Rural Aid is calling on Australians to donate to support farming families doing it tough through drought, disasters and the daily pressures of life on the land.
The charity says many farmers are carrying more than most people see, caring for livestock, working the land and keeping businesses going while facing rising costs, financial pressure and uncertainty about the season ahead.
Drought, floods, fires, rising costs and the uncertainty of farming can take a heavy toll, and often the hardest struggles are the ones no one sees. Rural Aid says farmers are used to getting on with the job and don’t always ask for help, but they shouldn’t have to face the toughest times alone.
Dalveen, Queensland farmer Tanya Bertram said recent drought had dried up the creek on her 250-acre property, leaving her family facing months of hand-feeding livestock.
“We’ve still got possibly six months that we’re going to be hand feeding livestock. That’s quite costly,” she said.
Rural Aid recently provided Ms Bertram’s family with hay and financial assistance to help keep their cattle going through the dry conditions. She urged others to support the charity.
“This is where your food comes from,” she said.
“Our sheep go to markets, they go to the butchers, they go to your supermarkets.
“If you can support Rural Aid, please do. It means a lot to farming families knowing there’s someone there when things get tough.”
Chinchilla, Queensland cattle farmer Les Mayer said a severe storm destroyed his hay shed and damaged his home within the space of an hour, forcing his family out of their house.
“It happened within a space of an hour, a quite frightening hour and we haven’t been able to live at home since,” he said.
Rural Aid volunteers helped clear the property, easing the burden on the family as they work towards returning home.
“It’s just a big relief that Rural Aid has come and done all this for us,” Mr Mayer said.
“Nobody can survive without a farmer. We’ve all got to eat. Your food and your fibre comes from farmers like me.”
Rural Aid chief executive John Warlters said donations helped ensure farming families had somewhere to turn in challenging times.
“Farmers do so much for all of us, and when dealing with adversity, they need Australians in their corner too,” he said.
“A donation can help provide hay when there is no feed for livestock, financial assistance when a family is under pressure, help after a disaster or mental health support when someone needs it.”
Donations can be made at ruralaid.org.au/carrytheweight or by calling 1300 327 624.
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