Southland And South Otago Farmer Support Hits The Road

Representatives from Federated Farmers, the Rural Support Trusts, Alliance Group, FMG, PGG Wrightson and CRT are heading out to the hardest hit areas in order to see farmers individually. They will also deliver food parcels, fact sheets and provide a sympathetic ear.

“The rubber is literally hitting the road for our rural communities, as we commence the first phase of our assistance package for farmers in Southland and South Otago, who have been hit by this extreme weather,” says Janet Gregory of the Rural Support Trust Southland.

“This is the agricultural sector working together at a time of real need.

“The highest priority is making sure that the stress and strain isn’t taking too much of a toll on farmers and their families. While a few items of food and some information may seem small it demonstrates they’re not alone and is only the first part of what we wish to achieve.

“We want to identify the needs of the farming community and develop relief measures that meet those specific needs,” Mrs Gregory added.

The need to make first contact and break a sense ‘of being on your own’ was echoed by Rod Pemberton, Federated Farmers Southland provincial president.

“If you’ve got a neighbour or a mate who you know is having a bad time, then the first thing you do is to call in and offer help. That starts by asking what you can do and is what this first phase is about,” Mr Pemberton explained.

“We need to talk one-to-one and assess need. I also know other rural organisations, agribusinesses and the media who plan to become involved. There’s a big team spirit forming to help out our farmers.

“We’ll be using feedback from these visits to determine our next steps. While we’ve received a tremendous and frankly, humbling level of support, we have to be sure any decisions we make about directing resources are the right ones.

“I need to stress there are no Government handouts to farmers and rightly so because we are in business. What the Government is funding is professional advice and that professional advice is about getting affected farmers back farming so they can stay farming.

“Most of the farmers I’ve talked to have put in a ton of effort to look after their animals. Some farmers are worse off than others so we need to identify who and where these farmers are so we can help them in the short term.

“It’s important that farmers get in touch with the Rural Support Trusts in Southland and South Otago via 0800 787 254 as well as Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646,” Mr Pemberton concluded. ENDS

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