The National Farmers Federation wants more Australian farmers to know what it does and how it does it.
The NFF is today launching a new link on its website for farmers to register for news on the lobby group's events and activities, without having to be a member of the State or commodity organisations which make up NFF.
The move comes amidst an internal review of the structure and operation of NFF following concerns about the organisation's declining revenue base, the resignation of State farmer organisations in South Australia and Western Australia from NFF, and the relevance of the peak lobby group to farmers today and in the future.
The new online facility will allow farmers to register directly with NFF so it could let more people know the work it has been doing, president David Crombie said.
"We are extremely keen to ensure that NFF has strong communication links to farmers so we can demonstrate the tangible value of the work we do on behalf of our members and all Australian farmers," Mr Crombie said.
"As of today, all Australian farmers can register online with the NFF, so we can keep them fully briefed and up-to-date on NFF activities."
Mr Crombie said the new register was a "positive and exciting" initiative.
"With so many issues today, and into the future, being national in nature a direct communications conduit between farmers and the NFF is imperative," he said.
"We're committed to making those bonds stronger and more worthwhile than ever before."
But Mr Crombie acknowledged that if farmers wanted to have more of a say about how NFF is run or its policies, they still needed to sign up with one of its member organisations.
"Overwhelmingly, farmers support and see tangible value in the NFF," he said.
"But for farmers to have a genuine say on what the NFF does they need to join one of the NFF’s member organisations.
"I urge all farmers to become a member of their State or commodity organisation and ensure that organisation is a member of the NFF."
* Farmers can register at the NFF website.