Helping farmers rebuild

Queensland farming families rebuilding their livelihoods after flooding received a USD$300,000 boost last week from agrochemical and bio-technology company Dow AgroSciences, in a generous donation, which doubles the Queensland Farmers Appeal, set up in January by state farm group AgForce and rural charity Aussie Helpers.
The Dow AgroSciences donation was made through its philanthropic affiliate The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, with Dow Chemical Asia Pacific president, Pat Dawson, on hand to present the cheque to AgForce president Brent Finlay and Aussie Helpers founder Brian Egan.
Mr Finlay said it was inspiring to see such a commitment from the wider agricultural community to help farmers get back on track after the devastation across Queensland.
“Since January, Aussie Helpers has channelled thousands of dollars of donated goods and services to where it is needed most. In April alone, Aussie Helpers connected more than 90 volunteers who delivered 1800 hours across 18 farms from Moura to Kilcoy, to Oakey, to Roma,” Mr Finlay said.
“Hundreds of individuals and businesses have donated money and volunteered their time to help repair fences, retrieve displaced livestock, clean flooded houses and, most importantly, provide a supportive ear to producers as they work through the emotional challenges of this natural disaster.
“Dow AgroSciences provides innovative technologies for primary production and agricultural biotechnology to serve the world’s growing population. This generous donation is their way to give back to the agricultural sector to rebuild farms and help reinvigorate Queensland’s role in feeding this global population.”
Last week’s donation to the Queensland Farmers Appeal follows Dow AgroSciences’ earlier USD$200,000 donation to the Premier’s Flood Appeal.
Dow AgroSciences marketing manager George Saville said the company wanted to do whatever it could to support the farming sector.
“Many of those affected by the floods are our customers and employees. As we watched the catastrophic weather events unfold, we knew we had to do something that could make a difference,” Mr Saville said.
“We wanted to do something that would directly benefit affected farmers, and that’s why we chose to make our donation to AgForce.”
Dow AgroSciences’ Queensland and New South Wales sales manager, Tony Marshall, said it was important to know that the donation would be used wisely, to help the people who needed it the most.
“We knew AgForce could help us reach out to these people through their partnership with Aussie Helpers. With two such strong and well regarded organisations at the helm, we know our donation will be used very effectively.
“We want to see the people in these communities get back on their feet as fast as possible. We’re pleased to have the opportunity to help and we know that AgForce and Aussie Helpers will do a
fantastic job.”