Debbie has always been passionate about social and environmental justice as well as climate change resilience and adaptation, having worked for several years for an international development agency Debbie had the benefit of learning how well-designed sustainable and resilient food systems were having for food security for people around the world, so in 2012 started planning and building a food system that would be resilient to Australia’s unique climatic conditions.
Debbie also worked in community engagement on threatened species, during which time she had the opportunity to learn a range of best practice land management techniques including invasive weeds management, regenerative farming as well as a range of Aboriginal land management techniques such as mosaic burning practices. During this time Debbie’s interest and understanding of Australian native ecosystems, native animals, plants, insects and mycology grew, Debbie is a passionate photographer of everything that lives on the farm from the unusual insects to the beautiful native orchids with the aim of recording increased in biodiversity on the farm over time.
Our farm is located on the boundaries of land that was managed in a sustainable way for tens of thousands of years by the peoples of the Ngunnwal, Wiradjuri and Gundagarra nations. Evidence on the farm shows that it was once used as a source of food, fibre and shelter by local Aboriginal people and was a potential site for gathering resources needed to make spears and other tools. We acknowledge the ongoing pain and injustice that resulted from the displacement of traditional owners from this land and all of their lands. We respect the knowledge of traditional owners past and present, and the special relationship they have with their country. We recognize that it is only thanks to past sustainable land management practices that enables us to still use the land as a source of food and shelter today.
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