We often think of natural disasters as large-scale events that you hear on the news such as fire, flood and drought.
However Australia is such a vast country that we often don’t hear about the smaller weather events that impact farmers everyday.
Unfortunately it’s an all too common scenario. Farmers put their blood, sweat and tears into providing our food and fibre only for nature to deal a cruel blow.
This is the stark reality for farmers in parts of South Australia and Victoria right now.
Rural Aid counsellor Dorothy has visited a number of farmers in these regions over the last 6 months and says the situation is very serious. Limited rainfall since winter has led to a green drought.
This phenomenon occurs when vegetation appears green but is actually under severe stress due to lack of moisture in the soil.
Farmers can no longer feed their stock, their dams are running low, crops haven’t yielded as expected. All of this is weighing on their mind. It is a weight and challenge that most of us don’t understand.
Farmers put everything they have into producing our food and fibre. Money, time and love of the land and animals only for nature to strip it away leaving them with nothing. Times like these leave a permanent mark on the hearts and minds of our farmers.
Many farmers feel unseen and unheard, suffering in silence as they endure this green drought. “People in the city don’t understand” is something Dorothy often hears from our farmers.
We want to bring these ‘quiet’ droughts to the forefront. We want to send a message to our farmers they are not alone.
Stand with Rural Aid as we provide assistance for farmers in need. We provide hay for livestock, clean water for drinking, bathing and washing along with counselling support to ensure our farmers wellbeing is also looked after.