Farmer's Footprint Australia

For donkey’s years, Chris Henggeler has been pioneering regenerative agriculture in a remote region of Western Australia, harnessing the natural behaviours of cattle and donkeys to heal degraded landscapes, reverse desertification, and nurture the soil back to life. But now, his visionary work faces an uncertain future. For over 30 years, Chris has poured his heart into transforming an eroded, fire-scarred property in the Kimberley into a flourishing oasis of green pastures and flowing water. His unconventional ally in this transformation? Wild donkeys. Recent policy changes by the Western Australian government have classified donkeys as feral animals, enforcing widespread culling measures. The Henggelers, committed to the role donkeys play in the land restoration efforts at their property Kachana Station, have refused to comply with these orders—sparking a legal challenge that threatens the progress they’ve cultivated over decades. Donkeys play a crucial role in regenerating dry, arid landscapes by targeting tough, flammable vegetation that most grazers avoid, significantly reducing wildfire risks. Their agility allows them to access steep terrain that cattle and sheep cannot, ensuring more comprehensive vegetation management. While ecologists and a local Indigenous custodian back his efforts, Chris now faces conflict with the law. Recent policy changes have classified donkeys alongside wild rabbits and cane toads, enforcing their widespread culling. Despite their ecological benefits, the Department of Agriculture and Regional Development issued the Henggelers a kill order. The family awaits a review of the pest control notice through the WA State Administrative Tribunal, with Chris facing possible jail time for non-compliance. This is more than a story of policy versus practice; it’s a reflection on balancing ecological restoration, innovation, and cultural narratives in caring for our shared home. Imagery Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) via Australian Story #Regeneration #TheKimberleyAustralia #FeralDonkeys #KachanaStation #ABC #AustralianStory #Grazier #RegenAg #FarmingAustralia #Landscapes #DroughtManagement

Aussie farmers are doing it tough. As economic and environmental pressures continue to mount, Australian farmers face some of the most challenging roles in our communities. Long hours, worsening climate conditions and the relentless pressures of commodity pricing are just a few of the factors that are taking a toll on our farmers mental health. We recognise the crucial role our farmers play in our society and the unique struggles they endure. The suicide rates among our farming communities are at a stark contrast to the rest of our population. It’s our mission to not only highlight their incredible contributions but also to support their mental health and well-being. We are pleased to announce that this year we are holding two farmer-centred retreats to support the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of our farming community, at zero cost them. RECONNECT is a unique retreat experience designed to help farmers reconnect with themselves and their purpose. By providing a nurturing space for holistic realignment of physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing, these retreats will empower participants through expert guidance and nourishing practices, as well as space to allow themselves well-deserved rest. The three day program incorporates aspects of regenerative methodologies, mindfullness practices, functional movement, diet & microbiome health, and connection to Country to create lasting connections and healthy habits. These retreats will be held in Yeppoon, QLD on 1 - 3 Nov Murrah, NSW on 29 Nov - 1 Dec We believe that nurturing our farmers’ well-being is essential for the vital work they do in stewarding our landscapes, ensuring a healthier future for all. We encourage all farmers to apply via the short application form below https://lnkd.in/g-A5-zB4 Anthony James Carbon8 Fund Ltd Regenerators RCS Australia Charlie Arnott Regrarians Zach Bush, MD Local Futures Smart Soil Py Soils for Life Sustainable Table ALSAHWA Santos Organics Sohip Organics Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW Adam Curcio Landcare NSW Landcare Australia #Farmers #MentalHealth #Wellbeing #Reconnect #Agriculture #AussieFarmers

Local is our future... This World Localisation Day, across the world, millions of people are working hard to nurture their communities, healing and caring for each other and nature, strengthening local economies and rebuilding local food systems. The relentless pursuit of growth and profits in a corporate-driven global economy endangers all life on Earth. By transitioning to local economies, we can fortify our communities, enhance cultural and biological diversity, promote social justice, uphold true democracy, and improve our health and happiness. No matter where you are, you can contribute to this transformative movement. You can 'go local' too. "From farmers markets and consumer-producer co-operatives to local business alliances and community finance schemes, people are reweaving the fabric of local interdependence from the ground up. Out of common sense and heartfelt intuition, they are finding innovative ways to step out of the consumer rat race to live local lives at a human pace and scale.” Helena Norberg-Hodge, Founder - Local Futures Mother Earth is resilient. As we make these small but meaningful changes to live more locally, she will respond with her abundant grace. Let's get back to the real economy – our interface with other people and the natural world. #WorldLocalizationDay #LocalEconomies #Localization

In the quiet embrace of Yeppoon's rolling hinterland rests High Valley Dawn, a sanctuary for seeds and souls alike. As soon as you enter the gates, everything seems to slow down here —a sensation that Ange, an employee, attributes to the harmonious energy consciously cultivated by owner Ross O'Reilly. This energy resonates with a unique harmony, fully synchronised with nature.⁠ ⁠ High Valley Dawn isn't just a regenerative permaculture farm; it's a dynamic, self-sustaining community model focused on fostering love and joy in harmony with nature. While visiting for our latest Farm Yarn feature, we learned that the farm prioritises its community mission over mere food production.⁠ ⁠ Ross ‘s approach emphasises people over plants. Visitors come to learn how to live with empathy and compassion, supporting one another in a nurturing environment. "That's vitally important,” Ross says. “We need this as much as we need to care for our planet."⁠ ⁠ Looking to the future, High Valley Dawn aims to become a leading centre for regenerative farming education and a top healing retreat in Australia. This vision highlights the transformative potential of blending human and land welfare.⁠ ⁠ We spoke to Ross about his aspirations for High Valley Dawn and how he believes regenerative agriculture can profoundly impact lives daily.⁠ ⁠ Link in Bio to watch the full story and read our interview with Ross now! ⁠ ⁠ #RegenerativeStories #RegenerativeFarmers #PeopleCare #Permaculture #HealthyFood #HealthyPeople

Eating is a deeply personal activity. Wendell Berry advised us that “eating is an agricultural act” – the way we eat determines how we farm and how farming impacts the soil and the biosphere at large. Food writer Michal Pollan has taken this one step further: “Eating is also a political act” – Pollan points out how our food choices have co-created the food sector as we know it  – a huge part of our economy and a driver of modern politics. And, how we eat also influences our bodies, our mood, and – through the guts-brain-axes – our mental health. So, why should you opt for food from farms, and brands that source from farmers, who practice regenerative agriculture? Our food systems are incredibly powerful, capable of being significant agents of human and planetary regeneration. They can enhance biodiversity, increase soil organic carbon, and boost the water-holding capacity of the landscape. They can prioritize our health and community resilience for generations to come, whilst supporting justice across the entire food chain—from farmers to consumers. If. done. right. We all have a role to play, and each choice we make as individual eaters contributes to the conglomeration of outcomes in our food system. This implies that each of us individually can participate in and even accelerate this shift, at the very least by evolving our eating habits. We acknowledge that while we benefit from a fully regenerative diet, this lifestyle isn't practical for the majority. Most of us are trapped in a large-scale anonymous food system that puts hundreds of barriers in our way – knowledge, skills, prohibitive costs, physical and financial accessibility. So "eating and sourcing regeneratively" should not be seen as a competition or a strict doctrine. For now it is a practice in preparing seasonal meals and eating in community, a shopping challenge, a privilege, a rebellion to celebrate our full humanity, and at times, a political act. If you found this post compelling, we encourage you to share this message, spread the word, engage your community, and help us transform the future of food, one meal at a time 🌱

"Food is the most intimate and direct connection we have with nature. Everyday, the food we embody fuels our consciousness. We are made of food." Many people around the world are awakening to the fact that our current reality is unsustainable. Our societies seem to operate on a 'more is more' and 'bigger is better' mindset. But our planet cannot support infinite growth. This pivotal moment in planetary history highlights the urgent need for change, particularly in how we eat. ⁠ ⁠ Unconscious eating is a major driver of environmental degradation. People have become disconnected from the source of their food and therefore cannot help but make decisions that contribute to the self-perpetuating broken cycles that have become our food systems. To design a better future for our species and the planet, we must transform our diets and food choices. True systemic change begins with individual action.⁠ ⁠ Charles Michel, in collaboration with his Patreon community, has released 'A Guide to Conscious Eating' a 10-point manifesto designed to elevate awareness and champion the regenerative eating movement. This Guide draws from scientific evidence and philosophy, offering a roadmap to a more conscious and sustainable way of living.⁠ We know that regenerative farming holds the key to reverse many of the environmental challenges that we face today, but to grow food this way we need people to actively 𝘦𝘢𝘵 this way too. ⁠ That's where the Guide comes in. It has been developed to be simple, actionable and shareable, so that more people can learn just how accessible eating more regeneratively truly is. Flick through to see which of these acts you already engage in, and which you can add to your list of ways to reduce your impact on the planet and live a more conscious life. (And if number 07 resonates with you, share this post to spread the message further 🙏 )⁠ ⁠ #ConsciousEating #Impact #RegenerativeAgriculture #HealthyFood #HealthyPlanet #Mindfullness

Some farmers arrive at regenerative agriculture after initially navigating the world of farming through more conventional routes, eventually veering away from the destructive, depletive practices of chemical-laden agriculture  and towards the holistic, life-affirming outcomes created by using regenerative principles. ⁠ ⁠ Others consciously step into this way of farming from the very beginning, knowing that for them, ‘regeneratively’ is the only way that they want to grow their food. Tobias and Beatrice Koenig are two such farmers. ⁠ ⁠ Tobias knew from day one that he would follow the holistic principles of biodynamic farming that fall in step with regenerative agriculture. These principles guide his every decision on the farm so that his family can ensure they are taking care of the soil, but it also gives them the peace of mind that they are growing the most  nutrient-dense food possible. The appreciation for these methods is reflected in their customers' loyalty, and gives hope for the type of demand we can create when more people come to know the value of regeneratively grown food.⁠ ⁠ We visited Ingelara Farm on Monaro Country, an area south-west of Canberra, and spoke to Tobias and Beatrice about why they farm the way that they do, and what they think it will take for more farmers to turn away from chemical-heavy agriculture. ⁠ Watch the short film and read our interview with the Koenigs here: https://lnkd.in/gUY3R2hw ⁠ #RegenerativeAgriculture #Biodynamics #AussieFarmers #SoilHealth #Agriculture

On this Mother’s Day, we invite you to celebrate the synergies between motherhood and Mother Earth through the words in Kahlil Gibran’s 'The Mother'⁠ 'The most beautiful word on the lips of mankind is the word Mother' ⁠ Let's explore the timeless connection between mothers and Mother Nature, who both embody the sacred essence of the divine feminine and its life-sustaining energies. This piece transcends personal narratives of motherhood, embracing a view that recognises mothers as integral to the broader ecosystems of care and renewal, much like the earth itself.⁠ ⁠ The poem elevates the concept of motherhood, aligning it with Mother Nature’s ceaseless role in nurturing life without condition. And so, Mother's Day becomes not only a celebration of the women who raised us but a reverence for all forces that nurture and sustain our world. By venerating the divine feminine as a pillar of creation and regeneration, we understand Mother Nature as a generous, life-giving force that continuously fosters growth through cycles of renewal.⁠ ⁠ The spirit of regeneration that Gibran highlights - seen in the resilience of mothers and the rejuvenation provided by nature - illustrates a profound symbiosis. The fortitude of mothers parallels the resilience of the earth, each cycle of care and renewal strengthening the fabric of life.⁠ ⁠ Through this dual lens, we invite you to perceive this day through a dual tribute to both the individual and the universal—the personal mothers who shape our lives and the global nurturing power of the earth. This connection deepens our appreciation for the nurturing, feminine forces that enrich our existence, underscoring the vital bonds that nurture and sustain the human spirit.⁠ ⁠ As stewards of both our land and our relationships, let us honour these powerful sources of life and love on Mother's Day and every day. As we honour our mothers today, both those that are with us and those that have left us, let's also remember our first mother, Mother Earth, who nourishes and loves us without question or want for anything in return⁠ ⁠ #MothersDay #Regeneration #Motherhood #DivineFeminine #Love

As we aspire towards a regenerated future, we acknowledge the complexities that hamper the pathway of widespread ecological transformation. But the sharing of both failures + successes can bolster the outcomes of our collaborative efforts. This exchange not only broadens individual perspectives but also enhances our collective wisdom, guiding us toward achieving better outcomes for communities and the environment. This thought process rings true when we reflect on Sri Lanka’s experience with banning chemical pesticides. The abrupt transition, while initially motivated by environmental concerns, led to unintended consequences such as decreased agricultural output, economic turmoil, and a reliance on food grants and imports. This event highlighted the need for thoughtful planning, community engagement, and robust support systems. Just as in our journey, empowering farmers with knowledge, training, and viable alternatives is key to successful adoption of regeneration Sri Lanka’s experience underscores the importance of gradual transitions, comprehensive planning, and stakeholder involvement in promoting regenerative practices. Building resilience through diversified practices, reduced input dependency, and local food sovereignty is essential for mitigating risks and adapting to changing conditions. Enabling farmers with the knowledge and tools they need is fundamental to the success of regenerative agriculture. By providing farmers with viable alternatives and supporting their transition, we can foster a more resilient agricultural landscape. In essence, Sri Lanka’s story reminds us of the holistic approach needed for transition. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are central parts of this. Platforms, networks, and partnerships that facilitate collaboration among farmers, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners can accelerate the adoption of regenerative practices. By learning from each other’s experiences and sharing best practices, we can collectively move towards a more robust and regenerative farming future. #Regeneration #Learnings #Organic #RegenerativeAgriculture #Collaboration #KnowledgeSharing

Every day around the world people bravely defy even the largest conventions, trying to progress toward a better life. But rarely is a single individual able to successfully alter the course of history for the better. Over 50 years ago, a marine biologist named Rachel Carson embarked on a journey to write a book about the damages done by manmade chemicals to the natural environment. The book 'Silent Spring' not only exposed the reality that, despite technological advances, mankind was increasingly degrading the quality of life on our planet by poisoning the earth with chemicals, but also set in motion a chain of events that would cumulate in the largest environmental movement in history - Earth Day. 'Silent Spring' encouraged President Kennedy to set up a special panel of the Science Advisory Committee to study the issue of pesticides, creating the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and new environmental legislation at every level of government. Despite being attacked with slander campaigns by many chemical companies, Rachel's book gave rise to the unconventional philosophy of Ecology, Interrelationship and Interdependence. Years on Carson’s legacy continues, with over a billion people joining in activations this year. Earth Day has blossomed from a moment of environmental awareness in 1970 into a vibrant, global movement. It's not just a day; it's a reminder of our interconnectedness with nature, and a call to action for a healthier planet. At the heart of Earth Day's evolution is the recognition that our relationship with nature needs healing. As we face environmental challenges, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation, regenerative agriculture continues to emerge as a beacon of hope. Earth Day's ongoing support for regenerative agriculture highlights a crucial shift toward regenerating, not just conserving, our planet. It's a path towards revitalising communities and the natural systems that sustain them. However you're activating today, take a moment to whisper your humble gratitude for the bravery of one Rachel Carson over 50 years ago, and say no to that take away coffee cup 💚 #EarthDay #RegenerativeAgriculture #HealingOurPlanet