Farming Together is excited to release our fourth podcast in the series.
Farming Together Program Manager Amanda Scott speaks to Sam Byrne, Secretary of the Co-op Federation.
The Co-operative model: Commerce with a conscience
Sam Byrne, Secretary of the Co-op Federation
This week on Farming Together we speak to Co-op Federation Secretary Same Byrne. Sam explains why the co-operative model is still relevant and how many co-operative pitfalls can be prevented by educating members. He also gets excited about some up-and-coming co-ops which are set to disrupt the market and give more back to the community.
Topics covered
- What is the Co-op Federation?
- The Co-op business model: How does it work?
- Why would you choose a co-op over other models?
- Largest and oldest agriculture co-ops. Is it old-fashioned?
- Importance of education for members.
- Co-ops get a reputation for its ‘burden of democracy’ but personality issues arise in any organisation.
- School students, accountants, and lawyers don’t have enough education regarding co-operatives.
- Why do co-ops fail?
- Exciting new co-ops: Disruptive solutions-focused co-ops.
- Solving community problems: Commerce with a conscience
- The unifying nature of farming co-operatives
- Sam’s co-operative memberships
Extra resources: