The good old days of 'handshake deals'
OPINION: Catch phrases or statements often have a way of sticking with you. Here’s one I heard many years back: “Change is the only constant in life.”
So, I clicked on for a closer look. I think it was these words in the mix - ‘Thank A Farmer’ – that first really piqued my interest.
It highlighted a group across the creek that I had not heard of previously - Farm Angels. I had wondered from time to time how our Aussie mates in the rural sector were managing over there. Like, what government stuff were they getting shoved down their throats, for starters?
After a little research, I learned that Drought Angels were first formed in 2014. The effects of an ongoing drought in Queensland at the time brought two people together who decided to do something practical to bring help. They had heard that some struggling farmers were getting so hammered they could no longer put food on the table for their own families.
Since that small beginning back then, they took a name change and are now known as the Farm Angels. And they now respond to any rural crisis or emergency, not just their droughts. They have expanded to being Australia wide, touching something like 1300 rural communities!
The Thank A Farmer thing that first caught my attention was about holding events to help urban people appreciate just how much of what they eat, actually comes from a farm. I think some folks still think their milk comes from a supermarket! What’s a cow got to do with any of it?
In my browsing, I came across what I would call a good fun quote, so I will pop this in here for you. Inspirational speaker Brenda Schoepp apparently gets the credit for this one: “My grandfather used to say that once in your life you need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman, and a preacher. But every day, three times a day, you need a farmer.”
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I think it’s all good humour in favour of us farmers, even if it stretches the truth a little about the other guys mentioned! For us, we have definitely needed a doctor more than just the once… we have four children for starters. I have birthed lots of calves, and many lambs too, but my wife insisted we call up the family doctor for those four! All my ‘mid-wife’ experiences didn’t impress her for a moment.
Now sadly, I also learned that over in Aussie, every ten days they were losing a farmer, mostly good rural blokes, to suicide. Sad indeed. Farm Angels are doing what they can, as I am sure others are also, to try and reach these people in time. Or, if they are too late, they offer help and support for the affected families.
Now for a quote from off the Farm Angels page: “Our mission is to ensure our farmers never feel alone.” You just have to salute that, don’t you!
Yep, help is available, you are not alone. Over here we have support groups, like the Rural Support Trust, to name just the one. They can be easily contacted. Then there is family, or good friends, who often step up when those greater levels of support are needed.
And there are people like me, Chaplains, who, in my case, are just one email away. You don’t have to walk the hard yards all alone.
And yes, I can get you introduced to that true friend like no other, as well. As He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
God bless.
To contact Colin: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
