A 4.5-kilometre run is not a common item on a conference agenda, but the Fat Farmers Rural Health Initiative likes to break new ground.

Started – and named – in 2012 by three Yorke Peninsula growers after joining their new local gym, the initiative now comprises more than 25 groups across four states.

This year, at the GRDC Grains Research Update – Adelaide, several attendees rose early to join the Fat Farmers River Run on the banks of the Torrens, outside the conference venue.

Fat Farmers general manager Michael Williams says the run provided a chance for conference participants to take part in some organised exercise at the event.

“Whenever you go to a conference, you’re sitting down a lot, you eat and drink a lot, so we wanted to throw in some activity,” he says. “We think it’s important to keep active whenever you’re out on the road, wherever you are, and this was also a bit of a quirky way for people to connect and have a chat.”

Community connection

From its low-key beginnings in the local Maitland gym, word spread, and other Fat Farmers groups – or teams – sprang up using the attention-grabbing moniker, says
Mr Williams.

The initiative became an incorporated association in 2021 with its own constitution and board, on which co-founder and grain grower Ben Wundersitz serves. Its reach then spread after agricultural companies began to sponsor the initiative.

Joining or starting a Fat Farmers group gives people the chance to benefit from the positive physical and mental health impact of exercise while also connecting with community, Mr Williams says.

When people who used to play sport – like footy, cricket or netball – stop playing, they lose that sporting camaraderie. They’re not so much part of a team anymore. And we all love to be a part of a team. So coming together once or twice a week, under a banner called Fat Farmers, can provide that type of camaraderie.

It has been well established by health professionals that social and physical elements work together to improve wellbeing and counter risks, such as isolation, to mental health.

“The groups create an opportunity to have a conversation and an excuse to ask, ‘how are you doing mate – what’s going in in your world?’,” Mr Williams says. “So one of the biggest benefits is that connection with mates and new people in the community.”

Plus, he says, everyone feels better after exercising. “Once you do a bit of a workout or get your heartbeat up, you feel clear, you’ve got more time to think and you become more energised.”

Growing influence

Fat Farmers general manager Michael Williams says being in a group provides physical and mental health benefits and the camaraderie of being in a team.

Mr Williams says it is these positive impacts that are behind the initiative’s growing popularity.

Led by a volunteer team coordinator, local Fat Farmer groups meet regularly for the exercise of their choice, be it a gym class, walking or running.

They are supported by the Fat Farmers initiative with logistics as well as other materials such as merchandise or even barbecues and coffee machines.

Each year the groups are encouraged to come together in Adelaide to compete in the City to Bay Fun Run and celebrate with a lunch and awards afterwards.

Mr Williams is now also organising other challenges throughout the year, keeping far-flung groups connected by having them submit their results for coordinated events to a central portal. Biannual meetings for group leaders to exchange ideas are also held online.

“And watch this space because my vision is to have a Fat Farmers Olympics one day,” he says.

A partnership with the South Australian Hospital Research Foundation Group, formalised in 2024, is now providing an increased media presence and funding for broader health-related activities, Mr Williams says.

The big picture vision is to take crucial health services to regional areas, with free skin checks, blood pressure tests and basic education about wellbeing.

This year, in partnership with the University of South Australia, Fat Farmers is offering free skin checks at eight regional shows and field days across the state.

Mr Williams is encouraging of anyone interested in establishing a Fat Farmer group to reach out.

From farmer fitness to Nuffield

GRDC’s 2025 Nuffield Australia Scholarship recipient Claire Catford is a Fat Farmers convert and a local team coordinator. In fact, the connections made and sense of community created by Fat Farmers inspired her scholarship topic. Claire will study thriving farmers and vibrant communities – “the dynamic duo” empowering agriculture. See @mindyourfarmer on Instagram.

More information: Fat Farmers: Rural Health Initiative, info@fatfarmers.com.au