Much is expected of few in rural and regional communities as South Australia's agrifood industries continue to perform at a high level despite recurring drought, reduced irrigation allocations and other factors.
 
And the community holds to expectations of continued high performance, conveyed in industry strategic plans, export and other social wellbeing targets in South Australia's Strategic Plan.

PIRSA’s first Friday Forum for 2008  on February 29 focused on the outlook and capacities of agribusiness and rural community people in SA.

How are farm families managing behind the farm gate?
 
How are rural communities standing up to environmental uncertainties and a changing economic and social landscape?

How are families across the state managing environmental and financial pressures ?

Executive Director Rural Solutions SA Locky McLaren welcomed the gathering at the Pilgrim Centre in Flinders Street.

Guest speakers included Rural Financial Counselling Service SA Chair, Don Blesing and General Manager Kay Matthias, Rural Solutions SA Senior Consultant Communities and Indigenous Services Karen Cosgrove, and Social Researcher Dr Neil Barr from DPI Bendigo, Victoria.

Terry Price asked Don Blesing how he was finding dealing with SA rural communities in the present financial climate……… (mp3~248kb)

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Kay Matthias reflected on how rural people are coping….(mp3~296kb)

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Karen Cosgrove reported on the importance of engagement with SA rural communities…(mp3~124kb)

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Dr Neil Barr aided the reconciliation of high macro-expectations of agrifood with the emerging national picture of the changing rural social landscape in Australia and strategies to help rural communities adapt to contemporary challenges.

Caption: Pictured at PIRSA's first Friday Forum for 2008 are ,l to r, Rural Solutions SA Executive Director Locky McLaren, Rural Financial Counselling Service SA General Manager Kay Matthias, Rural Solutions SA  Senior Consultant Community and Indigenous Services Karen Cosgrove, Rural Financial Counselling Service SA Chair Don Blesing, and Dr Neil Barr, from DPI Bendigo, Victoria