Funding for Mary Valley Growers Co-operative to bear fruit
27/9/2017
Funding for Mary Valley Growers Co-operative to bear fruit
The Mary Valley Growers Co-operative has been awarded a $34,000 Australian Government grant to establish more efficient business systems to get local horticulture produce to even more customers across the Mary Valley, Noosa, Gympie and the wider Sunshine Coast.
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker, today visited this community co-operative with the Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, and said this was another example of collaboration across agriculture delivering better and fairer returns to farmers.
“The Australian Government is helping our farmers take advantage of collaborative arrangements and co-operatives to achieve better and fairer returns through the farmgate,” Minister Hartsuyker said.
“The $13.8 million Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration Pilot Program, which funded this grant, is a key part of the Government’s $4 billion Agriculture Competitiveness White Paper.
“The Mary Valley Country Harvest Co-operative involves networks of small growers and food producers working together and sharing information and resources.
“Thanks to this grant, the Mary Valley Country Harvest Co-operative will undertake a six-month development project to enable the co-operative to boost production and growth.
“It will review current and emerging market trends, examine direct market options, and trial strategies to improve supply chain efficiency,” said Minister Hartsuyker.
Mr O’Brien said the Mary Valley Growers Co-operative is a fine example of the type of co-operation and collaborating the government encourages.
“The Mary Valley Growers Co-operative is a local group that has realised the benefits of collaboration. They have worked to build upon and market the Mary Valley’s well established reputation for clean, green pristine quality produce.
“The co-operative structure makes their businesses easier to run and more efficient, leading to better bottom lines, and this grant will lead to further gains,” Mr O’Brien said.
The Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration Pilot Program is being delivered by the Southern Cross University on behalf of the Australian Government. For more information on the grants visit farmingtogether.com.au.
