October 14, 2020
The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) is seeking interested farmers to become involved in a wellbeing program which will support farmers after natural disasters.
The program aims to create an industry support network for farmers and equip them with the skills and resources they need to help carry the burden during disaster recovery.
QFF CEO Dr Georgina Davis said the Queensland agriculture sector and rural communities were no strangers to significant challenges, with their resilience tested by droughts, floods, cyclones and bushfires.
“Natural disasters are part and parcel of farming in Queensland, but no one knows and understands the burden of recovering and rebuilding better than a fellow farmer,” Dr Davis said.
“So they are best placed to provide a listening ear, an empathetic heart or just some practical advice.”
QFF is calling on interested farmers with a knowledge of farm practices and business processes to take on a supporter role for those who have experienced loss or disruption as a result of a natural disaster who need help to recover.
“It might be as simple as a phone call from one farmer to another to encourage persistence during drought, assisting with the organisation of equipment in an initial cyclone clean-up or helping to make decisions about salvaging stock after a flood,” Dr Davis said.
The program is based on a similar program developed by the nursery and garden industry.
The industry support network will also utilise resources developed by the Australian Red Cross in its ‘Supporting the Supporters’ program.
The QFF also plan to hold a series of workshops in the Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Townsville and Whitsunday regions, and develop online resources for Queensland farmers to help improve disaster resilience in the future.
Farmers interested in participating in the project can contact QFF project manager Kerry Battersby on 0419-614-765 or by emailing kerry@qff.org.au
