DUNGOG’S inaugural Thrive Field & Flavour Festival has been hailed a resounding success, drawing crowds from across the region and igniting conversations around modern farming, healthy food systems, and rural resilience.
Held across multiple venues from 13–15 June, the festival blended learning with celebration, offering on-farm workshops, expert talks, and local produce tastings to promote regenerative agriculture and community-led food practices.
The festival kicked off at the James Theatre on Friday night, where over 40 attendees joined the Dungog Chamber of Commerce to explore the “Future of Farming.”
Momentum continued Saturday with around 50 people attending a hands-on land management workshop at Rocking Chair Farm in Marshdale.
Dungog Wholefood Cooperative hosted over 40 community members at the CWA Hall for a morning of engaging consumer talks, and that afternoon, 70-plus visitors returned to the farm for thought-provoking discussions on pasture practices and soil health.
Saturday evening’s sold-out screening of Rachel’s Farm, followed by a Q&A with director Rachel Ward, drew a crowd of over 100 and proved to be one of the weekend’s highlights.
The Limestone Permaculture tour on Sunday also sold out, capping off a festival that balanced practical education with a vision for long-term local impact.
Organised by Alan Smith (Rocking Chair Farm) and Matt Barry (The Bower Farm Collective), with support from Ben Sharp and Annabelle Kater, Thrive was designed to be more than a once-off.
“This is just the beginning,” Smith said.
“We’re building a platform for ongoing education and support for our growers, retailers, and community.”
Future events will raise funds for workshops, training, and shared farming infrastructure, aiming to position Dungog as a hub for small-scale, sustainable farming.
Organisers hope this initiative will attract new farmers, support local supply chains, and make the shire a destination for ethical, fresh food.
As festival-goers returned home with fresh ideas and muddy boots, one thing was clear – Thrive has planted something powerful in Dungog’s soil.
By Shannon BENTON
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