Few can now deny we are failing to tackle the climate, biodiversity, and human health challenge.
Here on my farm, we flood and freeze, and the wind rips out old trees and newly planted saplings. Spring crops will struggle again if the rains fail. We work hard to create a diverse range of habitats across our land, but nationally, bird and insect numbers still fall.
Our farm shop sells out of organic vegetables and pasture-fed beef, all raised here in harmony with nature. But how do we get our nutrient-dense and sustainable produce to the masses?
What will the future look like for our children? Can we nurture a new food system? It’s all rather overwhelming. You might feel the same right now.
Tough landscape
UK government signals don’t seem that comforting. Following on from the ‘family farm tax’ rumpus and the freeze on environmental grants, Defra recently announced its Nature Restoration Fund will be used to build new infrastructure and homes. That’s insane!
If our elected leaders can’t raise taxes, ramp up regulation, talk about offshored wealth or borrow more, what levers are left to pull? It seems economic growth at all costs is the last roll of the dice.
The food sector is far from blameless in the environmental and human health debate. The issues surrounding product sourcing, ultra-processed food, fake labels, food waste, food miles, packaging, discounting and the fair treatment of suppliers are all well rehearsed.
But we must not abandon hope. We must all lean in and take more responsibility at home and at work. Together we can turn this ship around.
Regenerative practices
One part of the solution is regenerative agriculture. After decades of depletion, we must deploy farming practices and principles that enhance soil health, improve biodiversity, rebuild water and nutrient cycles, and reconnect our landscapes and communities. Conserving and sustaining is not enough. Let’s regenerate.
Regenerative farming done well can sequester carbon, reduce inputs and increase profit. Food grown in functioning soil is more nutrient-rich, and diversity of crop, habitat and enterprise leads to resilience and happier farmers.
Regenerative farming done badly is greenwash. Beware those jumping on the marketing bandwagon without a deep regenerative mindset.
The transition to a regenerative farming future is a complex journey. High levels of knowledge and confidence are required to successfully put the key principles into practice. It’s tough for old beggars like me!
Next generation
Thankfully, tomorrow’s farmers, growers, advisers, researchers, chefs and retail buyers get it. Our young folk are holistic thinkers who consider the whole food system and their role within it. But they often feel isolated and overwhelmed. They need to be heard, supported and embraced.
I recently helped form an organisation called Emergent Generation. We are a fast-growing network of young people (aged 18 to 35) and experienced practitioners working together to build a sustainable food system and regenerative future.
We enable young people to share knowledge, resources, skills, opportunity, and inspiration. We aim to connect, celebrate and empower our diverse rural and urban communities.
Emergent Generation events are held across the UK and online, often in partnership with other food, farming and youth organisations. Anyone involved in the food system is welcome.
There is hope. Fancy joining in?
Jonty Brunyee is a farmer at Conygree Farm in Gloucestershire
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