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ORFC Global 2021

Full Programme

This seven-day programme offers over 150 sessions that have been programmed with partners and farming communities from across six continents.  It includes a mix of talks, panel discussions, workshops and cultural events on everything from farm practice to climate justice to indigenous knowledge. Please take some time to explore!

Please note that although workshops are free to all registered delegates, separate, advance registration is required for all workshops, and spaces are limited. Workshop registration opened to all registered delegates from Tuesday, 29 December 2020 and was sent via email. Register early to avoid disappointment!

View a PDF of the full programme here

View a printable PDF programme here

Please note the times in the online programme below should display in your local time zone.

Cultural Event
12:00 - 13:00 GMT
Thursday, 7 January

Opening Plenary

Opening plenary with speakers and farmers from around the world.

Panel Discussion
13:00 - 14:00 GMT
Thursday, 7 January

Agroecology Across Three Continents: Showcasing Good Policy Practices

Governments are beginning to recognise the urgent need to transform our food systems. This has been made even more pressing by the current health and economic crisis caused by the COVID pandemic. Currently, there are good but rather scattered examples of governments around the world that have been developing conducive and innovative policies aimed at introducing and implementing agroecological and resilient principles.

Join three leading policymakers from three different countries (India, Denmark and Uganda)…

Farm Practice
Panel Discussion

Speakers

Dr Nicola Cannon

Jeff Tkach

Ian Wilkinson

Chair

Jonty Brunyee

Languages

English

13:00 - 14:00 GMT
Thursday, 7 January

Rotation, Rotation, Rotation: Using Diverse Crops to Build Soil Health

Diverse crop rotations are key to a successful agroecological and regenerative food system. Innovative farmers and growers across the globe are using a range of strategies and crop mixtures to build soil health, reduce pests and weed burdens, and enhance natural capital. In this session, curated by the FarmED team, you will be introduced to the key principles of rotation and hear about the diverse cropping systems at the Rodale Institute (Pennsylvania, USA) and FarmED…

Panel Discussion
14:00 - 15:00 GMT
Thursday, 7 January

Future UK Trade Policy: What’s at Stake and Routes to Influence

The UK has exited the EU but is in the process of striking trade deals with new partners around the globe and leading a big free trade agenda. This has enormous implications not only for our own food standards but those of our partners. This session is to explore where we are and discuss what we can still influence and how. Will the UK be leading the globe in setting high standards for the food…

Panel Discussion

Speakers

Do’a Zayed

Kathryn Manga

Agnes Kirabo

Chair

Angela Cordeiro

Languages

English, Español

14:00 - 15:00 GMT
Thursday, 7 January

Supporting Agroecological Food Systems in the Era of COVID-19

With global hunger likely to double as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, the need for food systems transformation has never been more urgent. Across five continents, Agroecology Fund partners have been on the frontlines of relief efforts, mobilizing powerful grassroots networks to strengthen long-term food security and resilience. The Agroecology Fund launched an Emergency Fund to support 59 such community-led responses to Covid-19. A panel of grassroots organizations will share their strategies to provide…

Farm Practice
Workshop

Speakers

Nicolas Lefebvre

Mark Lea

Clive Bailye

Chair

Jerry Alford

Languages

English

14:00 - 15:30 GMT
Thursday, 7 January

Organic No-till with Living Mulches: The Holy Grail for Organic Arable?

ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. LIMITED SPACES: 500

No-till arable farming has revolutionised the arable farming mindset and is of interest to organic farmers because of its potential to reduce cultivations whilst providing weed control, fertility and soil health. But is it possible?

Cover crops or green manures have always been part of organic arable systems but are now commonly used conventionally as part of regenerative farming systems.. The 4 pillars of regenerative farming are no-till, continuous…

Workshop
15:00 - 16:30 GMT
Thursday, 7 January

Using COP26 to Build Momentum for Integrated and Just Food Policies that Support Nature, Climate and People

ADVANCE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. LIMITED SPACES: 70 [FULL]

In November 2021, the 26th UN Climate COP in Glasgow will face the monumental task of bridging the gap between countries’ current climate commitments and the significant transformation needed to tackle the climate emergency. With food systems currently accounting for 1/3 of total greenhouse gas emissions, the road joining Glasgow to Paris and the important goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees must go through the farm gate…

Panel Discussion

Speakers

Vandana Shiva

Tim Wise

Mariam Mayet

Chair

Languages

English, Français

15:00 - 16:00 GMT
Thursday, 7 January

Neo-colonial Economies and Ecologies, Smallholder Farmers and Multiple Shocks in Africa: Confronting False Solutions Towards Decolonization

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent crises, as a result of lockdowns, have exposed the fractures of human societies’ relationship with nature. In a world dominated by capitalist globalisation, these crises are not blips or anomalies that require a few tweaks to make the system a little more sustainable. No, it is a forceful reflection of processes that engender the economic, ecological and social crises that already existed.

Key international forums and publications are focusing…

Farm Practice
Panel Discussion

Speakers

Professor Jennifer Dungait

Stephen Briggs

Phil Jarvis

Chair

Dr Lydia Smith

Languages

English, Español

15:00 - 16:00 GMT
Thursday, 7 January

Future-Proofing Farms Against Climate Change: The Role of Trees in Healthy Soil Management

Including trees in farm management offers opportunities to future-proof our farms against the effects of global climate change. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent throughout the world. 60% of UK farm businesses have been affected by severe weather over the last 10 years. Soil degradation and loss are evident as wet winters carry our topsoil onto roads. Annually, flood damage costs the farming sector £1.9 billion, with a rise to £2.4 billion expected by…