We’ve answered some common questions about the IIF Cooperative, and using the IIF app. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, feel free to get in touch through our contact form.
You must be an active member of the co-operative to leverage its services. In this case, access to a diverse range of share farming opportunities available on the IIF app.
You simply need to complete the online application form and pay the membership fee. We will confirm your membership by email.
IIF allows you to choose how much you want to invest, the minimum is based on the unit size of each offer.
Offers come and go on the marketplace from around $10 up to over $1000 and you are free to take up any offer you want.
Examples include offers like a dozen oysters for $10, ginger for $44 per grow bag, canola for $430 per acre or Angus cross cattle for $1000.
Over time it’s possible for members to build a well-diversified farm for as little as a few hundred dollars all the way to many thousands.
IIF is a world-first approach to investing in farming so you’re probably curious to see how it works, and what becoming a member means.
As IIF operates as a regulated, member-owned cooperative, it is a regulatory requirement that only IIF Coop members can be offered and participate in offers or access the IIF app.
To show you what being a member is like, we’d love to take you on a tour of the IIF app so you can see how thousands of Aussies like you have put a farm in their pocket.
IIF Coop will source, screen and offer share farming opportunities to its members via the IIF app. As a member, you can elect to participate in any program that you are interested in, in the volumes you desire.
Once a member selects an opportunity, the member provides the funds to the IIF Coop by way of a member contribution (debenture). IIF Coop will then purchase the items on the member’s behalf and the item will be show in the member’s Farm on the IIF app.
The relevant farmers will use their best endeavours to farm the items on behalf of IIF (and the member). The farmers will provide updates during the growing period. An indicative holding period will be displayed, but the farmer will determine when the items are ready to sell and fetch the best price. IIF Coop will oversee this process and collect the proceeds upon settlement.
The profit (or loss) will then be determined and settled with the member.
There are two fees to be aware of.
In order to access the app and member share farming opportunities, you need to be a member of the IIF Coop. Membership has an annual fee of $55 (including GST).
For members, there is also a 1% IIF listing fee included on purchases. For example, a lamb showing in the marketplace for $100 will cost a total of $101 when including the IIF fee at order confirmation.
One of the key benefits for the IIF model is the ability to build a farm spread across different products, producers and regions. This reduces the concentration and the risk. We encourage members to learn about and participate in a diverse range of opportunities.
There are risks in farming and there are no certainties in the outcomes. The harvest yield, price and timing will be determined by an array of factors, especially weather and market conditions. There is a chance your farm product will be negatively impacted and not reach potential. In this case you may suffer a financial loss on that farm item.
When each farm item you have purchased is harvested and sold, the profit is added to your account where is can be used to reinvest or withdraw. Profits are treated as interest in the hands of members and you will receive a tax statement at the end of each financial year.
In the event that a loss occurs, there would be a repayment equal to the actual sale value and the loss may be deductible depending on your own circumstances.
In this example you are buying an actual cow, but it is part of a larger mob of the same type/stage. For instance, IIF members might own 40 cattle of a farmers mob. If 1 unfortunately dies, the remaining 39 will still sell and the profit is shared across the 40 members. This spreads the mortality risk.
We have a robust process in place to ensure positive outcomes with farmers. In addition to our vetting process and the Co-operative taking title to the assets, there’s a signed agreement in place with the farmer that has documentation and validation clauses. Transparency also encourages positivity and there are many agricultural benchmarks to ensure reasonable outcomes. In the unlikely event a farmer breaks the agreement, there are legal avenues available to recoup the initial capital.
Farming is variable and the outcomes are not guaranteed, but we present opportunities to members that have a strong likelihood of succeeding in most periods. In consultation with the farmer, we will present the target outcome (timeframe and price) but the actual return to the member will be determined by the final sale price. The resulting profit is always shared as illustrated in the table below.
As marketplace offers represent real agricultural assets, supply is limited and availability is seasonal.
Offers can sell out fast, but rest assured, there are numerous opportunities every month for members to grow their farms. Our members take a multi-month view to building the farm in their pocket.
Tomatoes, lambs, a basket of oysters, a hectare of wheat – for less than $2000 members can own a robust and diversified farm spanning Australia.
Ready to watch your investments grow?
First step: join our co-operative. Register your interest below.
