Across rural NSW, people are adapting to our changing environment and climate. They are regenerating landscapes, reshaping the food system, and using ingenious methods – old and new – to harness natural resources and protect vulnerable ecosystems.

Since early 2018, the nine artists of the AFS Project have been engaging with this world of creativity and resourcefulness that exists beyond the horizon of the city. Their collaborations bridge different perspectives on agriculture, soil, Aboriginal country, carbon, solar energy and wild foods. Groundswell invites the public to engage with the artists, collaborators and some incredible speakers who will expand on the ideas explored in the projects. The program will feature talks, walks, food, film, demonstrations, performances and installations at The Living Classroom, a site for land-based learning on Bingara’s reclaimed town commons. Bingara is in the New England region of NSW. Click here for the Groundswell program.

Groundswell is being held in conjunction with Pulse of the Earth, a Festival of Regeneration! Together they make for a fantastic weekend for the whole family. You can download the integrated program here, or you’ll find it pasted below.

Click here to view the speakers’ bios, and here for the artists, but here is a snapshot of our incredible line up:

• Keynote: Charles Massy (farmer, educator, author of Call of the Reed Warbler)

• Erika Watson and Hayden Druce (Epicurean Harvest farmers)

• Rachel Lawrence (agroecologist and aspiring potter)

• Tim Cavagnaro (Associate Professor, soil ecology, Uni of Adelaide)

• Sarah Burrows & Anita Taylor (founders of Red 8 Produce, a mobile ethical abattoir start-up)

• Ian Milliss (KSCA artist and Cultural Adaptation muse)

• Ananth Gopal (actor and Director of Polykala, facilitator of individual, community, organisational adaptation)

• Sharon Windsor (entrepreneur, founder of Indigiearth)

• David Hardwick (agroecology educator, partner Soil Land Food)

• Lee Fieldhouse & Kirsty Hughes (Island Biologicals, vermiculture innovators - yes, worms!)

• Bjorn Sturmberg (solar scientist and renewable energy entrepreneur)

• New England Landcare (coordinated by Sara Schmude)

• Glenn Morris (organic farmer, climate change activist)

• Aunty Sue Blacklock (elder, Tingha)

There will be free camping at the Showgrounds, which neighbours the festival location. There are great amenities and powered sites there. Also the majestic Gwydir River runs through the town and has amazing camping (also free), but you need to be self-contained. Information about Bingara, getting there, the river, accommodation options can be found here.