The Atherton Tablelands Integrated Collaboration (ATIC) is a program being delivered by Sustainable Table to enable and scale regenerative agriculture opportu...
GOAL
$50,000
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Atherton Tablelands Integrated Collaboration (ATIC) is a program being delivered by Sustainable Table to enable and scale regenerative agriculture opportunities within the Atherton Tablelands. The purpose is to improve, and enhance the landscape’s biological vitality and improve the quality of water flowing to the Great Barrier Reef.
ATIC will facilitate a transition to regenerative agriculture practices, build a practical knowledge base and will be supported by the development of a regional food hub in Cairns, building economic security and food security in the region.
ATIC is a $3 million program being delivered over 5 years (2023 – 2027) in 4 Phases. With Phase 1 complete, we are now into Phase 2: Industry Outreach and Delivery.
ATIC is a matched funding project, with $1.5 million being provided through the Queensland Government’s Reef Water Quality Program (QRWQP). We are now seeking partners to join Sustainable Table in matching the Queensland Government’s contribution to enable us to further the project.
Following extensive consultation across the region as part of Phase 1, we have defined Phase 2 as three pilot projects to be delivered between now and August 2025. Phase 2 has been designed to get on-the-ground, practical insights and measurement within the region while building relationships with and between industry players at all stages of the supply chain.
PROJECT OUTCOMES
Atherton Tablelands and Cairns is a major agricultural region and has been identified as a priority area to transition to regenerative agriculture due to its close proximity to, and interacting relationship with, the fragile Great Barrier Reef system. With diverse food production sectors and an existing appetite for a regenerative approach, Sustainable Table has identified opportunities to support innovators in this region to thrive and lead the way for others to follow. This will result in improved land stewardship, water quality and a thriving regenerative culture.
- Improved water quality for the Great Barrier Reef, supporting achievement of reef water quality targets set by Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.
- Greatly strengthened knowledge and resulting practice change, by land managers of regenerative agriculture, soil health and water quality and their impact on the water quality of the reef.
- Germination of farm to market supply chain, including circularity in the region.
- Identification and funding stream directed towards the key levers in the system and keystone players that enable rapid change.
- Identification and scoping of areas ripe for replication and enhanced collaboration opportunities, for this place-based model.
- A Cairns community which has access to local seasonal food and enhanced food literacy.
Sustainable Table
Sustainable Table is regenerating food and farming in Australia from the ground up.
The majority of the food we eat is grown and produced in ways that are harmful to people and the planet. Agriculture is a leading contributor to the climate crisis and substantially impacts ecosystems and communities throughout the world.
Across the country, change makers are working on regenerative solutions to the social and environmental problems we face. Our team is working closely with these people to fund their projects, foster collaboration and unlock impact for a thriving future.
Together, we can take action to enable resilient agricultural ecosystems, create thriving food and farming communities and reimagine economies.
Our Approach:
Connecting the Dots
- Through the launch of Australia’s Regenerative Food and Farming map we are playing a convening function with values aligned industry, partners and funders that allows for deeper and more effective systemic impact.
Funding Regeneration
- The Sustainable Table Fund provides much needed enabling capital that boosts the capacity of the regenerative food and farming sector by supporting projects to innovate, collaborate, mature and thrive. Climate resilient food and farming are enabled through appropriate, transparent supply chains.
Growing Awareness
- We develop carefully curated resources to help grow the understanding of regeneration. We collaborate with industry stakeholders to amplify and share stories for a thriving, resilient, ecological future.
BUDGET BREAKDOWN
TOTAL BUDGET: $400,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Morris Family Foundation | $50,000 |
| Illawong Fund | $50,000 |
| Donations (confirmed) | $250,000 |
| Funding Gap (unconfirmed) | $50,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pilot 1: Part 1 Logistics, Distribution and Infrastructure Sourcing | $85,000 |
| Pilot 1: Part 2 Path to Market and Consumer Awareness | $85,000 |
| Pilot 2: Farmer Practice Change and Knowledge Sharing | $75,000 |
| Pilot 3: First Nations Consultation in region | $25,000 |
| Project Management, Administration, Communications, Working Groups, Project Advisors x 3, Travel | $130,000 |
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