming Co-Operative Newsletter.