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World renowned for its stunning beaches, surf and national parks, Noosa earned UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status in 2007 as a model for living sustainably with nature.
Key points:
- Noosa was named a UNESCO Biosphere in 2007
- The designation recognised that the community was working sustainably with nature
- A new Grow for Noosa project supports sustainable farming
Now an ambitious Grow for Noosa project has been launched to ensure the tourist mecca can access ethically sourced, nutrient-rich food, now and into the future.
The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation project aims to support regional producers who are already looking after the planet, while encouraging others to start farming sustainably.
Bryant Ussher raises grass-fed beef and grows gourmet mushrooms with his wife Susie on the family farm they took over in the Noosa hinterland in 2018.
It has been a hard slog to divide their 162-hectare property into 40 paddocks and install water troughs to keep hard-hoofed animals from damaging sensitive Kin Kin creek.
Every afternoon they move their calm Zulu-tribe Nguni cattle to fresh pasture, having chosen the tick-resistant breed to cut down on chemical use.
The Country Noosa president uses his property to showcase regenerative agriculture and horticulture.
"We need to change, cut out food miles, make farming more environmentally friendly and healthy, and our food more nutritious," Mr Ussher said.
"We want every producer that's in the district and doing it with a regenerative or healthy green outcome, to be part of the global movement."
Respected chef Matt Golinski has thrown his support behind the cause.
"We have the right climate, we have the right soils, we have the people that want it and the people that are interested in this, that's the first hurdle to overcome," Mr Golinski said.
"I like using good products and it helps producers get their story out and makes their business grow and flourish.
"If chefs are using it then it usually filters down into the mainstream market and that's good."
Master surfboard shaper, permaculture enthusiast and Noosa councillor Tom Wegener is driving the Grow for Noosa concept for the Biosphere Foundation.
"We have easily enough land to feed all the people in Noosa that's zoned agriculture already, but we don't actually grow that much here," Cr Wegener said.
"We want to turn that around because our kids need nutritious food. We need resilience. We need foodie tourism."
Practical help
A fundraiser has been held to support the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation project.
Mr Ussher said the plan was to establish a one-stop-shop website allowing customers to source and buy produce direct from local farmers, who could work together to truck it to their door.
"Our biggest challenge has always been logistics," he said.