NZ Flower Growers Association Future!

In an environment of increasing complexity, business barriers to trading profitably, and excessive legislative representation needed ‘just to protect the basic ability to continue’, it’s no wonder many smaller ‘non-levy funded’ producer associations are struggling. Often dependent on the dedicated efforts of the CEO or executive officer, driven by dwindling boards simply overwhelmed by their own business challenges,  it’s no wonder that associations like the NZFGA are hitting crisis point. What follows is a heartfelt case in point as Chris Smellie, Executive Officer of NZFGA shares his views on where the New Zealand Flower Growers Association needs to go next.

“How long do you think this Chris Fella, can last?!!”

Says Chris, “It is quite possible that in 2018 other projects may be demanding too much of my time to enable me to do justice to the work required by NZFGA.”

In round terms the NZ Flower Growers Association currently has about 60 subscribing growers and other members. Income from these subscribers enables the association to cover the areas of input that are currently on the table.  Yet the work of the association, Chris suggests, benefits many more growers than the subscribers. (There are believed to be at least 400 active cut flower growers trading to varying degrees in New Zealand, so around 15% active membership) “Over the years so many attempts in a variety of ways have been tried to entice more growers to become subscribers without a great deal of success” says Chris.

While the current situation is at or near self sustaining Chris considers it is not sufficient to enable to undertake such things as ‘Sustainable Farming Funding’ of relevant projects, something which is at the core of activities for most grower associations. There are a number of other such activities that the association could do to the benefit of growers with a better funding base. (Chris points to the recently formed New Zealand Plant Producers Inc which has set five key summit priorities including Research Leverage, Workforce Capability, Advocacy on Plant Imports and Exports, an industry Technical Officer Resource, and Enhancing Industry Communication and Connection)

“Perhaps I should say that the old model of having executive members undertake the day to day work of projects etc is now recognised as being well and truly over. The demands of producing an income from flower farming these days are just too great.”

Chris considers the options for the immediate future and looks to develop these further in consultation with member growers in forthcoming newsletters and communications:

1. Find another retired flower grower to replace the current executive officer. (Which is really status quo with a different ‘gopher’)

2. Radically revamp the structure of the association – the newly formed OFFGA [outdoor flower & foliage growers association] heralds the start of a trend in this direction.  i.e. the creation of producer groups within the flower industry dealing with the issues around their own product. The NZFGA then becomes a body dealing with advocacy and other matters relevant to all flower & foliage growers.

3. Join another horticultural organization. i.e. join HortNZ as another product group.  Or, more probably, Join the newly formed NZPPI [NZ Plant Producers Industry] in which clause 15 allows for the creation of special interest groups [SIG’s].

   (New Zealand Flower Growers effectively become a Special Interest Group around their crop category) 

Those with strong views are invited to provide input to [email protected]