University Access to Local Farmers and Food Producers

The University of Newcastle provides local farmers and food producers with access to specialist University laboratories, technology and research expertise to develop and improve sustainable farming practices. In 2025, this included free access to University facilities for a Central Coast plant producer improving the reliability and resource efficiency of commercial plant propagation and a Hunter Valley winegrower investigating regenerative vineyard practices.

Supporting sustainable plant propagation

In 2025, the University provided RAMM Botanicals, a commercial plant producer based at Kangy Angy on the Central Coast, with free access to specialist plant-biology laboratory facilities and expertise through a multiyear collaboration with Dr Ben Long. RAMM produces ornamental and native plants as well as food-producing crops, including blueberry plants supplied for commercial growing. The collaboration supports the development of more sustainable plant-propagation practices by investigating microbial contamination that can compromise production.

The University–RAMM collaboration has examined bacteria present in Lomandra tissue-culture lines and the contamination risks associated with commercial plant propagation. RAMM and Dr Long are also developing a rapid screening method to detect unwanted bacteria before small quantities of plant material are multiplied in overseas production facilities into hundreds of thousands or millions of plants. Earlier detection could help prevent contaminated stock from being propagated at scale, reducing avoidable losses of plants, laboratory resources and other production inputs. RAMM’s annual commercial propagation programmes are valued in the millions of dollars.

This use of University laboratories is directed towards more sustainable production practices: improving early detection could help RAMM use plant material and propagation resources more efficiently while protecting the health and quality of commercial stock. The documented laboratory investigation concerned Lomandra tissue cultures; the method may also be applicable to RAMM’s food-producing crops.

Improving sustainable vineyard practices

During 2025, Hunter Valley winegrower De Iuliis Wines received free access to University of Newcastle facilities and research expertise through a pilot project led by Dr Craig Evans in collaboration with local industry partner Skye Point Innovation. The project, described in the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources’ 2024–2025 Annual Report, uses University facilities for work including basic microscopy, while a significant proportion of the investigation has been undertaken directly at the vineyard.

The project investigates sustainable farming practices for managing grapevine diseases, including downy and powdery mildew, which can significantly reduce vineyard productivity in wine-growing regions such as the Hunter Valley. Rather than relying solely on conventional chemical treatments, the research examines how managing and restoring soil microbial communities could improve ecological function, grapevine health, disease resistance, grape quality and crop yield.

A key component involves producing biochar on site from vineyard woody waste, including vine cuttings, and incorporating it into targeted composting and soil-improvement processes. This regenerative approach seeks to improve soil microbial communities while putting agricultural residues to productive use, improving soil health and supporting the potential for longer-term carbon storage.

The collaboration directly connects laboratory-supported investigations with practical vineyard management, including the reuse of vine cuttings, soil-health improvement and the development of alternatives for disease control.

^{Industry-grade food science facilities at the University of Newcastle’s Ourimbah campus provide local food producers with opportunities to access specialised equipment and expertise.}