Chevalier Regeneration

What is Regeneration Chevalier?

Chevalier College, in collaboration with Regen Action is leading the way in modern education, with this cutting-edge regenerative agriculture project.

The initiative will see the school’s farm transition from traditional agricultural methods to the new paradigm sweeping the world – Regenerative Agriculture and land management through natural sequence farming.

Regen Action, a local not-for-profit organisation promoting the uptake of landscape regeneration as the first step to full ecosystem restoration, have embarked on an education program to be rolled out through many local high and primary schools.

Chevalier College is the first school to embark on a Regen Action Educational Partnership and will be the flagship school with a demonstration site for regenerative agriculture in the area.

Grant funding for the initiative has been secured by the school and the project is now underway.

Benefits to Regenerative Agriculture

• Soils are improved through increased hydrology and fertility. Farmers can produce more nutrient-dense products that attract higher prices and increase the health benefits to consumers.
• With increased hydrology in the landscape, the land is better equipped to face droughts and bush fires.
• Slowing the flow of water and filtering it through the landscape not only acts as a flood mitigator, but also delivers higher quality water into the catchment.
• Regenerated landscapes can capture vast amounts of carbon. If 50% of the Wingecarribee Shire’s rural land was transitioned to landscape regeneration and was able to capture just 2% more carbon in the soil (a very conservative estimate) … then it would be capturing the equivalent carbon to the entire emissions of the shire.

World Environment Day – 5 June 2023

Official Launch

Regeneration Chevalier was officially launched on 5 June, World Environment Day.

Guests from the local media joined project partners, supporters, students, and staff as Principal, Greg Miller turned the first soil to launch this new initiative.

The event commenced with an acknowledgement of country by Bundjalung man, Southern Highlands resident, writer and artist Djon Mundine OAM.

Chevalier student, Alex H gave a student’s perspective on the project, identifying the various faculties that will be participating in all facets of the project including the design, soil testing, land management, and audiovisual documentation.

Greg Miller, Principal, expressed the importance of Chevalier College’s involvement in such a valuable community partnership.

“Chevalier College is incredibly proud to be part of the transition occurring around the world in how agriculture is practised to ensure landscapes are cared for and restored. Our partnership with Regen Action will give our students the hands-on experience and practical understanding of how we can all be part of this important process. We are also extremely excited, as the flagship school, to inspire and assist other educational institutions to begin their regenerative journeys.”

Regen Action’s Project Director, Rob Skinner, explained the importance of regenerative agriculture. “UN studies show that we possibly only have 40 to 60 harvests left in our soils if we continue with traditional agriculture. We need to transition to a system that cares for our soils and takes us back to what nature was doing originally, automatically spreading hydrology and fertility through the landscape.”

Project Support

Partner Regen Action

Supporters NSW Government, Independent Council for Ecosystem Restoration, Bowral Co-op and Andrews Earthmoving

The Regen project is supported by the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program within the NSW Department of Education. Neil Bessant from the RIEP program said, “Projects such as this are key to addressing the skills gap by allowing students to gain meaningful insights into future jobs and the importance of sustainable practices in agriculture. The agricultural education space will connect students with local employers and provide a valuable learning resource for Chevalier College.

Film maker and regenerative farmer Rachel Ward commends the Chevalier College / Regen Action collaboration. “It is so exciting to be part of a movement along with Regen Action and Chevalier College – kindred spirits in turning around years of land mismanagement and bringing our country and food back to optimum health. Hopefully they are the beginning of an education that will roll out throughout the country.” Rachel Ward’s film ‘Rachel’s Farm’ documents her journey transitioning to regenerative agriculture and features at this year’s Sydney Film Festival.