MEDIA RELEASE

Australia’s food system is under threat: Food and farming festival, ‘GROUNDED 2026’, combines science and ancient wisdom to offer a healthier, more sustainable way forward. 

Agriculture accounts for over 50% of Australia’s land use, 74% of water consumption and produces 90% of our food, but our farming techniques are no longer fit for purpose. Farmers face declining fertility, profits and the brunt of climate change impacts, the corporatisation of processing and distribution networks is impacting food quality and Australians are experiencing an epidemic of diet-related illnesses. The Australian food system is under threat.

The annual GROUNDED FESTIVAL is a collaborative, practical response to this challenge, building capacity and taking a holistic approach to improving health and resilience for farmers, landscapes and communities.

Founded by Matthew Evans, best-selling author and farmer, GROUNDED brings together a broad range of international, national and local food and farming experts to explore better ways to manage biodiverse landscapes, grow nutritious food, improve sustainability and build healthier food systems. It combines science and technology with ancient wisdom, providing a respectful place for lively discussion, an audience as interesting as the speakers and an excellent menu of local food, drinks and music, all set on a beautiful, regeneratively managed farm.

Evans, best known for his six-season, TV show ‘Gourmet Farmer’ and best-selling books Soil, On Eating Meat and Milk, said: “GROUNDED is about real stories, real people, and real solutions. It’s a chance to gather on-country and talk about what really matters – from soil health and climate to big-picture systems thinking and community resilience.”

GROUNDED is also Australia’s only annual, roaming food and farming festival, held in a different farm location every year, so each festival is a unique, unmissable event celebrating local expertise and culture with an inspiring line up of speakers. 

Following successful festivals in Tasmania and Western Australia, in 2026, GROUNDED is partnering with the local Upper Barwon and Central Otway Landcare Networks to hold the festival at leading regenerative farm, Yan Yan Gurt West, in the Victorian Otway Ranges, two hours from Melbourne, in an area renowned for regenerative agroforestry, tourism, local hospitality and great food and wine. 

Over a packed, two-day programme, speakers will cover more than 50 topics including soil health, landscape regeneration practices, farming for resilience, landscape hydration, regenerative agroforestry, vertical farming models, succession, young farmer futures, carbon and biodiversity credits, de-risking farms, abattoirs and food distribution, nutrition, consumer education and more. There will be farm tours and demonstration ‘walkshops’ on topics such as soil health, farm tours and rotational grazing. Festival-goers can camp (or glamp) on the property or take advantage of the wonderful range of local accommodation options.  

Previous GROUNDED attendee, academic and regenerative systems expert, Dr Dominique Hes, said; “Food, agriculture, nutrition, carbon, soil, yield, water, microbes, nature, community and life…. GROUNDED offers the best two days if you are interested in all things agriculture and contributing to a thriving, flourishing future.”

INTERNATIONAL SPEAKERS – confirmed to date:

  • Dr Steven Chen, American food as medicine expert and CEO of Recipe4Health.
  • Clara Coleman, sustainable four-season farming expert, TEDX speaker, farmer mental health advocate and podcaster.
  • Cole Mannix, Montana rancher and Co-founder/President of Old Salt Co-op, a regenerative marketplace reshaping the future of American meat.

NATIONAL SPEAKERS – confirmed to date

  • Joshua Gilbert, NSW Worimi farmer and author of Australia’s Agricultural Identity – an Aboriginal Yarn, internationally-renowned food and sustainability advocate.
  • Jo Lawson and Dan Hunter, the gardener and chef from multiple award-winning Brae restaurant talking about collaboration from soil to stomach.
  • Rowan Reid, author of Heartwood and local agroforestry expert.
  • David Watson, ecologist, biodiversity champion and mistletoe expert.
  • Vince Heffernan, 5th generation NSW sheep farmer, leading biodynamic landscape regeneration. 
    Jake Robinson, South Australian scientist with a profound interest in trees and the biome of nature and how it affects us.

More speakers will be announced as the programme develops in the lead up to April 2026 and updates will be announced via social media and in the fortnightly GROUNDED newsletter – subscribe at the GROUNDED website.

Evans said: “GROUNDED is for farmers, growers, chefs, nutritionists, teachers, investors  – anyone who eats and is interested in healthier food systems. It starts with better soil, but apart from that, what does better look like for each of us?” 

Now there’s a great Christmas present!

GROUNDED 2026 FESTIVAL DETAILS 
Tickets:    on sale at www.grounded.com.au
Dates:     22nd and 23rd April 2026 
Location:  Yan Yan Gurt West Farm, Deans Marsh, Victoria
Accommodation and transport information here.

MEDIA AND RESOURCES
Website:    www.groundedaustralia.com.au
Instagram:    @groundedaustralia 
Facebook:    @groundedag 
Linkedin:    @GROUNDED Australia 
For images, social tiles, interviews or further details contact:

Laura Dalrymple

marketing@groundedaustralia.com.au

SUPPORTERS AND SPONSORS

  • GROUNDED FESTIVAL 2026 is supported by the Australian Government through funding from the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program under the Natural Heritage Trust.
  • GROUNDED FESTIVAL 2026 is presented in partnership with the Upper Barwon Landcare Network and the Central Otway Landcare Network.
  • This event is supported by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Landcare Grants.
  • Upper Barwon Landcare Network
  • Central Otway Landcare Network
  • Corangamite Catchment Management Authority
  • Sustainable Table
  • Stone and Wood