From silver back pumpkin in Hertfordshire to some of the world’s hottest chilli varieties in Dorset, this session will explore growing and marketing crops not usually found in the British context. Head grower at Woodoaks Farm, Rickey has ambitious plans to grow exotic fruit, amaranth, silver back pumpkin, mushrooms and micro greens. His Caribbean heritage and journey through different growing systems has given him interesting insight on what works. We will also hear from Woodoaks…

In a time of multiple food system and societal crises, progressive actors can see years of hard work campaigning, piloting new systems, and researching new policy solutions wiped out instantaneously. Reactionary politics is driving the abandonment and obstruction of long-term planning, in favour of further transfers of wealth to corporate interests. In the meantime, structural problems baked into our food system, and the resulting harms to human and environmental health, continue to exacerbate. Join Feedback…

The session will reflect on two year of the Fringe Farming project, which aims to grow the movement for agroecological food production at city peripheries. The panel will share their experiences and lessons learned in advocating for the importance of market gardens.

Agroecology has reached a tipping point - it is being challenged to be drawn into the mainstream, or remain an outsider movement. Moving from the outside without losing the radical values and vision is a major challenge, and is key to the political, policy and practical implementation of the agroecological vision.

Nature does not do simplified landscapes and monocultures. But our quest for specialisation has led to farms comprising minimal enterprises which in turn put soils and ecosystems under extreme pressure and are economically marginal. Turning this on its head, the session will open with a framing of the concepts of ecoregion potential, steady states and transitions, opening up a wide choice of tools available to land managers and how these allow for the optimisation of…

The Sustain alliance’s new initiative - Bridging the Gap - is looking at how we get agroecological food to lowerincome communities, and how we advocate for policies to make this food affordable longer term. Working alongside partners with supply chain and trading experience, including Alexandra Rose charity, Growing Communities, Nourish Northern Ireland and Food Sense Wales, the programme is exploring how to transition from the current focus on food aid for lower-income groups, to food…

Have you heard of permaculture but are not sure what it is? Are you looking to transition towards more agroecological methods, increase biodiversity and get more connected to local markets and communities? Permaculture can help!

Join us as we explore the power of storytelling and its potential to shape behaviour and transform our food and farming systems. From podcasts and social media to film and photos, we explore the myriad ways to spark action through stories.

What is biodynamic farming, why is it unique, and how can you start doing it?