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Overview

Farming is a tough job on a good year, but even harder when facing severe drought. So, what happens when your livelihood depends on rain that just doesn’t come?

Hear Tim Paschke and John Gladigau, farmers from rural South Australia, share about the realities of farming during serious drought, and where they find hope when year after year the rain doesn’t fall.

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Podcast

When in drought

20 Min.

Thursday, 5 February 2026

Messages of Hope Podcast

‘When it doesn’t rain it’s pretty challenging. So, in a year like this where we have, you know, about a third of our annual rainfall, you just can’t grow enough feed or crop to sustain the bank.’

Farming is a tough job on a good year, but even harder when facing severe drought. So, what happens when your livelihood depends on rain that just doesn’t come? ‘When it doesn’t rain it’s pretty challenging. So, in a year like this where we have, you know, about a third of our annual rainfall, you just can’t grow enough feed or crop to sustain the bank.’

‘There’s an inherent risk that’s in farming that’s not in other jobs. I mean, in some ways it’s like any business where there’s that inherent risk. But with agriculture it’s like at a whole different level.’ Hear Tim Paschke and John Gladigau, farmers from rural South Australia, share about the realities of farming during serious drought, and where they find hope when year after year the rain doesn’t fall.

A summary of the key points from this episode:
  • Farmers like Tim and John are enduring multiple consecutive years of severe drought, leading to major financial and emotional strain.
  • Extreme winds and fragile soils have caused major paddock damage, erosion, and fence destruction.
  • The cost of farming has risen sharply while grain prices remain similar to 1983, making it hard to stay financially viable.
  • Many farmers feel pressure to give up, sometimes because banks stop supporting them.
  • Farming is deeply tied to identity—“it is your everything”—making leaving extremely difficult.
  • Faith is a key source of strength; farmers rely on trusting God when outcomes like rain or frost are outside their control.
  • Farmers openly admit to wrestling with God during repeated hardship, but see it as part of normal faith life.
Full Episode A full written transcript (PDF format) of this episode is available via the link below:

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We believe God is at work in all things, draws near in challenging circumstances, and loves each and every person fully and unconditionally.

If you would like us to pray for you or for someone you know, we would be happy to keep your situation in our prayers.