Rural Aid can provide primary producers with confidential counselling, fodder, domestic water, financial assistance and access to volunteers through ‘The Farm Army’.
Rural Aid is also offering $500 Visa card for flood-impacted farmers until February 28.
Proof of primary production is required, such as an ABN number, PIC number, a copy of a council rate notice or copy of a vehicle registered for primary production.
Marg McKay from Rural Aid will be available between 10am and 2pm on Wednesday, February 15, at Rochester Community House, located at the 4Rs, corner of Diggora Rd and Echuca Rd.
If you have an inquiry about the kinds of support available, email marg.mckay@ruralaid.org.au
To access any of the supports, please register online at www.ruralaid.org.au or phone 1300 327 624.
Rural Finance
The following grant applications are open until 4pm on Sunday, April 30:
• The Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Grant of up to $75,000 is available to support clean-up, relief and recovery efforts. This grant replaces the $10,000 Primary Producer Flood Clean-Up and Relief Grants announced in October 2022.
• The Victorian Rural Landholder Grant of up to $25,000 is available to help rural landholders who have an eligible smaller-scale primary production enterprise with clean-up, relief and recovery efforts. If you do not meet the eligibility for the $75,000 Flood Recovery Grant, but operate a smaller-scale primary production enterprise, you may be eligible for this grant.
• The Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Transport Support Program is available to help pay for the transport of emergency fodder or stock drinking water, and moving stock to agistment, sale or slaughter. This program provides a subsidy of up to $15,000 paid at 50 per cent of the total costs.
• Primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations whose properties have been directly impacted are eligible to apply for a Victorian Primary Producer Flood Recovery Concessional Loan of up to $250,000 to restore or replace damaged assets and meet general expenses incurred while the clean-up is under way.
National Centre for Farmer Health grants for community events that build farm spirit
Are you planning a community event to help the health and wellbeing of farmers and farm families impacted by the floods?
The National Centre for Farmer Health’s #BuildingFarmSpirit program is partnering with Victoria’s community groups, local agriculture industry, not-for-profit organisations, sporting clubs and individuals with grants of $500 to $1500 for activities that provide social connection and mental health benefits for farmers and farming communities.
If you have an idea for a community event or program that promotes social connection and wellbeing for farmers and farm families, visit www.farmerhealth.org.au/buildingfarmspirit and register your interest.
Agriculture Victoria
Agriculture Victoria’s online information hub for flood recovery can be accessed by visiting https://www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/floods
Murray Dairy Taking Stock Program
Flood-impacted farm businesses can receive one-on-one support from local, well-known consultants and industry professionals on the topics of budgeting, feed and farm business planning. For more information, phone Murray Dairy on 4811 6008.
Local agricultural events
• Your Soil and the Weather Field Day
Lockington Landcare Group is partnering with the North Central CMA and Agriculture Victoria to host a field day.
Agriculture Victoria’s Rebecca Mitchell will discuss three soil pits in different paddocks, including pasture paddock about to be cropped, flooded barley crop and continually cropped ground.
The field day will be held at 304 Monahan Rd, Terrick Terrick East, on Wednesday, February 22, at 11am.
Lunch will be provided.
Email wendys1904@gmail.com by Thursday, February 16, to book or phone John Wright on 0409 259 723 for any inquiries.
• BestWool/BestLamb Pastures and Water Quality Field Day
The Timmering BestWool/BestLamb group is hosting a workshop on Thursday, February 23, between 8am and noon, to discuss options to keep your sheep as productive as possible.
Topics to be discussed include pasture recovery, farm water quality and supply, livestock feeding tools and flood recovery support.
The workshop will be held at 220 Tehan Rd, Timmering.
For information or bookings, phone Erica Schelfhorst on 0429 807 689 or email erica.schelfhorst@agriculture.vic.gov.au
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