Grow the Growers: Cultivating a thriving food system
Santos Organics’ vision is to cultivate a thriving Northern Rivers food system by supporting emerging and established local organic and regenerative farmers. As part of our 2024 Grants Program, over the past year our funding has supported 8 local regenerative farmers on their path to organic certification, networking, mentoring and access to market opportunities.
It is becoming more crucial than ever that we choose to farm in ways that regenerate the land, with a focus on building resilience in our communities and economies. Through supporting opportunities for young people to access farming and local markets for ongoing financial stability and regional food security, we can create pathways to a regenerative, innovative and more sustainable future.
Photo credit: Santos Organics
Santos’ Grow the Growers Project aims to foster food security while strengthening the local economy and promoting ecological health:
"Small and medium scale organic and regenerative farmers in the Northern Rivers face various barriers including access to land and long-term leases, proportionally high operating costs without access to government subsidies, difficulty balancing farming activities with finding markets for their produce, and hesitance to enter the organic certification system due to the initial fees. With financial support, peer support, and networking opportunities these farmers are more likely to gain and maintain organic or regenerative certification and share knowledge with younger farmers for the continuance of sustainable farming methods in the region. We are thrilled to be able to distribute the Ingrained Foundation funding directly to our region's organic and regenerative farmers through our Grow the Growers Project."
Photo credit: Santos Organics
Recently, Santos Organics partnered with Stone & Wood for an evening at the Brewery, exploring how local food systems can change the world. With an educational panel including Damon Gameau, Tobias O’Grady and Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, hosted by Pru Chapman, the night delved into the regeneration movement and how we can each impact local food systems.
Photo credit: Santos Organics
Creating a regenerative region with thriving communities is at the heart of our vision. Guided by our Theory of Change, and through walking alongside organisations such as Santos and their Grow the Growers project, and through collaborative events that bring communities together, we can create systems change and build the capacity of our community.