Ag2050 Caring for Country E-News

This artwork starts with a star, representing an oncoming Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Island person into their team. This person brings their own knowledge and experiences to CSIRO.

As they journey through the different pathways provided by CSIRO they continue to grow. This is represented by the star getting bigger and more complex designs. The star is surrounded by other shining stars who influence and support their growth and development.

The star is always surrounded by others, they are part of a larger, supportive network.

This story takes place in the night sky, reflecting CSIRO’s exploration and research of sciences.

The star, continues on its journey, moving off the picture plane. Growth and the pathways that take us there are not defined by a single moment. Our learning journeys are forever expanding, shifting and growing.

Bree Buttenshaw is a proud Kalkadoon woman living on Quandamooka Country. Bree mixes traditional and contemporary art together to create unique stories. She is inspired by her environment and her art reflects her feelings and experiences.

What is the Ag2050 Caring for Country initiative about?

This initiative is a CSIRO Agriculture & Food project exploring farming futures with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The initiative takes a “relationship-first” approach, where building trust and understanding with Indigenous partners is the runway for all subsequent activities.

This initiative aims to grow Indigenous leadership, support two-way learning and improve capacity for innovation within the Indigenous Ag Sector. We strive to do this by enabling Indigenous Science & Engagement in the long-term science planning process of CSIRO.

Inaugural meeting with Ag2050 Caring for Country Steering Committee and CSIRO staff, Galambary Black Mountain, Canberra on Traditional Lands of Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples.

A key aim to ‘Caring for Country’ is to co-produce knowledge with Indigenous partners leading to more equitable and sustainable agricultural futures.

Ultimately by 2050, our initiative aims to see Indigenous knowledge and expertise a key part of Australian farming leading the way in how we grow our food sustainably and to the same effect improve the holistic wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Country.

Learn more about the Ag2050 Scenarios Report.

An Indigenous-led yarn on agricultural futures

We are organising an event which aims to bring together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices to explore agriculture and food production futures.

This first event will be Indigenous-led, with select invitations to key non-Indigenous partners. The event is being proposed for late 2024, click here register your interest.

Introducing the Caring for Country steering committee

Nini Mills

CEO of Nyamba Buru Yawuru Ltd. Nini is a Yawuru/Bunuba woman from Broome who is strongly connected to her country and community. She is a proud Aboriginal woman, mother, leader, author, public speaker, life coach and mentor.

Darryl Lyons

Cofounder, Chief Rainmaker, 3rd time founder, EIR at James Cook University and Farmers2Founders. Darryl is a 3rd generation farmer passionate about Indigenous knowledge systems. Proud Maiawali Man.

Joshua Gilbert

Indigenous Consultant, Agriculturist & Innovator. Joshua is a Worimi man, who’s work seeks to connect traditional Aboriginal knowledge and history to current contexts, translating past wisdoms and learning to the opportunities of the future.

Alex Ibarra

Co-founder of Indigi Bee and Indigi-Green Farm, Alex works closely with the Community supporting ethical engagement in First Nation food production, research and applications.

Natalie Sommerville

President of Australian Women in Agriculture, Natalie is co-owner of Windjara Ag, a cropping and livestock business in the Mid-North. Through Partners in Grain SA, Natalie helps to deliver and organise professional development activities and events for local farming families.

Torres Webb

Indigenous Research Scientist, CSIRO. Torres is a proud Far North Queenslander and Indigenous man from the Torres Strait (Erub, Darnley Island).

Enabling participation

“As we look to the future, who will initiate the necessary dialogues and build relationships with Indigenous communities to ensure they are integral to farming and sustainability efforts? If we are to rely on these lands for future agricultural productivity, establishing genuine partnerships and rectifying past injustices are imperative. The industry must evolve to include and empower Indigenous voices and ensure equitable participation in shaping the agricultural landscape of 2050” – Indigenous Steer Co-Members Ag2050

Meet the researcher

Mr Max Fabila, Senior Research Technician, Nutrition & Equity, CSIRO Agriculture & Food

Max is a proud Jabirr Jabirr man, with a strong connection to Country, family and community in the Kimberley. He is an Indigenous researcher with a strong interest in addressing social and environmental issues from a creative perspective. Max has significant experience in community engagement and co-design within the Indigenous art, design and creative industries. At CSIRO Max is exploring Indigenous cultural indicators with CSIRO’s Drought Resilience Mission, he is also undertaking place-based and policy assessments on Indigenous Food Security and Nutrition with the Food Systems Horizons Initiative. Meet Max Fabila (Jabirr Jabirr descendant) Indigenous Researcher Officer presenting at a drought resilience conference in Dubbo

The Food Systems Horizons Initiative

Food System Horizons is helping Australians think differently about how food can provide opportunities and benefits for sustainability, health, equity, and productivity. It’s exploring the evidence we need to support more holistic narratives about Australia’s agriculture and food systems, and seeks views on how national reporting systems could be improved to support these narratives.

Find out more about the launch of Food Systems Horizons on csiro.au or watch this video on YouTube.

yindyamarra: First Nations voices in agricultural policy and R&D

This edition of Farm Policy Journal includes articles authored by First Nations people. Titled yindyamarra, in wiradjuri language, there are many layers of yindyamarra (respect) and how to live a mindful life. The authors highlight that Australia’s aims and strategies for the agricultural sector must include ‘truth-telling’ and the acknowledgement of Australia’s colonial and contemporary history, including working to address the low university attendance rates of Indigenous peoples in agriculture and the lack of Indigenous-led research in this sector.

Purchase yindyamarra.

Calling First Nations Artists: showcase the connection between Caring for Country and food production

We are looking for a talented First Nations artist to weave a compelling narrative that highlights the profound relationship between Caring for Country and sustainable food production. This unique opportunity invites you to create an artwork that captures the essence of traditional land stewardship and its integral role in the future of agriculture. Your creative vision will play a pivotal role in celebrating Indigenous knowledge and practices, fostering a deeper understanding of how they contribute to a resilient and thriving agricultural system. This is your chance to shine a spotlight on the invaluable connection between culture, community and the land. Join us in this inspiring initiative and help shape the future of food production with your artistic storytelling. Apply to Ag2050@csiro.au.

Meet the Caring for Country team

Get in touch

Would you like to learn more about the Ag2050 Caring for Country Initiative? Contact Ag2050@csiro.au or marni.williams@csiro.au.