Developed in response to community priorities, the workshop supports the revival of traditional grain knowledge, strengthens connections to Country and builds practical skills in sustainable land management while supporting long-term drought resilience across the Central Tablelands.

About the project

The Native Grain Workshop, held on 1 September 2026 in Bathurst, on Wiradjuri Ngurambang (Country), brings together participants to strengthen community connections, promote mutual understanding and support collaborative land stewardship.

By combining Aboriginal cultural leadership, seed conservation expertise and scientific research, the project supports the restoration of traditional knowledge while addressing challenges such as drought, climate variability and declining soil health. It will demonstrate how healthy Country, strong culture and resilient communities are interconnected, while showing how native grains can be integrated into regenerative farming systems already being established on Country.

The native grains

Two native grains will be explored during the program:

• Kangaroo Grass - one of Australia's most widespread native grains and a staple food source for Aboriginal peoples of south-eastern Australia for thousands of years.
• Native Millet (also known as Native Panic) - one of Australia's most important traditional grain crops and a dietary staple for Aboriginal people across arid and semi-arid regions.

Workshop program

• Cultural knowledge, storytelling and traditional practices – delivered by Indigiearth's Sharon Winsor and Kerry Saunders
• Native seed collection, conservation and restoration expertise – delivered by the National Seed Bank's Curator Tom North
• Agronomy, nutrition and contemporary applications of native grains – delivered by the University of Canberra
• Connection to the local syntropic farming project and on-Country application of learning – delivered by Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC)

Location

The workshop will be held on private land at College Road, South Bathurst, which belongs to the Bathurst LALC.

Drought resilience outcomes

Through the Native Grain Workshop, participants will gain:

• Knowledge of drought-tolerant native grain species and how to harvest, process and use them.
• Greater confidence in culturally informed land management approaches.
• Practical skills to incorporate native grains into syntropic and regenerative farming systems.
• Stronger connections to Country, traditional food systems and cultural knowledge.

Over time, the project is expected to contribute to:

• Greater adoption of native grains in farming and land management systems.
• Improved soil health, ground cover and water retention across landscapes.
• Increased biodiversity and ecosystem health.
• Enhanced local food security through climate-adapted, drought-resilient crops.
• New opportunities through native grain production, processing and bush food enterprises.

Find out more

To find out more about the workshop, please contact Tonilee Scott from Bathurst LALC via ceo@bathurstlalc.com.

Project lead

Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council

Project partners

LLS Central Tablelands, University of Canberra, National Seed Bank, Indigiearth and Southern NSW Innovation Hub

Project funding

The Native Grain Workshop project is supported by Southern NSW Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government's Future Drought Fund.