Farmers in Young lack a local community group to discuss sustainable grazing, mental health, and general farming practices, making regular participation in the distant Boorowa group challenging. Richard Paige, Chair of the Young District Landcare Group, saw the need for a local group to address these issues and foster community support.
Richard recognized the need for a local grazing group after benefiting from the Boorowa Group. With the Local Landcare Coordinator’s support, he established the Young District Grazing Group, hosting its first event after eight months of planning.
The inaugural event, led by Richard and local farmer Jake Chandler, focused on grazing management and land assessment. Attendees learned to calculate grass availability and use grazing charts for informed decisions, emphasizing paddock health. The group’s motto, “Engage with curiosity, not judgement,” promotes a supportive environment. Subsequent events covered mental health and strategic planning, helping farmers create priority plans, visions, and mission statements.
A WhatsApp chat was created for ongoing support among the 40 engaged members. The group, initially self-funded with volunteer speakers, plans to apply for funding for bus trips and prominent speakers at future events.
