HAVING recently returned from a trip to Canberra, where she presented her books to the Prime Minister, Alice Mabin is back in the southwest and looking to share the stories she has uncovered during the past year.

Ms Mabin spent a year travelling around Australia, visiting remote farms and stations to learn more and share the experiences of those working in one of the country's most important industries - agriculture.

Her new book series, The Grower, features two books, The Heartbeat of Australia, which shows the life on a station in Australia, while her second book, The Roots of Australia, shows of the life of farmers on crop farms.

Ms Mabin said throughout the books readers would gain an understanding of life for the country's agricultural producers, including that of Gavin Burey and the Roma Saleyards, Dirranbandi properties, the Thallon silos, and stations near Charleville.

"People can learn how each sector contributes to the national and global economy, how these people live remotely, the impact of changing environment, innovation, and the real melting pot of cultures involved in agriculture.”

Ms Mabin said as the drought worsened it was important for more people to be aware of the complex struggles people in the industry faced.

"When the public sees farmers having to put livestock down because they cannot feed them anymore, public perception can turn against farmers rather than support them,” she said.

"Perception is everything in today's online world. Farmers have been taking it on the chin for far too long because of the 'just get on with it' characters they are.

"They don't complain, they don't argue, they just get on with the job, and that's the problem.”

Ms Mebin said it was important that the industry did not lose hope or it may cease to exist. "I am not an activist. I just have the courage to have the hard conversations and challenge public perceptions.”

Check out some of her stunning photographs here: