Major northern farming conference opens next week

Against the backdrop of the climate emergency, Brexit, and Covid-19 we find ourselves at a critical juncture in terms of how we farm and feed our communities.

The climate and ecological crises means that now, more than ever, we need to re-think our approaches to farming, fishing and food.

We need to move away from an intensive industrial agriculture model and understand the challenges and opportunities for taking more sustainable, regenerative, ethical and holistic approaches to farming.

More than 25m people live in the north of England and Scotland combined. The climate, landscape, hydrology, soils and history give the north unique habitats, farming traditions and food cultures.

There are significant areas of uplands and national parks, highlands and islands, coastline and dense urban post-industrial settlements.

There are livestock farmers, orchards, vegetable growers, fishers, community gardens and social farms.

There are particular challenges and opportunities for farming and food systems in the north.

The Northern Real Farming Conference is a unique opportunity to hear from more than 60 farmers along with researchers and practitioners, covering topic such as business models, nature friendly farming, upland farming, land use, cooperative and community supported agriculture, horticulture, grains, seed sovereignty, public good, procurement, policy, ELMS, water management and more.

‘Real farming’ is defined by three principles which underpin the conference discussions:

* Economic democracy – decision making is taken locally by stakeholders such as farmers, communities,

customers rather than vested global corporations.

* Food sovereignty – the idea that individuals and communities everywhere must have control over their

own food supply.

* Agroecology–where farms are conceived as ecosystems and agriculture as a whole is seen as a key

component of the biosphere.

Neil Hesseltine, Hill Top Farm, Malham, Northern Real Farming Conference Advisory Group and chair of Yorkshire Dales National Park, said: "The Northern Real Farming Conference is an exciting development for everyone in the farming community who wants to put regenerative agriculture at the heart of what they do.

"As the climate emergency continues to impact communities around the world, there is an opportunity to look locally at the north of England and Scotland and find practical solutions which work with our climate and landscape and protect our planet and food systems."

Ellen Pearce, Northern Real Farming Conference coordinator, said: "There has been so much interest in this inaugural event from farmers and organisations in the north of England

and Scotland.

"We have over 65 sessions covering a wide range of topics related to regenerative agriculture and the food system, along with social and networking events. We invite everyone with an interest in localised, climate-friendly farming and a food system that provides access to healthy food for everyone to join the event."

The conference takes place from September 28 until October 10.

The Northern Real Farming Conference is coordinated by LESS in partnership with the Oxford Real Farming Conference and FoodFutures.

The full programme, including speakers, can be found online here and tickets can be purchased here