The biggest blueberry supplier in Australia formed out of a different fruit, with a reluctant leader from a completely different business. And it thrived.

What started as four farmers creating a partnership selling their berries to the most competitive cities, became a successful business that any other people wanted to be a part of. From there the Oz Group Co-operative just grew.

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Episode Notes:
Fiercely proud of their 100 per cent Australian ownership, Oz Group Co-op is passionate about providing their community with the freshest blueberries, raspberries and blackberries through sustainable farming. Founded by members of the Coffs Coast Sikh community in an innovative pivot after the decline of the local banana industry, it has grown to be the biggest blueberry supplier in Australia. A powerful force in Australian horticulture, they have grown from four to 140 members, with much of their success attributed to leveraging their community ties and Aussie-made credentials. Renowned agriculture journalist Pete Lewis talks to Stephen Thandi, former Oz Group chairman and local businessman about his very unique journey into farming and co-op management. For this fascinating podcast series, you will hear from real farmers who are successfully using co-operative farming business models. Through their stories and real life experiences, you will learn how this positive farming model changes lives.

Links & Resources:
Listen to all podcasts – https://coopfarming.coop/podcasts/
Watch Peter Lewis interview Stephen Thandi talk about his unique journey into farming https://coopfarming.coop/coop-conversations/episode-7-part-1-interview/
Watch Pete Lewis discuss how co-ops provide a marketing advantage in leveraging paddock to plate and farmer-owned. Featuring Stephen Thandi (OzGroup), Dick Groot Obbink (EAT Truffle), Greg McNamara (dairy farmer), Doriana Mangili (Sweeter Banana) and Melina Morrison (BCCM). https://coopfarming.coop/coop-conversations/episode-7-part-2-roundtable/
Want to find out more about OzGroup ozgroupcoop.com.au
Find out more about co-op farming – https://coopfarming.coop/
Contact the Meet the Co-op Farmers Podcast team: https://coopfarming.coop/contact/

The biggest blueberry supplier in Australia formed out of a different fruit, with a reluctant leader from a completely different business. And it thrived.
What started as four farmers creating a partnership selling their berries to the most competitive cities, became a successful business that any other people wanted to be a part of. From there the Oz Group Co-operative just grew.
Follow Us On: Facebook &ndash; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coopfarming/">coopfarming</a> Instagram &ndash; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/coopfarming/">coopfarming</a>
Episode Notes: Fiercely proud of their 100 per cent Australian ownership, Oz Group Co-op is passionate about providing their community with the freshest blueberries, raspberries and blackberries through sustainable farming. Founded by members of the Coffs Coast Sikh community in an innovative pivot after the decline of the local banana industry, it has grown to be the biggest blueberry supplier in Australia. A powerful force in Australian horticulture, they have grown from four to 140 members, with much of their success attributed to leveraging their community ties and Aussie-made credentials. Renowned agriculture journalist Pete Lewis talks to Stephen Thandi, former Oz Group chairman and local businessman about his very unique journey into farming and co-op management. For this fascinating podcast series, you will hear from real farmers who are successfully using co-operative farming business models. Through their stories and real life experiences, you will learn how this positive farming model changes lives.
Links &amp; Resources:
<ul>
<li>Listen to all podcasts &ndash; <a href="https://coopfarming.coop/podcasts/">https://coopfarming.coop/podcasts/</a></li>
<li>Watch Peter Lewis interview Stephen Thandi talk about his unique journey into farming <a href="https://coopfarming.coop/coop-conversations/episode-7-part-1-interview/">https://coopfarming.coop/coop-conversations/episode-7-part-1-interview/</a></li>
<li>Watch Pete Lewis discuss how co-ops provide a marketing advantage in leveraging paddock to plate and farmer-owned. Featuring Stephen Thandi (OzGroup), Dick Groot Obbink (EAT Truffle), Greg McNamara (dairy farmer), Doriana Mangili (Sweeter Banana) and Melina Morrison (BCCM). <a href="https://coopfarming.coop/coop-conversations/episode-7-part-2-roundtable/">https://coopfarming.coop/coop-conversations/episode-7-part-2-roundtable/</a></li>
<li>Want to find out more about OzGroup <a href="http://www.ozgroupcoop.com.au">ozgroupcoop.com.au</a></li>
<li>Find out more about co-op farming &ndash; <a href="https://coopfarming.coop/">https://coopfarming.coop/</a></li>
<li>Contact the Meet the Co-op Farmers Podcast team: <a href="https://coopfarming.coop/contact/">https://coopfarming.coop/contact/</a></li>
</ul>

Presented by www.coopfarming.coop.


A candid new podcast series will tell the stories of Australian farmers transforming their businesses and fighting back from the brink by working together. 


Featuring leading primary producers, the eight-episode podcast MEET THE CO-OP FARMERS will address some of the biggest issues in farming, put forward solutions aimed at future-proofing Australian family farms and talk to farmers and fishers fighting back with the co-operative model.


Pete Lewis speaks frankly with farmers from all around Australia who are successfully using co-operative farming business models. Through their stories and real-life experiences (warts and all), you will learn how relevant and positive it can be to the farming model and farming in general, and how it literally changes lives.


Interviews with Stuart Crosthwaite (Mountain Milk), Doriana Mangili (Sweeter Banana), Natalie Browning (CBH), Rodger Long (Limestone Coast Fishermen’s Co-operative), Stephen Thandi (Oz Group), Emma Robinson (Beef Collaboration Project), Kerry Murphy (TAFCO) and Larry McHugh (Marquis Macadamias).

Presented by www.coopfarming.coop. 
 
A candid new podcast series will tell the stories of Australian farmers transforming their businesses and fighting back from the brink by working together. 
 
Featuring leading primary producers, the eight-episode podcast MEET THE CO-OP FARMERS will address some of the biggest issues in farming, put forward solutions aimed at future-proofing Australian family farms and talk to farmers and fishers fighting back with the co-operative model. 
 
Pete Lewis speaks frankly with farmers from all around Australia who are successfully using co-operative farming business models. Through their stories and real-life experiences (warts and all), you will learn how relevant and positive it can be to the farming model and farming in general, and how it literally changes lives. 
 
Interviews with Stuart Crosthwaite (Mountain Milk), Doriana Mangili (Sweeter Banana), Natalie Browning (CBH), Rodger Long (Limestone Coast Fishermen’s Co-operative), Stephen Thandi (Oz Group), Emma Robinson (Beef Collaboration Project), Kerry Murphy (TAFCO) and Larry McHugh (Marquis Macadamias).

A candid new podcast series will tell the stories of Australian farmers transforming their businesses and fighting back from the brink by working together.

Meet the Co-op Farmers

Presented by www.coopfarming.coop.

A candid new podcast series will tell the stories of Australian farmers and regional Australia transforming their businesses and communities and fighting back from the brink by working together. 

Featuring leading primary producers, the podcast MEET THE CO-OP FARMERS will address some of the biggest issues in farming, put forward solutions aimed at future-proofing Australian family farms and talk to farmers and fishers fighting back with the co-operative model.

In our second series, we uncover more great stories of co-operation in regional Australia. We’ll not only be talking to the farmers, fishers and foresters who put the food on our table and get the wood to the mill. We’re going to look at what’s driving a rediscovery and take up of this tried and tested model of doing business together. Along the way, you’ll meet people across our rural communities working together to overcome disasters and crisis and plan for a better future. It’s truly inspiring.

Pete Lewis speaks frankly with farmers and communities from all around Australia who are successfully using co-operative business models. Through their stories and real-life experiences (warts and all), you will learn how relevant and positive it can be to the farming model and farming in general, and how it literally changes lives.

Interviews with Stuart Crosthwaite (Mountain Milk), Doriana Mangili (Sweeter Banana), Natalie Browning (CBH), Rodger Long (Limestone Coast Fishermen’s Co-operative), Stephen Thandi (Oz Group), Emma Robinson (Beef Collaboration Project), Kerry Murphy (TAFCO) and Larry McHugh (Marquis Macadamias).

Presented by <a href="http://www.coopfarming.coop">www.coopfarming.coop</a>. A candid new podcast series will tell the stories of Australian farmers and regional Australia transforming their businesses and communities and fighting back from the brink by working together. Featuring leading primary producers, the podcast MEET THE CO-OP FARMERS will address some of the biggest issues in farming, put forward solutions aimed at future-proofing Australian family farms and talk to farmers and fishers fighting back with the co-operative model. In our second series, we uncover more great stories of co-operation in regional Australia. We&rsquo;ll not only be talking to the farmers, fishers and foresters who put the food on our table and get the wood to the mill. We&rsquo;re going to look at what&rsquo;s driving a rediscovery and take up of this tried and tested model of doing business together. Along the way, you&rsquo;ll meet people across our rural communities working together to overcome disasters and crisis and plan for a better future. It&rsquo;s truly inspiring. Pete Lewis speaks frankly with farmers and communities from all around Australia who are successfully using co-operative business models. Through their stories and real-life experiences (warts and all), you will learn how relevant and positive it can be to the farming model and farming in general, and how it literally changes lives. Interviews with Stuart Crosthwaite (Mountain Milk), Doriana Mangili (Sweeter Banana), Natalie Browning (CBH), Rodger Long (Limestone Coast Fishermen&rsquo;s Co-operative), Stephen Thandi (Oz Group), Emma Robinson (Beef Collaboration Project), Kerry Murphy (TAFCO) and Larry McHugh (Marquis Macadamias).

The biggest blueberry supplier in Australia formed out of a different fruit, with a reluctant leader from a completely different business. And it thrived.

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