Current Farmers
Beyond Farming Current Farmers
Are you a current farmer, pastoralist or family member thinking about moving from the land?
Are you interested in the opportunities outside farming?
Would you like to talk with someone who has moved out of farming?
How can Beyond Farming help?
The Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) is inviting farmers who may be interested in hearing about opportunities available outside farming to contact them.
The Beyond Farming program puts current farmers in touch with farmers who have left farming.
The goal of the program is to assist current farmers with their planning, through people who know farming and can identify with the issues that might arise for families in moving from the farm.
The program is available to current farmers and pastoralists who live in or own a farm or pastoral station in one of the 67 local government areas of the drought pilot region in Western Australia.
It is a free and confidential service available to men and women and families. The service is easy to access.
If you are interested in the Beyond Farming program, we would like to hear from you. Either call 1800 616 076 or click here to contact us via email.
How does Beyond Farming work?
Former farmers are volunteering their time to be trained as Beyond Farming Mentors. These mentors will be available to speak with and visit farmers who live in the drought pilot region of Western Australia.
Beyond Farming Mentors will be able to listen to your queries about moving from the land and support you in dealing with your decisions. It could be about the options available post farming, how to support family members in the move from farming or just wanting to know what others have experienced after moving from their farm business.
The mentors’ support may include sharing their experiences, referring you to other services that can provide advice and information or just being available to talk when you need it.
The mentors will be available to meet face to face or talk by phone. There is no pressure and it is not a counselling service. It is just about having a conversation in a manner that suits your needs.
Who are the Beyond Farming Mentors?
Beyond Farming Mentors are former farmers who are volunteering to be available to share their experiences of moving out of farming. They are being selected because they have moved from the land to new ventures in retirement, new employment or business and are willing to share their experiences with others who may be interested in the options outside farming. All mentors will be trained to help them in this important role.
Mentors won’t be providing advice or counselling but where further support or information is needed they will be able to put you in touch with the right people.
Male and female mentors will be available on the program to support all family members.
How do I get in touch with a Beyond Farming Mentor?
You can call or email the WACOSS Beyond Farming Program Officer who will take your details and can match you with an appropriate former farmer who has been selected and trained to be on the program.
Mentors will be available from the end of August 2010 but you can call WACOSS before then if you would like to find out more.
Once you are matched, it is entirely up to you and the Mentor as to how it will work. It may include anything from a one off conversation to ongoing conversations or face to face meetings. Whether you want to talk once or a number of times is entirely up to you. If you would like a face to face meeting WACOSS can arrange that as well.
You are under no obligation to continue on the program and can opt out any time.
Who will I be matched with?
Who you will be matched with will be based on your individual circumstances, location and what you would like to get out of the service. For example, you may specifically like to talk to a male or a female. You may prefer to talk with someone in another district or in the same industry.
WACOSS has skilled staff who will discuss with you what you might want to get from the service so they can link you with the best possible mentor.
What if I don't want to continue?
You can opt out of the program at any time.
How do I find out more?
If you think you or your family could benefit from having a chat with one of the program’s former farmers simply give us a call or contact us and the WACOSS Program Officer will get in touch with you shortly.
How do I register my interest?
Call the WACOSS Beyond Farming Program Officer on 1800 616 076 or email beyondfarming@wacoss.org.au to find out more.
To view the above information in pdf format click here