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New national project launched to grow bush food industry with Aboriginal participation

A major new national project has been launched to ensure Aboriginal voices and knowledge are at the heart of Australia’s growing bush food industry. The project, called Yoordaninj-bah - Growing the Australian Bush Produce Industry with Aboriginal Participation, is being led and facilitated by the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE).  Funded by Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL), it will run from 2019 to 2022. Its purpose is to work with Aboriginal communities, businesses and networks across the country to explore how bush food enterprises can deliver economic, health, environmental and cultural benefits.  It also seeks to create an inclusive industry that recognises the cultural and sacred knowledge Aboriginal people bring, while providing opportunities for consumers to support Aboriginal participation through the products they buy. NLE chairperson  Oral McGuire said the project represented a unique opportunity for Aboriginal people to help shape the industry from the ground up.“Aboriginal people have looked after these plants and this country for tens of thousands of years. We have the cultural knowledge that can guide this industry, and the aspiration to be directly involved in building enterprises that are ethical, sustainable and community-driven.” As part of its work, Yoordaninj-bah will conduct a national feasibility study to identify bush food species with commercial potential, while also exploring their nutritional and medicinal value.  The project will develop ethical and cultural protocols to ensure Aboriginal Law and Australian law can work together, protecting Aboriginal intellectual property and interests. Other outcomes include a business case for a Bush Food Incubation Hub at Avondale Farm near Beverley, which would provide a space for knowledge-sharing and innovation while ensuring cultural protocols are respected. Mr McGuire said the project’s strength lies in its collaborative approach. “This is not just about building an industry - it’s about creating an industry that is fair, respectful and inclusive. By working together, we can ensure the bush food sector grows in a way that benefits Aboriginal people.”

Native Seeds and Nursery Development Grant builds skills in mental health and land restoration

The Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) has completed its Boola Boornap Workforce Development Plan, a project that strengthened the skills of staff and board members through training and development opportunities across 2023 and 2024. Funded through the Western Australian Government’s Native Seeds and Nursery Development Grant under the Aboriginal Governance and Leadership Development Program, the project aimed to grow Aboriginal participation in the state’s native seed and nursery industries. Two highlights of the program were Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid training, delivered by Mental Health First Aid Australia, and intensive seed collection training provided by Greening Australia. NLE chief executive officer Alan Beattie said both courses had lasting impacts for the team. “We wanted to build practical skills that benefit both our business and our people,” Mr Beattie said. “Mental health and wellbeing are just as important as technical skills, and these programs have given our staff the tools to support each other and their communities, while also contributing directly to land restoration.” The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid course equipped eight NLE staff with the skills to provide initial support to an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander adult experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. Grounded in a strengths-based, culturally safe approach, the course taught participants how to recognise signs and symptoms, initiate conversations, and encourage professional, cultural and community-based support. Mr Beattie said the training had immediate benefits. “It gave our staff the confidence to talk openly about mental health, to notice when someone might be struggling, and to know how to respond in a culturally appropriate way. That builds resilience in our workplace and in our communities.” During the project, Boola Boornap and Aboriginal Ranger program staff participated in seed collection training delivered by Greening Australia. The program combined technical expertise with cultural knowledge, transferring best-practice, sustainable collection skills to both Noongar rangers and Boola Boornap native tree farm staff. Over time, these skills will support habitat restoration and seed supply efforts across the south-west. “Collecting seed isn’t just a technical exercise - it connects us back to Country,” Mr Beattie said. “The training gave our people practical skills, but also reinforced the cultural importance of these species and our role as custodians in looking after boodja.” By investing in skills that strengthen both wellbeing and land management, the Boola Boornap Workforce Development Plan created lasting capacity for NLE and its people. “These trainings are about more than qualifications,” Mr Beattie said. “They’re about preparing our people to lead in a growing industry, while staying grounded in culture and community.”

Export Readiness Pilot launched to strengthen Indigenous agricultural enterprises

The Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) has been awarded a $1.58 million grant from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to deliver the Export Readiness Pilot for First Nations Agriculture. The project focuses on developing NLE’s Ngooka Honey and wattle seed enterprises while building pathways for more Indigenous producers to take their products to international markets. NLE chief executive officer Alan Beattie said the pilot would give Indigenous businesses the tools and knowledge needed to participate in global trade with confidence.“We know there is strong demand for high-quality, sustainably produced Indigenous foods, particularly in Asia,” Mr Beattie said.  “This project will make sure that First Nations producers are equipped to meet export requirements, while keeping culture and community at the heart of their enterprises.” The pilot is built around three proof-of-concept projects.  The first is a digital traceability system for honey, designed to meet export requirements in the European Union and Singapore.  The second is focused on developing an export market wattle seed into Singapore.  The third explores the planning and design of a facility for extraction, storage, manufacturing and packing - giving Indigenous producers greater control and ownership across the supply chain.“This pilot project will give us a clear picture of what works, where the barriers are, and how we can create fair opportunities for Indigenous producers,” Mr Beattie said.  “It’s about building a model that others can adopt and adapt for their own enterprises.” Alongside the proof-of-concept work, the pilot delivers training, education and business development to strengthen Indigenous capability in export markets.  This includes brand development, export strategies, and training programs on regulatory and technical requirements. The project will also provide insights into the unique challenges faced by Indigenous businesses when entering export markets and make practical recommendations to support wider participation across the sector. Mr Beattie said the long-term vision was to see more Indigenous ownership across the agricultural supply chain. “By creating viable pathways to export, we’re helping Indigenous producers secure not only market access but also a stronger voice and role in shaping the future of Australian agriculture,” he said. The Export Readiness Pilot will run until mid-2026, with outcomes expected to guide future initiatives supporting Indigenous agribusiness nationally.

DBCA Ranger Program creates opportunities for Noongar rangers to care for country

The Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE) has commenced its Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) funded Aboriginal Ranger Program. The program provides training and employment for Noongar rangers to restore and care for country. The program involves a wide range of activities, including regenerative agriculture, cultural burning, seed collection and large-scale seedling propagation. Rangers will also undertake on-country trips with Elders to ensure cultural knowledge is passed down to younger generations. NLE chief executive officer Alan Beattie said the program was about creating pathways for Noongar people to take an active role in environmental management while building skills and employment opportunities. “Caring for country has always been at the heart of Noongar culture,” Mr Beattie said. “This program brings that knowledge together with practical training so rangers can strengthen landscapes, support their communities and create future career opportunities.” Over the course of the program, rangers participate in regenerative agriculture and seed collection activities. They will also be training in cultural burning, and work at NLE’s Boola Boornap native tree farm. Mr Beattie said the program was designed to combine cultural and environmental outcomes and foster economic development by attaining and working on fee-for-service contracts.“Having Elders join rangers on-country to share knowledge about seed collection, bush foods and bush medicines ensures that traditional knowledge is valued and continues to guide how we look after boodja,” he said. Another focus of the program is creating long-term opportunities. By the end of the project, the ranger team aims to secure commercial contracts, so they have continued employment beyond the period of the DBCA funding agreement. The NLE rangers are already undertaking contract fee-for-service work with Main Roads WA. “This program is not just about short-term outcomes,” Mr Beattie said. “It’s about building the capacity of our ranger teams so they can continue to create cultural, environmental and economic benefits well into the future.” The DBCA Ranger Program runs until mid-2026 and forms part of NLE’s broader commitment to strengthen Noongar-led land management across the south-west.

Consultations highlight opportunities and concerns for Aboriginal participation in bush produce industry

Aboriginal communities across Australia have taken part in extensive consultations as part of Yoordaninj-bah - Growing the Australian Bush Produce Industry with Aboriginal Participation, a national project being led and facilitated by the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE). Since its launch in late 2019, the project has engaged 196 participants through workshops and meetings held in locations including Beverley, Esperance, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Bremer Bay, Nowra, Woorabinda, Cairns and Tennant Creek.  About 75 per cent of attendees were Aboriginal, with non-Indigenous participants invited as trusted partners or potential collaborators. NLE chief executive officer Alan Beattie said the consultations demonstrated both the potential of the bush produce industry and the issues that need to be addressed to ensure Aboriginal people benefit fairly.“Aboriginal communities see real opportunities for social, cultural and economic outcomes through a strong bush produce industry. But they also have legitimate concerns about how Sacred Knowledge is protected, and how participation is supported in ways that are culturally appropriate and community-led.” Each workshop followed a two-part model: a meeting and tour on country or through local facilities to set the context, followed by presentations and facilitated discussions.  These sessions explored the current state of the bush produce industry, intellectual property and knowledge protection, and examples of Aboriginal enterprise.  Bush foods were often showcased as meals, sparking discussion and highlighting the potential of the industry. Key themes emerged from the consultations, including a desire for stronger collaboration between communities, the need to invest in Aboriginal leadership, and the importance of bridging generational divides so that cultural knowledge is transferred while new business opportunities are developed.  Communities also highlighted that while many programs focus on social service delivery, there is a gap in support for entrepreneurism and enterprise building. Mr Beattie said the feedback reinforced the value of NLE sharing its own journey and grower group governance model. “Communities want examples they can learn from, and they want to see that business development is possible when it’s done in the right way,” he said. The consultations will directly inform the next stages of the Yoordaninj-bah project, including the development of cultural protocols, and the business case for a Bush Food Incubation Hub at Avondale.

Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program supports WA landholders with new carbon farming plans

Twenty-three Western Australian landholders have worked with Independent Carbon Advisors to prepare carbon farming plans, helping them explore tree planting opportunities that deliver both environmental and economic benefits. The work formed part of the Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program, administered by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), which provides vouchers for farmers to access expert advice on the feasibility, costs and returns of carbon farming projects. Independent Carbon Advisors - a collaboration between the Noongar Land Enterprise Group (NLE), Carbon West and Richard Brake Consulting - prepared the plans for properties spanning Yuna in the north, east to Holt Rock, south to Albany and west to Busselton. NLE chief executive officer Alan Beattie said the program had given farmers a clear starting point for making decisions about carbon farming. “Carbon farming can feel complex, but these plans break it down into practical steps,” Mr Beattie said. “We’ve been able to identify which areas of land are suitable for tree planting, select species that match rainfall and soil types, and make sure those choices meet the requirements of the national Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) scheme.” The plans included spatial mapping, carbon yield predictions, and advice on legal and financial considerations.  Each was tailored to the landholder’s property and business goals, providing a roadmap for projects that sequester carbon and generate tradeable ACCUs. Mr Beattie said the benefits extended well beyond carbon credits. “Farmers are looking not just at the income stream from ACCUs, but also at how carbon farming can improve soil health, biodiversity and resilience across their properties. This program gave them the knowledge to plan with confidence.” DPIRD’s Carbon for Farmers Voucher Program is part of the WA Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program, which aims to build knowledge and capacity across the state’s emerging carbon industry.

An Introduction from the NLE's first CEO - Alan Beattie