Grab a coffee—this story has twists, grit, and a few surprises.
Farmland Co. began as Farmers Warehouse in February 2002, founded by Steve Ramm, who turned his vision for independent business and community into reality.
After selling his farm on the Central Coast, Steve began his rural merchant career at Carr Bros Farm Supplies in the mid-'80s. He and his partner ran the business for years before selling to Iama (later part of Wesfarmers) in 1996. Steve then pursued his MBA at the University of Newcastle in 1997.
Steve’s MBA gave him the skills and confidence to create Farmers Warehouse, including building a business plan and marketing strategy for starting a new business.
He found a vacant lot on the outskirts of Rutherford at 5 Kyle Street, bought it, built a shed, and hired a small team, including long-term employee 'Young Steve' Stephen Taylor.
With limited funds, Steve secured consignment stock from supply partners to fill the store, after having spent most of his money on the property and shed!
He made his dream a reality and just needed community support.
Once locals saw Steve was back, Farmers Warehouse took off, thanks to his experience and customer-focused approach—a culture that continues today.
As the business boomed, Steve’s son James jumped on board. By 2008, James took things digital, launching an online store, then boldly opened a bricks-and-mortar shop in Singleton a year later in 2009.
Today, James is still flying the Farmers Warehouse flag.
Though Steve and James ran separate empires, they joined forces in 2013 by recruiting Kate Ramm—Steve’s daughter, James’s sister, and a marketing dynamo. Kate was hooked; she rose fast, finished her MBA like her dad in 2018, and began steering the Rutherford ship.
By 2020, both stores were thriving—but the plot thickened. Customers scratched their heads at the twin businesses with matching names but different everything else.
Then came the twist: after a fateful accountant meeting, Farmers Warehouse got a new identity—Farmland Co.
Fast-forward to today—Farmland Co. is still fiercely independent and family-run. Our mission, "helping you grow," isn’t just a tagline. It’s the promise we live by for customers, staff, and the whole Hunter Valley.
And if you ever forget our name (it happens!), just call out Carr Bros, Farmers Warehouse, or Farmland Co.—we’ll answer to them all. That’s our story, and we’re sticking to it.