Rural Aid was founded in 2015 to support farmers struggling through drought. What began with hay deliveries and financial assistance has grown into one of Australia’s largest rural charities, now standing alongside more than 18,000 registered farmers.

In its tenth year, Rural Aid proudly reflects on a decade of helping farming families and rural communities through drought, flood, fire, cyclone, and more, while remaining committed to long-term support.

At the heart of this work is The Disaster Assistance Program, Rural Aid’s core initiative, which responds to the increasing number and severity of natural disasters. Disasters can devastate farms in a single day, destroying crops, livestock, homes and equipment, and placing enormous strain on families and communities. The program provides holistic support before, during and after disasters, combining immediate relief with longer-term recovery so farmers are never left to face hardship alone.

Built on continuous listening to farmers, the program has grown from the original “Buy a Bale” campaign into a comprehensive model of practical, financial, emotional and community-based support. It’s three teams work hand in hand: Disaster Assistance delivers practical support such as fodder, water, financial aid and volunteer help; Mental Health and Wellbeing offers free, confidential counselling; and Community Development supports rural towns to strengthen resilience and plan for the future.

Over the past decade, the program has delivered more than 160,000 bales of hay, 90 million litres of water, 500 water tanks, $25 million in financial assistance, 50,000 volunteer hours, 13,000 counselling sessions, and community development in over 60 towns. These numbers reflect not only scale, but also hope, relief and resilience.

Farmers report reduced financial stress, improved wellbeing, stronger community connections and greater preparedness for future challenges.

The Disaster Assistance Program shows how a farmer- and community-led approach can make a lasting difference. It relieves immediate hardship while laying the foundations for long-term sustainability, enabling Australian farmers to keep producing the food and fibre that sustains us all. With ten years of proven impact, Rural Aid remains steadfast in its mission to stand with farming families through life’s toughest challenges and help build stronger, more resilient rural communities.

For more information about Rural Aid, visit https://www.ruralaid.org.au/.