IMAGINE A MORE BEAUTIFUL FOOD FUTURE FOR AUSTRALIA
We envisage a renaissance of small-scale Regenerative Agriculture, creating a truly sustainable food future for everyone.
We are growing deeper connections between community and nature, supporting the transition from chemical-driven industrial agriculture to a more natural approach. By renewing our connection with land, food and health, we hope to inspire more people to live happier, healthier lifestyles. There’s never been a better time to get involved. Subscribe to the Friendly Farms network today, and find out how you can be a part of creating Healthy Land, Healthy Food and Healthy People.
HEALTHY LAND
We are restoring productive landscapes by rehydrating soils and increasing biodiversity.
HEALTHY FOOD
We are growing nutrient-dense produce while improving food security and seed sovereignty.
HEALTHY PEOPLE
We are increasing wellbeing and boosting natural immunity through a more regenerative lifestyle.
The Story So far…
THE PROBLEM
Australia is currently suffering from the results of more than 200 years of over-extractive agriculture, which has adversely impacted our entire landscape and is now disrupting our climate.
97% of pre-European rainforests have been cut down and over 95% of pre-European wetlands have been drained.
Since the introduction of Industrial Agriculture, we have seen widespread use of synthetic chemicals and fertilizers on large-scale monocrops, coupled with massive over-grazing by livestock. This approach has resulted in a devastating loss of biodiversity, severe soil erosion and salinity problems.
Now, we can also see Industrial Agriculture as being a major contributor to global climate change. The increasingly severe cycles of droughts, fires and floods are driving a widespread ecosystem collapse right across our country.
So, what can we do?
Friendly Farms exists to…
CONNECT
We produce exciting events, field days, workshops and webinars, linking you with the pioneers and practitioners of Regenerative Agriculture.
COMMUNICATE
We use the power of storytelling to inform and inspire wider audiences by sharing personal stories and showing the results of transitioning to a more regenerative lifestyle.
COLLABORATE
We work together on regenerative projects with other practitioners and groups by pooling our collective knowledge, skills and resources towards a more regenerative future for all.
PROJECTS
LITTLE LANDSCAPES
Imagine rehydrating your land, growing abundant food forests and market gardens tended by the next wave of regenerative practitioners. Friendly Farms are creating Little Landscapes to connect with the large landscape right across Australia, promoting a more regenerative lifestyle for everyone. Ask us how you can have a Little Landscape at your home or farm today.
Join some of Australia’s leading Regenerative Farming pioneers and practitioners in this special online Q&A series. Together, we’re sharing inspiring stories and revealing the patterns and sequences that are encoded in the blueprint of the Australian landscape. Bring along your direct questions to help you read and restore your landscape and build resilience to droughts, fires and flooding rains. Register here to reserve your spot in the zoom room! https://events.humanitix.com/reading-your-landscape
How can you help?
DONATE TO THE CAUSE
SHARE OUR STORIES
JOIN THE NETWORK
HELP BY SHARING OUR STORIES, EVENTS AND RESOURCES WITH OTHERS.
WATCH OUR STORIES
For over a decade, Friendly Farms have been promoting the pioneers of Regenerative Agriculture and supporting our Farmers in Transition – both in Australia and on the world stage – from boots-on-farms to participating in the Global Landscapes Forums (GLF), UNEP Finance Roundtable and UN FCCC COP 25 Madrid (UN Climate Change conference). Relax and enjoy some of the stories we have covered over the years…
Or head over to our Youtube Channel for dozens of inspiring short films, webinars and more!
Black Duck Foods - An Indigenous Food Story That Connects Us All
Black Duck Foods is an Indigenous social enterprise committed to traditional food growing processes that care for Country and return economic benefits directly to Indigenous people.
Exponential Economics of Nature, with Martin Royds at Jillamatong
Martin Royds from Jillamatong shares his journey from chemical farmer to regenerative farmer.
A Tale of Two Paddocks - Restoring Bungonia with Peter Andrews OAM
Peter Andrews OAM has come from Bylong Valley to Bungonia, to demonstrate the blueprint of the Australian landscape, at a scale that everyone can understand and replicate.
Yambulla - An Immersive Landscape Experience
Restoring former grazing land such as Yambulla — returning the land to a ‘natural’ state — is not a passive process. It’s a constant collaboration between humans and nature. The purpose of Yambulla is to invite people into this process.
Restoring the Central West - Bathurst Rehydration Program with John Fry
Restoring the Central West brings together the people of Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange to build regional jobs and prosperity. Future extensions can restore landscapes further out into the Murray Darling-Baaka Basin.
A New Future for Beautiful Bylong
The community of Bylong is calling for a new future for beautiful Bylong. Right now, there is a once in a lifetime opportunity to rebuild community and showcase regenerative farming to the world.
Forage Farms at Mary Valley
Forage Farms is owned by the Andrews family, third generation regenerative farmers. Following Natural Sequence Farming philosophies, Forage Farms food is produced without artificial fertilisers, chemicals and no nasties whatsoever. Enjoy quality, healthy and local food, the regenerative way.
Tarwyn Park Training: A Regenerative Experience with Natural Sequence Farming
Learn the principles of Natural Sequence Farming and how to implement them into any operation. We aim to share our knowledge of landscape rehabilitation with the wider community empowering them to create change within a degrading landscape.
Sunlight Packaged by Plants - Restoring Widden Brook at Baramul
Peter Andrews OAM has been restoring Widden Brook at scenic Baramul Stud for over 15 years. Find out how Peter’s approach is rebuilding healthy landscapes, despite the most extreme cycles of droughts, fires and floods.
NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR CLIMATE RECOVERY
“Nature Based Solutions (NBS) can provide at least a third of the solution to climate change but receive less than 3% of the funding from current available climate finance.”
THINK LANDSCAPE: FROM GLOBAL LANDSCAPES FORUM TO GLFx
GLFx is a global community of independently organised local landscape chapters, where passionate people meet in their town or city, and meet online in dedicated communities of practice.
A GIFT OF NATURE WITH DR JAN POKORNY
Which is better… the shade of an umbrella or the shade of a tree? A random leaf falling into Dr Jan Pokorný’s beer in Bohemia, sparks this intriguing question and leads a stunning discovery…
GARDEN OF ADON AT HAZELCOMBE FARM
A NEW BEGINNING FOR THE AUSTRALIAN LANDSCAPE WITH NSF
“If the Australian landscape was better understood, we could save the world from environmental disaster.” ~ Peter Andrews OAM
A DROP OF INSPIRATION WITH MICHAL KRAVCIK
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH OUR EVENTS, WORKSHOPS AND COURSES.
EVENTS
Friendly Farms has been producing ground-breaking events, featuring speakers such as Dr Vandana Shiva, Joel Salatin, Peter Andrews OAM, Zachary Weiss and have supported well over 100 community documentary screenings.
UPCOMING
Reading Your Landscape – Q&A series of landscape literacy webinars, featuring stories and insights from leading regenerative practitioners.
NETWORK
Friendly Farms recommends these events from across our network that are making a real difference:
- Field Days by The Australian Landscape Science Institute
- Natural Sequence Farming courses by Tarwyn Park Training
- Farming Secrets learning events series
Selected past events
MEET THE FRIENDLY FARMS TEAM
Friendly Farms is dedicated to promoting Regenerative Agriculture for healthy land, healthy food and healthy people.
MATT ROBINSON
Matt joined the Friendly Farms team wanting to help make a positive change and be actively involved in spreading the good word of Nature Based Solutions and Regenerative Agriculture. Starting in Permaculture and moving through to Natural Sequence Farming, Matt, like many others, was on a quest to find where and how to make the change, which lead him to landscape restoration.
An artist and graphic designer at heart and from an impressive international marketing & events background, he is instrumental in all Friendly Farms communications.
His 3 biggest strengths are relationship building, communication and getting the job done.
NICKI POWER
Nicki is growing a regenerative community at Hazelcombe Farm, with Dan and a cast of a thousand critters and characters! She was one of the first female Honours Physicists at ANU and gained an Engineering Master’s Degree in fluid dynamics.
Nicki enjoyed a successful career at the ABC as a Senior Business Systems Analyst and co-founded a TV Production business. In her spare time, Nicki helped guide strategic planning for a number of orgs, including the Stock Exchange, AREC and the State Department.
Now, Nicki is devoted to making the world a more beautiful place every day, starting with the lovely patch at Hazelcombe Farm.
PETE DOWSON
Pete is a Sydney-born media producer who makes positive stories for change. Pete has a Commerce degree but focusses on media and communications to share knowledge and make a difference. He loves to show others how to find and make their own stories, using simple tools and everyday tech. Growing up in a place of natural abundance, Pete is always ready to step up and support environmental causes as well.
Pete’s 3 biggest strengths are ideation, interconnectedness and inspiration.
BEATRICE LUDWIG
Beatrice is a lawyer who advocates for organic small-scale agriculture. Beatrice is trained in Natural Sequence Farming, Agroecology, Agroforestry, Holistic Management, Permaculture and Earthworks. Most recently, Beatrice achieved competency in Landscape Finance, Landscape Governance and Landscape Leadership. For five years, Beatrice produced weekly sustainability events and special events focussing on regenerative organic agriculture.
Beatrice’s 3 biggest strengths are strategy, empathy and individualisation.
JOIN THE FRIENDLY FARMS NETWORK
Please note that we will only send you relevant information on news, events, workshops and other Friendly Farms activities. Your personal information will remain private and will not be passed onto any third parties. We will send you a personal email to welcome you to the Friendly Farms Network and ask you how you would like to get involved.
DONATE TO FRIENDLY FARMS
Become a paid subscriber to Friendly Farms on the Start Some Good platform.
Alternatively you can make a donation via bank transfer:
Friendly Farms Limited
Sydney Mutual Bank
BSB: 611001
Acc No: 157442
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, water and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.