Emberly Wetherall

Emberly Wetherall is a dedicated advocate for local regenerative food systems and community resilience, with an education background in nutrition and horticulture, and an upbringing immersed in agroecological farming systems.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, leading to a Registered Dietitian's Certification, and a Master of Science in Nutrition and Public Health. Emberly also has certificates in Organic Horticulture, Permaculture Design, and Apiculture (beekeeping), reflecting her broad interest in agriculture systems and how soil health and agriculture practices influence plant, animal and human health outcomes.

For the past 4.5 years, Emberly has served as the Project Coordinator for Grow Wānaka Community Garden, a project encompassing circular systems thinking, community resilience, food security, and waste minimisation. Emberly is passionate about community health and wellbeing and fosters these through collective organic growing practices and educational opportunities on growing, composting, and land stewardship practices, reconnecting people to their food and landscapes. Her work extends beyond the garden, participating in a handful of local and national organisations to collaborate and strengthen networks enabling systems change at pace. 

Through her community-based projects and collaborations, Emberly strives to create a more vibrant and interwoven community with a thriving diverse local regenerative food culture and network. Her dedication to these causes makes her a valuable asset to her community and to the advancement of local regenerative efforts.

Emberly spoke during the Food Resilience Day at the Wao Summit 2024 and will welcome us to the Grow Wānaka community garden during the Food Resilience day tour on Friday 31 October during the Wao Summit 2025, offering a tour and kōrero about the kaupapa and activities of the garden.