2014 marks the International Year of the Farming Family.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Each day we have contact with a farmer, though we may not realise it.
Through the milk we enjoy on our breakfast, the meat we have for dinner, to the clothes we wear, a farmer has had something to do with our daily lives.
This year we honour our farming families across the central west and western NSW, bringing you their stories in the paper and online each week.
THE love Matthew Coddington has for farming developed while he was young growing up on the family property, which he then worked beside his father Graham for 15 years.
He and wife Cherie now enjoy this country lifestyle with their five children after buying half of the family farm including the Roseville Park Merino Stud and 3600 acres of now 8000 acres of land.
Farming is in the blood of the Coddington's with their farming history dating back five generations in Australia and a further 500 years in England before that.
In 2014 there is a focus on farming families such as the Coddington's after the United Nations declared 2014 the International Year of the Farming Family.
"This year, the focus on our farmers via the International Year of Family Farming will help us tell their story and raise awareness of agriculture's contribution," National Farmers' Federation (NFF) president Brent Finlay said.
The family run Roseville Park Merino Stud near Dubbo which has made a name for itself within the industry with Matthew and Cherie Coddington behind the steering wheel.
The couple have taken home the title of NSW Farmer of the Year 2013 by the Department of Primary Industries.
Innovation and sustainability are keys to success at the Roseville Merino Stud with Matthew and Cherie further developing the merinos to be of the highest standard with three successive Supreme Exhibits named at the Rabobank National Merino Sheep Show in Dubbo.
The Coddington's have found a place in the market for their award winning genetics of Roseville Merino Stud by selling the rams, ewes, sperm and embryos from their flock both nationally and internationally.
"I was taking on a traditional enterprise. We had to grow our business in a shrinking market," Mr Coddington said.
The Coddington children, Savannah, Timmy, Charlie, Millie and Tessa , aged between four and 16 years of age enjoy helping their parents where they can with the family farm.
"They are keen and help out when they can. They like going to show and they love mustering. Two are at boarding school but they get home when they can," Mr Coddington said.
Do you know a farming family who would like to be featured in our series? Email their details to acoomans@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
