The Northern Real Farming Conference
We are at a crucial point in developing the farming and food systems for the future. As the UK transitions to new post-Brexit frameworks for agriculture, the wider crises of biodiversity loss, ecological breakdown, inequality and social unrest continue.
The Northern Real Farming Conference is a space to dream, to re-think and to share practical experiences of regenerative and socially just ways to farm and bring food to markets and kitchen tables. We focus specifically on the North of England and its unique landscapes and cultures.
The first Northern Real Farming Conference took place on line in October 2020 with 500 participants and the second, on line and in person in Lancaster, in December 2021. Since then we have produced a series of information videos aimed at farmers exploring regenerative approaches and organised gatherings and farm visits, and spent some time developing a strategy for shifting to resilient and regenerative farming systems in the North.
The NRFC is inspired and supported by the long-running Oxford Real Farming Conference. ‘Real Farming’ events explore transformative strategies, theories, approaches, and practical and progressive actions for just and sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Philosophy and Principles
‘Real Farming’ is shorthand for agriculture that is expressly designed to provide everyone, everywhere with food of the highest standards of nutrition and gastronomy, without cruelty or injustice and without adversely affecting other people and the biosphere both now and in the future.
The NRFC’s ‘Real Farming’ events and wider work explore transformative strategies, theories, approaches, and practical and progressive actions that move us toward this vision.
Three basic concepts underpin ‘Real Farming’:
- Economic democracy – such that decision making is taken locally by stakeholders such as farmers, communities and customers rather than global corporations.
- Food sovereignty – the idea that individuals and communities everywhere must have control over their own food supply.
- Agroecology – where farms are conceived of as ecosystems and agriculture as a whole is seen as a key component of the biosphere.
In today’s world, particularly as we grapple with climate change and the after-effects of Covid-19, ‘Real Farming’ is transformative, involving all aspects of modern life – moral, spiritual and ecological.
Advisory and Planning Team
We are grateful to the advisory and planning team for their input and time:
- Andy Goldring, Permaculture Association
- Anna Clayton, FoodFutures and LESS
- Ellen Pearce, NRFC Coordinator
- Francesca Price, Oxford Real Farming Conference
- Melanie Fryer, FoodFutures and Agroecology
- Neil Heseltine, Hill Top Farm and Pasture for Life Association
- Mick Marston, Gibside Community Farm and CSA Network UK
- Nina Moeller, Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University
- Rachel Marshall, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University and FoodFutures
- Rebecca Whittle, Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University and FoodFutures
- Ruth West, Oxford Real Farming Conference
- Rod Everett, Backsbottom Farm and FoodFutures
- Suzy Russell, Community Supported Agriculture