In a bid to make a meaningful impact on their local community, GrainCorp’s Financial Control team recently traded in their spreadsheets for strawberries to help out at Pocket City Farms – and learn about a different type of crop.  

Pocket City Farms, a charitable organisation in Camperdown, Sydney, aims to educate communities on critical issues like food security, climate change and ways to improve the natural environment.  

The GrainCorp team put their Community Leave towards a unique opportunity that would increase their understanding of sustainable agriculture while giving back to the local community.   

From little things, big things grow.

During the visit, the team were instructed in the principles of regenerative agriculture, including the practices of crop rotation, nutrient management and weed control – all vital aspects of sustainable farming. 

“Learning about the importance of biodiversity in creating and maintaining sustainable farming operations was a key takeaway for me.”

Simon Vranas, Financial Accounting Manager. 

The team rolled up their sleeves, engaging in composting, dividing and re-planting strawberry beds, destined for community produce boxes. They also honed their propagation skills, each taking home a plant they propagated on the farm that day.  

Simon added: “Contributing to the community as a team is a fulfilling experience, connecting with the community and each other, and focusing on our growth and development.

“This experience presented a great opportunity to learn about sustainability while also giving back to the community – we’ll definitely look to do it again next year.”  

Community Leave: Volunteering to support our communities.  

GrainCorp’s Community Leave program empowers employees to engage in individual or team volunteering activities during regular working hours

“We actively encourage our teams to explore volunteering opportunities that are aligned with supporting local communities and broader sustainability initiatives,” says GrainCorp Community Engagement Manager Kyle Docherty.

“It’s all about having a positive and sustainable impact and we want our people to play an active role in their communities”.

To find out more about the GrainCorp Community Foundation and community opportunities, visit: https://stg.graincorp.com.au/community-foundation/.