Boots For Change Campaign Call-Out to Market Managers
Release date: 10-02-2016
All of Australia’s farmers’ markets are being asked to put their best boots forward during APRIL 2016 for BOOTS FOR CHANGE a national awareness campaign that will use and feature BOOTS – gumboots, work boots, riding boots, tap boots, cowboy boots, fashion boots – as the iconic image to support Australian farmers and their families, and raise awareness of farmers’ markets in rural and urban communities.
The campaign aims to support grassroots family farming and rural youth, and activates the innovative idea developed by a group of young rural women led by Emma Mott from Bega, NSW.
AFMA adopted the BOOTS FOR CHANGE project from the Heywire 2015 Regional Youth Summit supported by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) and ABC Heywire.
‘There is such obvious synergy between farmers’ markets and the Heywire Regional Youth Summit Boots For Change idea. And so many opportunities to link boots – muddy country or clean city boots – to an awareness campaign focussed on family farms, food production and rural youth issues,” said Jane Adams, AFMA spokesperson.
‘The idea was piloted at two weekly award-winning farmers’ markets – Harvest Launceston (TAS) and SAGE Moruya (NSW) last year and attracted significant community engagement and media coverage. It bodes well for the national 2016 Boots For Change program rollout.’
‘Boots are a great country metaphor, and very versatile. Market shoppers and stallholders will be asked to wear boots, recycle old boots in novel ways, and compete in boot scooting or boot art competitions, fun and educational activities that will link back to and focus on food, farming and integrative youth programs in these rural communities, explained Ms Adams.
‘The vibrant national network of Australian farmers’ markets is ideally positioned to communicate these important messages.’
Farmers’ market managers and stallholders keen to support the initiative should contact AFMA for more information on the 2016 Boots For Change project. Further details: www.bootsforchange.org.au
Contact:
For more information, please contact: Jane Adams on 0417 733 715 or info@farmersmarkets.org.au
