In A Good Place: A Grassroots Response to Farmer Mental Health In early 2023, a sobering report landed in the hands of Australians who care deeply about the people who grow our food. The National Farmer Wellbeing Report, released by Norco and the National Farmers' Federation (NFF), shed new light on the growing mental health crisis facing Australian farmers. The report came in response to the devastating 2022 flood events, rising input costs, falling commodity prices and an uncertain economic outlook. It revealed an alarming statistic: the suicide rate among Australian farmers is nearly 59% higher than the general population. That equates to the death of one farmer every 10 days. This was not just a health issue—it was a national wake-up call. Nearly one in three farmers reported serious thoughts of suicide and a decline in their mental health, painting a picture of an industry under increasing strain. Long hours, isolation, the unpredictability of climate, and mounting financial pressure are all part of the farming life. But in recent years, the intensity of these challenges has multiplied. Ross Blanch – farmer and crisis counsellor, said: "Day in, day out as a farmer you’re concerned about your stock because your…

Growing a Resilient Food Economy in California White Buffalo Land Trust was founded in California in 2018 by Steve Finkel and has quickly emerged as a leading force in regenerative agriculture. As the stewards of the spectacular 1,000-acre Center for Regenerative Agriculture at Jalama Canyon Ranch, the White Buffalo Land Trust (WBLT) team leads a global hub for regenerative land stewardship, monitoring and research, education and training, and enterprise development. More than just an organisation, WBLT is a movement, an inspiring destination, a progressive research hub, an incubator for transformative ventures, and a convener of collaborative partnerships. It’s a place of regenerative food brands, producers, and supply chain innovators. At its core, WBLT is redefining what it means to be in relationship with the land. Through holistic project design and dynamic partnerships the team is not only restoring ecosystems but also nourishing communities. Relentless optimism and a reimagination of agriculture Career Journey Jesse Smith has been a cornerstone of the organisation since its early days, joining as the organisation’s first employee and now serving as the Director of Land Stewardship. His professional journey in agriculture began in 2012, when he and his extended family started a diverse farming operation with…

Young Australian farmer Oscar Gordon has packed a lot of living into his 23 years!   A 5th generation farmer, Oscar grew up on 'Birkenburn', his family family near Bungendore NSW. From an early age, he’s been immersed in farming that also cares for nature. Since completing a Diploma of Regenerative Agriculture at Southern Cross University, Oscar has worked on regenerative farms in the South Highlands. He's been a ringer on a station in the Gulf. And he's set to start his next regenerative journey this March. Last year, Oscar travelled to Zimbabwe to visit the African Centre for Holistic Management. Its founder, Allan Savory is a pioneer of regenerative agriculture and a personal hero to Oscar. The founder of Holistic Management and the Savory Institute, Allan has made it his life’s work to understand what causes rapid degradation of land and wildlife. The Institute spans two sites, in Colorado and Zimbabwe and a supporting Foundation based in Denmark. It’s trained over 22,000 people in its methods, transformed 29 million hectares and spawned an international network of 50 global “hubs”. Allan Savory’s TED Talk has named one of the most fascinating of all time. The REGENERATE Conference Soon after his visit to…

In 2023, the Australian Generate Fellowship (fka HERD) was established to help the next generation of farmers, graziers and land stewards build a diverse and resilient network dedicated to regenerative practices. In its inaugural year, the program provided food systems specialist and permaculture teacher, Guy Ritani, with a full scholarship to attend the REGENERATE Conference in Santa Fe, California.   The annual event brings together farmers, conservationists, land stewards, scientists and thought leaders from across the world to exchange knowledge, foster community and explore innovative practices. The conference provided Guy the opportunity to learn from leaders in the field, forge meaningful relationships with peers and mentors across the USA, find support for their work and bring fresh perspectives on the future of agriculture back to Australia. “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.” Guy have 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. Guy co-founded PermaQueer, an organisation supporting Queer,…

The Noongar Land Enterprise (NLE) Group is Australia’s only Aboriginal led grower group. First formed in 2014 the group started when a number of Aboriginal organisations on Noongar boodja (country) reacquired their land.   The landholders came together to share knowledge and learnings so they could help support each other to overcome common barriers and build businesses which were both culturally appropriate and commercially sustainable. Now a decade later, NLE is fostering success for its members in everything from livestock, building natural assets, first nations agriculture, regenerative agriculture, land reforestation conservation and agricultural tourism. Bush food production, honey, sandalwood, cultural tourism, social services and other mainstream agriculture and horticulture enterprises are all part of either NLE’s or NLE member enterprises that are being developed.   "Well over 50% of Australia's land mass now is either owned or managed by Aboriginal people but currently the productivity of that land is punching well below its weight due to a range of constraints. Our aim is to build a pathway to increase the productivity of Aboriginal owned and managed land right across Australia." A key turning point for the organisation came in 2020 when funding from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation and…

Two decades ago, renowned Australian cook and food writer Stephanie Alexander set up the Kitchen Garden Foundation to support children and young people to form positive food habits for life. Recognising the concerning reality that so few children and young people were consuming the recommended amount of vegetables, Stephanie embarked on a mission to change this narrative. The Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation empowers educators across Australia with the inspiration, resources and support necessary to deliver pleasurable food education to children and young people across Australia via the Kitchen Garden Program. Starting with just one kitchen garden program in 2004 at Collingwood College in Melbourne, the Foundation has grown in leaps and bounds and now supports more than 1000 schools and early childhood settings across Australia to run kitchen garden programs. Over 20 years, the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation has facilitated:Everyone who works with and volunteers for the organisation has a genuine passion for “pleasurable food education” which essentially inspires good food habits in children and young people through hands on activities using fresh, delicious, seasonal produce. It helps children to develop a deeper connection to produce, celebrate the joy of fresh food and the act of coming together…