Farming Together is excited to release our third podcast in the series, Braidwood Garlic Growers Co-operative.
Farming Together Program Manager Amanda Scott speaks to Phil Shoemark and Dave Ellis of Braidwood Garlic Growers Co-operative.
With a grant deadline looming, the group formed a co-operative very quickly. Members have since benefitted from the co-op’s marketing strength and greater access to a growing market. Phil and Dave speak about the importance of finding people with different strengths to drive the co-op and why ‘people skills’ are critical.
Topics covered:
- Forming a co-operative with a deadline: Making it happen fast with a clear objective.
- How the co-op model provides economic return and collective marketing strength.
- The impact of COVID 19.
- The purchasing of collective commercial equipment.
- Disseminating information with members through a newsletter.
- Navigating difficult personalities: finding common ground.
- Find a mediator with good people skills and following meeting procedures.
- Different ways of communicating with members.
- Making it work: You have to have a strong goal, enthusiasm, and enough members and expert advice.
- Following a holistic management framework: What are you really trying to do?
- The growing garlic market.
- You need four people with the following strengths: Finance, Marketing/Sales, Production, and People skills.
Listen to the first episode externally through our Farming Together podcast channel. Be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts here.
Learn more about Braidwood Garlic Growers Co-operative: