Southern Highlands Future Forum 2026 - Regenerative Food Systems

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The Southern Highlands Future Forum returns in 2026 with a focus on Regenerative Food Systems and their role in creating healthy landscapes, healthy food, resilient communities and thriving local economies.

Now in its third year, the Forum will bring together farmers, producers, businesses, gardeners, educators and community members to explore practical ways to strengthen our connection to food, farming and the environment.

Why Regenerative food systems? They recognise that the health of our soil, water, food, communities and economy is deeply connected. They can support healthier landscapes, more resilient farms, stronger local supply chains, improved food security, climate adaptation and more connected communities.

Across two sessions, the program will move from understanding regenerative agriculture in practice to exploring how consumers, businesses and communities can help support local food systems, circular economies and everyday action.

 

 

What to Expect from the Future Forum?

Session 1:
Session 1 lays the foundation for understanding regenerative agriculture: what it is, how it works in practice and why it matters for climate resilience, biodiversity, productivity, healthy soils and healthier food systems. Through the perspectives of farmers, environmental practitioners, producers and storytellers, this session will explore how landscape rehydration, living soils, ecological farming, biodiversity, water stewardship and regenerative business models can restore the function of our landscapes while supporting viable farming enterprises. Speakers will share practical examples from farms, waterways, vineyards, food systems and film, helping attendees understand the principles behind regenerative agriculture and the opportunities it creates for landholders, communities and the environment.

 

The speakers and their content:
Dave Savill, Founder - Your Farmer

Bio:

David Savill is the Founder of Your Farmer and has spent more than 20 years studying ecological farming and 15 years delivering its benefits directly to families. Since establishing Your Farmer in 2011, David has focused on creating farming systems that work with nature, applying ecological design principles to build healthy soils, thriving ecosystems and resilient landscapes. Through a community-supported agriculture model, he supplies families across NSW and the ACT with food grown in living soils and produced through verified ecological farming practices. His work demonstrates how healthy soil, biodiversity, water stewardship, animal welfare and farmer wellbeing can come together to create truly sustainable food systems.

Speaker Content - What is Regenerative Agriculture? Healthy Soils, Resilient Farms

  • Understanding the principles of regenerative agriculture
  • Soil health and the role of soil biology
  • Measuring soil health and farm outcomes
  • Biodiversity benefits and ecosystem function
  • Carbon farming opportunities and natural capital
  • Building resilient and productive farming systems
  • The evidence-based business case for regeneration

Want to learn more about Your Farmer? Visit their website here.

Erin Healy, Program Manager - Mulloon Institute

Bio:

Erin Healy is a Landscape Planner and Environmental Engineer with The Mulloon Institute, specialising in landscape rehydration and nature-based solutions. Over the past five years, Erin has worked with farmers across Australia to improve water management for greater climate resilience, biodiversity and productivity. She currently leads an innovative Water Stewardship Program, delivered in partnership with WaterNSW, focused on restoring the health and function of waterways while supporting sustainable farming landscapes.
 
Speaker Content - Landscape Rehydration in the Southern Highlands: Practical Solutions for Creek Health and Habitat
  • Catchment-scale regeneration and landscape function
  • Drought and flood resilience
  • Improving water retention across farms and landscapes
  • Climate adaptation through natural systems
  • Practical lessons from the Mulloon Rehydration Initiative

Want to learn more about Mulloon Institute, head to their website here.

Suzannah Cowley, Film Producer, Founder - NViro Media

Bio:

Suzannah Cowley is a television journalist, film producer and Founder of Nviro Media, bringing more than two decades of experience across television, film and radio broadcasting. After working in regional and metropolitan newsrooms in Australia and internationally, Suzannah developed a passion for sharing authentic stories and highlighting environmental issues through compelling visual storytelling. Based in the Southern Highlands, she now produces films focused on rural communities, natural resource management and environmental stewardship. Through Nviro Media, Suzannah works with organisations across NSW to showcase real-world outcomes, including a recent Landcare NSW film series that highlights the impact of community-led environmental restoration, Aboriginal partnerships, sustainable agriculture and resilience-building projects across the state.

 

Speaker Content - Stories and Lessons from Across NSW

  • Insights from farming communities across Australia
  • Challenges facing farmers today
  • Innovation and adaptation in agriculture
  • Emerging opportunities for regional and rural communities
  • Building resilience in a changing agricultural landscape
  • Reasons for optimism and the future of farming

Want to learn more about NViro Media, head to their website to learn more.

Phil Lavers, Farmer and Founder - Moonacres Farm

Bio:

Phil Lavers is a vegetable farmer, food advocate and Director of Moonacres Farm in the Southern Highlands of NSW. After spending 14 years working as a financial trader in Tokyo, Phil returned to Australia with his family and embarked on a new career in farming, inspired by the Japanese appreciation of seasonality, nature and the connection between food and wellbeing. His pursuit of exceptional flavour and nutrient-dense produce led Moonacres Farm to receive the delicious. Produce Award for Best Vegetables in 2018.

Over the past two decades, Phil has developed a reputation for growing outstanding produce while championing healthy soils and regenerative farming practices. Through Moonacres Farm, he supplies many of Sydney's leading restaurants and works closely with some of Australia's most respected chefs. Phil is also the driving force behind Moonacres Kitchen and Moonacres School, businesses that connect people more deeply with food through hospitality, education and shared food experiences.

As both a farmer and hospitality business owner, Phil brings a unique perspective on the relationship between food production, environmental stewardship and the realities of running successful food businesses. At the heart of his work is a commitment to transforming humanity's relationship with the planet from one of extraction and exploitation to one of participation, respect and gratitude for the abundance of the natural world. And he's doing it one broccoli sandwich at a time.

Speaker Content - Building Better Soil, Better Food and Better Farm Resilience

  • Regenerative farming in practice
  • Transitioning to regenerative agriculture: challenges, costs and lessons learned
  • Building resilient and profitable farming businesses
  • Soil health and nutrient-dense food production
  • Strengthening local food systems through regenerative agriculture

Want to learn more about Moonacres Farm, head to their website here.

Jeff Aston, Winemaker, Regenerative Agriculture Consultant - Tractorless Vineyard

Bio:

Jeff Aston is a winemaker and regenerative agriculture consultant with more than 25 years of experience in vineyards and wineries across Australia and internationally. Raised on a sheep farm near Bredbo and inspired by a family tradition that celebrated both agriculture and wine, Jeff has built a career blending scientific knowledge, traditional winemaking and innovative farming practices. After working with renowned producers including Clonakilla, Lerida Estate and wineries in Georgia, the birthplace of wine, he established Tractorless Vineyard in the Southern Highlands in 2012.

Today, Jeff combines his passion for cool-climate winemaking with regenerative agriculture, using biodynamic principles, livestock integration and low-input farming practices to create resilient vineyard ecosystems. Through Tractorless Vineyard and his consulting work, Jeff helps farmers and landowners adopt practical regenerative approaches that improve soil health, reduce reliance on machinery and external inputs, and support long-term environmental and economic sustainability. "First there is mother's milk, then there is wine" remains a philosophy that reflects his lifelong connection to both farming and winemaking.

Speaker content - Regenerative, Organic and Biodynamic Farming: Tradition, Innovation and the Future of Agriculture

  • Understanding regenerative, organic and biodynamic farming systems
  • Key differences and common principles
  • Biodynamic farming in practice
  • Traditional knowledge and modern agriculture
  • Emerging innovations and technologies supporting sustainable farming
  • How innovation can help build resilient and productive farming systems

Want to learn more about Tractorless Vineyard, head to their website here.

Facilitated Q and A
Following Session 1, all speakers will come together for a facilitated Q&A focused on deepening understanding of regenerative agriculture in practice. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions about healthy soils, landscape rehydration, ecological farming, biodiversity, water stewardship, regenerative business models and the real-world opportunities and challenges of changing how land is managed.

 

       
Lunchtime Marketplace and Networking Break:
Join us for lunch, meet the speakers, connect with farmers, producers and community members, and explore the lunchtime marketplace. Enjoy a free sausage sizzle, visit local stalls, purchase produce or seedlings, and discover support available for farmers, landholders and anyone interested in regenerative food systems. Whether you are here to learn, connect, buy local or find practical support, there will be something for everyone.
Meet our Stallholders at the Future Forum

Regen Action - Come and meet the Regen Action team, who have been instrumental in bringing this event to life. Regen Action supports local farmers in improving land management practices and helps landholders get started with regenerative agriculture, natural sequence farming, and other approaches tailored to their property's unique needs. Whether you're just beginning your regenerative journey or looking to build on existing knowledge, the team can provide valuable connections, resources, and support. Head to their Facebook page to learn more.

WinZero - WinZero has partnered with Council for all three years of the Future Forum, and its ongoing input and support have been greatly valued. Come and meet the WinZero team, who can provide practical advice on a wide range of sustainability topics, from energy efficiency and electric vehicles to native flora, fauna, and sustainable living. Whether you're looking to reduce your environmental footprint or simply learn more about local sustainability initiatives, the team is always happy to chat. Head to their Instagram page if you want to learn more about their work.

Elata Farm - Come and meet Ian, city dweller turned farmer now raising pasture raised lamb, raw honey, beeswax lip balms and more. Elata Farm are a local farm based in Mittagong practicing regenerative farming practices. If you would like to know more, check them out on Instagram here.

NSW Farmers Association - Come and meet Greg Welsh, the new NSW Farmers Association Regional Manager. The NSW Farmers Association are an organisation that supports farmers, on their journey towards a stronger farming future. Check out their website if you wish to know more about their role in supporting farmers.

Your Farmer Direct - Come and meet David Savill who is also a Future Forum speaker in the first session. Your Farmer is a local farm growing sustainable, ecologically grown beef and lamb. Their aim is to make eating healthier easier, by delivering to your door. They also often attend the Bowral Co-Op Thursday markets. Head to their Instagram page if you want to know more.

Mulloon Institute - Come and meet Erin Healy, Program Manager at The Mulloon Institute and one of our Future Forum speakers. Erin is a Landscape Planner and Environmental Engineer specialising in landscape rehydration and nature-based solutions. She has worked with farmers across Australia to improve water management for greater climate resilience, biodiversity, and productivity. The Mulloon Institute works with landholders, industry, and government to restore healthier landscapes and waterways through approaches such as landscape rehydration and Natural Sequence Farming®. Enjoyed Erin's presentation? Visit the Mulloon Institute stall to ask questions, continue the conversation, and learn how these practices can improve water retention, farm resilience, and landscape health. Head to their website if you wish to know more about their two Southern Highlands projects and learn more about them as an organisation.

Tractorless Vineyard - Come and meet Jeff Aston, from Tractorless Vineyard who is also one of the Future Forum speakers taking part in session 1 and 2. Learn about some of the innovative technologies being trialled in the agriculture industry, and his low input farming techniques. Jeff is exploring new approaches to vineyard management that reduce reliance on traditional machinery while supporting productivity and sustainability. Whether you're interested in agricultural innovation, regenerative practices, or the future of farming, stop by the Tractorless Vineyard stall to see what's possible and discover how emerging technologies are shaping the next generation of agriculture. Come and find out what new tech is being trialled in the ag industry. Check out Tractorless Vineyard at their website here.

Council - Biosecurity and Citizen Science - Visit the Wingecarribee Shire Council stall and meet Tristan, Liam and Belinda. The team will be sharing information on biosecurity and citizen science, including ways residents and landholders can help protect the local environment and contribute to environmental monitoring projects across the region. There will also be information available on Council's sustainability initiatives. Whether you're a landholder or a resident, stop by to learn about local programs, ask questions, and discover ways to get involved. If you want to know more about some of our environment focused programs and events visit us here.

Moss Vale Community Garden - Come and meet Jill Cockram who is also one of our Future Forum speakers in the second session. Jill is a permaculture gardener extraordinaire, she'll be joining the Regen Action team on their table. Do you want to plant something edible and have questions? Jill is the gal for these questions. Head to their Instagram page if you'd like to learn more.

Local Land Services - Meet with Senior Agriculture Advisor, Cas, to learn about the practical support available to landholders across the region. LLS provides practical advice and extension services to help improve farm productivity, profitability and sustainability. Whether you're interested in pasture management, livestock production, soil health, water management, drought preparedness, biosecurity, or sustainable land management, LLS can connect you with expert guidance, training opportunities, and funding programs. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss your property's unique challenges and explore practical solutions that can strengthen both farm resilience and long-term environmental outcomes. Head to their Ag page for more information.
 

DCCEEW (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water) - Come and speak with accredited assessor, Amy, to discuss opportunities for landholders interested in conservation and biodiversity outcomes. The team can provide information about the Stewardship Support Program, which helps eligible landholders explore Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements and the potential generation of biodiversity credits. The current 2026 Stewardship Support Program round is open for applications until 13 September 2026, offering successful applicants access to a free biodiversity assessment and support to establish stewardship sites where suitable. This is an excellent opportunity to learn how conservation actions on your property may deliver both environmental and financial benefits. Head here to find more about this grant opportunity, or head to this webpage to find out more about how the Biodiversity Offsets scheme works and how you can get involved.

 

Session 2:
Continuing the journey from Session 1, Session 2 explores how consumers, businesses and communities can help create the demand, local systems and everyday choices needed to make regenerative agriculture more viable at scale. Moving beyond the farm gate, this session will focus on conscious food choices, circularity, local supply chains, hospitality, biodynamic and regenerative production, home growing and thriving regional economies. Through examples from Highlands Homegrown Economy, The What If Society, Tractorless Vineyard and Moss Vale Community Garden, speakers will show how what we buy, eat, grow, compost, share and value can support healthier people, stronger local economies and more resilient landscapes.

 

The speakers and their content:
Reece Proudfoot, Co-Founder & Director - Regen Labs

Bio:

Reece Proudfoot is the Co-Founder and Director of Regen Labs, a strategic design lab working at the intersection of enterprise, finance and place to help regenerative economies flourish. He works with pioneering enterprises, funders, governments and community leaders to design business models and funding pathways that put people, place and nature at the centre of prosperity.

Locally, Reece and Regen Labs have been instrumental in shaping Highlands Homegrown Economy, a place-based initiative connecting enterprise, capital and community to build a more resilient Southern Highlands. The initiative supports collaboration across regenerative farming, circular economy opportunities, shorter supply chains, social enterprise, community-led energy and place-based visitor experiences.

Previously, Reece spent more than a decade with WWF-Australia, where he founded Panda Labs, WWF’s first innovation lab, and launched Innovate to Regenerate, a $2 million initiative supporting Australia’s transition to a regenerative economy. Through his work, Reece is focused on making it easier and more rewarding for people, communities and businesses to participate in solutions that benefit their region and the planet.

Speaker Content - Building a Thriving Regional Food Economy

  • What a regenerative economy means, and why it needs supportive markets, finance and community demand.
  • How Highlands Homegrown Economy is helping connect local enterprise, capital and community in the Southern Highlands.
  • Why circularity, shorter supply chains and local purchasing can strengthen regional resilience.
  • How consumer and business demand can help regenerative farmers and producers scale and sustain their work.
  • The role of collaboration, shared infrastructure and place-based investment in keeping value circulating locally.

If you want to learn more about Regen Labs and the work they do both locally and across Australia, check out their website here.

Eilish Maloney, Owner - The What If Society, The Studio & The Exchange

Bio:

Eilish Maloney is the Owner of The What If Society, a food-focused, zero-waste cooperative based in the Southern Highlands. Through The What If Society, The Studio and The Exchange both in Moss Vale, Eilish brings together local producers, seasonal ingredients, hospitality, education and community connection. Her approach to food is grounded in self-sufficiency, low waste, creativity and a deep respect for the people and places behind each ingredient. With experience in leading restaurants and a strong following for her masterclasses, pop-ups and “Trust the Chef” menus, Eilish challenges customers to think differently about food, waste, seasonality and local supply chains. Her work shows how hospitality businesses can champion local produce, reduce waste and help consumers build a more meaningful relationship with food.

 

Speaker Content: Sustainable, seasonal eating, connecting the consumer to their food 

  • How food businesses can influence consumer behaviour through menus, storytelling and everyday purchasing choices.
  • Why zero waste, seasonality and local sourcing are central to a more circular food system.
  • How direct relationships with growers and makers can build trust, transparency and value for local produce.
  • The role of hospitality, education and shared food experiences in helping people understand where food comes from.
  • How customer demand for ethical, local and regenerative food can support stronger regional economies.

If you want to learn more about The What If Society, you can visit one of their stores, or head to their webpage here.

 

Jeff Aston, Winemaker, Regenerative Agriculture Consultant - Tractorless Vineyard

Bio:

Jeff Aston is a winemaker and regenerative agriculture consultant with more than 25 years of experience across vineyards and wineries in Australia and internationally. As the founder of Tractorless Vineyard in the Southern Highlands, Jeff brings together cool-climate winemaking, biodynamic principles, organic practices, animal integration and regenerative agriculture to create wines that reflect both quality and care for the land.

Having also contributed to Session 1’s discussion on how regenerative agriculture works in practice, Jeff brings valuable insight into the links between farming systems, product quality, environmental outcomes and consumer demand. His work shows how the choices people make at the bottle shop, cellar door, restaurant or local store can help drive better land management. Through Tractorless Vineyard and his consulting work, Jeff helps producers reduce inputs, improve soil health and build farming systems that are more resilient, productive and aligned with nature.

Speaker Content: Linking Regen Ag to Consumer Choice

  • How biodynamic, organic and regenerative approaches can shape both the quality of wine and the health of the landscape.
  • Why consumer choices matter, including how demand for better-produced food and wine can influence farming decisions.
  • What consumers can look for when choosing wines or local products that support environmental outcomes.
  • How regenerative farming can strengthen a producer’s story, brand value and long-term business resilience.
  • Bridging the gap between producer practice and consumer understanding.

If you would like to learn more head to Tractorless Vineyard's website for more information.

 

Jill Cockram, Coordinator & Permaculture Gardener - Moss Vale Community Garden

Bio: 

Jill Cockram is an experienced permaculture gardener, seed saver and community garden advocate with deep practical knowledge of growing food, caring for soil and helping people reconnect with where their food comes from. She has been involved with Moss Vale Community Garden since its inception, helping build it from the ground up into a thriving local space for food growing, education, sustainability and community connection.

Through the garden’s organic produce, heritage varieties, composting systems, worm farms and permaculture approach, Jill helps demonstrate how everyday people can take practical action now. Her contribution will focus on simple ways to grow food at home, save seed, reduce waste and make more conscious choices about what we eat, supporting healthier households, stronger communities and more resilient local food systems.

Speaker Content - Growing Food, Health and Community:

  • Practical ways people can take action immediately, including growing food at home, composting, saving seed and reducing food waste.
  • How permaculture principles can support healthier soil, seasonal growing and low-waste living.
  • Why conscious food choices matter for personal health, community wellbeing and the landscapes that produce our food.
  • The role of Moss Vale Community Garden as a local example of food growing, education, sustainability and social connection.
  • How growing, sharing and preserving food can help people reconnect with the true value of food.

If you would like to learn more about the Moss Vale Community Garden you can head to their website here for more information.

Facilitated Q and A
Following Session 2, all speakers will come together for a facilitated Q&A focused on translating ideas into action. Attendees will be invited to explore how consumers, households, businesses and communities can support regenerative agriculture through conscious food choices, local purchasing, circular practices, home growing, composting, seed saving and stronger regional economies.

 

 
Join the Conversation

Whether you grow, produce, sell, cook, teach, buy or simply care about food, the Southern Highlands Future Forum 2026 is an opportunity to learn from local examples, ask questions and be part of a shared conversation about a more resilient food future.

 

When

  • Saturday, 05 September 2026 | 10:00 AM - 03:30 PM

Location

Bowral Memorial Hall, 16 Bendooley Street, Bowral, 2576, View Map

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Event Snapshot

Cost

$10

Contact

Environmental Officers - Environment and Sustainability
1300 680 888
mail@wsc.nsw.gov.au
Book here to secure your seat.
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