Cultural connections in Outback nsw

29 August 2025

When you think about agroforestry systems and food forests, western NSW is not what springs to mind.

But this month at Lightning Ridge, the historic opal and mining town in outback NSW, that’s exactly what the Hub was learning about and putting into practice.

On 1-2 August, the Hub’s First Nations Engagement Officer Karen Kime and Program Manager Mary Goodacre attended a three-day workshop held by Syntropic Solutions.

The company specialises in syntropic farming - a regenerative agricultural cropping method developed in Brazil that involves planting diverse groups of crops, trees, shrubs, and ground cover that supports and nurtures each other as they grow.

The company has sites in Lightning Ridge and Mullumbimby in northern NSW where it’s using syntropic farming to repair the landscape and grow and then sell fruit and vegetables.

Karen said for participants over the weekend was all about getting their hands dirty while discussing how syntropic farming can benefit landscapes, the environment and communities.

“The philosophy behind syntropic agroforestry is wholistic and in some respects there are similarities with First Nations cultures,” she said. “It’s a way of caring for Country that our people relate to.”

Attendees came from communities across central western NSW, some of whom are part of the First Nations Cultural Network – a group we are presently working with.

Mary identified the link between syntropic farming and the Hub-supported Brungle-Tumut Aboriginal Community Garden project, which protects and cultivates First Nations’ bush food in times of drought and builds cultural resilience.

“Our people understand that healthy Country means healthy communities – so the care of such has always been a priority,” Karen said.

“Unfortunately, when Aboriginal Land Councils receive land back – more often than not – it’s in very poor condition, and that’s when concepts and ideas like this come into play”.

Workshop participants planted river red gums to last over the long-term, wattle for the medium term, and veggies that would have a lifespan of up to six months. All participants had different ideas on how to use syntropic farming concepts.

“We had people there on the day applying this type of farming on their backyard block, but many were thinking how they could use this technique on 100 acres or more to ensure they get their land back to the way it was or could be,” Mary said.

“I think it’s really important that the Hub enables concepts such as syntropic farming. This is the foundation of what the Hub does - enabling communities and community-first approaches to drought resilience,” Karen said.

Both Karen and Mary believe there’s potential for the Hub to take the findings of the work Syntropic Solutions is doing and develop a business model, to provide to communities in southern NSW.

“I think this work in Lightning Ridge is particularly important for us to see because of its dry and arid environment. If it succeeds at Lightning Ridge, then it’s something we can all learn and benefit from,” said Karen.