2010 - 2024

If the land had a voice, what would it be asking us to do? Is it possible that we could be working in a more reciprocal and mutually beneficial way? In this session we bring together those who work on the land at a subtle level - those who act as intermediaries between that which is seen and that which is unseen, those who can converse directly with the flows and cycles and spirits of…

This discussion will examine how to unlock the potential of agroecological farming in the transition to net zero and overcome existing barriers with respect to the scaling up of low-carbon farming methods (in the UK). Bringing distinct perspectives and experience, the expert panel will weave through topics such as improving the provision of and access to local food through mobilising communities, strengthening the law to support the agroecological transition and priorities for delivering on the…

Building on an existing collaboration between Food For Life, My Food Community and Back to Our Roots, Growing and Sharing Without Borders is a project in partnership with Kushinga Community Garden about growing Afro-Caribbean veg in gardens. Launched in March 2023 the project aims to skill up people in the community interested in growing any veg but with an interest in Asian-Afro-Caribbean crops. The project includes all types of growing conditions from window sills to…

As food and agriculture became globalised, peasant organisations from the Global North and South came together and founded the global peasants’ movement, La Via Campesina (LVC), in 1993. La Via Campesina is now over 30 years old, unifies over 200 million peasants around the globe and comprises of over 180 member organisations. It continues amplifying the voices of peasants worldwide, fostering solidarity among diverse communities, inspiring hope and advocating for just and inclusive food systems.…

The Climate Change Committee has been clear that carbon dioxide removal will be key to reaching net zero. The way we approach this will have significant implications for our society – including for farmers, who are fundamentally important in helping achieve our climate targets. The challenge for farmers in this very busy space is to understand enough about the different greenhouse gas removal mechanisms available to ensure that they make the right decisions for their…

A model of low-intensive agriculture, sustainable, biodiverse, pluralistic: Has it, does it and can it feed islanders in the future? What can be drawn from crofting which could be applied wherever people have a corner of land. In this session you will hear from young crofters turning the tide by bringing crofting back to productivity in a contemporary context, drawing from the past and creating a good fit for the future. How does crofting sit…

How does the trove of ancient songs from this land and beyond, as well as new songs emerging in the creative field work to restore the health and prosperity of our land? How is song working as a powerful tool to build resilience within the growing community and affirm a responsibility to the land amongst the agroecological communities. What can we learn from old folk songs and their implicit messages and wisdom about how we…

In this second lunchtime deep dive session, we will hear from Johnnie Balfour, Managing Partner at Balbirnie Home Farms in Fife. Johnnie and team farm 1,300ha of mixed cropping (on a seven year rotation) and grassland. The farm produces combinable crops as well as vegetables and meat from their herd of 200 suckler cows. The farm has been an AHDB Strategic Cereal Farm host for Scotland, which has allowed them to baseline a number of…

Landworkers’ Alliance members Câr y Môr are Wales’s first community-owned regenerative ocean farm. Off the coast of Pembrokeshire in South Wales they farm shellfish and seaweed, and use regenerative farming techniques to build biodiversity in their marine farming system. Their community-ownership model means they are deeply integrated with the local community, and provide dignified jobs and opportunities for local people. In this session, we will hear from Câr y Môr about their important and pioneering…