Innovative partnerships for improved farmer family health in North West Tasmania

Tasmania is a highly decentralised State with almost 60% of its population living outside the greater Hobart region. Farming is a primary pursuit for many Tasmanians, with approximately 17,000 employed in the farming sector. Whilst the global financial crisis has had significant impact on the agricultural sector, the outlook for the dairy industry in Tasmania is very positive. The Tasmanian dairy industry comprises 450 farms which directly employ 1,900 people in the farm sector and an additional 800 people in the processing sector. In 2009 -10 the University of Tasmania conducted a Sustainable Farm Families (SFF) pilot study with dairy farmers in the Circular Head region of North West Tasmania. Findings from the study reaffirmed the importance of strong community based partnerships in the design and delivery of effective farmer health promotion programs. The paper draws on the findings from the Circular Head pilot SFF study with particular reference to the partnership approach. The findings are used to explore the potential application of a knowledge partnering approach for working with place-based farming communities to enable improved health and wellbeing. Knowledge partnering is a methodology for regional and community development which has been developed and piloted by the Institute for Regional Development at the University of Tasmania. The methodology offers a structured way to work with placed based communities and regions to recognise and mobilise knowledge from the “ground up” and to co-produce new knowledge for desired futures. This paper will explore the potential of knowledge partnering as an innovative framework for developing sustainable partnerships with the farming community and building local capacity for improved farmer health and wellbeing.