Farmers for Farmers helps farming families in need

2023-12-14 09:13:47

Fast and uncomplicated support

We receive so many applications with so many moving fates. Even if cash benefits can hardly alleviate the human tragedies, we can at least help a little with the financial problems

Hans Peter Werderitsch, chairman farmers for farmers

Linz on the Danube (OTS) – Sometimes farming families find themselves in existential crises in which the need for relief and relief is still great even when all options have been exhausted.

The “Farmers for Farmers” association supports farming families in acute emergency situations with grants of 600 to 6,000 euros. The trigger can be, for example, an accident or death if a parent suddenly finds themselves alone and has to organize childcare in addition to working on the farm. The follow-up costs of serious illnesses can also push farming families to their financial limits.

Correct, quick and unbureaucratic

From its founding in 2007 until the end of 2022, “Farmers for Farmers” helped 288 families with around 1.3 million euros. In 2022 alone, 23 applications were approved and €114,500 in support payments were paid to families in crisis situations – i.e. an application almost every other week. Donors are primarily companies and major donors, as well as the Maschinenring organization and private individuals. “Farmers for Farmers” sees itself as an intermediary between suffering farming families and the people who show solidarity and want to help with their donations.

Die Organisation

The machine rings in Austria and South Tyrol are behind the association, which is financed exclusively through donations. So 96 organizations, from the federal government to the state associations to each individual machine ring. When allocating the donations, the Chamber of Agriculture and the Social Insurance Institution for the Self-employed (SVS) Austria, the South Tyrolean Farmers’ Association / the South Tyrolean Farmers’ Emergency Fund and the regional machinery ring offices work hand in hand.

Independent and reliable

An eight-person award committee, consisting of expert people from different professional areas and responsibilities, ensures that the donations are handled responsibly. All officials work on a voluntary basis. The decision as to who receives financial support is made by this independent committee, in which representatives of the Maschinenring do not have a majority. The recipients of the donations remain anonymous. Of course, an association like “Farmers for Farmers” also needs hard-working hands and imaginative minds in the background. The administrative processing and payment of the aids is carried out by Maschinenring Österreich. The team around managing director Gabriela Hinterberger ensures that every single emergency is processed quickly.

Emergency situations and strokes of fate

Time and again, “Farmers for Farmers” receive applications for help with particularly moving fates. Like the young farmer who recently took over his parents’ farm before an accident left him confined to a wheelchair. We supported his REHA costs and the necessary renovation work in the living spaces. Or like the young woman whose husband had an accident while working in the forest and she was left with the farm and children without access to the business account. She received a quick support payment from us so that she could cover the most urgent operational costs.

„We receive so many applications with so many moving fates. Even if cash benefits can hardly alleviate the human tragedies, we can at least help a little with the financial problemsChairman Hans Peter Werderitsch is convinced.

Application for support

The name “Farmers for Farmers” is not only the motto of the organization, but also its program. Any farming family that needs support can submit an application at one of the 80 regional Maschinenring offices. Membership in the Maschinenring is a given not necessary. It is important to take away the fear of the affected farming families from seeking support. The main challenge here is for the Maschinenring employees and officials in the regions. They know the local situation and know when a family needs help.

The “Farmers for Farmers” association and its representatives guarantee that the donations reach the affected families.

Donate online: bauernfuerbauern.at

Donation account: farmers for farmers
IBAN: AT36 3400 0000 0268 0700, BIC: RZOOAT2LRaiffeisenlandesbank OberösterreichDonations to “Farmers for Farmers” are tax deductible in Austria! If you are registered for tax purposes in Austria, please enter your name according to the registration form and your date of birth under “Purpose of use”.