Dear all

I am writing to inform you that we are conducting a Farm Sector Employer Survey in conjunction with the National Farmers’ Federation to help build an accurate picture of the employment challenges facing the farming sector.

The National Farmers’ Federation has accepted the challenge of leading the development of an Agricultural Workforce Development Plan. This is the principal objective of an Australian Government cross-portfolio initiative that facilitated the established of the National Agribusiness Education Skills and Labour Taskforce (NEST).

The Agriculture Workforce - Farm Sector Employer Survey has been developed to gather data that will inform and shape the development of the Agricultural Workforce Development Plan. It will assist with the collection of vital employment data and to develop an informed understanding of critical employment and labour related issues affecting the farm sector and wider NFF membership.

We welcome and appreciate the assistance of stakeholders to circulate the survey link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VHLGMHF - to their membership, contacts and associates. The survey is also available from a pop-up link on the Rural Skills Australia website at www.ruralskills.com.au.

The survey will be conducted over a four week period from 23 January and concluding on 20 February 2014.

We are particularly interested in canvassing the views of farm sector employers who have employed or who have attempted to employ rural and related workers. This includes farm managers and overseers who assist with the operation of their agricultural and horticultural enterprises.

There is no requirement to submit business names or specific business details, so survey respondents can be assured of their anonymity. Information gathered will be considered and analysed only on a collective basis.

The survey can be completed in around five minutes and will allow interested farm sector employers an opportunity to contribute to the compilation of this critical data that is required to finalise the Agriculture Workforce Development Plan.

We trust that the involvement of our many stakeholders in promoting the survey will complement a wider promotional campaign being initiated and coordinated by the NFF. This will encourage participation by producers within NFF member bodies, commodity groups, related industry bodies and the wider farming community.

Our thanks for your support and best wishes for the New Year.

Geoff Bloom
Executive Director