In the remote Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, the effects of climate change are clear. “Because of increasing bushfires, increasing drought, we have definitely been experiencing a rising of anxiety,” Emmanuela Prigioni says. A local here, she thought of harnessing the hectares of unused land to bring people together for a common good. With a shovel in one hand and a fistful of hope in the other, Prigioni got to work. Now, her community farming programme is cultivating social connection and a future for the Earth.
Along with a group of friends, Prigioni co-founded Farm it Forward, an initiative that links property owners with green-thumbed residents. The programme works on multiple levels to improve the community. Encouraging the young and elderly to get out and gain skills in agriculture, the project is curbing disconnection and providing a positive outlet to relieve stress and anxiety. “Growing local food is really a way to tackle the issue of social isolation,” Prigioni says.
Their work also enriches the region throughout the year by building up carbon and aerating otherwise stagnant soil. This regenerates the land, improves water retention, and bolsters the overall health of the environment. “Sowing a seed can grow into something so much more than a vegetable,” Prigioni says.
Today, Farm it Forward has empowered more than 200 volunteers in the area. They have successfully grown over two tonnes of local produce which is distributed to the land owners as well as the organisation’s members. The gardening hubs also employ young farmers, providing them with an opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade and give back to their community. Working with nature to grow solutions to our problems, Prigioni is developing possibilities for both people and the planet.
