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droughts these packages have extended to the provision of
mental health services being made available to those commu-
nity members who need them to get through the drought.
Australia recognizes that a balanced approach of finance and
service provision is needed to maintain the best outcomes for
communities that are affected by natural disasters.
Changing the city view of agriculture
The way metropolitan Australia thinks of and perceives
people working in agriculture remains a dominant issue for
young people entering and working in the industry. FFN
members’ main concern as part of the recent survey was
that people living in cities had no idea where their food
and clothing came from, or the important contribution that
agriculture makes to the Australian economy.
“I think on the whole there is much misunderstanding
from city folk on what actually happens on farms,” said
an FFN New South Wales member. “I feel that city people
are so removed from the country lifestyle and the ways of
farming that they do not even understand simple things
such as were their food comes from or how it is produced.
As a recent university graduate I feel that people even in
country areas undervalue the importance of people that
work in the agricultural industry and misjudge their intel-
ligence somewhat. For example other students think that
studying agricultural science is for dummies when in actual
fact it requires in-depth scientific prowess. Overall I think
that the wider community could do with some education
in the agricultural area.”
Young people working in Australian agriculture would like
to see their city counterparts more educated on the reality
of the industry, explaining the scientific nature of modern
farming and the skill set farmers need to have to remain
competitive in today’s marketplace. Equally it must be noted
that a baseline study aimed at understanding city perceptions
of Australian agriculture and its workers must be undertaken.
This will help identify what the real perceptions are and set
out what can be done to correct false perceptions.
FFN has recommended to the Federal Government that
it should commit to funding the ‘agriculture within society’
perception study through the Blueprint for Australian
Agriculture, an initiative of the National Farmers’ Federation,
and accept and help to implement the findings of the study
once completed. Without knowing what the real perceptions
and issues are, then no real meaningful changes can be made.
Australia’s current and future family farmers face great
opportunities in the very near future, as its Asian neighbours
start to look towards the country to start feeding and clothing
citizens of the Asia-Pacific region.
In order to be successful in these future endeavours,
Australia must address issues relating to succession planning
support services being made available to transition family
farms from one generation to the next. It must continue to
build vibrant rural and regional communities. And it must
quickly bridge the divide between city and country areas of
Australia, so people living in cities have a better understanding
and appreciation of the role and contribution of agriculture in
Australian society.
Image: Future Farmers Network
FFN is Australia’s only national youth agriculture organization to support young people as they develop their careers in farming
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