Tony is a humble man, a scientist, from Myrtleford in NE Victoria, Australia. He and his wife, Liz, have spent a lifetime using a unique farming method bringing baron land back to life by regenerating desolated land in Africa and around the world. They get farmers to allow existing tree stumps under the ground to sprout and grow, and to plant non-improved seeds of the natural vegetation. This protects the land from wind, and enables the growing of grain between the trees to feed themselves. The mature trees are also partially harvested for fire wood as an energy source. It is what Tony called a Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) program.
Tony’s work has been recognized by World Vision’s chief executive, Grant Bayldon as being “totally revolutionary” Tony’s achievements have been honored by him being awarded the 2025 Luxumbourg Peace Prize for Outstanding Environmental Peace.
Over 20 years in Niger in West Africa, 5 million hectares and 200 million trees have been regenerated, resulting in growing an additional 500.000 tonnes of grain annually, enough to feed 2.5 million people.
The program has since spread to 40 countries across Africa and the world, has local ownership and stewardship with little outside help, and is scalable into the future.
Tony and Liz are changing ‘the root of the problem’ mindset to ‘the root of the solution’. Well done to them!