Otways farm to host regenerative festival

A regenerative farming event with an international lineup of speakers will be setting up in the eastern Otways later this month.

The Stewart family’s Yan Yan Gurt West farm will host the third edition of the Grounded Australia Festival.

Founded by Fat Pig Farm owner and Gourmet Farmer host Matthew Evans in 2024 and inspired by Groundswell Festival in the UK, Grounded describes itself as a mix of a festival, conference and field day with something for everyone.

International speakers include Nicole Masters (Integrity Soils, US), Eliza Jenkins (Groundswell, UK), Helianti Hilman (Javara Indigenous Indonesia), Dr Steven Chen (Recipe4Health, US), Clara Coleman (Four Season Farm, Real Farmer Care, US) and Gavin Fisher (organic dairy farmer, NZ).

Locals on stage will include agro-foresters Mike Robinson-Koss, Rowan Reid and Hugh Stewart; horticultural experts James McLennan (Farm My School) and Jo Lawson (Brae); and dairy farmer Simon Schultz (Schultz Organic Dairy).

The Resilient Farming Course Pilot Project, seen here, was the precursor to the Farmer Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture for Climate Resilience Project, of which Grounded is a part. Photo: Supplied.

A panel session on the morning of the festival’s second day will launch the Farmer Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture for Climate Resilience Project, which is supported by federal government funding.

The panel will comprise participants sharing knowledge and concepts with their feedback from the recent pilot Resilient Farming Course facilitated by Kristy Jane Stewart from the Upper Barwon Landcare Network.

Stewart has a passion for agroecology and regenerative farming and is the nurturing force behind the pilot and now wider scale project.

Session titles include Safe to Fail Grazing: Funding your Regenerative Farming Idea, Fire the Friend You Know, Bridging the Divide for Nourished Neighbourhoods: Urban-Regional Food Connections, Superfine Wool From Super Landscapes, Right Plant for the Right Country: Using indigenous plants to their best advantage, Juggling the Personal and Professional in Business and Quick and Dirty Soil Tests.

The event also features camping onsite, offerings of farmer yoga and qi gong, locally produced food and local music and the option to have a look around Yan Yan Gurt West Farm.

Grounded will run from 22-23 April.

For more information, head to groundedaustralia.com.au.