View From the Paddock: Stimulus - what's the answer

On one hand we have the agricultural industry searching far and wide for applicants to fill job vacancies during one of the busiest times of the year in broadacre farming and horticulture, and on the other we have stories emerging from urban areas of a single dishwashing job receiving hundreds of hopeful applicants within a week.

Personally, I'm torn. It is so important to recognise that each aspect of society relies on another industry at some point in its process chain and in its general functionality.

However, a nationwide blanket of stimulus and support that isn't filling jobs where they are needed is also not the answer.

Have we not marketed our industry well enough that even in the direst of times for the urban Australian economy we can't entice job seekers to relocate or reconsider careers?

Is there too much incentive to remain in urban areas even without a job?

Regardless of the answer, one thing is clear. Agriculture is thriving, but agriculture relies on humans.

That is one of our industry selling points and something I love, the human connection with the environment and direct contribution to society, quite literally feeding the world.

I'll keep a focus on that - passion inspires passion and what a chance we have to show our passion for our industry.

It's been nine months since I wrote about improving language and perception, six months since I wrote about bringing in external skilled staff into our workforce, and three months since I wrote about the importance of having clear-set goals in place for this agriculture-led recovery.

Three months from now we will be talking about our success in navigating this crazy day and age and emerging stronger than ever.

Get excited, others will follow.

- Callan Daley, youth agvocate