THE HYDROPONIC FARMERS' FEDERATION (HFF) IS AN INCORPORATED ASSOCIATION OPEN TO ALL HYDROPONIC FARMERS.
The HFF membership includes grower members from Victoria and interstate, as well as industry members (businesses offering support to growers), supporter members and affiliate members.
The HFF grew from a small self help group to the large association we are today because of the commitment we all have to furthering the hydroponic industry through supporting each other.
AIMS OF THE HYDROPONIC FARMERS FEDERATION
Revised version March 2013
The Hydroponic Farmers' Federation (HFF), is an incorporated association open to all hydroponic farmers. Its membership includes grower members from Victoria and interstate, as well as industry members (businesses offering support to growers), supporter members and affiliate members.
The HFF grew from a small self help group to the large association we are today because of the commitment we all have to furthering the hydroponic industry through supporting each other.
Some of the benefits of membership are:
Networking; the single most important function of the HFF, we learn more from each other than from all the experts in the world, the HFF provides the forums for this.
Farm visits.
General meetings.
Annual Conference.
Newsletter, including grower trading post.
Representation at PCA Level
Membership is open to all growers of hydroponic produce, there are also membership categories for suppliers to the industry and other interested parties.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
(as discussed and agreed on at executive committee meeting 13th March 2013)
AIM:
To enhance grower performance through education, training and networking.
OBJECTIVES:
To provide a forum for the discussion of members problems and ideas
To conduct at least three grower meetings per year (including conference)
To conduct a biennial conference
To utilize available technology for the dissemination of information
To encourage members to undertake professional development
To publish regular newsletters
To encourage growers to meet with other growers in their districts
AIM:
To develop a broadly based membership of hydroponic growers and associated businesses which support the hydroponic industry.
OBJECTIVES:
To review and update HFF membership package
To identify areas of the hydroponic industry where opportunity exists to attract new members
To liaise with other industry groups to inform them about hydroponics and the HFF.
AIM:
To provide representation and advocacy for and on behalf of members to all levels of government and other relevant organizations on issues relevant to the hydroponic industry.
OBJECTIVES:
Access to the VFF Horticulture group.
To liaise with the respective Agriculture Departments (State and Federal)
To work closely with Protected Cropping Australia Association
To continue liaising with Horticulture Australia (HAL)
AIM:
To promote the understanding that all hydroponic produce available for sale should be of a high standard.
OBJECTIVES:
To assist growers to attain and maintain high quality produce through grower days, training sessions and networking.
AIM:
To promote hydroponic produce and continue to develop its market share.
OBJECTIVES:
To promote hydroponic produce through appropriate advertising and marketing
To identify opportunities for value adding and communicate these to members
To explore the opportunities to form strategic alliances with industry groups
AIM:
To provide members with the opportunity to share the benefits of group purchasing.
OBJECTIVES:
To pursue opportunities for obtaining beneficial services for members
AIM:
To encourage and facilitate research relevant to the hydroponic industry.
OBJECTIVES:
To provide financial support for relevant research
To gain access to bumble bees for pollination
To provide ongoing support to IPM research, particularly the development of beneficial insects and alternative chemicals for greenhouse crops.
To have research done into environmentally sustainable waste management practices for hydroponic systems (media/run off/green waste/plastic)
To support research into the use of organic nutrients for hydroponic production