From Rooftop Garden to Regenerative Lamb Farmer

Ian Belgiorno-Zegna, formerly a city development manager, has embraced regenerative agriculture on his 17-hectare Elata Farm near Mittagong, NSW. Inspired by his family's farming roots and a personal 'awakening' during COVID-19, he transitioned from engineering to focus on sustainable land management and quality food production. His farm's name, Elata Farm, is inspired by the Eucalyptus elata tree, symbolizing elevation and familial joy.

Belgiorno-Zegna initially bought sheep as pets but discovered the high quality of their meat, leading to a business venture. He actively pursues lifelong learning through farming literature and podcasts, adopting practices like adaptive grazing and cover cropping to enhance soil fertility naturally. His dedication is evident in his self-built sheep-safe fences and his active participation in local regenerative farming networks.

The farm's produce, including boxed lamb and honey, has seen immense demand, prompting him to also offer products from other like-minded producers. Belgiorno-Zegna emphasizes the importance of community support, finding a strong sense of belonging among fellow regenerative farmers. He acknowledges the challenges of farming, including unpredictability and cost, but finds deep reward in feeding people with high-quality, ethically produced food.