Networking the Nation

Farm500.web project officer Matt McCarthy conducted interviews with several members from across south eastern Australia about how the internet was impacting on their business. If you have ever wondered just what benefits the internet has brought to farm business, have a read of these case studies. Farm500 would like to thank the members who contributed their time and information for the case studies.

Case Studies

Brad and Susan Martin

Brad, Susan, and newborn son William, Martin farm 685 hectares, four kilometres north east of Brim in the northern Wimmera of Victoria. The main enterprise is broad-acre cropping with around 80 – 90% of the farm in crop. Brad and Susan believe the internet has brought benefits in the form of time efficiency, access to current and instant information and communication opportunities. "Farming is an isolated occupation and the internet has taken away some of that isolation" says Susan.

Craig Jaeschke - Clare, South Australia

“We are still only rookies but we definitely think it is the way of the future”.

Geoff Rethus

"The internet to me is not a novelty or a toy, it is an effective business tool” Geoff has been connected to the internet since 1996. In June 2001 broadband internet service was accessed through one way satellite. Geoff has always viewed the internet as a business tool and expects it to deliver benefits to his bottom line."

Herc and Margaret Shepherd

"It all came together at the first Farm500 e-business workshop I attended, that’s when I really started to get into it"

Jill and Rob Gardner

"For any one who has a business where they are dealing with the general public, the internet is just the best tool".

John and Helen Ryan - Yarrawonga

" I had never even used the computer before we were connected to the internet but now I would spend about 30 minutes a day on it"

Malcom and Jan Knight - Quambatook

"The Farm500/ Networking the Nation project has been good for us. It has increased our business use of the internet and has convinced us to take it more seriously as a business tool".

Stuart and Monique McQueen

"We moved to the satellite internet service due to frustration with slow line speeds and it has been worth every cent, it is brilliant”. As a school teacher, Monique appreciates the educational benefits of the internet but also other benefits. For me the internet just takes away some of the feeling of isolation out here" she says.

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