Latest news with #RuralSupportTrust
Otago Daily Times
21-05-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Farmers' positivity up, stress levels down: trust
Farmers speaking to those who understand the unique problems of their work and lifestyle helps them to feel less stressed and more confident for the future, a new report shows. Rural Support Trust (RST) has released a report, supported by Fonterra and conducted by the Ākina Foundation, showing a majority of its clients feel better after engaging with its services. The report showed that in 2024, 94% of the support trust's clients felt less stressed and 97% felt more confident in managing future challenges. The trust's Southland chairman Simon Hopcroft said the service offers one-on-one support, ensuring that farmers and growers have access to someone who understands the unique challenges of living and working rurally. The trust also acts as a referral channel, he said, connecting clients with professional experts in mental health, financial stability, employment and rural isolation. Fonterra director of global external affairs Simon Tucker said the co-operative was grateful for the work RST was doing in this field. "We know the ups and downs that come with working on the land and the stress that goes along with it," he said. "This report demonstrates why access to wellbeing services is vital for our rural communities." In the case of financial pressures, Mr Hopcroft said the trust could provide up to $6000 in funding for expert advice on how to move the business out of difficulty. Mr Hopcroft said the foundation knew that isolation was a key factor impacting on the mental health of primary producers. Problems plaguing Southland growers and farmers, Mr Hopcroft said, included last year's prolonged wet spring, which caused an increased need for support. They also continued to see queries regarding employment, particularly with contractual issues in the dairy sector, he said. The survey showed that on average, customers' mental wellbeing improved by 5.4 points, on a 10-point scale. Rural South national chair Michelle Ruddell said while it was good to see the positive impact on a person's wellbeing, it was concerning that many were getting to such dark places before reaching out. "Our ongoing work in destigmatising mental health challenges and normalising asking for help is critical to building strengthened rural communities. "We want people to feel comfortable to reach out early before things feel out of control and we're here to support regardless of the situation," she said. To improve on isolation and the overall mental health of rural workers, he said they created community events, as well as connecting clients with counsellors. The trust has seasonal events such as Surfing for Farmers and the mountainbiking group Rural Riders in the South, hoping to foster connection between farmers and get them out of the house and away from the farm. The report showed over 1500 reached out for RST support last year and 51% of cases required referral to the trust's outside networks.
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Government extends aid for drought-hit farmers in Horizons region facing long recovery
'We know farmers in these regions have been significantly impacted by low rainfall over recent months and we want people to be able to access support when they need it,' Upston said. Whanganui farmer and ex-president of Federated Farmers Whanganui Mike Cranstone said despite the drought being over, the effects would spill over into the next seasons. 'Obviously, it has an impact on production this season, whether it's lower lamb carcass weights or milk production on dairy farms,' he said. 'With the dry autumn we've had this year, it's likely to impact on lambing percentages next spring.' Cranstone said adapting to more extreme seasons had become part of the job and there was an increased focus on reducing the impact of the now inevitable weather events. 'Farmers are used to these challenges and having to adapt to different seasons so it's nothing really new,' he said. 'What farmers try to do is to minimise the impact on production next season.' An element that helped local farmers get through the dry season was cheap feed from the less-impacted East Coast farms. 'Farmers are using feed crops a lot more now to protect their lamb growth rates in extended dry periods,' Cranstone said. Patterson encouraged affected farmers to contact their local Rural Support Trust to see what help they could get and to apply for the Rural Assistance Payments. 'Droughts often have a sting in the tail with the cold, tough winter months still to come. We know how hard it can be to recover from a drought and we are here to support farmers through it,' he said.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Financial Support On The Way For Drought-Hit Farmers
Press Release – New Zealand Government Mark Patterson is encouraging farmers doing it tough to get in touch with their local Rural Support Trust to find out what help is available and to apply for a Rural Assistance Payment if they need it. Hon Louise Upston Minister for Social Development & Employment Minister for Rural Communities The Government is making more financial support available for eligible farmers in many parts of the North Island and upper South Island to help with essential living costs, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson say. 'Rural Assistance Payments are being made available from Monday 28 April 2025 in 27 districts affected by dry conditions. We want to help eligible farmers whose income has been severely affected by drought-stricken conditions,' Louise Upston says. 'We know farmers in these regions have been significantly impacted by low rainfall over recent months, and we want people to be able to access support when they need it. 'These Rural Assistance Payments are being made available until 28 October 2025, when farmer incomes are expected to lift.' Mark Patterson is encouraging farmers doing it tough to get in touch with their local Rural Support Trust to find out what help is available and to apply for a Rural Assistance Payment if they need it. 'Droughts often have a sting in the tail with the cold tough winter months still to come. We know how hard it can be to recover from a drought, and we are here to support farmers through it,' Mark Patterson says. Farmers in the Northland, Waikato, Taranaki, Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui, including Tararua), and the Top of the South Island (Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson City) regional council areas can apply for Rural Assistance Payments.
