Editorial

Let’s talk AI with author Jeremy Lent!

Lent recently wrote that AI’s accomplishments are “beginning to read like science fiction. In early 2024, an executive was lured into a video conference with his chief financial officer and several colleagues and was instructed to authorise a series of urgent transfers totalling $25 million. It later emerged that every single person on that call was an AI-generated deepfake. In carefully designed tests, leading AI models have been shown to lie to their operators, attempt to copy themselves onto other servers to avoid being shut down, and even try to blackmail fictional executives they understood to have decision-making power over them.”

This quote is from Lent’s blog post on 9 July. It was written to promote his book published in May 2026, called Ecocivilization: Making a World That Works For All (Melville House, May 2026).

This important work sets out the potential for a fundamentally different world system – an ecocivilisation based on life-affirming principles rather than principles of extraction, exploitation, and wealth accumulation. The cartoon below encapsulates his main argument: the need for all humanity to get behind the mission and vision of the Ecocivilization Coalition.

The aim of the Ecocivilization Coalition is “to be the connective tissue for the multiple groups already working toward a life-enhancing planetary future”. For more information go to https://www.ecociv.org/ or view a Powerpoint sequence here.

One way you can engage with the vision of the Coalition is to pour your energy into the IEA. We are the Australian Institute of Ecological Agriculture and we provide a local, home-bred purpose which aligns with Lent’s vision.

The Earth Charter and its impressive role in educating children and young adults

For context, we note the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4.7: “By 2030, all students should acquire knowledge about sustainable development, sustainable lifestyles, climate change, human rights, equality, peace, and global citizenship.” In this spirit, the Earth Charter is a document with sixteen principles that drive a global movement towards a more just, sustainable and peaceful world.

The Charter is rarely mentioned in everyday life, but it is an initiative that is looking to the future and looking towards the importance of ecological education particularly for our young. If you have children at either primary or secondary school, then you might like to visit the following link and see whether your local school might initiate something similar. All hands on deck is the motto given the turmoil around the globe. Go here for more.

Welcome to three new members of the IEA

In this issue of our newsletter we are reflecting on different ways of amplifying ecological thinking and behaviour. Participating in the Australian Institute of Ecological Agriculture Cooperative (IEA) is an obvious means of promoting regenerative, ecological livelihoods and lifestyles. In this context we welcome three new members to the IEA: Rebecca Taylor, Lili Donaldson and Misty Neilson.

Rebecca Taylor

I am a social ecologist based in Geelong, Victoria, with a passion for exploring the intersection of human societies and the natural environment. Born in Cambridge, England, my combined experiences in the vibrant ecosystems of the UK, Victoria and Tasmania have fuelled a lifelong dedication to sustainability, community-building and ecological resilience. With a strong background in social ecology, I work to promote the integration of ecological principles into social systems, advocating for environmental justice, sustainable urban development, and community-led initiatives. Through this work I have created Wyld Work Projects, an organisation committed to amplifying the impact of my work, focused on environmental education, community empowerment and ecological restoration. My work aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, helping individuals and communities develop more harmonious relationships with the natural world. Although based in Geelong, I continue to engage with local, national, and international networks, sharing and collaborating on how ecological thinking can shape more sustainable and equitable futures for all.

Lili Donaldson

I completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Applied Earth Sciences) at Charles Sturt University in 2024. I live on a farm in NE Victoria and am currently working in Murray Local Land Services on a 10 year project which is aimed at helping landholders to change land management practices to improve land and subsequently waterway systems across Murray and Riverina regions in NSW. My personal quest on our family farm is to lead our own regen ag journey to build soil organic carbon, thus increasing landscape function and resilience overall. I am passionate about soils and ecology both above and below ground. I hope one day to become an agroecologist! I would love to be a part of the CoP discussions and learn from people who are working in the field, to build connections and inform my own practices.

Misty Neilson

I am a qualified ecologist and conservation biologist with experience working across agricultural landscapes and rural communities. I am currently Director of Strategy and Finance at Forever Wild Initiative (www.foreverwild.com.au), where I oversee the financial and strategic operations of Forever Wild and its subsidiaries, including the Western Deserts landscape, four aggregated WA cattle stations spanning more than 600,000 hectares, managed for both beef production and conservation.

Forever Wild builds the financial architecture and governance structures for nature-centric economics, to unlock investment to restore nature and support communities. The Western Deserts landscape is a case study of this in practice.

I am passionate about the future of our planet and building better ways to sustain thriving environments, ecosystems and communities, socially, economically and environmentally. I am equally passionate about regenerative and sustainable agriculture working alongside genuine environmental outcomes.

You can find more information about my background here:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/misty-s-neilson/

• https://www.cqu.edu.au/engage/alumni/our-alumni/455655/misty-neilson

Accredited for a regenerative future

The Institute of Ecological Agriculture (IEA) accreditation award exists to defend against greenwashing and uphold the integrity of advising and training in regenerative agriculture. It provides pathways for regenerative practitioners, educators and consultants to advance regenerative agriculture practice through dialogue and shared learning, whilst collectively upholding ethical and professional standards.

Gaining specialist professional accreditation is a significant personal and professional achievement. It not only acknowledges your experience, skills and knowledge amongst your peers and the wider community; it represents your mindful and holistic approach to agriculture and to life.

IEA accreditation provides opportunities for professional development, increases your profile and reputation, raises awareness for regenerative approaches to the production of food, fibre and fuel, and further establishes you and your expertise among your peers. It is a qualification that deserves to be recognised and celebrated.

If you think you might like to apply for accreditation, a good place to start would be to raise the possibility with our Accreditation Director, Katharine Brown. You can email Katharine at kbrown@ecoag.org.au or phone her on 0400 197 312. We look forward to hearing from you.

Celebrating Dr Lorraine Gordon!

The Institute of Ecological Agriculture is proud to announce our most recently Accredited Member, Dr Lorraine Gordon.

A regenerative beef cattle trader and Principal of Natural Capital Standards Australia with Climate Friendly | https://www.climatefriendly.com/ |, Lorraine’s journey from a young farmer to an authoritative voice on ecological economics and regenerative agriculture is truly inspiring.

Challenging conventional thinking while remaining grounded in her understanding of ‘life on the land,’ Lorraine is a thought leader in the farming community, having founded the National Regenerative Agriculture Alliance in 2018 and directed the Commonwealth Government's Farming Together Program. These are but a few of the many hats she has worn.

A long-time member of the IEA and Director on the IEA Board, Lorraine leads by example in becoming accredited with the IEA, an organisation which she believes has “an important independent role to play in the future of ecological agriculture in Australia.”

Soils for Life

We have referred to the work of this important organisation before, but here is a great opportunity for another mention.

Thanks to Soils for Life a new regen ag grazing guide has been released. Read it here.

On this page you can read the organisation’s vision, mission, purpose and impact. And here you will find its Strategic Plan 2026-2029.

What is the difference between Soils for Life and the Institute of Ecological Agriculture? The difference isn’t great! The IEA would endorse all five of its strategic pillars – https://soilsforlife.org.au/what-we-do/ – but then add the importance of social and personal development with emphasis on ecological thinking and values and self-development.

Interested in a regeneration toolbox?

It often pays to look over the fence at the neighbour’s paddock or, to take it further, over the waters to Canada, and their support system for regenerative agriculture: see the following link for details. It is called the regeneration toolbox and it offers a wealth of material on regen ag.

Postlude

Sharing the good oil!

The IEA Newsletter seeks to circulate more widely. We offer a timely and emergent view on agriculture. Do help the organisation to grow by circulating it to anyone you believe might be interested in its focus, and those who may not yet have commenced the journey but may be intrigued to do so.

If you would like to receive the free newsletter go to our website (www.ecoag.org.au), click on Resources and then Newsletter and request a copy.

If you would like to become a member of the Institute, go here: https://www.ecoag.org.au/membership.

Editor: Kerry Cochrane
Design & presentation: Tony McKenzie PhD