Rural Support Trust there for lonely farmers

Lindsay Purvis

When life throws you more than your fair share of curve balls, it helps to be able to call on a coach to give you a few tips and point you in the right direction. This is where Rural Support Trust Otago co-ordinator Lindsay Purvis comes in.

Rural support trusts help those who live and work rurally through tough times.

Trust co-ordinators also have defined roles in civil defence emergencies and co-ordinate government relief packages when severe weather events strike.

Lindsay Purvis was appointed Rural Support Trust Otago co-ordinator in September.

His first few months have been busy.

He has been getting a "feel for the job, getting trained up", familiarising himself with agencies which offer a wide range of support and at the same time responding to requests for help.

"This next phase is about getting out and making myself known."

His role will take him throughout North, Central and East Otago and to all kinds of farming businesses — horticulture, sheep and beef, dairy and cropping.He's there for owners, managers, staff and contractors alike.

"Farming is a lonely job."

Socialising in rural communities has changed since he was farming. Where people once routinely drove into town and the pub on a Friday night and "got it off their chest", drink-driving laws have put a curb on that.

"Not that alcohol is a solution but those 'Country Calendar nights' had a place."

And more joined Lions or other service clubs, or fire brigades — groups which met regularly and, while there might not have been any "off-loading" as such, those connections did help when times were tough.

An Omarama business owner for 24 years, Lindsay is no stranger to farming or the ups and downs that go with it.He and wife Bev farmed deer at Waianakarua through the '80s, before becoming shopkeepers — they owned Merino Country Cafe and Gifts.

The '80s was a particularly tough decade for North Otago farmers who, among other things, had to ride out an infamous drought, face the removal of farm subsidies, withstand record-high interest rates and, in the high country, plagues of rabbits.

Lindsay remembers there were those who took up the government buyout of $45,000 and walked away from farming.

He believes those life experiences make him "well-positioned to help" farming families through challenges.

It's important to say it is not part of a trust co-ordinator's role to "solve people's problems".

Rather, co-ordinators help assess the need and point people in the direction of professionals who can provide further support and advice.

Sometimes it is friends, family or neighbours who take a concern to a co-ordinator.

"People are afraid they're being nosy, but it's all done out of care."

At present, farmers in Lindsay's area are watching neighbouring regions closely as droughts are declared close by and Mycoplasma bovis threatens to spread out of its containment area.

He has been meeting industry players "to get a feel for how deeply the drought is biting".

Irrigation has helped, "but there is a need to understand how much an irrigated area can stand".

Those who have newly invested in irrigation are hit hardest as costs are ongoing even though the water may still run out.

The advice is, if you find problems are starting to build up, seek help or share a concern sooner rather than later.

"Very few people find themselves 'suddenly in trouble'.

"There's always a lead-up."

Stepping in early can reduce issues to something manageable.

"Often sitting down and having a yarn is enough," Lindsay says.

Rural support

If you need to get pointed in the right direction for advice or information, are concerned about a friend, a neighbour, a worker, or just need a private chat, Rural Support Trust services are free and confidential. Phone 0800 RURAL HELP (0800-787-254) www.rural-support.org.nz