Oxford Real Farming Conference

DEADLINE REMINDER: The ORFC26 call for submissions will close this Thursday. Now is the last chance to submit any ideas for the 2026 conference and help shape the UK's largest real farming gathering. Submit your ideas now: https://lnkd.in/ecSi5CRW

'Modern technologies seem to be enabling us to do almost anything we want. Our main task now, is to decide what it is we do want to do, and why' - Andy Dibben ORFC's trusted Farm Practice Advisor, Andy Dibben, is behind one of the latest posts on the blog of ORFC co-founder Colin Tudge: https://lnkd.in/eqxfBY7b Andy will be running a session at ORFC in the Field at Wakelyns on the process of designing an effective agroforestry system that integrates trees and vegetable crops. Explore the full programme here: https://lnkd.in/d2XE6-u6 Photo credit: David Bebber - https://lnkd.in/eNrYjcFY

ORFC is coming to Wakelyns next month for all things agroforestry🌳 At the event, participants will be tutored by some of the country’s leading experts in agroforestry. We’ll be looking at tree management, including fruit and nut trees, and coppicing, pollarding, and pruning practices with head arborist at Wakelyns, Paul Jackson, exploring the practice of silvohorticulture, the integration of trees into vegetable growing systems, with Andy Dibben, and learning about the latest research on soil health in agroforestry systems with Rothamsted Research. Participants will have the chance to explore the full range of Wakelyns projects, where agroforestry forms part of a flourishing and diverse system: from grazing sheep for weed management to growing legumes for Hodmedods and YQ population wheat for the on-site bakery. With opportunities for connecting and knowledge-sharing from dawn till dusk, join us for early morning nature walks and evenings sharing delicious meals from Wakelyns Kitchen, made with produce from the farm (vegan and vegetarian options will be available). These two days of hands-on workshops will provide you with the skills to integrate agroforestry into your farm practice at different scales, as well as the opportunity to meet inspiring practitioners and explore all the facets of Wakelyns’ stacked enterprise system. We look forward to seeing you there! Explore the full programme: https://lnkd.in/d2XE6-u6 Wakelyns Hodmedod Soil Association Emergent Generation The Landworkers' Alliance Pasture for Life Shared Assets

The UK’s largest agroecological gathering is coming to the legendary Wakelyns organic farm for two days of all things agroforestry this May! 🌳 We’re delighted to announce some of the details of our programme, packed with lots of practical learnings including agroforestry system design, fun with fibres, peas among trees, and the latest research on soil health impacts. Don’t miss out! Explore the full programme and book your place now: https://lnkd.in/d2XE6-u6

It's only a few days until we release the full programme for our ORFC In the Field event at Wakelyns on 27-30th May. Until then, we invite you to explore the pioneering Suffolk organic agroforestry farm below🌳 The event will feature two days packed full of practical workshops on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th May. In addition to hearing from many speakers from across the movement, participants will have the chance to explore the full range of Wakelyns projects, where agroforestry forms part of a flourishing and diverse system: from grazing sheep for weed management to growing legumes for Hodmedods and YQ population wheat for the on-site bakery. You can find more about the event and get your tickets: https://lnkd.in/d2XE6-u6 Subsidised tickets are available for students; young people (under 25); BPOC; part-time, low-waged, and/or unpaid workers; new entrant farmers; and anyone otherwise unable to attend. Photo credits: David Bebber Emergent Generation Pasture for Life Soil Association Animate Earth Collective Conscious Food Systems Alliance Shared Assets Real Farming Trust La Via Campesina European Coordination Via Campesina The Landworkers' Alliance

'Britain’s food economy needs to properly reward good food and farming – and farmers and citizens are losing out to a tiny number of big businesses.' An impactful report from FFCC. Read now ⬇️

Thank you to the incredible Penpont Estate for welcoming and hosting the RFT team for our Spring Away Days this week 🌞 From the learning about the history of the land and exploring the ancient woods to silent saunas and dips in the river Usk, the three days were filled with beauty and inspiration. We left invigorated with renewed visions for a transformed food system. #agroecology #foodsovereignty #realfarming

It's three weeks until ORFC in the Field touches down in London at OrganicLea! 🌱 We'd like to introduce you to some of the amazing tutors who will be joining us at the event ⬇️ There are still a final few tickets available. Book now to secure your spot at ORFC's first ever London event: https://lnkd.in/dc329eb9 At the event, we'll explore a variety of unique practical skills from horticultural tips and combining fungi and ferments to what it means to make a successful growing project grounded in community and cooperative ownership. We’ll also be discussing ways to make a career in growing work for you, exploring routes to market and local network building, finding out how to build a thriving workers’ cooperative. With a flourishing network of radical grassroots community food projects in North London, we’ll be looking at ways to nourish all forms of life within the city through building relationships with the land we work. We look forward to sharing more programme info with you soon!

It's three weeks until ORFC in the Field touches down in London at OrganicLea! 🌱 We'd like to introduce you to some of the amazing tutors who will be joining us at the event ⬇️ There are still a final few tickets available. Book now to secure your spot at ORFC's first ever London event: https://lnkd.in/dc329eb9 At the event, we'll explore a variety of unique practical skills from horticultural tips and combining fungi and ferments to what it means to make a successful growing project grounded in community and cooperative ownership. We’ll also be discussing ways to make a career in growing work for you, exploring routes to market and local network building, finding out how to build a thriving workers’ cooperative. With a flourishing network of radical grassroots community food projects in North London, we’ll be looking at ways to nourish all forms of life within the city through building relationships with the land we work. We look forward to sharing more programme info with you soon!

Time to share your exciting #agroecology, #foodsovereignty and #farmpractice ideas for ORFC 2026! Next January we will be coming together in Oxford to celebrate, educate, debate, and connect as a movement. This is your opportunity to propose a session ahead of joining us for our 17th year! Please help us put together a dynamic and radical programme by sharing your ideas, research and hands-on experience in any of these areas: 🌱 farm practice 🌱 the politics of food and farming 🌱 land justice 🌱 movement-building 🌱 climate, environment and biodiversity 🌱 food sovereignty 🌱 listening to the land 🌱 racial justice in food systems 🌱 alternative economics 🌱 neurodiversity in food and farming 🌱 innovation and technology 🌱 pathways to a just transition 🌱 farming beyond food (eg. fibres for fashion and architecture) and much more! Read our submission guide and share your ideas at https://lnkd.in/ecSi5CRW