Let's Grow: Syntropics

LeaderLife are using a regenerative syntropic farming model to provide opportunities for young people falling through the cracks in the Dubbo community. They have planned, designed and implemented a sustainable organic food production system in the heart of Dubbo. Syntropic farming uses principles from natural systems; combining nature, agriculture and agroforestry. There are many benefits; social, economic and ecological, when forestry plots are also planted with small crops and follow a natural succession of planting. This system will provide training, casual employment for youth and community inclusion whilst restoring and creating a resilient ecosystem and regenerative agricultural model to grow food. LeaderLife are excited to supply the local community with nutrient dense food, grown with absolute purpose and intention.

“Never before has it been a more important time to implement innovative, meaningful projects to draw young people back to feeling a sense of belonging, independence, generosity and with and opportunity for meaningful learning. With the current economic shifts in Australia, we believe food security should be high on the agenda” Joh Leader, LeaderLife CEO

Thanks to a partnership with Dubbo Regional Council, LeaderLife have leased 3.59 ha at Lower Tamworth Street. The block is being developed into a vibrant productive space supporting youth and community experiencing vulnerabilities and social disadvantage. Thanks to a two-year commitment from NSW Government’s Regional Youth Investment Program, LeaderLife have employed a local part time project manager who has extensive experience working with Syntropic systems in Northern NSW. The project has provided onsite training including site and soil preparation, irrigation installation, tractor driving and horticulture skills like compost creation whilst being mentored and supported by youth workers. Many local businesses and organisations have generously donated resources to the project like soil conditioner, wood chips from a local tree arborist, horse manure from the turf club, and used straw and saw dust from the Dubbo Showground.

So far over 300 trees have been planted in between rows of edible produce including herbs, garlic, strawberries, celery, kale, bok choy, lettuce, broad beans, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, spring onions, peas, rhubarb and plenty more. Over 30 children and young people have been involved with the project so far with 7 completing their first aid certificate. “Since the commencement of the project, two of our casual employees have moved on to full time employment with other local businesses, which is a great outcome for them both” said Ms Leader.

Planted in April 2024, fresh chemical free produce is already available in one of Dubbo’s local health food stores. “We will soon be launching an online shop via our website, where locals can purchase fresh seasonal food straight from the garden”. The market box initiative is supported by funding from DCJ through the Youth Opportunities funding initiative, teaching skills across all levels of agriculture including development of business skills, marketing, managing a supply chain as well as giving back to community.  Each market box sold helps to ensure the sustainability of the project and paid employment pathways for young people at-risk in our community.

The project is being well received by the young people involved as well as the wider Dubbo community. “It’s been great to see so many volunteers being involved with the project. Planting is a big job so have been very appreciative of the help”. Recently LeaderLife facilitated a cooking challenge that taught young ones about food budgeting, cooking skills, healthy eating and they used organic produce directly picked from the garden.

 Thanks to funding from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, LeaderLife have also included an aquaponics system into the whole of Regenerative Agriculture concept where the water from the aquaponics is used to grow seedlings and fertilise the Syntropics whilst growing 60 trout. Over summer, LeaderLife young people grew 10 barramundi and harvested in April for what was some of the best tasting barramundi ever!  

 LeaderLife are in the process of organising an open day to see all the hard work of the LeaderLife team and young people that will coincide with the launch of the market boxes. A date will be released via the LeaderLife Facebook page and website www.leaderlife.org.au.

Freshly picked produce from our Garden.