In announcing the initiative, Australian Year of the Farmer (AYOF) board chairman and prominent Forbes dairy farmer Philip Bruem said the year would focus on the essential role Australian farmers and growers play in providing for our everyday needs.

In support of the AYOF a combined sum of $285,000 has been given by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and state and territory governments.

Joint directors of AYOF Geoff Bell and Philip Bruem said they wanted more people to appreciate the fresh food and quality materials Australia's farmers produce.

"Australian Year of the Farmer is about celebrating and enriching the connections between rural and urban Australia," they said.

"We want you to take time out of your busy day to think about how farming affects your life, there's more to this agribusiness than meets the eye."

The AYOF not only values financial contributions but also highly values the support of their passionate ambassadors such as well-known Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath who originally hails from farming stock in the Narromine area and now owns a property near Bourke in western NSW.

Eager to give back to the land that gave so much to him, he became an active ambassador of Australian Year of the Farmer.

"He comes from a farming background and is a very well-known and very well-respected Australian so it was a pretty easy ask in the end," Mr Bell said about McGrath.

With all the tials and tribulations farmers have had to cope with recently, Australian banks say they are confident the tide is turning for Australian agriculture.

National Australia Bank marketing communications specialist Angela Sloan said conditions in the agriculture sector were pointing to a very solid year in 2012.

"Water allocations and dam levels are full or near full, subsoil moisture profiles are excellent across most of the country and confidence is starting to return to the sector," Ms Sloan said.

"While prices for most agricultural commodities are easing and should continue to do so, they remain high by historical standards and are coming off record highs."

Many questions are being tossed about how next year will pan out for the Australian agriculture sector, but only time will tell as all Australian farmers hit 2012 'header-on'.

For more information about how you can get behind our farmers visit the Australian Year of the Farmer website at www.yearofthefarmer.com.au