CDFGA general manager Karen Abberfield is excited about the prospect of widening the net to include new supporters, with the aim to allow business to prosper while also creating strong social and business networks.
“What we're looking to do is to expand our membership, because it's quite evident to us that we're a large part of the Cobram community,” Ms Abberfield said.
“I think our growers pay over 40% of Moira's rates, and the growers actually spend a fortune each year.
“If you think about fuel, you think about equipment, you think about vehicles, think about chemicals, you think about labour, they spend money all the time, so they have good supply networks.
“It was really just looking at the moment, times seemed quite tough, and people are more inclined to be a bit more isolated than they used to be it seems to us.
“So having a program where we can bring other businesses in to work with us, representing the Cobram district, trying to allow business to prosper by linking growers and suppliers or growers and customers or suppliers and customers into something that's just got a bit of a good vibe around it I suppose.”
Since 1957, the CDFGA has been acting on behalf of its members in building the reputation and success of the horticultural industry in Cobram and surrounds, while representing the interests of its members in any issues they may face.
“What we tend to do is represent the interests of fruit growers in Cobram and district,” Ms Abberfield said.
“So we would be very active in the fields for instance of water, pest management, those kinds of things, export, transport, accommodation, labour, all those sort of issues that our industry faces.
“It has a working side like that, but it also has a strong old cultural connection where our members - a lot of them are family businesses, and those families started fruit growing here and are still here.
“We're a pretty social, lairy bunch, you can imagine - a room full of Italian men with a couple of Aussies thrown in, it's pretty good.”
The new associate membership program – open to “anyone pretty much that has $250 who thinks (Cobram) is a great place to live and work” – will see the CDFGA work hand in hand with the new members in a way which benefits both parties.
“I think it strengthens existing business relationships, because I think many of the people who we have approached have automatically said yes because they know already that growers are a big part of their business,” Ms Abberfield said.
“So they're saying 'well, okay, if we can work together, that's a good thing.'
“For instance, our first associate member was Supreme Meats, so a lot of growers who had never been to Supreme, but had been to the other shop, we expect them to go to Supreme and give it a go.
“They're working with us, so we will work with them kind of thing.”
Associate members will also get the added benefit of having their information shared with all CDFGA members, as well as promotion via the CDFGA channels, while scooping an invite to the annual end of harvest event and AGM dinner.
“It's a good opportunity to be building those relationships, that's really what it's about,” Ms Abberfield said.
“Building relationships and supporting the industry, and supporting their businesses as well.”
For more information, head to www.cdfga.com.au
