On Saturday we hosted three very different events.
Firstly, we welcomed a truly international group this morning. Hailing from Malawi, USA, Afghanistan and New Zealand among other parts of the world, they represented every continent. They’re all studying for an MA in public policy with Blavatnik School of Government, part of Oxford University. They were taken on a farm walk by Jonty Brunyee before a ploughman's lunch in the wildflowers. Discussions ranged from sustainability, to CAP, the climate emergency and regenerative agriculture.
Palestinian American, Hadeel Abdallah is interested in building international solidarity movements and believes food and farming is an ideal way to do this. ‘It’s what unites us all. Caring for the land is a way to build equity. Places like FarmED that are so open and inclusive help to show the way forward. The farm has created a narrative we can build on.’
While Jonty was talking to an international group from Blavatnik School of Government, on the other side of the courtyard, Ian was answering questions about herbal leys, sainfoin and green manures, from customers of Cotswold Seeds who had taken up the invitation of a farm tour and lunch from the FarmED Kitchen.
In the evening, the crew from local Wild Thyme restaurant in Chipping Norton hosted their Dining Club at FarmED. This time it was prosecco in the wildflowers. Ian and Celene Wilkinson, Founders of FarmED, took time out to enjoy the meal, after Ian gave a short welcome speech about the importance of linking good food to good farming.