Farming Together – a resource for primary producers to help you collaborate, value-add, build marketplace strength and boost returns.

End of pilot – Performance Review

• Farming Together has interacted with more than 28,500 primary producers, from more than 450 groups
• Of 132 applications for competitive funding, more than 50 groups were successful in securing a total of $5.5m and most of these have completed their projects
• 1155 Expert Services (in needs assessment, business planning, legal advice, marketing, supply chain analysis, agronomy, collaborative workshops and other activities) were completed, an investment of more than $2.3m
• Farming Together has supported more than 224 co-ops (established, forming or registered), with 57 NEW co-ops establishing (registered or in progress) directly through the Program
• The program has also supported 254 other collaborating business entities
• Australia’s first online Co-op Builder tools (for-profit and not-for-profit co-operatives) have been used by more than 200 groups, and not just farmers.
• Farming Together has invested more than $2.5m in co-op support and education, delivering 75 specific services and events to support the co-op sector. The program has been instrumental in revitalising the co-operative sector.
• Farming Together’s video courses in understanding co-op establishment and governance, have been used by 120 groups.
• With our help, 64 of our farmers enrolled in post-graduate Co-operatives Management training through our partnership with the University of Newcastle
• With our help, 30 Co-op Directors and staff completed Australia’s highly regarded intensive course in co-operative governance and strategic management (in partnership with Professor Tim Mazzarol of the Australian Institute of Management WA).

What we’re about

Farming Together (Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration Pilot Program) is a $14,934,000 Federal Government initiative that aims to provide farmers, fishers and foresters with knowledge, skills and materials on collaborative ideas, co-operative structures and collective strategies.

Farming Together aims to:

• Improve knowledge of how co-operatives, collective strategies and supply chain negotiations can improve farmers’ returns.
• Improve the knowledge of business models and collaboration options available to farmers and farm advisors
• Improve the agriculture focused legal and financial expert advice available regarding the process, implementation and management of such business models

The project involves a hands-on team of 12 people backed by an Industry Advisory Group of eight agricultural leaders from across Australia.

Farming Together is a pilot program launched at a national forum on August 29, 2016 and will run until June 2018. The program is managed by Southern Cross University and is based at the SCU campus in Lismore, NSW.

What’s in it for you?

To be eligible for assistance, you must be in a group of at least 2 primary producers. Your collaboration idea will get immediate independent professional advice, feedback and guidance from business experts in a variety of fields. Funding is NOT provided as direct financial support for capital or infrastructure purposes, travel or ongoing wages.

Find out more about >> How Farming Together works.
Find out more about >> How to choose the right business structure for your project.

What’s the process?

Fill in our online application (temporarily closed) and get immediate expert assistance for your collaborative project.

FarmingTogether.com.au is a registered domain of the Farming Together project.