When floods swept through northern Victoria in October 2022, dairy farmer Andrew Tyler watched helplessly as torrential rain turned pastures into lakes. Within 24 hours, more than 250 millimetres had fallen, submerging crops, damaging infrastructure, and leaving many farms without feed or certainty for the season ahead.
“We had a lot of riverine flooding and cross-country flooding for weeks afterwards. It had a dramatic effect on farming. Many farmers lost their crops and it severely impacted our fodder surplus for the season going forward.”
At a time when immediate help was needed, Andrew says Gardiner Foundation stood out for its quick, practical response.
“It was really important that Gardiner supported us and was proactive immediately. It gave some relief to farmers so they could make decisions. Gardiner gets farming, it gets dairying, and it knows we need support when it matters most.”
Through funding provided jointly by Gardiner and Dairy Australia, the Taking Stock program was rolled out to help affected farmers plan for recovery. Delivered by trusted local consultants, the program provided financial and feed budgeting advice to help farmers rebuild confidence and make informed decisions.
“The Taking Stock program was vital. It gave farmers confidence to budget for feed and to understand their options. Having local consultants who knew the region and the challenges we were facing made all the difference.”
For Andrew, the floods were a stark reminder of how vulnerable farming communities can be to natural disasters, but also how resilience is built through timely, targeted support.
“The assistance was well received across the farming community. In our local area, Gardiner’s support really helped people get back on their feet.”
“Gardiner Foundation has a great track record of supporting farmers in times of need. It’s timely, it’s agile, and it understands the industry. Over 25 years, it’s made a real difference in helping rural and regional communities grow and prosper.”
Watch Andrew’s story to see how Gardiner’s support helped northern Victorian dairy farmers recover from disaster and plan for a more resilient future.