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Regenerative Pacific Learning Exchange
Learn regenerative agriculture, agritourism and agribusiness on working farms with leaders in the space. 100+ hours of learning and hands-on design experience. Start your journey towards becoming Regenerative Verified through the Regenerative Verification Program.
What to ExpectAn immersive, hands-on exchange shaped by shared stories, practical learning and deep connection to place. Across farm visits, workshops, conversations and meals, you’ll explore regenerative verification in action, learn from Pacific, Northern Rivers and even global practitioners, and build relationships that continue beyond the program. This is a space to contribute, listen, reflect and return home with fresh insight, renewed purpose and a stronger regional network.
❋ Intentional Structure We blend guided moments, open exploration, and space to reflect—so the experience feels both focused and fluid.
❋ Collaborative EnergyConnection and exchange is a core part of the process. You’ll learn just as much from the group as from the content itself.
❋ Expert FacilitationLed by experienced guides in regenerative practice who know how to hold space, encourage participation, and share knowledge.
❋ A Supportive SpaceYour hosts are experienced and verified regenerative agritourism hosts, who are there to hold and nourish you during your exchange. They have all participated in an exchange themselves, so know how it feels to be both host and visitor.
❋ Practical, hands on learningYou’ll be supported to create a Regenerative Action Plan for your Vanua, business or community – the first step in becoming Verified under the Regenerative Verification Program.
❋ Cultivate a community Explore strategies to build bonds and cohesion in your Vanuas and through online global networks, and connect deeply with your co-participants and hosts.
We welcome people who are open-minded, collaborative, and ready to be part of a regional movement for regenerative transformation.
If you’re a farmer, agritourism operator, chef, community leader, researcher, or practitioner committed to regenerative agriculture, Pacific food systems and Indigenous knowledge – apply now.
From past participants:
"We were surrounded by the plants and we were with brothers and sisters from different islands. We cooked and the food was very organic. I can feel the difference in my body. We shared our knowledge about our land and discuss our solutions together."
“I didn’t expect it to be like this. I didn’t expect to feel like this. I started this journey with you guys, and I didn’t know anything. I feel like a changed man, going home filled with pride, going on to share this knowledge, continuing to exchange with you guys and those back home. And as the saying goes, every good thing comes to an end. But this is not the end for us—we are stronger together. We can thrive as we continue this journey. Going back home, I feel the strength to try to put into action what I’ve learned throughout this journey.”
“We see how hard Pepe, Joan and others work. So for me going back, I’m starting to talk with some of us here how we can improve on our effort, in the areas of things that we love and care about – our Vanuas. We should be hosting these exchanges by next year – which is a challenge, but we want to demonstrate what we’ve learned here. It’s very challenging, but challenge is good. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone for transformation, regeneration, that’s a good thing.”
Our Partners and Hosts
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Pepe Fassos from Five Sixty Farms
Five Sixty Farms is an award winning regenerative organic certified family farm offering all aspects of modern, yet traditional low impact organic and regenerative farming practices. Through farmer to farmer training Five Sixty Farms offers training in intensive food production for local supply ranging from protected cropping, no till rotational vegetable growing, composting, soil health and regenerative system incorporation. Five Sixty Farms brings together all forms of life creating habitat for fauna and tools for true stewardship of the land. Training also incorporates business model marketing and sales techniques to connect with local markets and suppliers.
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Alasdair Smithson from Organic Knowledge
Organic Knowledge has over 30+ years experience in the organic industry, working with some of the leading brands on the forefront of the organic sector. Organic Knowledge are an independent advisory organisation, championing growers, producers and processors in the organic and regenerative agricultural space. Their aim is to support organisations and individuals who are invested in seeing the growth of regenerative organic value chains that can reverse the damage caused from industrial agriculture.
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Sarah King from Nourish to Thrive
Nourish to Thrive Training offers both hands-on practical and theoretical education on the importance of food as nourishment, for wellbeing and to give us the vitality needed to thrive in all aspects of life. Training covers: Sourcing produce from local organic farmers to keep local food systems alive; Eating with the seasons for nutrient quality; Health impacts of a poor diet; The importance of great gut health for your overall health; How to build a well balanced meal plan; Hands on cooking workshop, preparation of a farm to plate meal, including harvesting, preparation, cooking and enjoying the meal together.
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Tom, Nicole and Joan from Misty Creek Agroforestry
Misty Creek have developed their own unique approach to farming that uses principles of regenerative agriculture and syntropic agroforestry to create an inspiring legacy of land stewardship for themselves as well as their community. The two main methodologies we follow, and integrate, are syntropic agroforestry and holistic management. By using the tools learnt, we use plants and animals to achieve our environmental, social and economic goals.
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Ella Bancroft from The Returning
The Returning Indigenous Corporation is an Indigenous women-led not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to bring all people back into right relationship with self, community and Country, creating healing for ourselves and for the planet. Their primary purpose is to provide opportunities and support for Indigenous women, Elders and their families to connect with Country, be recognised and remunerated for their cultural knowledge, and improve their health and wellbeing. Their secondary purpose is to build deep connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, inviting all people to learn from our ancient wisdoms and cultures.
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Mel and Vic from Kwila Coffee and Timbre Lismore
Kwila Coffee deal directly with PNG growers as part of their overall mission to connect Australian markets to farmers in the Pacific. By building direct coffee trade relationships in Papua New Guinea, Kwila’s mission is for customers to share this journey and have the opportunity to support a social coffee partnership with Australia and the Pacific. Through the farmer to farmer training Kwila will be providing support in building regenerative coffee value chains with Pacific farmers.
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Mark Dunphy from Firewheel Rainforest Nursery
Firewheel rainforest Nursery are leaders in the regeneration field, with restoration and landscaping experience from local, interstate and international projects. They work closely with local council and state government authorities, as well as landowners, community groups, business and industry to design, implement and maintain major revegetation projects in Byron, Ballina, Lismore and the Tweed. They are part of the Far North Coast’s ecological restoration movement and partner on leading projects in the field, including Big Scrub Rainforest Conservancy’s and Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney’s Science Saving Rainforests Project.
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Numabunda and Bundjalung Tribal Society
Namabunda is the name of a 32 Ha property owned by the Bundjalung Tribal Society. Namabunda uses Indigenous land Management knowledge and country connection to build holistic, sustainable and environmentally focused land enterprise that provides examples of the right way to harvest and maintain diversity, create training and employment. Tracey King, Chairperson of the Board of Bundjalung Tribal Society says, “Namabunda Farm is being renewed as a home base to engage, train and employ community”.
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The Paddock Project
The Paddock Project is a working market garden providing fresh, seasonal produce to Mullumbimby locals and visitors. The Paddock is committed to enhancing farming practices using chemical free, syntropic farming principles to guarantee quality produce from paddock to plate.
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Envite Environment
Envite Environment engages communities in natural environment restoration for biodiversity, human wellbeing and ecosystem services. Their highly skilled team of restoration ecologists and bush regenerators work collaboratively with organisations and individuals on projects that achieve improved environmental, social and economic outcomes. They use contemporary methods driven by scientific research that succeed in meeting the distinct needs of their customers.
Browse through the information package for the upcoming Regenerative Learning Exchange in September
Including emerging itinerary, information regarding registration, payment and terms of engagement, as well as some important background information on Regenerative Vanua, the Regenerative Verification Program and our partners involved in the Regenerative Pacific Learning Exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Regenerative Pacific Learning Exchange?
The Regenerative Pacific Learning Exchange is a unique, immersive experience designed to deepen understanding of the Regenerative Verification Program. It is not a conventional training or workshop—rather, it is a shared journey of learning, unlearning, reconnecting, and strengthening relationships across the Pacific region. Participants engage directly with regenerative farms, agritourism hosts, chefs, agribusiness operators, and cultural knowledge holders, learning how regeneration looks and feels in practice and place.
How does this Exchange connect to the Regional Pacific Regenerative Verification Initiative?
The Exchange is a key component of the Regional Pacific Regenerative Verification Initiative, an official program under the post-2025 Pacific Aid-for-Trade Strategy. Regenerative Vanua has been designated as the organisation responsible for implementing the Regenerative Verification Program in the Pacific. The exchanges connect to the Initiative as they are designed as a space for deep learning, reflection, and conversation around regenerative living and practice. Participants in these exchanges not only explore regenerative farming and hosting practices, but also learn to tell their own stories—to express the values and knowledge that make regeneration in the Pacific unique. Those participants who have taken part in the exchanges will go on to become ambassadors, hosts, stockists, and suppliers for the Regenerative Verification Program. In time, they themselves will be supported to become Regenerative Verified, whether through regenerative agribusiness, value-added enterprises, agritourism, agriculture, or gastronomy.
Essentially, the exchange is the first step in becoming verified under the Regenerative Verification Program.
What can participants expect during the April and May Exchanges in Vanuatu and Australia?
Participants will stay with regenerative hosts on farms and in Vanuas, gaining an intimate experience of daily practices in regenerative agriculture, agritourism, and gastronomy. Workshops are delivered by hosts and partners at different stages of their own regenerative verification journey. Participants learn from one another while sharing stories, culture, and lived experiences that shape regenerative practice across the Pacific.
You will be involved in activities such as farm work, composting workshops, beekeeping demonstrations, storytelling sessions, cooking and fermenting/food preservation classes, coffee roastery tours/other agribusiness tours, and immerse in culturally grounding experiences.
During the program, you will stay in shared, rural accomodation, and be cooking and eating together. The exchange follows a regenerative, whole-food, seasonal, organic diet, with no processed foods and no added sugar. In Vanuatu, this includes foods such as fresh fish, fruits, root crops, vegetables, and locally available produce. You will be eating what the Vanua provides!
Is this Exchange only about farming or agriculture?
No. While regenerative farming is a core component of what we do at Regenerative Vanua as an organisation as well as through the RegenerativeVerification Initiative, we place emphasis on the (often forgotten or neglected) cultural aspects of agriculture. In other words, we embrace all regenerative practices which protect and regenerative land, culture, body, mind, spirit. This includes regenerative gastronomy, nutrition, agritourism, value addition, handicrafts, and cultural practices, such as storytelling. Regeneration is understood holistically—connecting food, land, relationships, identity, and economic resilience.
Who should apply to the Exchanges?
Because of the holistic approach we take to regeneration as listed above, our Exchanges are ideal for farmers, agritourism operators, chefs, community leaders, researchers, and practitioners committed to regenerative agriculture, Pacific food systems and Indigenous knowledge. We welcome people who are open-minded, collaborative, and ready to be part of a regional movement for regenerative transformation.
Specifically, if you are interested in in becoming verified under the Regenerative Verification Program for your practice or skillset, such as your farm, homestay, restaurant, or handicraft business, then this exchange is the first step for you in becoming verified.
If you don’t feel that this applies to you, you might be better suited to participate as a guest in our Regenerative Journeys program – which connects Regenerative Verified agritourism and gastronomy businesses with guests who want to experience regenerative living firsthand and transform their own lives through this learning. In this way, the journeys connect travellers with the hosts and Vanuas who began their own regenerative learning through the exchanges, creating a continuous cycle of learning, sharing, and transformation.
So, you don’t need to be a Pacific Islander to apply?
No, you do not need to be a Pacific Islander or be an Indigenous person to apply. While we prioritise Indigenous applicants from the Pacific region, anyone can participate in the Regenerative Pacific Intercultural Learning Exchange and be verified under the Regenerative Verification Initiative.
What is the role of Regenerative Vanua in this program?
Regenerative Vanua facilitates the Exchange in partnership with the Regenerative Stewardship Collective and a network of regional collaborators. As the organisation responsible for implementing the Regenerative Verification Program, Regenerative Vanua leads the development of regenerative pathways that strengthen sovereignty, build economic resilience, and honour Pacific knowledge systems.
What makes this Exchange different from other programs?
This Exchange is not structured around instructors and students. It is multidirectional, decentred, and relational. Every participant—whether a farmer, chef, agribusiness operator, or community leader—contributes knowledge and insight. The Exchange is grounded in storian, reflection, and hands-on learning, creating deeper personal and Vanua transformation than standard trainings.
How does this program benefit Pacific Vanuas?
The Exchange strengthens regional capacity for regenerative farming, hosting, and food systems. It builds networks of support, enhances economic opportunities, and uplifts Indigenous knowledge systems. Through shared learning and verification, Pacific Vanuas lead their own regenerative pathways—shaping a resilient, sovereign, and culturally grounded future.
How much does the Exchange cost?
Registration for the exchange is 500,000VT ($6,000 AUD), which includes inter-island/regional transport, field trips, training, accommodation and meals with majority of the funds going directly to the hosts.
This registration fee does not include international flights from your place of departure. Please refer to the information package for more detailed information.
Please email regenerativevanua@gmail.com if you require a letter from Regenerative Vanua to assist you in seeking sponsorship for your registration fee.