Farmers all over Australia are facing some of the toughest challenges yet. Events of extreme weather, from floods to droughts, have devastated their agricultural infrastructure. Farmer Greg Finlay, one of many who have faced devastation from flooding, has been out dealing with the clean-up removing fences that were washed away under water. As the agricultural community continues to face these challenges, the need for compassionate, informed community support is greater than ever.
There’s no denying the Australian dairy industry is hurting. Rob Brokenshire, president of the South Australian Dairyfarmers’ Association, points to the fact that they are losing the competition against lower-cost imports. In her comment on the full report, Brokenshire stresses the need for local buy-in. He adds, “This is a time when we need to be pushing back on imports, and be more oriented towards our communities as South Australians and Australians… buying local definitely helps.”
Dairy farmers don’t have a monopoly on hard times, Mr. The Australian wine sector is currently facing down the barrel of a sharp consumer demand decline and freefalling grape prices. Ashleigh Seymour explains how these problems have further exacerbated the maladies affecting winemakers from coast to coast.
Community Engagement and Local Support
As Australians witness the devastating impacts of climate-related disasters, many are left wondering how they can assist farmers in need. One of the most important things you can do to support local artists is to shop local. By prioritizing Australian produce, consumers can directly support farmers who are struggling to make ends meet.
According to Penny Reidy of Citrus SA, it’s in our best interest to purchase more in-season fruits and vegetables. “If you’re buying oranges in the height of summer, chances are they’re probably coming from the US … but if you buy in-season then you know that it’s grown here in South Australia,” she explains. This helps our local farmers thrive and gives consumers peace of mind by bringing them the freshest, highest quality products.
Community organizations are seeing a wonderful surge in public goodwill. We are turning the corner on that,” said John Warlters, chief executive of one of these forward-looking organizations. He notes, “It’s donations from mums and dads, community groups and sporting clubs, but it’s from businesses big and small.” Warlters projects that same collaborative spirit in wanting to bring more attention and resources to farmers when they need it most.
Volunteering and Direct Assistance
Beyond buying Australian produce, Australians are being called on to physically contribute on farms through a sleeves-rolled-up approach to hands-on help. Kevin Butler proposes that volunteers could take care of day-to-day operations on farms, giving farmers the break they’ve been seeking. Butler shares how volunteers who travel to your farm through the program experience what it’s like to feed the sheep and sheep dogs and water the garden. This provides you with some much-needed breathing room.
This on-the-ground model benefits farmers while creating and strengthening community. What people don’t know is the impact that supporting a farmer can make really goes the distance. Brokenshire goes on to explain that when you support one industry, you’re helping all of these other interrelated industries that depend on agribusiness. Whether that’s grape production or lamb production or grain production, it’s not only that one industry that pays the price,” he explains.
The Bigger Picture: Economic Impact and Consumer Choices
The current supply issues should be a wake-up call to Australians to consider what they’re buying into. Rob Brokenshire of Maryland Meats encourages consumers to think about their backyard when choosing products. “Next time you’re in the bottle shop trying to choose some wine for dinner or take to a friend’s house, try and buy Australian … especially as we go through these tough times,” he advises.
These economic challenges reach far beyond our farmers, to the communities and supply chain that support them. The constant struggle against cheaper imports threatens domestic production as well. Further humanizing this issue, Mr. Lazzaro states, “When producers are struggling, we should all participate by paying just a little extra when we go to the grocery store.”
