Meat and Livestock Australia’s Nigel Gosse writes:
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More than 730 families participated in this year’s ‘FarmDay’ which is designed to provide city families with the opportunity to visit a working property and get real hands on experience of life on the land.
Held on May 30 & 31, farmer registrations were up by 33 percent this year, with total numbers increasing to 568. Victoria led the way with 203 farms, followed by NSW with 175 and Queensland with 119 (WA 31, SA 29, Tas 10, NT 1).
Queensland nearly doubled their farmer registrations, up 90 percent from 63 in 2008 to 119 in 2009, while Victoria was up 41 percent from 144 in 2008 to 203 in 2009.
MLA Chairman Don Heatley said it was heartening to see so many farmers supporting FarmDay this year.
“Their generosity in opening their farm gates and their homes to city families is the key to FarmDay’s success.”
Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke and his family again participated in FarmDay, this year staying with the Cargill family on their beef and lamb property near Braidwood, NSW.
Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke and farmer Ian Cargill feed out and inspect cattle on "Billaglen" Braidwood, watched by their children Liana Burke, Caitlyn Burke, Hannah Cargill, Zoe Cargill (back) and Sophie Cargill
During his stay the Minister announced $50,000 of funding for FarmDay, available from the Government’s Community Networks and Capacity Building programs, part of Australia’s Farming Future initiative. Minister Burke said:
“Farmers help to feed, clothe and house the nation – and it’s important we all appreciate their hard work and their innovation”
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.”
FarmDay aims to provide city families with a hands-on experience and also a greater understanding of the day-to-day life of the farming family.
A survey conducted following 2008 FarmDay showed that 99 percent of city participants agreed that -
“…farmers are important to Australian society”
and 90 percent agreed they
“…now have a better understanding of the role of farming in our daily lives”.
FarmDay was established by Victorian wool producer Deb Bain.
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