First Nations people of Australia have been living purposefully and sustainably in Australia for thousands of generations. They have managed a mosaic of interconnected landscapes for food production, including what could be described as unique forms of grain- and grassland-based agriculture. Resurrecting Australia’s original grain belt will restore landscape-scale native grassland across the nation to heal Country, build resilient environments and provide First Nations people with culturally empowering economic development.

Ahead of the Traditional Grains Industry Research, Development & Extension roadmap publication by Agrifutures expected November 2022, Black Duck Foods wishes to establish the Traditional Native Grain Network (TNGN), an independent First Nations led body, to catalyse action around a national traditional grain network of stakeholders committed to healing Country and empowering First Nations economic development. 

The project’s key objectives are:

• Resource the TNGN for 12 months
• Facilitate extension work to national stakeholders
• Establish a platform for independent long-term funding support