LeaderLife Dubbo is one of 27 community-led groups in regional NSW to benefit from the NSW Government’s $1 million COVID Regional Community Support program.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said LeaderLife will receive $50,000 to implant a syntropic farming system.
“Like many other local organisations, LeaderLife went above and beyond during our local COVID outbreak to support some of the most at-risk young people in our community,” Mr Saunders said.
“At the same time, LeaderLife’s ability to raise money for its programs was severely hampered by the pandemic.
“I’m confident this grant will help LeaderLife to further grow skills development in local youth, as well as to become even more resilient as an organisation.”
LeaderLife founder and CEO Joh Leader said the syntropic farm has two main goals: growing food and helping kids.
“After a trip out to Lightning Ridge earlier in the year with a bunch of young people to see first-hand how Rebel Black from the Hungry Spirit is growing food (even bananas!) using a syntropic system, we were inspired to kickstart the concept in Dubbo,” Mrs Leader said.
“One young fella said: ‘we’ve got to start doing syntropics in our country’.
“It’s all about growing chemical-free food locally, using a regenerative system to ensure food security, all at the same time as providing jobs, training and work experience for young people having a tough time in Dubbo.”
The COVID Regional Community Support program is administered by the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).
FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton said grants like this strengthen the capacity of regionally based organisations that played a critical role in supporting communities throughout the pandemic.
“Being able to support the many community organisations and not-for-profits which have gone above and beyond for their communities during such difficult times, and enable them to be better prepared in the future, is important to the ongoing sustainability and vibrancy of these communities,” Ms Egleton said.