www.raa.nsw.gov.au
The RAA is committed to supporting NSW farmers to become more resilient and better prepared for seasonal challenges. See how our financial assistance has helped farmers improve the productivity, sustainability and viability of their farm businesses in these case studies.
Tom and Judy Robertson had tried their hand at all sorts of farming activities before they set their sights on growing and producing chestnuts. In 2005, they began planting their now nine-hectare chestnut orchard on their farm near Tumbarumba, in the pristine Snowy Valleys region. Along the journey, Tom and Judy accessed both grants and loans from the RAA, to help grow their operation and also support their recovery following the devastating Black Summer Bushfires.
On their family farm on the banks of the Murray River, near Barham in Southern NSW, you will find Tim and Katrina Myers, a farming couple who are not afraid to think outside the box. Tim and Katrina grow avocados, an uncommon choice of fruit for their location and climate, but they’ve been able to overcome their challenges and future-proof their farming operation by installing a world-first, retractable-roof greenhouse to protect their avocado trees. This project was made possible, using a Farm Innovation Fund loan that Tim and Katrina accessed through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority.
Justin and Libby Walsh operate a dairy farm on the south coast of NSW, in Jaspers Brush, near Nowra. In 2016, they officially took the reins of the family farm from Justin’s parents, and since then have set about expanding the operation and overcoming the many hurdles they’ve faced along the way. In the last five years, Justin and Libby have experienced drought and, in contrast, extremely wet conditions on their farm. By accessing disaster recovery financial assistance through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority, they've been able to not only recover, but have also 'changed their business for the better', and have become more productive, sustainable and viable.
Tom and Belinda Ledingham operate a cattle breeding and trading operation and also grow, stock and sell pasture seed on their farm in Cobbadah, in the NSW North West Slopes. Over the years, they’ve accessed financial assistance through the RAA to purchase and install infrastructure which has helped future-proof their operation.
On a property which straddles the Bell River near Molong in the Central Tablelands, Sam and Sally Kirby run a mixed grazing and cropping enterprise. Over the years they've experienced their fair share of challenges including drought and devastating flood. This has prompted them to consider ways they can better future-proof their farm and business. Using a Farm Innovation Fund loan through the RAA, the couple were able to purchase and install silos for grain storage, build a laneway system, drill a bore and get it operating using a solar power system. These and other projects have seen them become more productive and will allow them to be more resilient when the next dry period hits.
Angus Maurice is a cropping and merino sheep producer and is also the founder of Farmer Brown's Pastured Eggs which operates from his property in Gillinghall in the Central West of NSW. Angus accessed a Farm Innovation Fund loan through the RAA to purchased and installed new, more efficient machinery which has ultimately allowed the operation to become more profitable, productive and sustainable.
George King is a fifth generation cattle producer from Carcoar in Central West NSW. He was able to access a Farm Innovation Fund loan through the RAA to get some "once in a lifetime" projects off the ground, making his operation more efficient and setting up the farm for generations to come.
Jack Wright and his family run a lambing and cropping enterprise on "Rockley", south of Cowra in the Western Slopes region. Jack says they struggled through many dry years before looking at ways to better prepare their business for challenging climatic conditions. A Farm Innovation Fund loan allowed the family to put in place infrastructure that would assist with drought mitigation, including a new bore and solar pump, fodder and grain storage, water tanks and sheep yards.
Clifford Kelly and his family were able to access a Farm Innovation Fund loan to help their farm business not only recover from extreme drought but become more efficient, profitable and better prepared for future dry periods. The loan was used to sow perennial pastures. purchase fertiliser, establish laneways and fencing and also purchase and install a new silo.
Darryl Cumming is a wine grape grower in the Mallee country of western NSW. Darryl accessed a Farm Innovation Fund loan to establish a solar powered irrigation system for his vineyard. On completion of the project, Darryl noticed an instant reduction in operation costs and he has been able to better monitor and manage power and water usage going forward.