Practical Help

Jul 19 2008 |17:28

Practical Help for Struggling Farmers

Despite recent rainfalls, the longest drought in a hundred years continues to grip our land. The majority of rural Australia remains drought affected and even if more rain comes, the drought has taken such a toll that recovery could be years away. Many farmers have reached financial and emotional breaking point. There are organizations and individuals trying to bring encouragement and support to drought-affected farmers. What more can be done?

For the vast majority of us who are city dwellers (90% of the population) drought is a relatively unknown, largely hidden disaster. It finds expression in the inconvenience of water restrictions, dead lawns and more expensive meat and vegetables. The only time we usually hear about our rural sector is when it is crisis. Well - this is the big daddy of all the crises.

Our politicians are telling us they are doing what they can. Our charity originations are working overtime to cope with the load.
But as individuals what can we do?

Some practical steps to help our rural sector.

1. Buy Australian

Our primary producers are a proud independent lot. They’d rather work their way out of trouble than accept charity. Check that label for made in Australia, particularly those products produced on Australian farms.

While our farmers are the most efficient in the world it is often hard to compete against heavily subsidised foodstuffs being imported.

Buy at farmers markets - cut out the middle man. Australian Farmers' Markets Association

Links: Buy Australian , AusBuy , Australian Made, Dick Smith Foods

2. Support the charities supporting farmers.

Even farmers recognise the need to put aside their pride to feed their families, keep their core breeding stock alive, cope with mounting depression and have some chance at regaining a future.

There are many organisations that are providing practical assistance to the farmers in trouble - with funds, food and counseling. They all could do so much extra with more donations.

Links: OZcare Bush Connection, The Salvation Army Drought Appeal , Aussie Helpers - Drought Relief, Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal

3. Keep the Politicians honest.

Let your local member know your concern for those doing it hard in the bush. It’s even more important to do that in the urban electorates. Send them letters and emails asking their position on rural issues and the drought.

4. Give farmers a role in saving our planet.

Global warming remains ever present on the horizon threatening our way of life. All the measures being taken will only slow the change, not reduce it.

A number of schemes have been developed that would reduce the carbon in the atmosphere that involve subsidising farmers to use their land to lock up carbon.

Links: Landcare CarbonSmart ,Carbon Farmers,

Help the push to replace fossil fuels with bio fuels. It will provide more farm incomes while saving the planet.

Links: BioFuels , Australian Biofuel Users

5. Join a farmer’s organisation as a city member.

Most farmers are small businesses and have little political clout as individuals. They join large primary industry interest groups for political strength, news, information and updates on new technologies. The membership fees allow the various organisations to service their member’s needs. The other equation is that more members it has, the more the pollies take notice. Most of them send out newsletters which will help the end rural and urban communication divide.

Organisations:

NSW Farmers' Association - are introducing metro memberships so people can connect with farmers and help those struggling in the drought. The cost will be $90 and the program is being launched at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

AgForce - Every Family Needs A Farmer Campaign to reconnect urban consumers to the bush – highlighting the modern face of Queensland farming, where their food and fibre comes from and how farmers care for the environment and their livestock. The main aim of the campaign is to begin to bridge the divide between the city and the bush.

Country Womens Association of Australia

Queensland Farmers' Federation

Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia

Victorian Farmers Federation

South Australian Farmers' Federation

Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association

Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association

National Farmers' Federation