Deep Winter Agrarian Gathering 2026

A DAY OF GATHERING, SHARING, AND STRENGTHENING OUR LOCAL FOOD MOVEMENT

Join farmers, growers, seed savers, cooks, land carers, and food activists from across the Northern Rivers for the heart of the Deep Winter Agrarian Gathering — a full day dedicated to connection, shared knowledge, and collective action for food sovereignty and agroecology in our region.

This isn't a conference of speakers and slides. It's a slow, seasonal, thoughtful space where small and medium-scale farmers and allies come together as equals — to talk honestly about the challenges we face, celebrate what's working, and build the relationships and ideas that strengthen our local food system.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise the continuing connection to lands, waters, skies and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders both past and present.

Friday 11th September

• Afternoon tour of Marlivale Farm, Goolmanger, NSW

• Welcome dinner at the pub

Saturday 12th September - Unconference at Murwillumbah Showgrounds

• Welcome to Country and opening ceremony

• Breakout groups — two rounds of facilitated small-group discussion based on your contributions, focusing on barriers and opportunities/actions around food and farming. Breakout groups report back to the whole group.

• Potluck lunch — bring a dish to share as we eat together and keep the conversation going

• Closing circle

Themes we'll be exploring together:
Food sovereignty, agroecology and regenerative agriculture, seed saving, Indigenous land stewardship, local food economies, cooperative models and food hubs, climate resilience, and community care.

We'll be asking each other big questions throughout the day — what gives you hope right now? What connects you to your food? What would a thriving local food system here look like in 5, 10, or 20 years? — not to find quick answers, but to think and plan together.

Sunday 13th September

• Morning tour of Summit Organics, Tyalgum NSW

• Afternoon tour of Allards Dairy, Burringbar NSW

Travel and accommodation:

Camping is available on-site at Murwillumbah showgrounds - book through their website. Participants will need to organise their own transport but carpooling between the farm tours is encouraged.

Food:

• Casual dinner and drinks at the pub in town on Friday night at participants' expense

• Saturday lunch will be a pot luck - bring a plate to share

• Tea/coffee and snacks provided

Tickets:

• Unconference: $35 for farmers, $45 for friends of farmers

• Farm tours: $25 each (booked separately)

• Children under 12 are welcome to join (free)
  

Come ready to listen, share, and be part of building a stronger, more sovereign food future for the Northern Rivers.