Farm it Forward have received $100, 000 towards their Growing Together Project thanks to the NSW Government as part of the $37.2 million Local Small Commitments Allocation Program. 

The Local Small Commitments Allocation Program is already enhancing local communities and providing $400,000 in benefits to people in each of the 93 NSW electorates. It consists of over 600 small community projects, ranging from capital works, services and programs, events, supplies and equipment, charitable donations, and playground and park upgrades. 

Trish Doyle, Member for Blue Mountains said, “I was so thrilled to visit Katoomba High recently and talk to some of the Farm it Forward team about the Growing Together Project. What they’re doing for our community is beyond incredible, fostering valuable relationships with a focus on our environment, food security and sustainability.” 

The funds delivered as part of the Local Small Commitments Allocation program is supporting Farm it Forward’s vision of partnering up with local First Nations leaders and Katoomba High to provide transformative learning programs for young people in the areas of regenerative food growing, organic plant propagation, and First Nations-led bush regeneration and caring for Country. 

Farm it Forward founder, Manu Prigioni shared further details of what Growing Together will bring to the Blue Mountains community: 

- an enclosed market garden space on Katoomba High school grounds with a composting setup to divert food waste from the school and its food tech unit from landfill, turning into rich compost to use for seed raising mix and food growing, and running a fresh food program for school families 

- a ‘Gardening for Mental Health’ program at Katooomba High School to equip young people with a toolkit for nature-based therapy, and providing avenues for positive, restorative action  

- assisting and taking part in the ‘Birriban’ bush regeneration project on Katoomba High School grounds, to learn about caring for Country, managing watersheds and waterways and bush regeneration. 

- assisting local elder Uncle Lex Dadd at ‘‘The Shed,’ a space providing hands-on environmental education/bush foods/Caring for Country site in Wentworth Falls for Blue Mountains youth. 

“This is a fantastic outcome for Farm it Forward, Katoomba High and the people of the Blue Mountains”, Trish Doyle said. “It’s good to see the NSW Government’s commitment to helping small local projects coming to life. We live in a supportive, environmentally conscious community and the Growing Together Project epitomises what this place is all about. I am so excited to stay tuned as it continues to unfold!”