History of GGA

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About us – timeline at a glance

The Grower Group Alliance (GGA) is a not-for-profit group, established in 2002 to develop the capacity of groups and stronger connections between Western Australian grower groups, researchers, funding bodies and industry. 

Today the Grower Group Alliance is a thriving statewide network of 94 member organisations, including 61 farmer-led local grower groups, with an aggregated producer membership base exceeding 4000 Western Australian farm enterprises.

GGA member groups operate at different levels of scale and purpose related to their own membership community needs and priorities.

Groups join the GGA network to participate in collaborative research, development, extension and adoption (R,D,E & A) opportunities, gain priority access to the GGA Capacity Building program, and strengthen their
industry connections.

Whilst founded by broadacre cropping groups, the GGA network has evolved over the last two decades. Today member groups span grain, livestock and horticulture with other niche agricultural sectors also engaged.

Interaction within the network provides agricultural leaders, and influencers the opportunity for cross-sector exchange, enriching divergent thinking, collective innovation through inclusive thinking, and impactful collaboration projects.

Growth and diversification of the GGA network delivers on strategy five of the GGA Strategic Plan, which aims to build a thriving and diverse network of grower groups in Western Australia to provide:

• Vital intersection between grower groups, industry, and all levels of government
• Peer-to-peer exchange and collaborative possibilities
• Collaboration to accelerate innovation and adoption.

Timeline Snapshots
2002 – 2013

GGA is funded by the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and hosted at The University of WA.

2014 -2018

GGA was supported by DPIRD through Royalties for Regions and hosted by the Grain Industry Association of WA.

2018

June, GGA becomes incorporated.

2019

May, DPIRD-GGA Collaboration agreement signed, valued at $4.3m four-year term 2019-2023. 

2020

GGA team expands from two to six staff with all DPIRD Collaboration assigned staff in place.

2021

April, GGA wins SW WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub. GGA team grows from six to eleven staff.

July, GGA moves offices from South Perth to Nash St, Perth.

October, the Australian Government announces Hub projects remit to further broaden with ‘innovation expansion’.

November, extension to DPIRD-GGA Collaboration agreement for a further two years, total value $7.3m over a full six-year term.

2022

July-September, GGA team grows from 11 to 16 staff as the Hub Project Innovation pillar is mobilised.