Call for Board & Volunteers
It’s an exciting time for Valley Farmers as we in the process of registering as a non-profit organisation. To date, Valley Farmers has been a movement of likeminded farmers that have benefited from the generosity of other community groups, council and industry. Moving forward, incorporating Valley Farmers allows us to seek funds directly in addition to keeping these existing partnerships strong.
Therefore, we are seeking volunteers with a range of skills, experience and time commitments to keep Valley Farmers moving into the future!
We will accept:
Farmers of all types:
Experienced vs. new
Livestock, Dairy, Cropping, Horticulture, etc
Full-time / part-time
All ages
Partners of farmers - who often don’t say they’re a farmer but we think they are ;)
Non-farmers:
Teachers / Academics / Researchers
Accountants / Legal
Rural agents
Vets / Genetics
Government
Industry
Etc - Having an involvement or interest in agriculture is sufficient!
“There is no such thing as “I’m not good enough of a farmer to get involved”. If you have enthusiasm with some time to spare then that’s 90% of the job done!”
How much time can you give?
We get it - time is very precious these days. Volunteerism has been declining in Australia but it’s groups like Valley Farmers that directly support and give back to our local farming community who keep us fed and clothed. We’re farmers so we understand that there’s livestock that escape, silage/hay season, calving and the very important balance of family commitments. Therefore, we have created an environment where volunteering is a joy and not a burden. We will accept:
Those looking for ongoing roles / involvement
Assignment to certain projects
Happy to help with once-off jobs
If you literally have 1 hour a year to contribute, that’s great!
What can I do?
There is two broad categories of involvement:
1. Board:
Executive - these are the more involved roles of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Sub-Committees - Valley Farmers has three sub-committee that aligns with our purpose:
Production Committee - farmers nominating production topics that are important to them and most likely to drive improvements for the region.
Community Committee - organise a range of fun, engaging and educational events that meets the need of our diverse group.
Careers Committee - Position agriculture as a viable career to students and the mature age workforce looking to transition into agriculture.
2. Volunteer Register: on the list as sometime to call for a range of reasons. For example, help to setup an event, cook a BBQ, mentor a student, contribute toward an event, or whatever you propose!
Get Involved Now!
We are welcoming of all people to nominate themselves or others to join Valley Farmers. If you are interested then please contact Matt Lloyd on 0400 358 614 or complete the Valley Farmers volunteer form.
Valley Talks - 7th October 2025
Matt Lloyd talks to Sharon Gibson from Gippsland FM about Valley Farmers.
ABC Rural Report - 17th Oct 2025
Matt Lloyd explains the concept of Valley Farmers on the ABC Rural Report.
Introducing Valley Farmers
It all begins with an idea.
Agriculture in Central Gippsland has spring in its step with the launch of a new farming group called Valley Farmers. The group is farmer-led and works to the three strategic pillars of fostering the farming community, promoting on-farm productivity and promoting agricultural careers.
Having noticed that farmers in other regions of Gippsland had self-organised to create successful farming bodies, Matt Lloyd, Beef Farmer from Yinnar thought the timing right for the farmers of central Gippsland to follow their precedent. Each meeting continues to attract more farmers and interest from the media, industry and government. Local farming families are clearly interested in connecting with their peers and tapping into the latest industry developments.
Valley Farmers’ Bonfire & Tree Talk evening held in August 2025.
Being involved with Valley Farmers events is simple. You just need to have an interest in agriculture. It doesn’t matter whether you’re from a multi-generational farming family, town or a hobby block, knowledge level or business maturity - there are a range of events to suit you.
Valley Farmers aims to coexist and minimise overlap with existing farming groups. Commodity-specific initiatives such as GippsDairy and the Better Beef networks deliver an important specialist capability; similarly with advocacy and policy groups such as farming unions and other advocacy groups. Agriculture faces many challenges that need representation and this is needs good representation by those existing specialist farming bodies. Valley Farmers will maintain it’s focus on productivity, community and careers.
Farming communities have always come together in times of need and unity is what the farming community needs right now. This is no better exemplified than the willingness of individuals and agriculture groups to offer Valley Farmers help. Many people of all backgrounds reach out with ideas on farm innovations, funding opportunities from Council, and other community groups wanting to co-host events.
One Valley Farmers partnership that is particularly exciting is developing with Gippsland Agricultural Group (GAgG). Earlier this year, a Valley Farmers delegation consisting of Matt Lloyd, Stewart Cluning and Donna Lawless met with the GAgG General Manager, Jen Smith learn more about their operations and tour the facilities. Watch this space for more news as this partnership develops into 2026.
Trial plots at the Gippsland Research Farm in Bairnsdale, Victoria.
As we come to the end of another year, there’s big potential for Valley Farmers and it's direction. There’s much work to be done behind the scenes in refining the vision, scope, operations and funding. We look forward to sharing more news with you as this develops.