The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) is seeking interested participants for involvement in a wellbeing program to support farmers after natural disasters to recover and remain resilient for future events.
The program will create an industry support network for farmers and aims to equip them with the skills and resources they need to help carry the burden and mentor fellow farmers during recovery from a disaster.
QFF CEO Dr Georgina Davis said the Queensland agriculture sector, its farmers and rural communities were no strangers to significant and continuing challenges, with their resilience tested by droughts, floods, cyclones, bushfires and everything in between.
“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, so they are best placed to provide a listening ear, an empathetic heart or just some practical advice,” Dr Davis said.
“QFF is calling on interested farmers who are knowledgeable about farm practices and business processes, to take on a supporter role to galvanise those who have experienced loss or disruption as a result of a disaster and who need a helping hand as they 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 the initial cyclone clean-up or helping to make confronting decisions on salvaging stock after a flood.”
“Based on a program developed by QFF member Nursery and Garden Industry (NGIQ), the industry support network will utilise resources developed by the Australian Red Cross in its highly regarded, ‘Supporting the Supporters’ program to provide interested farmer supporters with the varied and valuable skills they need to help their fellow farmers during difficult times.”
“The program will also deliver a series of workshops in the Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Townsville and Whitsunday regions, and develop online resources and publications for the Queensland farming community to improve the agriculture sector’s disaster resilience into the future.”
Farmers interested in participating in the project can contact QFF Project Manager, Kerry Battersby on 0419 614 765 or email [email protected].
The project is funded through the Australian and Queensland Governments Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements 2018 and administered by the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors as part of the Category C Far North Queensland and North Queensland Monsoon Trough Flexible Funding Grant.
Disclaimer: Although funding for this product has been provided by both the Australian and Queensland Governments, the material contained herein does not necessarily represent the views of either Government.
