Interactive worksheets (2) | C1 – Advanced

Lamington Ranch Proves Cooperative Farming Can Be Successful 

By Marjorie Nelson 

New Zealand-based Lamington Ranch was established 12 years ago by Ben and Rachel Lamington. They purchased a piece of property in Masterton two hours away from Wellington, intending to farm it on their own. Without a workforce, however, the ranch was not productive. After just four years, the Lamingtons faced bankruptcy and searched desperately for solutions. 

They looked into hiring workers but lacked the necessary funds. Next, they considered selling some ranch land. When that did not work out, they even thought about leasing the farm out to an agriculture corporation. Finally, Rachel remembered growing up on a cooperative farm in Israel, before her family moved to New Zealand. The couple discussed their options and decided to try cooperative farming. 

"We based our concept on the communal farm I grew up on in Israel," Rachel mentions in an interview. The Lamingtons assigned portions of the land to local residents, who pay a modest rent and a portion of their profits to the Lamingtons. The collected funds are then available for other uses, such as maintenance, future building projects, and payment of property taxes, with any remaining cash going to the Lamingtons as their share. 

Within a few years of applying the farming concept to Lamington Ranch, the couple erased their debt and began making a profit. The ranch currently hosts 22 farmers who raise livestock or grow crops including kiwi, apples, and olives. "It's amazing that not so long ago we were about to lose everything, and now we earn a good income and help provide a living to other farmers as well," said Ben. He mentioned that other ranches in the country are also looking into cooperative farming as an alternative. 

TO: Rachel Lamington  

FROM: Darius Carver  

SUBJECT: Special request

DATE: June 11

Dear Ms. Lamington,

I recently read a newspaper article entitled "Lamington Ranch Proves Cooperative Farming Can Be Successful" in The Cook Strait Times about you and your husband. I would be very interested in visiting your farm and meeting with you both for an interview. I work as a staff writer for Oceania Entrepreneurs, a magazine that features notable business people, inventors, and innovative thinkers from the Australasia region.

We would also like to feature some photographs of the ranch and its facilities and possibly interview some of the other farmers in your cooperative. The article may also be considered for publication as a cover article, which would be great publicity for you!

Our offices are based in Wellington, so I would be happy to take my car out to the ranch anytime. Please let me know if you are interested and, if so, when you are available.

Sincerely yours,

Darius Carver