SLP 572: Tash Johnston: The Heart Behind Farm Angels

This week Kim speaks with Tash Johnston, founder of Farm Angels, who shares her journey from growing up on farms near Brisbane to creating a national charity supporting farmers through drought, flood, and hardship after a tragic suicide in her community. She opens up about personal experiences with family, grief, and forgiveness that shaped her passion for mental health support, alongside the evolution of Farm Angels from a small grassroots effort into an organisation that has raised over $20 million and supported thousands of rural families. This conversation highlights the harsh realities facing Australian farmers, including mental health challenges, financial strain and a disconnect with government and urban communities, while also exploring solutions through education, advocacy and community support. Tash reflects on receiving major honours such as the Queensland Local Hero Award and an Order of Australia Medal, and shares her vision to expand Farm Angels nationwide, calling for greater awareness, volunteer support and collective action to better support the people who feed the country. This episode is a powerful reminder that behind every farm is a family, and even the smallest act of kindness or support can help carry them through their toughest seasons. About Tash Natasha (Tash) Johnston OAM, is the Founder and Chief Angel of Farm Angels, one of Australia’s most respected rural charities supporting primary producers, their families and rural communities impacted by natural disasters and other significant challenges. Tash’s journey began with a deep connection to regional life, having grown up in Brisbane while spending significant time in rural communities and finishing her senior schooling years in Toowoomba. Her career path, from administration and accounts to small business ownership, reflects a strong work ethic and a genuine commitment to people, one that continues to shape everything she does today. What started in 2014 as a single act of kindness, loading up a ute with supplies for a struggling farming family, has grown into a national charity that’s raised more than $20 million and supported thousands of farming families across more than 1,500 rural communities through some of their toughest times. From drought and floods to fires, cyclones and pest plagues, Tash and the Farm Angels team have been there on the ground, reducing social isolation and delivering practical help and emotional support where it’s needed most in rural Australia. Tash’s contribution has been recognised through numerous honours, including Queensland Local Hero and the Courier Mail Queenslander of the Year in 2021, and the award of the Order of Australia Medal in 2025 for her service to rural communities. Despite the growth of Farm Angels, Tash remains hands-on and involved in every part of the organisation. She continues to live by her personal ethos: “No farmer will go without food on their table while I have food on mine.” This belief has become the foundation of Farm Angels and a promise that continues to deliver practical support, dignity, and hope to the communities that feed and sustain our nation Her definition of Self Love is: For me Self Love right now is learning to say no. Taking time for yourself. You can’t give to somebody from an empty bucket. Taking a little time for yourself and doing whatever it is that lights you up Her favourite quote is from: The Art of Spending Money Tend to the small things. More people are defeated by blisters than mountains Links to follow: Website: www.farmangels.org.au Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmangelsau Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FarmAngelsAu/ Quotes: I just wanted to do something to stop another farmer from taking their life because that just broke my heart. I thought we would be doing it for 3 to 6 months and the rain would come and the drought was going to break. It probably wasn’t until years later that I really appreciated the mess that they were in and the burden that took on Mum and Dad. Through that process, it helped me to understand what my Mum went through and why she was the way that she was. It enabled me to heal that and forgive her. For me, I just wanted to do something to support people. The support that people gave us was amazing. There is, and still is, a very big disconnect between the city and the country. There is a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that goes on behind the scenes by farming families or community to get that food onto the table. We lose a farmer every 10 days to suicide in this country. 75% of Australian farmers don’t feel appreciated. People need to trust that our farmers are doing their best for their land. We have to do better. I really think it is getting back to the younger generations now to really educate them on the importance of our farmer. We have got to get back to basics and stop making everything so damn difficult. Our original mission was to just stop farmers from taking their ...