Support continues for farmers, despite COVID-19 restrictions

More than 1560 farmers have been provided financial support according to Rural Aid's January to March 2020 snapshot and 15,974 bales of hay delivered.

"As of March, 31, 2020, Rural Aid was delivering, weekly, approximately two to four truckloads of hay to fire impacted primary producers and 17 or more truckloads of hay to drought impacted primary producers across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia," Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said.

But due to the COVID-19 restrictions, farms and community rescues, plus the town makeovers have had to be postponed.

A total of 1528 farmers were supported with counselling, with 78 face-to-face counselling sessions and 297 phone counselling sessions conducted in that period.

Mr Warlters said natural disasters such as drought and fires rob farmers of their time and for many, their day begins before dawn, feeding, watering and rebuilding, so don't have the time to see a therapist.

"Farmers are offered a professional and confidential conversation which allows them to determine whether they gel with the counsellor and to see for themselves if the conversation leads to something beneficial," he explained.

"In this sense, the way the counselling process unfolds is incredibly organic.

"Our counsellors find that the trajectory of the conversation naturally leads towards the farmer sharing how they are coping on a psychological level, allowing the counsellor to transition into the role of a helper.

Due to coronavirus, counsellors can no longer visit producers at their farms or have physical face-to- face sessions, however they continue to support them through this time with phone and video counselling.

Mr Warlters said if you are a primary producer or farmer and require assistance, please register at: www.ruralaid.org.au so Rural Aid can assist you.

Primary producers and farmers must be registered with Rural Aid to receive assistance.

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