What is an Online Forum?
A forum is a place open to the general public where discussions are held on topics relevant to that community.
An online forum aims to serve a similar purpose - to offer a space for communication and discussion- but online. The GOLD forum is a place for all participants in the GOLD project to communicate; to catch up and stay in touch, and to discuss different relevant issues.
Where to start?
In this forum you will find different topics- these are open for you to start discussion, post your responses to things. Have a look through the topics that have been started and post a response whenever you like! You can do this by clicking the 'reply' button on the bottom left hand side of the box.
Don’t feel limited to what’s here, feel free to start new topics of your own interests and ideas - this is a space FOR YOU. To start a topic of your own, open one of the forum sections and click on the 'Post new Forum topic' link on the bottom left hand side.
Got any questions/feedback- leave a comment here!
Enjoy- and happy posting!
The GOLD Team
Welcome!
2 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Re: Welcome!
by TSB_Dude » Mon Dec 07, 2009 6:18 am
Dear GOLD visitor,
I am a beef producer and have had a bit to do with the GOLD project.
The GOLD-CROP exhibition and this website present a window into the lives of various people, families and communities. All of them are rural, most of them are farmers. Many of the stories are ones of adversity and struggle.
In some cases it is drought presenting the challenge or low prices for crops and livestock. There’s almost always an undercurrent of the strains on family life that arise from living in the bush, alongside the social and mental health issues that go with it. And there’s evidence of a lack of services in rural communities and limited opportunities for young people.
In many ways the material is a snapshot of what rural Australia looks like at this point in time. And it begs the question as to what it might look like 10 or 20 years from now.
It’s easy to be pessimistic given the prevailing trends of rural decline. The persistence of these trends would be a tragedy for rural communities. And, given farmers are the custodians of well over half of Australia’s land mass, it would present a major environmental challenge. It also raises the issue of where our food comes from and how it is grown – with all that means for nutrition and the environment.
If current trends persist, 20 years from now there will be half as many farmers in Australia as there are today. I’m not sure that’s a desirable outcome.
There is, thankfully, a more optimistic way to view the future.
In my experience I have witnessed the benefits that come from bridging the gap between food producer and food consumer. By connecting directly with consumers and sharing with them the story of the food I produce, many good things follow.
From the consumers’ perspective, they learn how my product is grown and have a direct sense of supporting those farming practices with their purchasing decisions. They also come to understand the natural cycle of food production and know they are supporting a farmer having an honest go at producing wholesome, clean food.
From my perspective, as the producer, I feel affirmed in my choices to farm in sustainable ways and to produce the most healthy and nutritious food I possibly can. It also allows me to support my family and community, which is essential in order to be around in the years to come.
Drawing on my own experience I believe that, on a broader level, bridging the gap between food producers and you (the consumer) would provide a catalyst for significant positive change within rural Australia. You would feel empowered to influence ‘what’ and ‘how’ food is produced. And food producers would once again be held in great esteem by society, while enjoying the economic security that would bring.
Greater economic security would ease some of the pressure on the family unit, provide opportunities for young people in rural areas, attract services to towns – including teachers and doctors – and ensure the custodians of our land have the resources to look after it appropriately.
It is with that in mind I hope this website provides something of a conversation starter between farmers and food consumers. I hope the stories as told through the various creative arts will motivate you to seek out these, and other, food producers and begin a discussion from which both can benefit.
That discussion can start right here.
Regards,
Peter
Grass-fed beef producer
I am a beef producer and have had a bit to do with the GOLD project.
The GOLD-CROP exhibition and this website present a window into the lives of various people, families and communities. All of them are rural, most of them are farmers. Many of the stories are ones of adversity and struggle.
In some cases it is drought presenting the challenge or low prices for crops and livestock. There’s almost always an undercurrent of the strains on family life that arise from living in the bush, alongside the social and mental health issues that go with it. And there’s evidence of a lack of services in rural communities and limited opportunities for young people.
In many ways the material is a snapshot of what rural Australia looks like at this point in time. And it begs the question as to what it might look like 10 or 20 years from now.
It’s easy to be pessimistic given the prevailing trends of rural decline. The persistence of these trends would be a tragedy for rural communities. And, given farmers are the custodians of well over half of Australia’s land mass, it would present a major environmental challenge. It also raises the issue of where our food comes from and how it is grown – with all that means for nutrition and the environment.
If current trends persist, 20 years from now there will be half as many farmers in Australia as there are today. I’m not sure that’s a desirable outcome.
There is, thankfully, a more optimistic way to view the future.
In my experience I have witnessed the benefits that come from bridging the gap between food producer and food consumer. By connecting directly with consumers and sharing with them the story of the food I produce, many good things follow.
From the consumers’ perspective, they learn how my product is grown and have a direct sense of supporting those farming practices with their purchasing decisions. They also come to understand the natural cycle of food production and know they are supporting a farmer having an honest go at producing wholesome, clean food.
From my perspective, as the producer, I feel affirmed in my choices to farm in sustainable ways and to produce the most healthy and nutritious food I possibly can. It also allows me to support my family and community, which is essential in order to be around in the years to come.
Drawing on my own experience I believe that, on a broader level, bridging the gap between food producers and you (the consumer) would provide a catalyst for significant positive change within rural Australia. You would feel empowered to influence ‘what’ and ‘how’ food is produced. And food producers would once again be held in great esteem by society, while enjoying the economic security that would bring.
Greater economic security would ease some of the pressure on the family unit, provide opportunities for young people in rural areas, attract services to towns – including teachers and doctors – and ensure the custodians of our land have the resources to look after it appropriately.
It is with that in mind I hope this website provides something of a conversation starter between farmers and food consumers. I hope the stories as told through the various creative arts will motivate you to seek out these, and other, food producers and begin a discussion from which both can benefit.
That discussion can start right here.
Regards,
Peter
Grass-fed beef producer
TSB_Dude Formerly Known As Peter
- TSB_Dude
- Posts: 39
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
2 posts
• Page 1 of 1
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