31 MAY 2009
DAFF09/265B

More than 360 families have left cities around Australia this weekend to spend time with families in rural and regional areas, including the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke.

Mr Burke and his family are visiting the Cargill property in Braidwood, NSW as part of FarmDay 2009. Last year they visited a property near Cowra.

The national event, which began in 2007, gives farmers a chance to host other families for a day, to help with livestock, natural resource management work or harvesting crops.

To mark FarmDay 2009, Mr Burke announced the Rudd Government had committed $50,000 to help the event continue to grow next year.

The funding comes under the Community Networks and Capacity Building program, part of Australia’s Farming Future.

Three other grants under the program were also announced today:

• $44,000 to Junee Shire Council for the Annual NSW Women’s Gathering
• $23,905 to the South Australian Rural Women’s Gathering
• $49,910 to Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation for Indigenous leadership and management workshops

Mr Burke said FarmDay, the women’s gatherings and Indigenous leadership and management workshops were all important opportunities to share information about life in rural and regional communities.

“Farmers help to feed, clothe and house the nation – and it’s important we all appreciate their hard work and their innovation,” Mr Burke said.

“FarmDay is a great opportunity to make sure the next generation understands how their food is produced and the challenges farmers face, including climate change.

“We’re pleased to support FarmDay and the other gatherings, to make sure these events continue to grow and benefit our rural and regional communities.”

The national FarmDay concept was created by Victorian wool producer Deb Bain, for which she was awarded the Victorian RIRDC Rural Women’s Award in 2007.

FarmDay is supported by Meat and Livestock Australia and endorsed by the National Farmers’ Federation.