Meet Nate.
An agroecologist, food forest designer and educator with a deep interest in how people, food and landscapes work together.
Over the years, his work has taken him from villages in Indonesia and Sri Lanka to farms, schools, rehabilitation centres, rural properties and backyards throughout Australia. Working alongside international NGOs, he has helped establish regenerative agriculture projects that improve food security, increase access to nutritious and medicinal food sources, and support communities to grow food close to home.
Back in Australia, Nate has spent many years working in landscaping, horticulture and agroforestry, running his own landscaping business and designing productive landscapes across a wide range of environments. He also teaches at leading facilities, schools and rehabilitation centres, sharing practical skills and helping people build confidence in growing their own food.
His approach is shaped by agroecology, agroforestry, permaculture principles and hands-on farming experience, but more than anything, by what he's observed working with people and land in very different parts of the world.
Through Edible Forest Co., Nate combines design and education to create food forests and edible landscapes that help people reconnect with their food, their environment, and the simple satisfaction of harvesting something they've grown themselves.
Why it matters.
These days, much of Nate's inspiration comes from home. As a father of two young boys, he spends plenty of time thinking about the future of food, education and the environments children grow up in.
Watching his boys climb trees, plant seedlings and harvest food from the garden is a daily reminder that growing food isn't just about production. It's about connection, curiosity and creating places where people can learn from the land around them.
Giving back.
Much of the thinking behind Edible Forest Co. has been shaped by time spent working alongside communities where growing food is not a lifestyle choice, but an essential part of everyday life.
Through previous work in Sri Lanka, Nate partnered with Thrive For Good, supporting projects that help families establish organic food systems and improve long-term food security. The experience left a lasting impression and continues to influence the way he thinks about food, education and community.
As Edible Forest Co. grows, a portion of business revenue will be directed towards supporting the ongoing work of Thrive For Good. It's a way of staying connected to projects that are creating meaningful change and helping more people access the knowledge, resources and confidence to grow their own food.
At its heart, it's a shared belief that food has the power to nourish people, strengthen communities and create lasting resilience.