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Applications for Australian [Re]Generation Fellowship now open

Macdoch Foundation

Key Facts:

1. Applications Open – Early-career farmers and land stewards aged 18–40 are invited to apply for the 2025 [Re]Generation Fellowship, open until Sunday 29 August 2025.

2. $15,000 Scholarship – The Fellowship is valued at approximately AUD $15,000, covering conference fees, pre-conference activities, premium economy flights, accommodation, and meals.

3. Immersive Global Experience – The successful applicant will travel to the REGENERATE Conference in Santa Fe, USA from 1–10 November 2025, including farm visits, expert meetings, and peer networking.

4. Exclusive Peer Network – The Fellow will join a cohort of 25–30 international [Re]Generation Fellows, gaining insights from across regenerative agriculture globally.

5. Previous Fellows – Past Australian recipients include Oscar Gordan (NSW farmer) and Guy Ritani (QLD permaculturalist).

6. Hosted by Global Leaders – The REGENERATE Conference is led by Quivira Coalition, FORA, Holistic Management International, and the American Grassfed Association.

7. Equity-Focused – The selection process prioritises applicants from historically underrepresented communities but welcomes strong applications from all eligible candidates.

8. Run by Macdoch Foundation – This is the third year Macdoch Foundation has supported the Fellowship as part of its commitment to the next generation of agricultural leaders.

9. High-Impact Sessions – Conference topics include sustainable branding, regenerative meat markets, large-scale biodiversity protection, and farm business planning.

10. Inspiring Speakers – Speakers include:

• The Painterland Sisters on transitioning a 4th-gen dairy farm to a sustainable yoghurt brand

• Michele Thorne on building regenerative meat markets through “radical collaboration”

• WWF’s Sustainable Ranching Initiative, already reaching 1.26 million acres, with over half led by women

11. Media Opportunities Available – Interviews can be arranged with:

• Oscar Gordan or past Fellows

• Michelle Gortan, CEO of Macdoch Foundation

• Selected REGENERATE speakers, including Michele Thorne and the Painterland Sisters

Early-career farmers and land stewards are invited to apply for the much sought-after Australian [Re]Generation Fellowship program for 2025.

 

The program grants one successful applicant a [Re]Generation Fellowship scholarship to attend the renowned REGENERATE Conference in Santa Fe USA as well as a series of talks, farm visits and meetings with experts in the field.  

 

The all-expenses paid experience will give the recipient a unique chance to develop their ongoing career in agriculture, as well as connect with peers and mentors in the USA, including 25-30 international [Re]Generation Fellows. The successful Fellow will travel to the USA from 1 – 10 November 2025.

 

This will be the third year this Australian Fellowship has been offered by Macdoch Foundation. Previous recipients have been NSW farmer Oscar Gordan (left) and early-career Queensland permaculturalist Guy Ritani.

 

The program was initiated in the USA in 2016 by US-based group, Funders for Regenerative Agriculture (FORA), Quivira Coalition, Holistic Management International, and the American Grassfed Association. Together they support young people committed to life at the nexus of tradition and innovation, food and land, economy and community. Macdoch Foundation is a member of the FOR A group.

 

CEO Michelle Gortan says the Macdoch Foundation is proud to back the next generation of producers and land stewards who are shaping the future of Australian agriculture.

 

“We’re thrilled to support the [Re]Generation Fellowship, which offers more than just professional development—it creates a vital opportunity for early-career farmers to connect with others on a similar path. Knowing you’re not facing the challenges alone, and being able to share ideas, experiences and inspiration with peers, can be a powerful force for resilience and innovation,” she says.

 

“By investing in these connections and global learning opportunities, we hope to empower emerging farmers with the confidence and tools to make lasting change in their communities and across the agricultural sector.”

 

The scholarship is valued at approximately $15,000 (AUD) and covers registration fees, pre-conference meetings and field days, accommodation, meals, and premium economy flights to and from the USA.

 

To be eligible for the Fellowship, applicants must be aged between 18-40 and be within the first 10 years of their career.

 

While the award process will prioritise applicants from communities and backgrounds historically underrepresented, it will not exclude qualified candidates from any background with a strong application.

 

Interested individuals are encouraged to apply before Sunday 29 August 2025. The successful applicant will be notified in mid September.

 

For more information, please visit the Macdoch Foundation website.

 

 

About us:

About the Macdoch Foundation
The Macdoch Foundation aim to build the resilience of people and the planet. Our work focuses on nature-positive agrifood systems, climate transitions and healthy communities. We fund in Australia, the USA and UK. macdochfoundation.org.

Contact details:

Imogen Corlette

+61 410 520 776

[email protected]