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. Ivy attended REGENERATE in 2025 as the recipient of the Macdoch Foundation Fellowship.

Introducing Ivy

For Ivy, growing up in the beautiful but harsh conditions of the Monaro Plains in regional New South Wales – often dry and frosty – fostered a deep interest in working with the land. The youngest of three sisters and the fourth generation of her family to run merino sheep on the family’s property, Ivy has witnessed nature’s resilience and felt the responsibility of stewardship.

“I’ve seen the paddocks blow away during drought and the tree dieback, which had a vast ecological impact,” Ivy says.

“It really made me think, how else do you approach farming to make sure that you’re using new innovations and evolving it to be environmentally and economically sustainable, while making sure you’re creating an environment that’s still productive? Being in agriculture is about making contributions that will last beyond my own generation.”

In November 2025, Ivy travelled from Monaro Plains to the REGENERATE Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to join a cohort of fifteen fellows of diverse backgrounds – from vegetable growing and cattle farming, to advocacy and education. Over the three-day gathering, Ivy had the opportunity to learn from leaders in the field, build relationships with peers and mentors, and contribute fresh perspectives on the future of agriculture.

Alongside her learnings from technical sessions on emerging technologies, engineering and financing, Ivy reflected on the shared values and community-driven motivation that underpinned each interaction and conversation.

“It was so energising to meet so many people who were passionate about making a difference, even if they weren’t in agriculture themselves, but still wanted to contribute…. Regeneration isn’t just about ecological renewal, it’s also about social resilience, community trust, and creating spaces where people feel empowered to act.”

Ivy says the chance to see how other countries are making, selling and consuming food and fibre is critical for Australian innovation – and she urges other young farmers interested in regenerative agriculture to expand their networks however they can.

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.