Rural Aid Shines a Light on the Women Behind the Farm Gate
As part of its tax-time appeal, ‘No Farmer Stands Alone’, Rural Aid is shining a spotlight on the essential—but often overlooked—contributions of women in agriculture.
Women are the backbone of Australian farms—playing vital roles as labourers, decision-makers, carers, and community leaders. They face the same emotional and financial stressors as men, compounded by the added weight of often managing households and supporting others through crises.
Rural Aid’s Pulse of the Paddock survey found that 58% of farmers rated their mental health as average or worse, with 38% citing barriers to accessing support services for themselves and their families. For many rural women, those barriers are even more pronounced.
“Too often, when we think of a ‘farmer,’ we picture a man in a paddock—but women are deeply involved in every part of farming life,” said Myf Pitcher, Rural Aid’s Manager of Mental Health and Wellbeing. “They shoulder enormous responsibility—running farms, raising families, and guiding communities through disasters. Yet their mental health challenges are often invisible and unspoken.”
Alyce Parker, GWS Giants AFLW player and Rural Aid’s newest ambassador, knows these challenges firsthand. Raised on a farm in Holbrook, NSW, she understands the emotional toll rural life can take—especially on women.
“Growing up on the land taught me resilience, but it also showed me how isolating and relentless farming life can be,” Alyce said. “I’ve seen the pressure my mum and other rural women carry. They give everything to their families and farms but often put their own wellbeing last.”
“Rural women are strong, but strength doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get support. That’s why I’m proud to be part of Rural Aid—because they understand that connection and compassion make a real difference.”
Farmer Carol Hill, from Coraki in the Northern Rivers, echoes that sentiment. After years of droughts, bushfires, and floods, it was Rural Aid’s personal approach that helped her through.
“You don’t want to admit you’re struggling,” Carol said. “Farmers are strong, but sometimes we need help too. Rural Aid doesn’t just give you a number to call—they call you. They come to you. That human connection is everything.”
In the past 12 months, Rural Aid has seen a 55% rise in new mental health referrals. Its counsellors travel on-farm, make regular check-in calls, and deliver practical, compassionate support to families doing it tough.
“This tax time, we’re asking Australians to stand with farming families—especially the women who are so often the emotional backbone of the farm,” said Myf Pitcher. “Every donation can help Rural Aid connect with more people in need—both practically and emotionally through the many ups and downs of farm life.”
Donations support:
- One-on-one on-farm counselling and wellbeing calls
- Mental health workshops for rural communities
- Resilience programs for kids and teens in remote schools
Behind every healthy farm is a healthy family. Help Rural Aid ensure that No Farmer Stands Alone.
Donate at: https://taxtime.ruralaid.org.au.
About Rural Aid:
Rural Aid is Australia’s leading rural charity, dedicated to providing practical support and vital services to farmers and rural communities. Since its establishment in 2015, the charity has been a lifeline during times of crisis, delivering essential services such as mental health support, hay, domestic water, and community engagement. As the organisation celebrates 10 years of service, it continues to partner with farmers to navigate challenges, recover from hardship, and build stronger, more resilient futures, shaping a brighter future for rural Australia.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Daniel Brown
Media and Communications Officer
0447 116 757
daniel.brown@ruralaid.org.au
