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In the new world of climate change and high oil prices, Britain’s mechanised, oil-dependent agriculture is no longer fit for purpose.
A global scientific study concluded that high-input grain monocultures – like those covering much of lowland Britain – provide neither good food nor security of supply (IAASTD Report, 2009). Instead of monocultures the world needs “poly-cultures” – diverse cropping patterns adapted to local conditions. In the UK this will mean a shift to more complex systems such as mixed farming and agro-forestry.
The one certainty is that these methods will require a lot more people to run them. Where do we find the skills and how do we create the farms that will feed the British people well and sustainably in an increasingly insecure world?
While we have no absolute answers, this conference will provide firm guidelines to a better farming future.
Read the manifesto for the Oxford Real Farming Conference - Good Food For Everyone Forever
Revisit the first annual Oxford Real Farming Conference, held in January 2010
If you are planning to attend the conference, please register online
The Real Food Festival is held at the Earl's Court Exhibition Centre in London from the 7th to the 10th of May, 2010.
The venue is easy to reach on the District, Picadilly and Circle lines:
Find out more at the official website
CHAIRED BY ROSIE BOYCOTT, CHAIR OF THE LONDON FOOD GROUP
1.30PM - COLIN TUDGE, BIOLOGIST AND WRITER.
Why our present system will fail and the solution is to apply sound biological principles.
2.00PM - SIMON FAIRLIE, WRITER AND FARMER.
Why Britain needs a policy of land reform and how a Land Value Tax might just work.
2.30PM - GRAHAM HARVEY, FARMING WRITER
The role of small, mixed farms in providing us with a healthy diet plus food security.
3.15PM - TOM CURTIS, ED HAMER and SAM HENDERSON
A panel of "young agrarians", who are all working to help create a new food and farming future, discuss what needs to change and what we can do to change it.
3.45PM - OPEN FORUM: DEBATE AND DISCUSSION
All the day's speakers will be present on stage and the audience will be invited to ask questions and make their own comments or suggestions in an open discussion.
The Oxford Real Farming Conference is organised by the Campaign for Real Farming and the Grass Fed Food Association.
For more information or to join the mailing list, please contact: Ben