As 2024 races to a close, we thought we would stop and reflect on a year of meaningful action to support the health, wellbeing, and safety of farming communities across Australia.
The 2023/2024 financial year was another busy and eventful year. We were humbled by the passionate public outcry when funding for the NCFH was initially omitted from the 2024-25 budget. Hearing the stories from farmers whose lives had been positively impacted (and sometimes saved!) due to our programs was incredible. Here are just a few of the things we have achieved in this 12 month period.
Our NCFH team delivered 232 farmer-focused health checks at field days and agricultural events across four states—empowering farmers to take charge of their health, wellbeing and safety. We know these 20-minute assessments often have a profound effect on farmers who take part:
Female farmer [69] from Yea was followed up four weeks after her health assessment at the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo. She has since visited her GP regarding blood glucose levels and also visited a skin clinic where spots were removed. She said, “It was the best field day for health representation I have ever been to.”
Our commitment to collaboration continues to be at the heart of our work, with 11 new research, commercial, and health service partnerships established to strengthen our impact and expand our reach, including:
- A new AgriSafe service operating at Timboon District Health Service,
- Partnerships with CSL Seqirus and Primex supported our team to attend field days in Victoria, NSW and Queensland to provide Health & Lifestyle Assessments, and
- Research partnerships with La Trobe University, University of South Australia and Edith Cowan University to support innovative programs of research supporting farmer mental health.
Through 25 professional development workshops we connected with a national audience and equipped industry and health professionals—including trainee doctors and nurses, mental health professionals, rural educators and trusted advisors to farmers–with tools to better serve agriculture dependent communities and drive improved health and safety outcomes.
We should have more farmer specific training or education as an ongoing part of our MH skills set”
Mental Health Nurse (Victoria)
15 new publications continue to build much needed evidence to guide policy, programs and best practice. These ranged from peer-review journal articles about farm safety culture, farm safety decision making and climate-related health impact data to research reports on agriculture-dependent community resilience and links between regenerative agriculture and farmer wellbeing.
Our team has proudly contributed expertise to 21 stakeholder groups with regional, national and international influence. These range from European Union farm safety and wellbeing projects, contributing to Steering Groups run by the National Farmers Federation (farmer mental health) and the Rural Safety and Health Alliance (Ag Safety Data Network), drought resilience planning workshops and contributing to Ministerial roundtables to improve farm safety and farmer mental health. We also presented at 10 national and international conferences, including invited keynote presentations in Indonesia and Ireland, and contribution to industry-focused forums through Fair Farms, the National Farmers Federation, WorkSafe Victoria and Safe Work NSW.
We have continued to keep farmers firmly at the focus of our work – hearing their voices in the co-design of 7 new research, education, and service delivery programs Particular highlights include two new farmer mental health initiatives: the piloting of the digital Mind Maintenance Toolkit, and an innovative new peer-led mental health support program for farming communities
Our programs this year have reached agricultural communities across Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania and Queensland, and our resources have been provided to farmers from every state and territory of Australia – building on our commitment to make a difference to farmer’s lives across the nation.
Our team are practicing what we preach and taking a short break over the holiday season to (physical and mentally) rest and rejuvenate. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our incredible supporters and partners for helping us achieve these milestones.
Together, we’ll continue to drive action in 2025 for healthier, safer farming communities.
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