ORFC 2025 9 – 10 Jan
As with fashion trends, many farming techniques have come back around. This session will explore how members of farming families can bring their knowledge, perspectives and approaches to the table, and how different generations can challenge each other’s thinking to future-proof a farm business. Each panellist will share what has influenced their approach to farming, what they have learnt from other family members and how they’ve used each other’s perspectives to make decisions to enable…
Re-Alliance is a global network of INGOs and community practitioners using regenerative approaches to disaster, displacement and development. Our members are involved in innovations in food growing, reforestation, and enhancing biodiversity, particularly in camp or settlement contexts. We are currently working with landscape architects and experienced humanitarian responders to produce a framework for camp design that takes into account the importance of food production, DAY 1 – THURSDAY 4TH JANUARY DAY 1 – THURSDAY 4TH…
From the first commercial producer of homegrown Irish linen in over 40 years to artisan textiles to native breed livestock, three sector experts share their knowledge of sustainable fibre production. Join us to hear about multiple approaches to crafting a regenerative textile system and the opportunities for boosting local nature-friendly fibre farming.
Following Hong Kongers’ migration wave, Farmer YuWing and grower Perle have been promoting the concepts of growing culturally appropriate food and saving seeds in New Malden, Surrey. In this session, they will talk about how they support Hong Kong migrants by providing vegetable seedlings - especially Choysum, delivering food growing lessons, and setting up growing beds in back gardens. They will also share their recent experience of establishing several community gardens and matching food growers…
A new model for sustainable food supply that connects producers and consumers through engaged retailers: RSA (Retail Supported Agriculture). Cities cannot be fuelled with CSAs alone. Not every citizen has the time or resources to participate in agricultural activities. In an extended model, shops and wholesalers can support and empower farmers. Instead of putting pressure on prices and taking off with the profit we believe that retailers can strengthen the collaboration between the different actors…
In the autumn of 2023 Ed Hamer was funded by the Churchill Travel Fellowship to visit CSA farms across the U.S.A. Working with and interviewing CSA farmers, co-ordinators and members the research was intended to bring back learning for the CSA community in the UK. The trip highlighted plenty of contrasts - as well as some similarities between CSAs on either side of the Atlantic. Join us for a road trip story. Hear about the…
A workshop that aims to bring a No Borders analysis into the food/land justice movement space. A space to explore how the border regime operates to uphold colonial relations to land, deny people access to land and underpin an exploitative food system. Among other things, our workshop will explore the deep-rooted links between land justice and no borders struggles, and hold space to discuss how growers, farmers and land-justice organisers can show up for people…
This lively discussion will focus on the value of species-rich grassland for nature, climate and people. We’ll discuss their ecosystem services, benefits at farm-level (eg climate, resilience, cost saving) and their wider contribution to public goods (flood mitigation, soil conservation, biodiversity). The session will cover evidence on carbon storage and sequestration potential, and implications of management approaches; and panellists will reflect on how farmers can incorporate species-rich grasslands into their business and access public and…
How do you go about finding the next stage for your farm if you have no family to take it on? What are useful paths and choices? Where do you start? When is the best time to look at succession? In this session, panellists will consider enterprise stacking, subcontracting activities, share farming, community engagement and feeding the nation (locally) as ways to bring others into a farm’s future. Succession also offers opportunities for entrant farmers…