Indigenous grasslands for food culture community and Country
Bayer is proud to have supported the Native Grains Research project, a three‑year initiative delivered by the University of Sydney in partnership with Gamilaraay and Yuwalaraay community partners.
Now recently concluded, the project has demonstrated the scientific viability, cultural importance and strong community momentum behind revitalising an Indigenous‑led native grains in Australia.
Bayer provided a three year research grant to this Australian project in 2022 with the goal to enable research, education and community engagement. The outcomes, knowledge and findings generated through the project are owned by First Nations communities, reflecting their cultural authority, leadership and stewardship of Indigenous knowledge systems.
A Project Grounded in Community Leadership and Cultural Integrity
Over the three‑year period, the project delivered regular cultural knowledge exchanges, monthly women’s group engagements, on Country workshops and multi‑day community festivals.
Knowledge shared through these activities included
- seed identification
- harvesting
- traditional threshing and winnowing, and
- cultural cooking practices.
The research team also adopted Elder‑first dissemination of findings, ensuring communities review outcomes before broader publication.
These exchanges supported intergenerational knowledge transfer, strengthened cultural identity and reinforced trust‑based partnerships between community members, researchers and educators.
Education and Community Engagement Outcomes
Across the life of the project, particularly in its final 12 months, more than 1,000 participants engaged through NAIDOC events, Ranger Gatherings, school field days, university teaching units and community workshops.
These engagements brought together Indigenous and non‑Indigenous participants, fostering shared learning, greater awareness of Australia’s native grains, and deeper connection to Country. Education outcomes spanned primary school students through to university and international researchers, helping build broader understanding of the role native grains can play in Australia’s future food systems.
Scientific and Technical Contributions
Alongside community‑led engagement, the project delivered important scientific and technical advancements that contribute to future research pathways. These included:
- Establishment of native grain identification plots
- Expansion and management of seed banks
- Soil sampling and carbon analysis
- Species identification within polyculture systems
- Development of seed processing methods informed by traditional practices
These contributions provide a strong platform for future work in agronomy, food science and ecological research, while respecting that Indigenous knowledge shared through the project remains community‑owned.
Strengthening Cross‑Sector Partnerships
The project strengthened relationships across community, research and education sectors, including partnerships with Aboriginal Medical Services, Indigenous women’s groups, local schools and TAFEs, the Sydney Institute of Agriculture, ARC‑funded research teams, and visiting academics and students.
Together, these partnerships form an enduring ecosystem that can support future First Nations–led initiatives beyond the life of this project.
Bayer’s support of the Native Grains project reflects our commitment to sustainable agriculture, respectful partnerships, and supporting initiatives led by First Nations communities, as part of our current Reconciliation Action Plan. While the project has now concluded, the foundations it has established will continue to inform future research, education and community‑driven opportunities.
Bayer is proud to have contributed to a program that brings together science, culture and community leadership, helping enable pathways toward a more inclusive and resilient agricultural future, led by First Nations peoples.