Co-operative Conversations Episode 8

Episode 8  Part 1: Interview – A conversation with Emma Robinson, Beef Collaboration Project Inc

6.30 pm –  7.15 pm AEST – Interview

North Queensland-based Emma is passionate about family farming, beef and business models. She believes the co-operative business model can help future proof the family farm and she is on a mission to make it work, via the Beef Collaboration Project Inc. Pete Lewis talks to Emma about her strategy for building producer membership and providing scalable opportunities in the bush.

After many years of studying business models and looking at agricultural practice around the world, the inspiring new-generation farmer believes successful farming is all about building relationships, collaborating – and becoming price makers not takers. Listen to her fascinating journey spreading the word about collaboration in farming and how much it can benefit agriculture and the economy. Establishing a co-op is not the easiest road to take. Emma has some excellent insights into the reality of setting up co-operative, what’s involved in acquiring members, and why she is so committed to the model. If you want to understand the steps to setting up a Co-op from the ground up, this is one interview you will find valuable.

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Episode 8 Part 2: Roundtable – The people factor: How to attract, keep and engage membership in co-ops

7.45 pm –  8.45 pm AEST – Roundtable discussion

It doesn’t matter if you’re big or small, often the most crucial part of forming and growing co-operatives is the membership. From putting the right structures in place in the beginning to keeping members engaged and moving in the same direction through growth and success and trials and tribulations, there are plenty of ways you can get it wrong or right.

Pete Lewis talks to expert agricultural leaders about the importance of members and how to make it work.

They will share their unique experiences with membership attraction, retention and relationship-building.  All of their stories are very unique, but they all have lifetimes of essential advice for farmers interested in  future-proofing Australian agriculture, or in discovering why co-operative farming is so successful. What is the membership advantage? How do you put the right systems in place to ensure members feel it’s fair? Do members have to like one another? And how do you attract, retain and grow quality members? This is a meaty, must-watch roundtable.

Join journalist Pete Lewis with special guests.

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Join Pete Lewis for an inspiring interview series as he explores the journeys of some of Australia’s most interesting and successful co-operatives. Pete’s long and varied experience as a journalist specialising in agriculture will ensure he gets to the heart of the issues you want to hear about. This livestream is part of the Co-operative Farming program.