Co-op teams join with farmers to mark 10 years of Farm Source
This year marks 10 years since the creation of Farm Source, which is a fully-owned subsidiary of Fonterra that serves as the farmer support arm of the Co-operative.
Farm Source is much more than a retail network, with teams on the ground including sustainable dairying advisors, milk quality managers, vets and other specialists who get alongside farmers to help them continue to lead the way in sustainable, efficient dairy farming.
This includes offering a range of tools and services that are delivered in a personalised way – from tailored Farm Insights Reports and Farm Environment Plans through to digital apps, data sharing solutions and deferred payment options.
An 0800-service centre team is also on hand to support farmers 24/7, and they’ve received more than one million calls over the past decade.
Meanwhile there are 65 Farm Source stores across the country that are aptly named “Our Place”. They often hold “Pie Day Fridays” to help bring together farmers, Farm Source staff and local communities, and this recently turned into “Cake Day Friday” to help mark the 10-year milestone.
Farm Source Group Director Anne Douglas says hundreds of farmers turned out across the country.
“It was fantastic to see so many of our farmer owners and other valued customers join us in store,” says Douglas.
“I was in Waiuku and the farmers I met there were delighted to be part of the celebration.”
Douglas joined Fonterra around the time that Farm Source was launched in 2014. Until that point, the Co-operative’s store network had been known as RD1.
Overall, we're here to make sure farmers get the right support to build sustainable, productive, efficient, and effective farming operations for generations to come.
The shift to Farm Source was about doing things differently to connect farmers with the full strength of their Co-op. For example, leveraging Fonterra’s purchasing power and partnerships to drive down costs and extending the breadth and depth of the on-farm support options available. The Farm Source Rewards programme was also enhanced, and since 2014 customers have earned more than $125 million through the programme.
“Overall, we're here to make sure farmers get the right support to build sustainable, productive, efficient, and effective farming operations for generations to come,” says Douglas.
Former Farm Source Marketing Manager Helena Jannetta, who is now based offshore with the Co-operative, says working on the transition from RD1 to Farm Source was one of her favourite projects to be involved with.
“Working directly with farmers and learning more about their businesses, struggles and joys really brought home that unique feeling that working for a co-operative brings,” says Jannetta.
Previous leaders of Farm Source who have helped shaped the business include CEO Miles Hurrell as well as Richard Allen, who recently joined Fonterra’s management team as President Global Markets Ingredients.
Farm Source is also proud to support rural communities across New Zealand, partnering with organisations like Rural Support Trust and supporting wellbeing initiatives like Farm Strong, Surfing for Farmers and the Farm Without Harm programme.
Looking ahead, Fonterra will continue to adapt what it offers farmers to help meet their evolving needs. Delivering the strongest offering is a key pillar of the Co-op’s revised strategy announced in September 2024. This includes managing the overall business well to earn the maximum sustainable return, and offering farmers the best possible support, tools, and services so they can focus on their own business and producing world-class milk.