S2 Episode 12 - Kevin Kropinyeri - Indigenous Ranger - Indigenous Food Growers

Kevin grew up between Adelaide and a township called Murray Bridge. He remembers vividly the challenges he faced as a young Aboriginal man just going with the flow. During his teen years, he was faced with a choice between hanging out with the “brothers” which could lead to trouble or listen to the advice of his father and leave.  

Not knowing where to go, Kev headed back to his ancestor’s country to stay with his Nan. During this time, he was offered an opportunity (through a ranger’s program) to work with nurseries, which held a lot of Native Australian stock.  

Kev shares the moment he knew he was called to work with Indigenous plants. Kev also outlines some characters along the journey that mentored him into being the Indigenous plants expert. One of those, a retired chemist who just turned up one day. 

Today Kev is sought out by many Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian farmers needing cultural expertise with native plants. Kev currently works with Outback Academy's Follow the Flowers initiative where they help other farmers in the Murray Darling Basin, and across the southern regions of Australia.