SOMERSET FOOD TRAIL
14th-30th July
SUSTAINABILITY
SOMERSET FOOD TRAIL
SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE FARMS
For decades, fertilisers and pesticides have been sold to our farmers as the key to greater efficiency and a way to bring cheap food to the world. But an increasing body of evidence is pointing to their central role in an unfolding ecological and human health crisis.
Gothelney Farm, Charlynch. Photo: Oliver Edwards:
THE CASE FOR REGENERATING SOILS
RESTORING NATURE
Ever since Rachel Carson's 1962 book Silent Spring, exposed the destruction of wildlife through the widespread use of pesticides, we've become increasingly aware of their impact on biodiversity and eco systems.
But it’s not just insects and birds that are in trouble. Pesticides are also destroying the microbial life in soils on which all other life depends.
Recent studies show evidence of a corresponding plunge in the variety of microbes in our own gut biome, now understood to be central to both physical and mental health. Just as our own guts need a balanced, varied diet that's low in toxins, to encourage ‘beneficial bacteria’, so do our soils.
It's now accepted that a biologically active soil gives healthier plants, with better functioning roots that require fewer interventions, whilst having the added benefits of building more soil carbon and supporting more biodiversity.
Yet industrial-scale monoculture farming is failing to provide this. It's failing to sufficiently nourish our soils (and nature) and failing to nourish us.
That's why the Somerset Food Trail Festival highlights nature-friendly farms that are producing food in a way that protects the soil, enhances biodiversity and mitigates against climate change.
According to Slow Food UK, which promotes local food cultures, we have lost 94% of our vegetable varieties over the last 100 years. In 1903, we had almost 500 varieties of lettuce; by 1983, we had just 36. And more than half of the world's calories nowadays come from just three crops.
FEED THE FUTURE
ONE MAN. ONE REGENERATIVE FARM
Fred Price of Gothelney Farm (also pictured above) shares his story of Gothelney Farmer's transition away from industrial farming to a regenerative system in this video.
His story illustrates the vital role of farms in redesigning our food system, and how regenerative farming practices can have a beneficial impact on nature and people, while at the same time helping combat biodiversity loss, climate change, and food waste.
But it cannot be farmers navigating the transition to a circular food system alone. Food businesses and retailers need to rethink their dynamics with farmers to foster and scale transformation — by applying the principles of the circular economy, we can redesign our food system for nature to thrive.
Learn more and watch the full Gothelney Farm film on the Circular Economy Show: https://bit.ly/42FgvWC
FOOD, FARMING & SUSTAINABILITY
ORGANIC FARMING
Modern organic farming is an agroecological system of farming that was developed as a response to the environmental harm caused by chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilsers. Organic farmers and growers work to a strict set of standards to ensure they sustain the health of soils, ecosystems, animals and people. Farms certified as organic by the Soil Association have the highest animal welfare standards for farming in the UK.
PERMACULTURE
Permaculture is a framework for creating sustanable ways of living, based on understandings of how nature works. It is a practical method of developing ecologically harmonious, efficient and productive systems that can be used by anyone, anywhere. At its heart, permaculture has three ethics: earth care, people care and fair shares. With permaculture, people are treading lightly on our planet, in harmony with nature, says the Pemaculture Association.
REGENERATIVE FARMING
There's a buzz around regenerative farming, with its focus on the health of the soil and replenishing and restoring nature. Core principles include minimising soil disturbance, maximising crop diversity; keeping the soil covered; maintaining living root systems year round; and integrating livestock. These approaches are critical, advocates say, to halting soil degradation – a serious global problem – and retainning the ability to grow crops in the future.
SUSTAINABLE FOOD PLACES
Sustainable Food Somerset (formerly Wells Food Network) is a member of Sustainable Food Places, a partnership led by the Soil Association, Food Matters and Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming. It works across all aspects of the food system to solve some of today’s most pressing social, environmental and economic issues. It's part of a growing global movement working for a healthy, sustainable and more equitable food system.
THE WORK THAT WE DO IN THIS FIELD
For more on our work to make Somerset's food system more sustainable, please visit our website at www.sustainablefoodsomerset.org.
'If you’ve never heard about the amazing potential of regenerative agriculture and land use practices to naturally sequester a critical mass of CO2 in the soil and forests, you’re not alone. One of the best-kept secrets in the world today is that the solution to global warming and the climate crisis (as well as poverty and deteriorating public health) lies right under our feet, and at the end of our knives and forks.'
Ronnie Cummins,
Regeneration International Steering Committee Member
