The VFF is co-ordinating offers of help for farmers who may have lost staff due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
VFF vice-president Danyel Cucinotta said farmers around the state had been offering transport, labour and food relief.
“Farmers and the local community in the wider Shepparton region have been hit hard by the impacts of COVID-19,” Ms Cucinotta said.
“So far we have not yet had any farmers asking for help, but we wanted to prepare for what might happen.
“We wanted to be pro-active after hearing about the lockdowns.”
The VFF is playing a co-ordinating role for any labour shortage, and will pass on offers of food to relief agencies that have a network for distribution.
“We’ve had a really good response. We’ve already got pallets of eggs donated,” Ms Cucinotta said.
The pool of people willing to help has been dubbed the ‘Farmy Army’, a name coined by VFF president Emma Germano.
“Currently there’s a clear need for help in the Shepparton region, but the initiative is intended to direct help to anywhere in Victoria should the need arise,” Ms Cucinotta said.
She encouraged anyone interested in registering for the ‘Farmy Army’ or who needed assistance to head to the VFF website or phone 1300 882 833.
Anyone seeking assistance can also contact a VFF representative.
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