The five focus areas are economic wellbeing of farms and farming families; disaster relief for farming communities; kids’ health; food waste/security; and mental health for farming communities.

Aussie Farmers Foundation executive director Julia Hunter said country Australia could sometimes be “out of sight and out of mind”.

“And yet it’s these communities, the lifeblood of our nation, that often have it the hardest,” she said.

EOIs close on February 28. Go to aussiefarmersfoundation.org.au/grants

“We invest in life-changing projects with the support of the community as funds are raised thanks to the generosity of Aussie Farmers Direct customers - who donate as part of their regular orders - as well as individuals, community groups and businesses donating and fundraising across Australia,” Ms Hunter said.

Eligible charities working in NSW, Victoria, the ACT, Western Australia and South Australia can apply for state-based grants ranging from $5000 to $30,000; with up to $50,000 available for eligible charities running national programs.

Grassroots Grant winners in 2016 included Project Platypus farm sustainability workshops targeting the Upper Wimmera Catchment Area, and the WA Centre for Rural Health’s healthy eating and food provenance school program.