No images? Click here
This program received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
Welcome from our Director
As we step into 2025, I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year break. With the year already in motion, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and proud of the incredible work the Northern Hub has accomplished so far. Our focus remains on strengthening connections with producers, farmers, agribusinesses, and industry partners to drive innovation, build drought resilience, and support sustainable agriculture across Northern Australia.
One of our focus areas this month is our call for Node Host Organisations. These partnerships are critical to expanding our regional extension activities and ensuring we have strong, locally embedded teams leading valuable work on the ground. If your organisation is passionate about making an impact in your community, I encourage you to register your interest and help us build a stronger, more connected network.
The release of the Future Drought Fund Investment Strategy on 22 January 2025 is a major step in strengthening drought resilience across Australia. As a roadmap for building resilient farms, landscapes, and communities, it outlines FDF objectives and key engagement opportunities. Please read below to find out more.
I am also incredibly inspired by the innovation and leadership emerging from within our Hub network. EcoMob NT, founded by Billy Feeney and collaborators Veolia Australia, Defence Australia & Enrich 360, is a shining example of how sustainability and economic growth can go hand in hand, this is the type of forward-thinking approach we need to see more of, and I’m proud that the Northern Hub has played a role in supporting Billy’s journey.
Understanding and defining drought across our vast and diverse region remains a priority. Our new ‘Defining Drought’ series features its second guest this month, with local experts and community members to highlight the different ways drought is experienced and managed across the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia. This month, Tony Renehan shares valuable insights from Alice Springs, reinforcing the importance of blending traditional knowledge with modern science to build resilience.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to be attending the EvokeAg Conference in Brisbane next month. This event brings together some of the brightest minds in agritech and innovation, and I look forward to engaging with industry leaders, innovators, and producers to explore emerging opportunities for Northern Australia. If you are attending EvokeAg, I’d love to connect—let’s have a conversation about how we can collaborate.
Finally, I want to encourage all of you to stay engaged, share your insights, and contribute to our newsletter. Whether it’s an exciting project, a community event, or a personal perspective on drought resilience, your stories are what make our network strong.
Let’s make 2025 a year of collaboration, innovation, and impact. I look forward to working with you all and continuing to build a future where Northern Australia thrives.
Best regards,
Leia Grimsey | Northern Hub Director
Team Announcement
Ben Madgwick | Project Manager
This month Ben Madgwick joined the Northern Hub as the new Project Manager. He will be involved in the planning, coordination and execution of Northern Hub projects alongside the Hub team. Ben's passion for supporting regional and remote communities makes him a great fit for our Hub.
Ben grew up in regional New South Wales and Papua New Guinea. His interest in the food and fibre supply chain led him to start his career in the wool industry where he worked in the coordination of trade, student and grower extension and education projects.
Ben joins the hub with years of project management experience and has recently been involved in a number of Agriculture projects across the Territory and WA, we are very excited for Ben to join our expanding team.
Call to Action - Node Hosts
Join Our Network as a Node Host Organisation!
Are you passionate about driving regional extension activities and fostering knowledge sharing?
We’re looking for dedicated organisations to host a Node within our region. As a Node Host, the Hub will support the Node Manager position, who will lead and facilitate extension activities, events, and projects for producers, land managers, agribusinesses, and local communities.
Join us for an incredible opportunity to create real change and shape the future of our region!
🔗 Learn more about the position here
📝 Register your interest here
Future Drought Fund Investment Strategy
On 22 January 2025, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) released the Future Drought Fund Investment Strategy, outlining their plan to build drought-resilient farms, landscapes, and communities. The Strategy details how they will achieve the Future Drought Fund (FDF) objectives and informs stakeholders about opportunities to engage in drought resilience programs and activities.
The Strategy aligns with the Drought Resilience Funding Plan, which took effect on 9 February 2024 and sets the rules governing the Fund’s operations.
Both the Funding Plan and Investment Strategy were shaped by stakeholder feedback, insights from the independent FDF Consultative Committee, and findings from the recent Productivity Commission Inquiry Report.
Northern Hub Spotlight
EcoMob: Transforming Waste into Opportunity
Photo: Northern Hub’s Aboriginal Engagement & Program Coordinator Troy Garling and Billy Feeney.
Just 10 months ago, Billy Feeney, a proud Wurramungu and Walpiri man, founded EcoMob NT with a bold vision to revolutionise how food waste by-products are utilised. Billy’s entrepreneurial mindset identified an opportunity to transform waste into valuable agricultural resources, supporting sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
EcoMob NT’s Game-Changer: Converting landfill-bound food waste into a soil improver rich in nutrients, organic matter, and carbon. This innovation enhances soil health, improves water retention, boosts microbial activity, and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers—making agriculture more efficient and sustainable.
Why It Matters: “Every year billions of kilograms of food waste are sent to landfill, contributing massively to global greenhouse gas emissions. If food waste was a country, it would be the third largest greenhouse gas emitter behind the US and China!
At the same time, food producers are struggling with declining soil health as critical nutrients are replaced with chemical fertilisers.” (source: https://www.enrich360.com.au/)
The Northern Hub’s Role: Billy’s journey is gaining momentum through the Northern Hub, which he discovered via the Hub’s Soil Day event held in December 2024. The Hub’s collaboration, led by Regional Soil Coordinator Emily Hinds and Aboriginal Engagement and Program Coordinator Troy Garling, is currently coordinating the testing of EcoMob NT’s product to determine if it meets commercial standards and is viable commercially.
The Impact: EcoMob NT is not just about sustainability—it’s about creating economic growth in agriculture and opportunities for Indigenous employment, strengthening communities while setting a benchmark for innovation.
The Northern Hub remains committed to supporting visionary projects like EcoMob NT, building healthier soils, and empowering communities.
To learn more or connect with Billy Feeny, email him at admin@ecomob.com.au and on LinkedIn Eco Mob NT
Ben Tyler: Driving Innovation In Agriculture
Photo: Northern Hub’s Aboriginal Engagement & Program Coordinator Troy Garling and Ben Tyler.
Ben Tyler, a proud Bininj man from West Arnhem Land, now residing on Murumburr country in Central Kakadu, has built a diverse career in pearling, acting, and hospitality. Yet, work often took him away from his community. Determined to stay on Country and support Indigenous self-determination, he set out to create a business that benefits his people and homeland.
Ben is the owner of Kakadu Kitchen, an innovative business that creates non-alcoholic, low-sugar drinks using ethically harvested native fruits from Kakadu National Park. Through this venture, he champions sustainable practices and promotes Indigenous food sovereignty.
With support from The Northern Hub, Ben will attend the Millennia of Ag-Innovation event in Cairns on 10-11 February 2025. This First Nations-led agtech event aims to connect traditional landowners with cutting-edge agricultural technology, fostering collaboration between First Nations farmers, contemporary producers, and agtech developers.
Ben is eager to ask the tough questions—particularly why Indigenous Australians make up less than 1% of native bush tucker agriculture. Passionate about Indigenous-led solutions, he looks forward to exploring new opportunities, meeting like-minded people, and collaborating within the sector.
As the world embraces sustainable agriculture and Indigenous knowledge, Ben Tyler stands at the forefront of change, proving that staying on Country and driving innovation go hand in hand.
Stay tuned as he takes on Millennia of Ag-Innovation—bringing the conversation home to Country.
Defining Drought in Our Region
Defining Drought with Tony Renehan from Alice Springs
Upcoming Events
Millennia of Ag Innovation
10th - 11th February
The first-ever First Nations-led agtech event Tropical North QLD. This event is focused on providing traditional landowners with access to cutting edge agtech solutions.
EvokeAG Conference
18th - 19th February
Based in Brisbane, QLD, AgriFutures evokeAG theme for 2025 is 'Common Ground', exploring innovative ag- tech.
Savannah Fire Forum
18th - 20th February
This annual event facilitates knowledge sharing and improved understanding and practice within the growing, successful and important Indigenous carbon industry.
Latest Insight and Updates
Monsoon Watch: Latest Updates on the 2024-2025 Season
As we enter February, the northern Australian wet season continues to keep us watching the skies. The monsoon, which usually arrives in Darwin by late December, has been delayed this season, leaving many wondering when the significant rains will come.
Hot and humid conditions have dominated much of January, making life uncomfortable for people and animals alike. While increased sunshine has benefited some plant growth, the lack of sustained monsoonal rain has left its mark.
The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), a key climate driver, plays a central role in monsoon activity. The MJO is an eastward-moving pulse that enhances rain, cloud, and wind every 30-60 days. A weak MJO in late November brought short bursts of rain but failed to sustain monsoonal conditions. Forecasts suggest the next MJO pulse may be critical in determining whether the monsoon strengthens or remains patchy in the weeks ahead.
For agriculture, this variability has mixed effects. Excess rain and cloud can lead to waterlogging, fungal outbreaks, and access issues, but for some systems, above-average rainfall could still make a successful season. The monsoon is vital not only for agriculture but also for ecosystems, aquifers, and industries like fishing.
🌐 Read Dr. Andrew Marshall’s full analysis
📊 Forecast Links: Rainfall Totals, MJO Forecast, Pressure Maps.
For workshops or property visits, contact the Northern Hub or the Northern Australia Climate Program.
Grazing land management (GLM) EDGE 3 day workshop
Register your interest now for GLM EDGE Workshop
Contact Dionne Walsh - Range IQ, M: 0417 083 638, E: dionne@rangeiq.com.au
Contact Trudi Oxley - Upriver NT, M: 0409 740 806, E: trudi@uprivernt.com
Test Your Soil Knowledge
Soil is the foundation of agriculture, but how much do you really know about it? From its composition to best management practices, understanding soil health is key to sustainable farming and land management.
Take our quick Soil Quiz created by our Regional Soil Coordinator, Emily Hinds, and see how well you know your dirt! Whether you're a seasoned grower or just curious about the ground beneath your feet, this quiz is a fun way to learn more about soil types, management strategies, and conservation practices in the Northern Territory.
How did you score? Share your results and challenge your colleagues to see who’s the ultimate soil expert! 🌱🚜
Share Your Stories & Ideas
We’re excited to invite contributions for our upcoming newsletter. Whether you have an article, a community update, an event announcement, or a personal story to share, we want to hear from you. Your insights help enrich our newsletter and connect our community.
If you’re interested in contributing, please click on link below and fill out the form. We’re looking for a brief description of your submission, relevant details, and any images you'd like to include.
Let’s keep the conversation going and showcase the voices that make a difference! Please note that while we strive to include as many contributions as possible, some submissions may not be able to be included this publication.
Follow Our Socials
Curious about what we’re up to? Our Northern Hub Team is dedicated to making a difference, connecting communities, and creating positive change. From on-the-ground initiatives to local events and collaborations, we’re excited to share our journey with you. Click on the links below to explore more, stay informed, and get involved!
