157. Regenerating Country
Live with Jacob Birch & Zena Cumpston
Yesterday I hosted a yarn with two brilliant First Nations guests at the World Science Festival in Brisbane, to discuss ‘the rise of regenerative agriculture, the intersection with First Nations Knowledges, and the synergies for a harmonious and sustainable future on earth’.
Zena, Anthony & Jacob against the backdrop of one of the native grain farms Jacob talks about, that was the cover image for the event.
“I’ll just give native grains a plug then. This is a solution to all of those things. Food Security. Healing Country. These grains are long-lived perennials, so they put carbon back in the soil. Their root systems go two meters into the soil, and that’s carbon. They’re self mulching carbon into the soil. They filter the water. You don’t need any pesticides, you don’t need any fertilizer. They are ridiculously healthy. You want a sustainable healthy food crop? Don’t go to almonds, go to these. It’s all of those things and more.”
Barkandji woman Zena Cumpston (aka Zena Sky Ranger) is a writer, researcher and story-teller who has also curated some exceptional exhibitions including Emu Sky. She is passionate about plants, particularly the many ways they elucidate the ingenuity and scientific knowledge of her people. Indeed, Zena has co-authored a new book called Plants: Past, Present & Future – the latest in the First Knowledges series – that featured in Booktopia’s ‘best non-fiction’ list for 2022. Her writing also appears in the extraordinary anthology Unlimited Futures, and in the Federal Government's pivotal 2021 State of the Environment Report.
Jacob Birch is a self-described native grains die-hard. He’s an academic, entrepreneur and Churchill Fellow who is working towards reawakening and restoring the grassland foodways that sustained his Gamilaraay ancestors for thousands of generations. Walking within and between many convergent spaces, including lecturing in regenerative agriculture, Jacob is helping to reignite the native grain economy, led by First Nations people, for the benefit of all people. He has just led a national consultation and authored the Australian Native Grains Strategic Plan. And works with the Yunus Centre to develop innovative business frameworks for the native grain industry.
This conversation was recorded live at the World Science Festival Brisbane/Meanjin, in the Cremorne Theatre at QPAC, on 26 March 2023.
See more photos including behind the scenes by becoming a subscriber via the Patreon page.
Find more:
Regenerating Country, a live podcast conversation at the World Science Festival Brisbane.
Music:
Regeneration, composed by Amelia Barden, from the soundtrack of the film Regenerating Australia, available for community screenings now.