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. Oscar attended REGENERATE in 2024 as the recipient of the Macdoch Foundation Fellowship.

Introducing Oscar

A 5^th generation farmer, Oscar grew up on family land near Bungendore NSW before studying a Diploma of Regenerative Agriculture in Lismore. From an early age, he’s been immersed in farming that also cares for nature.

Oscar has packed a lot of living into his 23 years, including stints with Tony Mott on regenerative farm “Greenhills” in Moss Vale, time spent as a ringer on a commercial station up on the Gulf, helping his family establish a Wood Gums conservation project on their farm, and in 2024, travelling to Zimbabwe to the African Centre for Holistic Management.

Oscar was the 2024 [Re]Generation Fellow, joining a cohort of international fellows at the annual REGENERATE Conference. REGENERATE is a 3-day gathering of farmers, educators, First Nations stewards and other land managers united by an interest in regenerative approaches. It’s held in a regenerative agriculture hot spot each year – this time in Denver, Colorado.

The REGENERATE Conference brought together farmers, educators, First Nations stewards and other land managers from around the world to share their knowledge, ask questions and devise solutions to today’s challenges with regenerative solutions.

“Something that was really interesting was hearing about Native American peoples and their historical farming approaches with bison which are now being brought back into landscapes.”

“There was a whole cultural richness around this being highlighted and celebrated, which was pretty special.”

The blend of First Nations and traditional farming knowledge is of particular interest for Oscar, whose family has been working with Koori Country Cultural Fire for the past few years. After the 2019 bushfires, Oscar’s family invited Den Barber – who set up the Koori Country Firesticks – to do some burning on their property.

“What started as a risk mitigation plan – just protecting our assets – led to forming a really great relationship with the Koori Firesticks group. My family now pairs up with them running workshops for the public about cultural burning on the farm. It’s turned into this amazing, beautiful thing.”

Meeting people and absorbing new knowledge is part of Oscar’s DNA. It’s no surprise that his curiosity is continuing to open doors for him.

At the REGENERATE conference Oscar met a couple from Boulder Mountain Ranch, who have been doing work with beavers creating in-stream structures. They’ve also been diversifying their farm operations to include accommodation and workshops. The connections with his own family farm approach are strong. The couple invited him to visit. Seizing the opportunity, Oscar hired a car as soon as the conference finished and drove over the Rocky Mountains to see their work on site.

Not only did he spend valuable time seeing their work on the farm, but he was also invited to dinner with the team from the nearby Savory Institute who were visiting, including founder Allan Savory.

“It was super special meeting him because just two weeks earlier I’d been at his farm in Zimbabwe. He was really amazed at that too! It was an absolute bucket list moment for me – he’s such a personal hero.”

As Oscar reflected on his experience as a [Re]Generation Fellow, he recalled the knowledge shared, relationships built, and ideas exchanged.

“I learned so much at REGENERATE that I’m already putting into practice. And now that I’m connected with the Fellows group, I think we’ll have lots of new ideas to keep sharing and trying out.

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.