WANTED Farmer feedback on future direction for the Advisory Board of Agriculture
2 June 2011
The Advisory Board of Agriculture (ABA) is calling on farmers to participate in a five minute survey to help set their future direction, roles and responsibilities. Over 1500 agricultural bureau members from throughout SA have been emailed or posted this survey and their feedback is critical.
Following funding cuts from the State Government, the ABA is in a position to review its constitution and determine their direction forwards considering Ag Bureau members wants and needs.
As you may have heard, the State Government, through the Minister for Agriculture and Food will not be funding the ABA past 30 June 2012, said Advisory Board of Agriculture Chair Mr Richard Murdoch.
From June 2011 to June 2012, the Minister, through the Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) will provide support to the ABA as they transition from the current dual roles of advising the Minister and governing the Agricultural Bureau of South Australia, to solely governing the Agricultural Bureau. There will be no changes to the operation of local Agricultural Bureau branches.
In the future, the ABA is keen to continue governing the Agricultural Bureau plus continue working to provide policy advice to the Government and relevant Ministers, delivering industry relevant projects and serving its grower members.
We are currently seeking alternative sources of ongoing funding to ensure we can continue operating at a similar level and we are working to keep the ABA alive, Mr Murdoch said.
The ABA has a unique structure in that members are integrally linked to the Agricultural Bureau movement which consists of about 1500 members in about 78 branches across the State. Each ABA member is actively involved in a local branch and works to feed information from growers to the State Government and vice versa.
Richard Murdoch strongly emphasized: It is a network and system we do not want to lose. We will work hard to develop a new model which works with our members needs while still delivering the fundamental valuable services we have always stood for.
The Advisory Board of Agriculture roles has been a commitment to excellence in agriculture and the promotion of agriculture as a career. Achievements over the past years include:
- The Peter Olsen Fellowship for Young Farmers first awarded in 2000;
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- Now a prestigious award of $8,000 supporting young farmer development;
- The Lois Harris Scholarship first awarded in 1999;
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- To the first year student with the highest TER entering the Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences course at Adelaide University now valued at $2,000;
- The Rural Youth Bursary first awarded in 2009;
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- Made available by monetary support from the former Rural Youth Movement of SA; valued at $5,000 to support further education of young people in regional areas;
- The Agricultural Bureau Services to Primary Production first awarded in 2000;
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- Nominated by Agricultural Bureau branches, a person / persons whom it is believed has provided their industry / community with exceptional service.
As a governing body the ABA has also:
- Managed and administered finances, insurance, awards and projects;
- Provided advice to relevant Ministers;
- Made submissions on industry relevant issues, for example Draft Murray Darling Basin Water Plan, Heavy Vehicle Legislation and Livestock Impounding Bill; Drought Task Force, State Strategic Plan, SARDI/ University of Adelaide Proposed Merger.
- Facilitated the implementation of research, extension and training programs that enhance agriculture, business management and sustainable natural resource management; and
- Promoted the aims and objectives and achievements of the Bureau and the importance of agriculture and sustainable resource management to the broader community.
- Provided a view forward to Industry Bodies and Government Departments on behalf of grassroot members.
- Currently driving the formation and development of a State Agriculture Plan.
As you can see Government funding and subsequent service provide by the ABA has been of great value, Mr Murdoch said.
To keep achieving these results we are investigating the possibility of reviewing membership fees, sourcing new funding partners and of course our direction.
Ag Bureau members from around the State have been either emailed or sent a copy of the survey.
The survey, not only asks for farmer feedback on our future roles, but asks how much worth, in dollar terms, you would invest in the ABA.
We ask you consider this carefully, and reflect on the worth of the projects and services we have delivered back to the Agricultural Bureau Members.
Farmers are asked to return the survey by 15 June 2011 to the ABA at:
Email: anne.madden@sa.gov.au, faxed (08) 8226 0425 or post (no stamp required):
To Anne Madden, Admin Officer, Agricultural Bureau of SA, Reply Paid 6631, Box 1671 GPO, Adelaide, SA 5001.
For more information phone:
Richard Murdoch
Chair, Advisory Board of Agriculture
President, Agricultural Bureau of SA
Phone: 0419 842 419
