Gavin Moore has been a vocal advocate for farmers throughout the ongoing drought.
Now the Glenmore, NSW, dairy farmer is being recognised for his efforts.
Mr Moore has been named a top four finalist in the Rural Community Leader of the Year category at the Kondinin Group and ABC Rural 2019 Australian Farmer of the Year Awards.
He said he had no idea that was nominated until he was notified that he had been chosen as a finalist.
"I was humbled to be nominated," Mr Moore said.
"I guess my nomination would have come about because of my work with the Dilly Drought Drive.
"I help find feed for my fellow farmers, unload and load trucks of hay and store the hay purchased by the drought drive until it can be distributed to farmers."
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Mr Moore volunteers with the drought drive while running his own dairy farm, education and tourism business.
"I just do what I can to help support fellow farmers, locally, on a state basis and a national basis," he said.
"But through our education centre, I also try and bring our farm, the dairy industry and where food comes from to schools and school children.
"I try and support local farmers by passing on knowledge from my involvement in research and development, sharing information on feed supply prospects during this drought period and the benefits of saving money by buying in bulk."
Mr Moore said farms across Macathur and the Sydney basin were essential to provide food for the growing population.
"We as farmers can provide the freshest food to the largest market in Australia - quick and easy," he said.
"Being in Sydney means there are short turn-around times and short transport times.
"Unfortunately some political leaders only see highly productive agricultural land in the basin as useful for housing.
"By doing this they keep forcing agriculture further and further west into more marginal country and expect farmers to farm in drier conditions.
"Before long we won't have farms in the Sydney basin and fresh produce will be a dream."
The passionate farmer said his love of all things rural had never waned.
"What I love about farming is everything about rural life," Mr Moore said.
"I love our cows and breeding good quality animals.
"I love that our farm has been in our family for seven generations and I am looking forward to handing it on to my sons as the eighth generation.
"I also love the fact that I have the opportunity to showcase our farm to school children and overseas visitors through our education and tourism business."
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