Taking us into September was Emergent Generation, an event to kick-start a new ecosystem of young champions building sustainable farming and food systems that nourish people and regenerates the planet. FarmED is helping to build this network with young people. With the support of WWF, we were able to host a 3-day event at FarmED, Conygree Farm and the Royal Agricultural University for young folk from the ages of 18 - 26.
On Sunday we had close to 120 people in the conference barn! Thanks to The Ernest Cook Trust and Cotswold National Landscape we were able to offer even more young people from all sorts of different places and backgrounds the opportunity to join us and make new connections. The amazing energy that everyone brought along is still bouncing off the walls!
“I came to #emergentgeneration to connect with people like me who are passionate about regenerative food and farming systems. It’s safe to say not only have I expanded my network but I’ve also made meaningful connections with people I now see as friends.”
We heard from Anna Jackson and Huw Richards about what it’s like to be a young champion in a regenerative future. We looked at concepts and applications of agroecology and were challenged by James Arbib (RethinkX) to consider the potential for disruptive technologies to solve critical environmental and social challenges (yes, protein fermentation included!).
Saturday began with members of the Emergent Generation asking expert conservationists about western perceptions of sustainability, and how we can begin to deconstruct the colonial view that nature and ourselves are apart. A hugely important topic area that we could have spent all day discussing.
Conygree Farm welcomed the group for an afternoon to talk about market gardening, pasture-fed livestock systems and sustainable fashion. Some of the group chose to try dry stone walling with Mel Bruynee or went foraging with Harry Warner. The evening campfire came to life with tales of farming and activism through the years from Gerald. I think it’s safe to say he took legendary status with him back to Pembrokeshire!
Sunday was a BIG day. We spoke about nutrition, asked what the food system needs now and heard case-studies from Farming George, Adrienne Jackson of SweetPea Market Garden and Khalil Radwan of Willowbrook Farm. Jyoti Fernandez (Landworkers Alliance) got a huge cheer when she said that we should all ‘start demanding a better, fairer food system.’ There was a lot of love for Immy Kaur (Civic Square) who took us on her journey of learning about systems and the power of participation to help neighbourhoods take charge of their own climate transition. She said:
“These islands of hope and coherence are so important and seeing the young inspiration generation convening together gave me personally so much hope.”
We spoke a lot about how to hold hope and overwhelm when there are so many things that need fixing. Together we looked at how even the smallest actions can help us navigate this daunting time.
It was clear from the weekend that by helping facilitate the space for connection we can help to focus passion and energy so that we can work together with young people, we can build the better farming & food system that we need.
Day 1 of #EmergentGeneration22 @RealFarmED and wow am I inspired! So amazing to connect with many like-minded young people passionate about regenerative agriculture and improving our food systems for people and the planet! Fascinating insights into the link between land health, nutrition and the gut microbiome from @DrSallyBell @LucyWNutrition and Jane Williamson. There is so much we can all do to improve our own and environmental health @RealFarmED #EmergentGeneration22
What a weekend @RealFarmED. My mind is blown. Thank you so much to @JontyFarmED @becsygrover and everyone else for organising, truly inspiring to be involved with such a diverse group of young people who all genuinely care about farming, food and the environment. Particular highlights was this amazing workshop from @Jonesthejourno on getting the story out there, alongside great session from @JennyPhelpsMBE and wonderful tour of @ConygreeFarm
lentil shanklet
@topbabenorman
Everything about the past few days at @RealFarmED has been so special but stories of activism past and present from the absolute legend that is gerald was extra extra.
Imandeep Kaur
@ImmyKaur
Amazing to see the demonstrator farm that @RealFarmED
have built and hear @thirtypercy help make it happen, these islands of hope and coherence are so important + see the young inspiration generation convening together gave me personally so much hope.
What a weekend @RealFarmED. My mind is blown. Thank you so much to @JontyFarmED @becsygrover and everyone else for organising, truly inspiring to be involved with such a diverse group of young people who all genuinely care about farming, food and the environment. Particular highlights was this amazing workshop from @Jonesthejourno on getting the story out there, alongside great session from @JennyPhelpsMBE and wonderful tour of @ConygreeFarm
Melissa Walker:
I came to #emergentgeneration to connect with people like me who are passionate about regenerative food and farming systems. It’s safe to say not only have I expanded my network but I’ve also made meaningful connections with people I now see as friends
Jed Soleiman
@RewildingJed:
Amazing to learn better storytelling with @Jonesthejourno @RealFarmED
- thank you for sharing your wisdom and time to get more regen-stories out there! #EmergentGeneration22
Hannah Needham
Location is stunning. Polenta cake 10/10 #EmergentGeneration22
@RealFarmED. Lots of discussion around mental health, stress, responsibility, coping strategies, eco-anxiety, uncertainty, spirituality and religion. So refreshing to see people opening up about their feelings #EmergentGeneration22 @RealFarmED
Bogi @bogibozsogi
Spent the day at @ConygreeFarm with @RealFarmED #emergentgeneration2022 learning about #organic farming, biointensive market gardens, foraging, health and nutrition… inspiring us to stand our ground!
Day 1 of #EmergentGeneration22 @RealFarmED and wow am I inspired! So amazing to connect with many like-minded young people passionate about regenerative agriculture and improving our food systems for people and the planet! Fascinating insights into the link between land health, nutrition and the gut microbiome from @DrSallyBell @LucyWNutrition and Jane Williamson. There is so much we can all do to improve our own and environmental health @RealFarmED #EmergentGeneration22
Brilliant to be part of @RealFarmED ’s #EmergentGeneration22 this weekend with young people from many different backgrounds sharing their common goals, opinions, talking, connecting and learning from each other.
Linked in:
Melissa Walker:
Feeling very inspired following the #emergentgeneration22 event held this weekend at FarmED - The Centre for Farm and Food Education. It was great to be in a room of likeminded young individuals with a passion for regenerative and agroecological food systems. I always have a good time when I visit FarmED but this time it was really special.
We had a fantastic range of discussions. Ian Wilkinson led us in a discussion around problems and opportunities in food systems. Russ Carrington chaired talks with young people involved in regenerative and agroecological food systems. We heard stories from Anna Jackson, Huw Richards, George Young, Khalil Radwan and Adrienne Gordon.
A really thought provoking panel discussion with Anya Whiteside, Marion Atieno Osieyo, Nigel Winser, Neil Clennell discussing global impacts surrounding colonialism and conservation.
Sally Bell and Dr Lucy Williamson spoke about the importance of good nutrition and how it links to good health and wellbeing - something I really think we need to share more of.
I attended workshops where I learned new skills related to being a young eco entrepreneur with David Bozward. And Anna Jones shared how to communicate our stories and helped us to understand how the media works.
This only just scratches the surface of what we got up to.
Astounding work by Jonathan Brunyee, Becky Grove and the rest of the team involved at FarmED and FarmEat would put this event together! Incredible to have an event with such important discussions being held that has been designed by young people, for young people.
Had a blast this weekend at Emergent Generation 2022 with FarmED - The Centre for Farm and Food Education & Conygree Farm. Learning about regenerative principles, market gardening, foraging, and transitioning to an agroecological food web left us all inspired and motivated. The vision is clear as ever, and the weekend gave us indefinite bold hope that we can do this together.
Thank you so much Danielle Semple, Becky Grove and all the amazing people for bringing this community together!