What I’ve Learned from Chickens
Chickens are smart, emotional animals. They can decimate local insect populations, but they are resilient and courageous. They deserve our respect.
Food & Water featured
Letter From The Farm | All In A Day’s Tree Planting
We’re back with Martino Newcombe in the West of Ireland, where he reflects on a winter’s day of planting a shelter belt of native tree species. Not on his farm, but on that of his neighbour, a retired farmer, with the help of another neighbour – echoing the traditional Irish practice of helping each other out that is known as “meitheal”.
Why the Greenpeace Trial Is a Lesson for Us All
Criminalizing the protection of water, not its degradation, is a sign of things to come—but Water Protectors are here to stay.
No more heroes: or, seeking strong gods
Let’s not take these self-proclaimed heroes and warriors too seriously. People who don’t know the first thing about how to take care of themselves materially and are dependent on others to provide for their needs aren’t heroes. They’re helpless children.
Letter From The Farm | Seven Years In: Realising Our Agroecological Vision
In summer 2024 the original plan for our agroecological farm was fully realised. We have two agroforestry systems producing every year shiitake mushrooms, aromatic herbs, annual vegetables and fruits without the use of any fertilisers or pesticides. The farm food lab is running where we transform most of our fresh products into artisanal jars and bottles. We have an online shop and last summer we opened the farm shop.
Tapping Into the Sweetness of Spring
Spring is making its way here in Mni Sota Makoce (the Land of Cloudy Waters), and Waziya (Old Man Winter) is finally heading north. It is during this transitional time we can gather the sweet sap that the maples so willingly give up.
Portugal | Regenerative Heritage Grains – From Soil To Bread
While José and Pedro’s story serves as an inspiring example of the potential for action, transition, and innovation in agriculture, it also makes a strong case for understanding the specific needs of diversified farming practices that promote plant diversity and soil health.
Making local food production and land commons more viable with procurement hubs
So Stroud Land Commons are partnering with the Open Food Network (OFN) to try to create more markets for local food producers. OFN provide an online shopfront for small, local food producers all over the UK (and the world).
When Water Dries Up, Violence Thrives: The Link Between Climate, Conflict, and Migration in Africa
Security is not built with barbed wire, but with wells, seeds, and justice. As Wanjira Mathai, president of the Green Belt Movement, reminds us: “Every tree planted is an act of defiance against despair.”
Is 100 years of cheap food coming to an end?
There are multiple reasons for why food prices are on the rise. There are major similarities between the FAO food price index and energy prices. This is also quite natural as energy is a major input in the whole food system.
Africa at a Crossroads: A Future of Ruin or Renewal?
Africa’s history is not just one of suffering—it is also one of resilience, ingenuity, and renewal. Across the continent, ordinary people are accomplishing the extraordinary. They are fighting back against desertification, reclaiming barren lands, and bringing life back to the soil.
Overshoot, meet undershoot
A lot of people have a peculiar horror for the idea of a lower energy and more local world, necessarily involving more people working the land – whereas the idea of living in a suburb and working in an office tends to get a free pass. I think there will be more of the former and less of the latter in the future whether we like it or not, but it’s a bit odd that our culture is so resistant to the possibility that the former might have its plus points.
