A Farmers’ Fund grant has helped a South Gippsland young farmer weather a tough season.
Jason Riley, Dumbulk, received $20,000 as a first round Farmers’ Fund grant, which he will put towards pasture and paddock renovations on his farm.
Mr Riley’s love for the outdoors and animals encouraged him to pursue a farming apprenticeship, through which he discovered a passion for dairy farming.
“I am a young farmer just starting out and following a particularly tough season, a helping hand was very much appreciated. The Farmers’ Fund grant has been a huge help and I cannot be more thankful for the contributions that the VFF and Coles have made,” Mr Riley said.
“Everyone that I have encountered in the dairy industry has been so supportive to work with and it really reaffirms my decision to pursue a life in the farming industry.”
Michael and Desiree Ryan, Allansford, also received a grant that has let them expand the area they’re farming, the number of cows they’re milking and their facilities. They speak about what the grant has meant to them on this video:
This week, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) announced one million litres of Farmers’ Fund milk has been sold at Coles’ supermarkets in Victoria since the product’s launch last September.
Forty cents a litre from the milk sales has been directed to the Farmers’ Fund, which the VFF established to provide practical support to dairy farmers in south eastern Australia, many of whom were hit hard by late season milk price cuts.
As a result of the sales and a $1 million donation to the fund from Coles, grants of up to $20,000 were allocated to 60 farming families in the first round of funding. Additional grants are due to be allocated in the second round of funding this month.
VFF president and chair of the Farmers’ Fund Advisory Panel, David Jochinke, said that the VFF was delighted to see consumers choosing to support dairy farmers through the purchase of Farmers’ Fund milk.
“It is encouraging that consumers continue to show their support for the Farmers’ Fund initiative. One million litres of milk sold is a strong milestone and allows us to continue providing grants to farmers in need,” Mr Jochinke said.
All funds raised through the sale of Farmers’ Fund milk will be distributed through a new round of grant applications every three months.
“The VFF is thrilled with the positive impact the Farmers’ Fund has achieved through delivering $1 million worth of grants in the first round to 60 dairy farmers. The livelihood of local farmers is of the utmost importance and we will continue to support the industry with grants from the Farmers’ Fund,” said Mr Jochinke.
Applications for the third round of Farmers’ Fund grants will open for dairy farmers from Monday, February 20.
