Farmers’ Fund is expected to deliver up to $500,000 in grants in this May round.
VICTORIA’S PEAK FARM BODY announced the opening of the May round of the Farmers’ Fund dairy farmer grants, and that priority would be given to dairy farmers impacted by the recent fires in the south west of the state.
VFF President David Jochinke announced the opening of the round at the United Dairyfarmers of Victoria Dairy Conference held at the MCG.
Mr Jochinke said that “VFF had been consulting with key stakeholders in the Farmers’ Fund milk agreement including UDV and Coles, and that all parties thought it appropriate to give special consideration for dairy farmers that had been impacted by the March fires in the south west of Victoria”.
UDV President Adam Jenkins said “fires had taken a huge toll in the south west of the state during March, with losses to dairy herds, hundreds of kilometres of fencing burnt, houses, dairies, pasture, and the pure emotional toll this had taken across the region.
“If the Farmers’ Fund milk grants can start farmers on the path towards recovery from these devastating losses and get their businesses up and running, it is not only good for those people impacted but it is good for local communities and the region itself.
Farmers’ Fund is expected to deliver up to $500,000 in grants in this May round said Mr Jochinke. The Farmers’ Fund milk brand operates under a charity established as Farmconnect by VFF. “
Fire affected dairy farmers will be given special consideration in the application process, which will be subject to an application process where farmers should outline the impact on their farm of the fires.
“Applications are open now and will close on 31st May to enable funds to be distributed as soon as possible to dairy farmers in need”, said Mr Jochinke.
The completion of round 6 is expected to bring the total amount of funds distributed from the Farmer’s Fund to Victorian & south western dairy farmers to in excess of $2 million dollars to date.
UDV & VFF are working in a spirit of co-operation to ensure Victorian and south western dairy farmers are benefiting from this programme.