Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW

16/10/2026

Each month, we’re rounding up a book, a podcast or a film worth your knock-off time, whether that’s a cold one on the verandah, a drive between paddocks, or just switching off after a big week.

This month’s picks:

📚 Book - The Naked Farmer: One cheeky Instagram post of a fifth-generation Victorian farmer, naked in a truck full of lentils, started a movement. Ben Brooksby had struggled with anxiety, and the response to that photo had farmers around the country sharing their own pics and stories. This collection is heartwarming, candid and moving, and proceeds support the Royal Flying Doctors Mental Health Service. Read more: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/54898335-the-naked-farmer

🎧 Podcast - Agsolutely Fabulous: With International Rural Women’s Day this week, it’s a good time to tune in to two influential women in ag talking about what’s trending, what the media is (or isn’t) covering, and real stories from the land. Anything from the informative to the insane. More here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/agsolutely-fabulous/id1763192630

🎬 Film - Homespun: Two best mates in a drought affected town get their big break on a show about life in the bush. They want less despair and more magic, so when the big smoke says no, they stage a shed show of their own. A feel-good reminder to be proud of where you come from. Watch it on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/homespun

Share your recs in the comments and have a top weekend.

15/10/2026

A new round of one-to-one and small-group business coaching is now open for NSW farmers under the Farm Business Resilience Program.

You’ll be matched with a coach or specialist adviser who knows your industry and your region and walk away with:

✅ A clear action plan for your business
✅ Stronger cashflow and budgeting skills
✅ Drought and climate risk built into your planning
✅ Practical tools you keep
✅ Connection with other farmers

Mental health support through RAMHP is part of the package too.

You’ll need a farm business plan to take part. For subsidised cost and EOIs 👉 https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/drought/business-support/business-coaching

15/10/2026

Farmer. Mediator. Grain seller. Shed hand. Wool Classer. Finance officer. Business partner. Caterer. Volunteer. Off-farm income earner. Mum. On call at all hours.

Today is International Day of Rural Women, and we're celebrating the women who wear all these hats and more.

From the paddock to the packing shed, the boardroom to the export market, and across the rural services that keep farming communities going, rural women are part of every step of Australian agriculture. Many are also caring for kids, ageing parents and whole communities.

That includes our own female rural financial counsellors, who walk alongside farming families across NSW every day.

To all the women making a difference across rural Australia, thank you. 💛

For some inspiration, watch the Visible Farmer series: https://www.visiblefarmer.com/

14/10/2026

Heading to ANFD with an eye on the latest agtech?

The RFCS NSW team recommends checking out Primary Industries and Regional Development's Agtech Alley and mobile learning bus - a great chance to see the latest technology, test drive it on a simulator and learn more about suppliers and cost.

Then swing by the Trevor Elliot Pavilion for a chat with our team about how it aligns with your farm's budget and goals. We can explain how an RFC can help and get you booked in with your local counsellor to work through the numbers. Free, confidential and independent.

See you at the field days!

13/10/2026

Thinking about purchasing your first farm business or planning for farm succession?

The RFCS NSW encourages you to join RIC's free webinar to learn and how the AgriStarter Loan may help eligible applicants purchase a first farm business, support succession planning arrangements, invest in land, livestock and equipment, and build a strong foundation for long-term farming success.

It’ll cover:
✅ What you need to know about the AgriStarter Loan and how it can help
✅ Key eligibility requirements and what you need to prepare before applying
✅ Succession planning opportunities and pathways into farm ownership
✅ Practical tips to apply with confidence

Register https://bit.ly/4wCd2GW. 🎥Can't attend live? Register anyway to receive the webinar recording.

Reach out to your local rural financial counsellor if you need some guidance with how to best plan and prepare for a RIC concessional loan. 1800 319 458 | rfcsnsw.org.au

13/10/2026

We're thrilled to be back at this fabulous community event showcasing local industry and services. Be sure to drop by and have a chat to the friendly RFCS NSW team!

Local rural financial counsellor Justin Luckel's always up for a good chat and is there to help if you've got any questions about farm business planning, cashflow, loans, gov assistance, succession planning .... jump online to see our services 👉 https://rfcsnsw.org.au/primary-producer. Free, confidential, independent.

11/10/2026

Curious about what's new in crop varieties, and how they're performing in the paddock? 🌾

This Thursday, FAR Australia (Field Applied Research) is opening the gates of the NSW Crop Technology Centre at Wallendbeen for a day of field walks, practical insights and informative discussions straight from the people running the trials.

🌱 Morning — Pulses
🌾 Afternoon — Cereals

Topics include crop phenology, disease management, nutrition and the latest results from FAR's variety trials.

Our local rural financial counsellor Marine Morton will be there too, keeping across the latest research to share with farming clients.

Register with FAR 👇

Event address: (Sign Posted) Cullinga Road, Wallendbeen NSW 2588 -34.618494, 148.159240 (Shed)

08/10/2026

Aprons on, ovens hot, and a bit of friendly rivalry in the air: it's BAKE OFF time! 🧀🌶️

To mark Mental Health Month, local community services across the Snowy Monaro swapped their desks for the kitchen for the second annual Bake Off. It was organised by Mission Australia with the Snowy Monaro Interagency under the theme 'Together we thrive', and judged by the CWA, whose decades of baking know-how meant every entry was closely judged.

Our rural financial counsellor Clare Boardman threw her apron in the ring, and her cheesy chilli scones took runner-up in the savoury section! One CWA judge said they had "a nice little chilli zing - not too much, just the right amount." Coming from bakers of that calibre, we'll take it! 🏆

The competition was fun, but the real point was to stop for a bit. Baking gives you room to be creative and switch off, and sharing what you've made brings people together. It also opened up a real conversation about how those of us working in the sector can look out for each other and what we need from one another.

Fancy some baking therapy of your own? Here's Clare's prize-winning recipe 👇

Clare's Cheesy Chilli Scones
• 3 cups SR flour
• 2 cups grated tasty cheese (fresh is best)
• 1 tsp paprika
• A good sprinkle of chilli flakes
• 2 tbsp natural yoghurt
• 275ml (1¼ cups) full cream milk
• A small sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning (onion powder, garlic powder, salt and toasted sesame seeds) for extra flavour
Mix with a knife until just blended. Drop small scoops onto a lined tray and bake at 180°C for about 20 minutes. Best eaten warm out of the oven with butter 😊

World Mental Health Day is this Saturday, 10 October. Take a moment to check in on a mate, or share a cuppa (and a scone) with someone.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council

08/10/2026

Nobody likes planning for the bad season, but a few minutes now could make a real difference later.

With dry conditions spreading and storm and fire season on the way, the RFCS NSW encourages our clients to register with Rural Aid. Getting on file early means if challenging weather hits, you can be followed up and connected to support sooner.

Register online, over the phone, or with a paper form - whichever suits.
👉 https://www.ruralaid.org.au/services-provided/
📞 For a paper form, call 1300 327 624

08/10/2026

Farmers make a lot of high-stakes calls under pressure, with little room to switch off. Farming Stronger is a practical workshop on thinking clearly, leading well and keeping your energy up - don't miss this opportunity.

Our team will be at the Cooma event next Tuesday 13 October - also at Bega (14 Oct) and Braidwood (15 Oct).