Victorian Case Study

Recruiting to the SFF Program

“My first introduction to the Sustainable Farm Families Program as a newly elected Yarrawonga VFF secretary was at the Victorian Farmer’s Federation District Council Meeting in Katamatite on April 16th, 2007. Sue Crowther, from the Yarrawonga Community Health Centre, was our guest speaker. She explained the aims and benefits of the SFF initiative very enthusiastically and convincingly to us and then asked our organisation to find 20 family farm individuals who would be willing to participate in this Program over a 3 year period.

As branch secretary, our President turned to me and said, “You’ll take care of this, won’t you?” From that moment on my life was to change irrevocably! By April 22nd, with only 3 months of recruitment opportunities remaining, I began approaching individuals and couples at a family Christening! From then I continued up until the evening before the actual Program began on August 20th .I either contacted in person or by telephone anyone and everyone I could think of who would be interested in this Program to the total of over 80 individuals. If they appeared “remotely” interested I asked them if I could send them an Invitation.

It was from the outset my aim to recruit individuals both from within and outside the VFF organisation from a representative cross-section of the farming family community with regard to age, gender, and type of farming operation: (Dryland/irrigation, cropping/livestock). I felt that for each individual who would “sign up” for this Program, the ripple effect of their gained knowledge would not only benefit them individually, but would reverberate and educate everyone with whom they would come in contact. I was very happy to work towards this Program. I felt it was time well spent.

I really admire and respect our community farming families. They are strong, courageous and resourceful individuals within their family farms and it gave me an opportunity to work towards a Program that I hope will help them and their loved ones throughout their lives by providing them with the knowledge and tools with which they can improve both their health and farm productivity and sustainability."

September 19, 2007 Helene Ryan