REGENERATE is a US-based gathering of farmers, educators, First Nations stewards and other land managers united by an interest in championing regenerative solutions to today’s challenges. Guy attended REGENERATE in 2023 as the recipient of the Macdoch Foundation Fellowship.

Introducing Guy

Guy Ritani is a Takatāpui Māori food systems specialist. They co-founded PermaQueer, an organisation supporting Queer, POC and other vulnerable communities with permaculture education, and has experience as an educator in food sovereignty and systems design across Australasia for the past five years.

Guy has been engaged in innovative regenerative practices both ecologically & socially across the Asia-Pacific region for years. Their work is centered around building relationships, networks and systems to achieve climate justice, bio-regional food security and culturally appropriate and sovereign food systems.

In October 2024, Guy arrived the REGENERATE Conference without expectations and left with new connections and a renewed vigour to help find ways to make Australia more resilient and strengthen our regenerative food systems.

“I learnt so much during my time at REGENERATE. What really struck me was hearing such a range of amazing stories about resilience and innovation.”

Reflection on their experience at the REGENERATE Conference, Guy recalled many unique stories, knowledge and ideas shared.

“Cole Bush, a shepherdess from California spoke about using goats and sheep to help with vegetation management to boost fire prevention. Cole now provides this alternative to back burning as a contract service to landholders.”

“Examples like this are proof that when you take a regenerative approach, you can create new industries and service areas that not only create revenue but deliver environmental benefits to the land.”

Guy also reflected on the importance of regenerative practices in creating resilience amidst times of strife.

“For example, when the Ponderosa Forests in Mora County, New Mexico were destroyed by fire, sending a number of small communities into food system collapse, the pre-existing relationships with the regenerative food supply system allowed the communities to bounce back quicker.”

“Receiving this fellowship has been an invaluable experience. It allowed me to build strong relationships with other innovators and visionaries and I know that those connections will be vital in implementing my learnings here in Australia. I’m excited to share the knowledge and contacts I gained through this process with others hoping to make a difference in the industry.”

“I think if we want to spark more uptake of regenerative agriculture in Australia, we need to replicate opportunities like the REGENERATE Conference here so we can share innovative practices on a larger scale.”

Guy hopes to use their new connections, deep ties to community and existing relationships with government in Australia to begin the process of setting up a more organised approach to regenerative agriculture and create a spark for change and innovation.

Macdoch Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 [Re]Generation Fellow Program. Early-career farmers and land stewards are invited to apply for the much sought after fellowship, which includes a scholarship to attend the REGENERATE Conference and access to professional development opportunities, such as farm visits and meetings with experts in the field.