Amid a tangle of glasshouses in Wood Green, North London, the sound of Djembe drums, singing, and laughter filled the air as we gathered to celebrate the launch of our newly released regenerative farming book, We Feed The UK, created by The Gaia Foundation and published by Papadakis.
Featuring all ten stories, poems, and photography series from the project, this book showcases the potential for a just and sustainable food system that is already in the making; in flourishing pockets of hope across the length and breadth of these isles.
“It’s an essential read for everyone…It’s really important to have examples of regenerative growing and farming and community-led initiatives.”
Every book sold supports us in opening more eyes to regenerative farming’s potential.
Among the home-grown delights lovingly tended at Wolves Lane Centre, the setting for our Food Justice story, we raised a glass to these grassroots growers who are sowing a rich, diverse, and abundant future, here in the UK.
“A book that tells stories of different agroecological producers will benefit a lot of people.”
Hundreds of people flowed through the lush palm houses to bag their copy of the book, admire Arpita Shah’s beautiful We Feed The UK and Photo Fringe commission, Sankofa, and behold the energy and wisdom of Pamela, Sandra, and Paulette, whose joyous faces feature in the photographs.
“The photography is so stunning and I love the fact it features some of the amazing growers that are based here at Wolves Lane.”
The room was abuzz with exciting conversations about regeneration, brought only to a hush to listen intently to the farmers and Hot Poet Zena Edwards’ incredible verses that capture their story.
“Black Rootz doesn’t just sow seeds it grows people and it grows communties.”
Pamela Shor, Black Rootz
“It’s been a personal journey of bringing people together, and bringing me together.”
Sandra Salazar D’eca
“The growing of seed, the growing of food, is a political act.”
Paulette Henry, Black Rootz
“It’s definitely making me want to dive deeper into learning about my own ancestry.”
“We can support local communities. We can support local growers. We can eat incredible food that’s grown in regenerative ways. And we don’t need to destroy the planet while we do it.”
It was a joy to see so many people, both within and outside the network, engaging with the book with such enthusiasm. The evening went from high point to high point with a drumming circle, live singing, and overflowing jugs of homegrown sorrel rum punch.
“Hopefully we’ll get a new generation of people growing; more communities thinking they can grow change.”
“Engaging the younger generations and getting them that connection with where our food comes from…that’s really important.”
We are immensely grateful for the opportunity to platform the work of Black Rootz, Go Grow With Love, and all of the amazing initiatives, farmers, growers, and storytellers featured in the We Feed The UK regenerative farming book. A big thank you to all who came to the event, bringing their friends and support for the regenerative farming movement.
This event was kindly supported by MPB, the UK’s top camera reseller and a business rooted in circular principles. You can read more about our partnership with MPB in our recent post on how we’ve reduced the environmental impact of our photographic exhibitions.
Photos by @vessi_ves, @papadakisbooks, Arpita Shah, Amy Forshaw and Amber Hayward.