Farming Together

Karly Nimmo 10:07 AM (25 minutes ago) to me And now we wrap up season two of Farming Together. In the first season we explored collaborative farming. The messy human stories, the process at arriving at a collaborative model, and the ways they've made it work. If you have any interest in starting collaborative farming - whether it be forming a new group or taking an existing one to the next level - head back into the back catalogue to the first season of Farming Together, where you'll find find some great tips , raw truths and inspiration. One particular episode of season one struck a chord with many of you. We chatted with Katie and Hugh Finlay of Harcourt Organic Farming Co-operative. Katie and Hugh realised that as they aged they couldn't 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. In response to this episode, the farming together team received an influx of questions and feedback in relation to succession planning for farmers, and the different way share farming could be a solution. In the first episode we had a conversation with young farmers Sas Allardice (one half of Gung Hoe Growers) and micro dairy farmer Tess Sellars, both members of the Harcourt Organic Farming Co-op. Two young farmers keen to dig in, but with little capital, Sas and Tess knew they had to think outside the square when it came to accessing land and equipment. We hear how they made it work for them -- legally and financially - and the hard work, strong values, and sense of humour that helped them along the way. Episode two saw us chat with Andie White, who enlisted the help of Sam Marwood of Cultivate Farms. Andie was among a growing number of landless farmers who could prove they were productive farmers but couldn't quite get a foothold in the property market. She talks about how she made it happen with Cultivate Farms, which matches retiring farmers with aspiring farmers and investors. In episode three we heard from Cheryl Smith from medicinal herb farm Solum Farm and young hemp farmer Hannah Navara. Together they have forged a unique sharefarm model in which labour exchange, accommodation and equipment are all factored in to a unique mutually beneficial arrangement. The farmers connected through Young Famers Connect, a not-for-profit organisation that supports pathways for young farmers. We also speak to its co-founder and Principal co-ordinator Joel Orchard about the need for greater resources and support to achieve fairer outcomes for emerging farmers. And episode four saw us chat with Gordon Williams, owner of Eastlake Farm about creating a win-win leasing agreement between generations. Gordon tells us about his lease agreement which gives him an income and a say in how the farm is run while giving his leasees a mentor. who knows the land and can provide hard won knowledge and decades of experience. In episode five, Amanda speaks to Victorian dairy farmer Stuart Crosthwaite about the delicate situation of sharing a farm with your family. He talks about how the right succession planning strategy has given him the freedom to invest and grow the farm -- and importantly ensure his parents are well looked after. And in our last ep of this season, Amanda explores a share farming model which is radically different.Food system change-makers Kirsten Larsen and Serenity Hill reveal the...

In this episode Amanda speaks to Victorian dairy farmer Stuart Crosthwaite about the delicate situation of sharing a farm with your family. He talks about how the right succession planning strategy has given him the freedom to invest and grow the farm -- and importantly ensure his parents are well looked after.

On this episode Amanda chats to sharefarmers Cheryl Smith from medicinal herb farm Solum Farm and young hemp farmer Hannah Navara. Together they have forged a unique sharefarm model in which labour exchange, accommodation and equipment are all factored in to a unique mutually beneficial arrangement . The farmers connected through Young Famers Connect, a not-for-profit organisation that supports pathways for young farmers. She also speaks to its co-founder and Principal co-ordinator Joel Orchard about the need for greater resources and support to achieve fairer outcomes for emerging farmers. In this episode we explore: Introducing Cheryl of Solum Farm: Growing Medicinal herbs and why Cheryl and Mike were looking to share the farm Introducing Hannah and her regenerative hemp farming practices. Introducing Joel Orchard from Young Farmers Connect who brought the two together and has organised a field day at Solum Supporting a thriving human and non-human ecology: Both parties need to be passionate, open-hearted communicators and, and hard workers Lessons learnt: Communicate clearly and find people who share the same ethos Meeting through Young Farmers Network How the local increase in housing prices has meant the young couple couldn't afford renting farmland in addition to somewhere to live The arrangements: One is a crop sharing arrangement: Labour is also factored in to a rental living agreement. The share-farm agreement is a separate agreement The challenge of arriving at a fair deal and importance of appreciating hard work The share farm arrangement with the young farmers has meant that Cheryl has been able to expand her medicinal herb business. They have a day per week where it is all hands on deck which has enabled Cheryl's deep dreaming for the farm to become a reality. 7 hours per week labour is part of the arrangement: For Hannah the work is upskilling and pleasurable . It's pleasure to give those labour hours as a young person. Young Farmer Connect addressing challenges: New landholders that don't come with a farm background. Other countries support the process for younger farmers. Getting the structure right Fundamental barrier to farming is land prices. The need for clarity of collaboration before "we begin the dance". Resilience: Working together during bushfires Young people want purpose: There are so many young people looking for somewhere to live and something to do. We want to encourage the lifestyle among young people. Get on the land and grow! Young Farmers Connect: A substantial national network that assists pathways to market and growing local food economy with collaboration. On-farm events provide inspiration and enthusiasm and make connections and peer-support Further resources •Visit the Solum Farm website •Download the Solum Farm Case Study •Young Farmers Connect website •Young Farmers Connect Farm FarmLinks - a Landmatching program and dedicated service of YFC to support land sharing and share farming.

On the first episode of our 'Share Farming' Season we explore the other side to the story of our most popular episode of Season 1: a conversation with Katie and Hugh Finlay, founders of the Harcourt Organic Farming Co-op. As ageing farmers who saw they had a responsibility to nurture a future generation land stewards, Katie and Hugh finally landed on share farming as a fabulous solution. This time around have a conversation with young farmers Sas Allardice (one half of Gung Hoe Growers) and micro dairy farmer Tess Sellars, both members of the Harcourt Organic Farming Co-op. With little capital, Sas and Tess knew they had to think outside the square when it came to accessing land and equipment. We hear how they made it work for them -- legally and financially - and the hard work, strong values, and sense of humour that helped them along the way. Links and resources: Visit the Gung Hoe Growers website Subscribe the Gung Ho Growers newsletter Gung Ho Growers on Instagram Visit the Stellar Farmhouse Creamery website and subscribe Listen to our podcast with Katie and Hugh Finlay of Harcourt Organic Farming Co-op Read the Harcourt Organic Farming Co-op Case Study Watch Farming Together's Talking about Your Generation Webinar on Succession Planning with Katie & Hugh Finlay and Lorraine Gordon Visit the Harcourt Organic Farming Co-op website Like Harcourt Organic Farming Co-op on Facebook

Get ready for Farming Together's second season: All about share farming Thanks for coming along with us on the Season 1 journey of the Farming Together podcast. We're pleased to say, it's by no means over. After receiving a bunch of requests from farmers asking us for more stories and resources about share-farming models, we've decided to dedicate our upcoming season to this very topic. On the one hand, we are hearing from ageing farmers who are looking for creative succession plans that keep them living on farm while also ensuring their land stays productive and regeneratively managed. We are also hearing from a powerful emerging cohort of younger farmers looking for share farming models that help them overcome significant barriers to farming - including rising property prices and lack of capital. As always, Farming Together program manager Amanda Scott will speak directly to farmers about their experiences. Next seasons' sharefarmers will unpick how they arrived at their share-farming arrangement. They get down to the nitty gritty detail about leases and agistments. They explore how collaboration is key to farming regeneratively. They also reveal the pitfalls and unexpected rewards that come from their share-farm model. Not one of these share-farming stories are the same, but a common thread of creativity and inspired solutions-focused thinking is evident throughout the season. We plan to launch the share-farming season in August. Make sure you don't miss the first episode release by subscribing to the Farming Together podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also Join the share-farming conversation on our socials: Follow the Farming Together Program on Facebook and Instagram. We can't wait for Season 2. You can support these conversations and amplify the voices of these sharing, caring and creative farmers by letting people in your community know about the podcast or tagging them on social media. Sharing is caring, and we can't wait to share these creative and inspiring farming stories with you.

Diana Fear on empowering rural women and forging partnerships This episode Amanda talks to Diana Fear, CEO of Central West Farming Systems, a farmer-led not-for profit group that covers 14 million hectares of the lower rainfall country. Diana talks about her work driving projects that empower women in rural communities and the importance of embracing new roles, building confidence, and forging partnerships. Topics covered: · Central West Farming Systems: What is it and why? · Tackling an overdependence of chemicals in low rain all areas · Frustration over the metro perception of farmers: We need food and fibre but farmers carry so much risk · Empowering women in agriculture: Massive flow on effects for regional communities · Untapped resource of rural women · Diana's experience in India with an NGO transforming rural communities through women's empowerment · Adoption of a model that empowers smaller groups · Top tip: Try not to overreach. Keep groups small · Preventing rural youth drain · Challenges of meeting in person when your rural footprint is so large · Fantastic women: Sophie's Venison farm · Mixing communication methods: Online and printed material. Covering social media channels. The effectiveness of a printed newsletter · Building confidence. Give women the opportunity to bolster confidence. · Barriers to new practices and better machinery. Farmers need to be profitable to invest in infrastructure · Partnering with researcher and institutions such as DPI, MLA, GRDC, Soils CRC · Challenges: Funding does not align with farmer needs · Collaboration is effective if the group is united in a common goal · Advice for embracing new roles: Don't be nervous! · Increasing adoption of new ideas · Advice on the seasonal nature of projects: have a toolbox that is contextually relevant in low rainfall areas. Give farmers more options so they can make their own agile decisions. Additional Resources: Central West Farming Systems website CWFS Facebook Page

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 way 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, a People skills Resources: Braidwood garlic website Become a garlic grower Braidwood garlic newsletters Instagram

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.