Braidwood Garlic Growers Co-operativeFarming 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:https://www.braidwoodgarlic.com.au/ (Braidwood garlic website)https://www.braidwoodgarlic.com.au/becoming-a-garlic-grower.html (Become a garlic grower)https://www.braidwoodgarlic.com.au/bggc-bulletin.html (Braidwood garlic newsletters)https://www.instagram.com/braid_garlic/ (Instagram)