FARMER RESILIENCE & WELLBEING SERIES
Supporting Southern Forests producers through practical workshops, wellbeing initiatives, networking opportunities and industry-led conversations focused on resilience, sustainability and community connection.
WHY THIS SERIES MATTERS
Southern Forests producers continue to face increasing pressures including seasonal variability, rising costs, workforce challenges and changing industry expectations.
The Farmer Resilience & Capacity Series was developed to provide practical support, strengthen industry connection and create opportunities for growers to access relevant information, share experiences and support one another.
Looking out for each other
Looking after the resilience of the Southern Forests region is about more than what happens on farm.
Throughout 2026/27, SFFC is working with local organisations, community groups, wellbeing providers and regional events to strengthen wellbeing and connection across the Southern Forests.
Supported through FRRR’s In a Good Place, the program combines practical mental health and wellbeing training, community connection activities, local events and simple resources that can help people feel more confident recognising when someone may be struggling, having a conversation and knowing where to go next.
Our communities are great at looking out for each other. The aim is to support that with practical information and tools that can make doing that a little easier.
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In a regional community, people know each other in many different ways. The person you work with might also be someone you play sport with, do business with, volunteer alongside and see socially.
When someone isn't travelling well, it is often someone they already know who notices first, or who they choose to talk to.
Recognise. Respond. Refer. is a practical framework designed to help local businesses, clubs, organisations and community groups to be prepared for those conversations.
RECOGNISE: notice when someone may not be travelling well.
RESPOND: know how to start the conversation, listen and identify when more support is needed.
REFER: Know what to do next, who to involve and where your role ends.
It isn't about being a counsellor. It's about knowing how to respond appropriately, connect someone with the right support and recognise when responsibility needs to be handed over.
SFFC is developing simple, practical resources, local referral information and training that organisations can adapt to suit their people and circumstances.
2026/27 PROGRAM
A great opportunity to come together as a community while celebrating the bees, biodiversity and healthy ecosystems that help build a strong and environmentally resilient region.
Celebrate all things avocado at the Pemberton Avocado Festival — and while you’re there, stop by the Regional Men’s Health Initiative Pit Stop for a quick health check, scan the QR code and go in the running to win a prize!
Proudly supporting the 25th Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival, a day of local cherries and produce, entertainment, family activities and plenty of community spirit.
2025/26 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
More than 40 members had a chance to step away from day-to-day pressures, reconnect, and share a laugh at SFFC’s Lighten the Load 2026, and the SFYG Comedy Night.
SFFC, in partnership with Southern Forests Young Growers, recently completed Round 2 of the Southern Forests Carbon Pilot.
Growers identified practical ways to improve efficiency through better fuel, fertiliser and energy management, while also highlighting the need for carbon tools and benchmarks that better reflect our region's diverse production systems.
More than 30 people from across the Southern Forests completed Holyoake's mental health training, building practical skills in recognising when someone might be doing it tough, having supportive conversations, and connecting people with the right help.
2024/25 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
More than 70 locals enjoyed a night of laughter, good food, and community connection at SFFC’s Lighten the Load Comedy Night in Manjimup.
July 2025.
SFFC’s Carbon Calculator Pilot shows promising results, helping farmers track emissions, compare results, and identify productivity-boosting changes that also improve their carbon footprint. Contact the SFFC office if you are interested in participating in future workshops.
July 2025.
SFFC value-add members came together in November to socialise, discuss key issues affecting their businesses, and walk through two new processing facilities in Manjimup.
Over 60 young people working in ag attended a Young Grower Sundowner in Feb. The impressive turnout of 18-25 year olds gathered with enthusiasm and are now exploring options for future activities.
February 2025.
20 farmers from across the SW region joined international expert Dan Kittredge for a two-day on-farm workshop to share knowledge and learnings about Nutirent Dense Food Production,
September 2025.
The 2024/25 Farmer Resilience & Capacity Series brought Southern Forests producers together through workshops, networking events and industry conversations focused on wellbeing, sustainability and long-term resilience.
The series included young grower networking events, mental wellbeing initiatives, soil health and nutrition farming workshops, carbon and climate resilience activities, and producer outreach across the region.
Highlights included the launch of the Southern Forests Young Growers network, the AgriBalance mental health workshops delivered with Holyoake, and the Southern Forests Carbon Strategy Pilot supporting producers to better understand carbon management and climate resilience on-farm.
The 2024/25 program was supported by the Grower Group Alliance through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development's Dry Season Response initiative and the Synergy Community Giving Fund.
SERIES BACKGROUND
The Southern Forests region is located in the beautiful South West corner of Western Australia and is home to over 50 different types of fruits and vegetables, truffles, nuts, wine, gourmet products, beef, sheep and dairy farms as well as extraordinary culinary experiences.
Agriculture is the major industry and employer for the region, supporting hundreds of agribusinesses and generational farming families and is the highest valued horticultural producing region for the State, valued at over $237 million each year.
The industry is incredibly versatile and resilient, having faced many challenges over the generations. The ongoing wellbeing, sustainability, and resilience of the region’s farmers is a priority for the Southern Forests Food Council (SFFC), particularly given the culmination of challenges and impacts the industry is facing, including extreme weather events, dry season, policy and legislation, biosecurity incursions, rising input costs, and loss of markets.
Southern Forests Produce
Southern Forests Produce
Southern Forests Produce
Southern Forests Produce
Southern Forests Produce