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Rural Champions - Nominations now open!

Rural Champions - Nominations now open!

Last year, the Otago Daily Times and Rural Life celebrated Year of the Farmer, a hugely successful initiative championing the work and community contributions of our farmers and growers. It culminated in the naming of Duntroon dairy farmer Myfanwy Alexander as our inaugural Rural Champion.
April 2, 2024 0 Comments
Rural Support Trust sees nationwide increase in calls

Rural Support Trust sees nationwide increase in calls

Rural Support Trust National Chair Neil Bateup says this is only part of the story, ‘The Rural Support Trust profile has increased in our rural communities and with our team often being well known members of their local community they are regularly approached directly for assistance’.  Neil says that they are also seeing an increasing number of cases come...
January 30, 2024 0 Comments
Drop in Milk Payout an unwelcome start to the new season

Drop in Milk Payout an unwelcome start to the new season

The announcement late last week of the expected drop in milk payout was disappointing news for dairy farmers already busy with calving and now adding reviewing budgets to the long list of things to be done.

August 9, 2023 0 Comments
Rural Support Trust announces inaugural General Manager Maria Shanks

Rural Support Trust announces inaugural General Manager Maria Shanks

As farmers and growers continue to face increased pressure as a result of adverse events and economic hardship, the New Zealand Rural Support Trust is responding to the increase in demand for its services with the announcement of new general manager Maria Shanks.

 

May 9, 2023 0 Comments
Cyclone Gabrielle - Volunteer Registration

Cyclone Gabrielle - Volunteer Registration

Cyclone Gabrielle has caused devastation across the upper and eastern North Island. This survey is design to collect volunteer information to be used to assist in the recovery from this event . 

February 16, 2023 0 Comments
Surfing for Farmers – The perfect break returns for summer

Surfing for Farmers – The perfect break returns for summer

"Surfing for Farmers is for everyone. We hope to see our regulars back again and look forward to new participants coming along and joining in on the buzz”, says Stephen Thomson.

November 29, 2022 0 Comments
Fonterra and Rural Support Trust join forces to improve wellbeing support for rural families

Fonterra and Rural Support Trust join forces to improve wellbeing support for rural families

Fonterra and the Rural Support Trust announced a three year partnership to improve access to wellbeing and resilience services for farming families who are doing it tough. The first priority is to develop a...
Mayor Relief Fund - Nelson-Tasman Floods

Mayor Relief Fund - Nelson-Tasman Floods

Following a government contribution of $200,000, the fund is now able to accept donations from the public.

Support for storm stricken farmers in Top of South and Far North

Support for storm stricken farmers in Top of South and Far North

Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor has classified severe weather that affected farmers and growers in the Top-of-the-South and the Far North District as a medium-scale adverse event, unlocking...

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Extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago.

Extra Government support for farmers and growers in Southland and parts of Otago.

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay MP, and Rural Communities Minister
October 4, 2024 0 Comments
Banks Increase Funding to Support Farmers in Need

Banks Increase Funding to Support Farmers in Need

Banks are stepping up to fully fund the Farm Business Advice Fund for farmers who are under considerable business pressure, as well as continuing their sponsorship of the National Rural Support Trust.

September 26, 2024 0 Comments
English Classes to Ease Isolation

English Classes to Ease Isolation

Agri Teach Me co-founder and dairy farmer Lyzanne Du Plessis, of Otahuti, said the lessons were launched as a result of online dairy farming education provider Agri Teach Me asking online language programme provider Te Puna Reo Māori to help write a farming lessons for its curriculum.

September 8, 2024 0 Comments
Rural Women's Mental Health Podcast Series with Ag in Conversation

Rural Women's Mental Health Podcast Series with Ag in Conversation

Ag in Conversation are excited to launch a podcast series focused on Rural Women’s Mental Health. 

September 6, 2024 0 Comments
Life After Death – A Brief Look at Estate Administrartion

Life After Death – A Brief Look at Estate Administrartion

We spend our lives growing our wealth and building our “empire”. But what happens to it when we die? We receive phone calls daily asking, “my loved one passed away, now what”.

September 4, 2024 0 Comments
Drought support increased for North Canterbury Farmers

Drought support increased for North Canterbury Farmers

The government is boosting support for farmers impacted by the ongoing drought in North Canterbury, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced on the 14th August 2024.

August 21, 2024 0 Comments
Support your new staff to avoid milk contamination - Advice for Farmers from FMG

Support your new staff to avoid milk contamination - Advice for Farmers from FMG

You may have new sharemilkers, contract milker or employees on board following this year’s farm change over day. FMG suggests now’s a good time to go over with them how your milking shed works to avoid...
National Rural Support Trust Chair to Step Down

National Rural Support Trust Chair to Step Down

Neil has Chaired the National Trust since its inception in 2017 and been instrumental in leading its growth and development.

Bird flu - what do I need to know?

Bird flu - what do I need to know?

Eradication is unlikely to be an option if a highly contagious strain of bird flu reaches New Zealand and establishes itself in wild birds, the Ministry for Primary Industries’ chief veterinary officer Mary...

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