Regenerative Farming Knowledge Grows Across the Tablelands
Thirteen farmers and graziers have completed the Reboot Your Farm program, building practical skills, clearer pathways for change and a peer network that will continue through the Wet Tropics Soil Care Network.
The final session of Reboot Your Farm marked an important milestone for regenerative agriculture in the Atherton Tablelands: 13 participants completed the four-month learning program and are now taking their next steps with new knowledge, practical plans and a community of peers around them.
Delivered through the jointly funded Sustainable Table and Queensland Government's Atherton Tablelands Integrated Collaboration (ATIC) project in partnership with Soil Land Food and the Wet Tropics Soil Care Network (WETS), the program was designed to help farmers and graziers turn regenerative agriculture principles into practical, property-specific action.
From May to August 2026, participants took part in on-farm workshops, online sessions, practical soil health activities and one-to-one mentoring. The learning journey explored soil health and fertility, biofertilisers and composting, plant diversity, regenerative cropping, horticulture and grazing, as well as value adding and local and regional food systems.
Learning grounded in the paddock
A defining feature of Reboot Your Farm was its practical, farmer-led approach. Facilitated by tropical regenerative farmer Simon Mattsson from Soil Land Food, with support from agroecologist David Hardwick and experienced WETS farmers, the program combined technical knowledge with the lived experience of producers working in the Wet Tropics.
Participants were encouraged to test ideas against the realities of their own enterprises. Hands-on activities brought soil health concepts to life, while mentoring and tailored Farm Action Plans helped each participant identify changes they could carry forward over the coming years. The cohort represented a wide range of enterprises, farm sizes and levels of experience, creating rich opportunities to learn across different farming systems.
Participant Tom Osborne said, “A great course that gives you the skills and tools to assess your soil and surrounding environment to then take action and implement change for the better”
A network beyond the program
Completion is not the end of the journey. All 13 participants will remain connected through the WETS network, providing the cohort an ongoing pathway to exchange ideas, ask questions and learn from other farmers who are adapting regenerative practices to local conditions.
Continuity matters - practice change takes time, observation, confidence and access to trusted people when challenges arise. By keeping relationships active beyond the formal program, the network can help participants maintain momentum and turn their Farm Action Plans into sustained changes on the ground.
Kellie Evans, President of WETS said, “Participants gained the practical skills needed to test and adapt regenerative practices on their own land. Now they are part of our WETS network they have an excellent space where farmers can ask questions and share solutions when facing new challenges supported by a community of peers striving to improve their knowledge and skills around regenerative landscape management. We thank Soil Land Food and Sustainable Table for putting together such an excellent program for the betterment of our region.”
Building on the momentum
Sustainable Table and program partners are now looking for new opportunities to build on what has been achieved. The priority is to support participants as they implement practice changes, create more opportunities for farmers to see regenerative approaches in action, and keep farmer-to-farmer learning at the centre of future activities.
Next steps could include follow-up workshops, farm walks, targeted technical sessions and opportunities for participants to share what they are trialling, including what works, what needs adapting and what they learn along the way. Continuing this locally grounded support will help turn a successful program into longer-term capability, stronger farm resilience and better outcomes for soils, waterways and communities.
David Hardwick, Agroecologist from Soil Land Food said, "The Reboot your Farm Program allowed participants to explore positive solutions for a range of farm management areas that they may need to change as they move to a more regenerative way of farming. From soils, to plants to farm inputs. One key aspect of the program is they are now part of a regional network of other farmers, WETS, who can continue to support them on their change journey."
For more information, email atic@sustainabletable.org.au and visit the ATIC webpage.
Reboot Your Farm was delivered as part of the Atherton Tablelands Integrated Collaboration, jointly funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef and Catchment Water Quality Program and Sustainable Table.