POP-UP PORTRAITS: changing THE FACE OF REGENERATIVE FARMING
Inspired by the deep-rooted, radical-minded folk behind the regenerative farming movement // Photography by Louis Little // Exhibited up and down the country
THE STUDIOS…
To find our ten flagship We Feed The UK stories we went foraging for ideas throughout 2023, aiming to craft a campaign with the diverse community that it celebrates.
With the help of photographer Louis Little from Bread and Butter Studio, we assembled a pop-up portrait studio at agroecology stomping grounds the Oxford Real Farming Conference, Groundswell and Land Skills Fair.
The results paint a picture of an inspiring grassroots movement, deep-rooted and radical-minded. Scroll down to meet some of the folk we photographed below.
“Let me tell you a little secret… I constantly have imposter syndrome which can stop me from engaging because I don’t feel I belong. But at the Land Skills Fair, The Gaia Foundation asked to take my photo and I finally felt acknowledged.” Sara Limback, Edible Bristol
THE EXHIBITION…
As well as developing some of these encounters into the ten stories that form We Feed The UK, we have created a washing line exhibition that can be strung up anywhere.
Through 2024-2026 it is travelling the country: reflecting this incredible community back to itself in a rare moment of celebration, and raising awareness more widely of the changing face of farming.
So far we’ve been to Oxford Real Farming Conference, Rheged Cumbria, Yeo Valley, FarmED, Waddesdon Manor, Groundswell, Be The Earth Festival, Go Falkland and WOMAD with a combined audience of 64,000 people.
If you have an event or space and would like to string up the exhibition, get in touch!
Groundswell 2023
The world’s first certified organic pub was opened by Geetie Singh-Watson, in London in 1998. She now runs The Bull Inn in Totnes after falling for Devonshire farmer, and Riverford founder, Guy Singh-Watson.
Soil Farmer of the Year 2023, Stuart Johnson works at West Wharmley Farm in Hexham, transforming it from an intensive to a regenerative system.
“The soil is literally the most important part of our farm. Everything, EVERYTHING we produce comes through the soil one way or another.”
“I’m a GP, but began to feel more like a pharmaceutical vending machine. I realised I hadn’t looked far enough upstream and so started visiting regenerative farms. I found the same story of health: we are trained to treat disease with chemicals and we have lost our sense of intuition. Regeneration isn’t just a practice, it is a way of seeing – we need to regenerate the landscapes of our hearts too.” Dr Sally Bell
Andy Cato is one half of Groove Armada, and sold the rights to his songs to buy a farm. Now co-founder of Wildfarmed, he’s regeneratively faming National Trust land near Swindon.
Gala, Emma, Miriam and Maya work at Plaw Hatch Farm, a 200-acre, community-owned farm on the edge of the Ashdown Forest that has been biodynamic for 40 years.
“We see ourselves as stewards of the farm, embodying man’s sacred relationship to the land, creating a legacy of richness at every level for future generations.”
Sopha Nem works at ruumi, an app supporting farmers with a step-by-step plan to improve soil health on livestock pasture through regenerative practices.
Claire Hill is Foundation Farm’s Director of Farming with Nature. She’s also transforming Planton Farm, set among 80 acres of ancient trees and pasture in Shropshire, into a model regenerative farm that can support others as they transition.
Christine Wangari and Dominic Simms work with the British Society of Soil Science to further the study of soil, and its foundational importance for our future.
Oxford Real Farming Conference 2023
“I’m an educator turned farmer, working with landowners to restore nature using the ecological engineering power of cattle, and feeding our community with 100% pasture and tree fed beef. These ruminants play a vital role in functioning ecosystems.” Nikki Yoxall of Grampian Graziers
Sparrow is Head Grower at Tolhurst Organic C.I.C. He’s growing field scale fruit and vegetables without the use of animal inputs, building fertility through the use of green manures and woodchip. He lives with his family, Jackie and Willon Moon, on the Hardwick Estate.
“Seeds save souls: reconnecting with the land allows us to heal past traumas and build a resilient and sustainable future for generations to come… We grow food because we are a part of the Earth and the Earth is a part of us. Ancestrally, this was the lesson that was passed down. It’s our duty to live in balance with nature, for the sake of future generations.” Pamela Shor of Black Rootz
An organic farmer of Caerhys Farm in Pembrokeshire since the age of 16, over recent years Gerald Miles has joined us on a quest: to rediscover the rare black oats his grandfather once grew.
“We are working closely across generations with our community and Action for Conservation – a grassroots youth charity – to restore biological and cultural diversity to Penpont in Wales. We believe creating novel and inclusive governance structures – that are multigenerational – will be vital to a new story and prosperous future.” Forrest Hogg
Fred Price: “I farm Gothelney Farm in Somerset and discovered that meant replacing ego with eco. Re-storying the farm and rediscovering who I am. Mostly letting go. And feeling part of a community.”
Rosy Benson: “As the miller and baker behind Field Bakery, I’m localising grain, bringing flavour back into bread, and pulling more people to the land.”
Iain ‘Tolly’ Tolhurst is the founder of Tolhurst Organic, one of the longest running vegetable farms in England. It was also the first to attain the Stockfree Organic Symbol: growing without animals or animal inputs on any part of the farm. Their system feeds local communities, nourishes biodiversity and educates growers for the future, providing soul food for all involved.
The Seed Sistas – Fiona Heckels and Kaz Goodweather – are convening an online community of herb lovers, changing the current health care paradigm through connecting with local plants.
Land Skills Fair 2023
Umkalthom ‘Umka’ Issac is a member of the Black Butterfly food sovereignty project in Hastings. Umka helps those in the local community to realise their potential, whether that be through interpreting, advice or connecting them to support groups.
“I am an aspiring young grower and member of FLAME – a grassroots movement for food justice, orchestrated by young people.” Georgia Grace
“I am the founder of Go Grow With Love, an indigenous, nature-led organisation. We teach women of African and Caribbean heritage how to cultivate the land, how to grow food and then how to enterprise from the produce they’ve grown, and everyone involved is called a soil sister.” Sandra Salazar D’eca, pictured with Richie
“I founded and run Edible Bristol, supporting communities to grow food and come together on lost, unloved land.” Sara Venn of Edible Bristol
“Farmers don’t have to contribute to the environmental crisis – we can solve it.” Jyoti Fernandes of Landworkers’ Alliance
“I am a land elder, plantswoman and a food justice warrior.” Dee Woods of Landworkers Alliance, Granville Community Kitchen and Land In Our Names
“I’m a folk herbalist, grower and activist working to bridge the gap between land connection, spirituality and resistance.” Jo Kamal of Wolves Lane Centre
Sophia Lysaczenko is a co-operative member of Hempen Organic, who cultivate and produce hemp to improve the health of the people, communities and land. They work with one of the most versatile, ecological and powerful plants in the world, aiming to improving access to this wonder plant for all.
