Nourish Events Calendar
We know what we don’t want: dodgy trade deals like TTIP, CETA and TISA. But what might a good deal look like? Is a trade deal that’s fair for farmers, workers and citizens really possible? And what would it look like?
This event is a space for ‘blue-sky’ thinking on the ins and outs of what our ideal trade deals would look like organised by Trade Justice Scotland coalition (we used to be Scotland Against TTIP). Expert input will be from Jean Blaylock, trade policy officer for Global Justice Now.
Book your (free) place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trade-that-does-good-tickets-32089911790?ref=estw
A free workshop hosted by Pesticide Action Network UK from 12.30 – 15.30 on Saturday 1st July at the Burgh Halls, Linlithgow.
The day will focus on why we need to stop the use of all pesticides (including glyphosate) on streets, parks, playgrounds and other public areas, what the benefits are and how you can organise a successful campaign in the area that you and your children live, work and play in.
PAN UK has been running a Pesticide-Free Towns campaign since July 2015 and are already seeing success with councils turning away from the use of pesticides.
They have developed a range of materials for local activists to use freely to support your campaign. They also have experience of starting, running, growing and winning campaigns, and would like to share those experiences with you.
There will be short presentations from a range of speakers TBC and will be a participatory event for all attending – you will leave ready to make the place that you live in Pesticide-Free.
The Scottish Farm Land Trust and Gail Ross MSP are excited to invite you to ‘WANTED: Land for new farmers’ an event at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 27th September, 6-8pm. We’ll be exploring the potential of a land trust to support new entrants into farming and facilitate socially and environmentally productive agriculture.
Research undertaken this year by Nourish Scotland, as part of a feasibility study for the Scottish Farm Land Trust, found that hundreds of people are actively looking for farmland in Scotland, and are motivated by looking after the environment and developing rural livelihoods. However, access to land is a critical barrier. The Scottish Farm Land Trust aims to acquire farmland and lease it out with secure, affordable tenancies to new entrants to establish agroecological farms.
According to Scotland’s Land Reform Act, we are working for ‘a Scotland where the ownership, management and use of land and buildings contributes to the collective benefit of everybody’. A land trust could help facilitate a transformation of how we use our land, and support farming in Scotland that provides nutritious food for local people, sustains rural communities, contributes to healthy ecosystem and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
On 27th September, we’ll be joined by speakers who have successfully established land trusts in Europe, who will be sharing their wisdom and inspiration. We’ll hear from local producers, outlining how farming can address critical social and environmental challenges. You’ll be able to pick up a copy of our forthcoming report ‘Wanted: Land for New Farmers’ which is the outcome of a feasibility study for the Scottish Farm Land Trust, and find out ways to get involved with making this vision a reality.
Calling Scottish Growers
The Organic Growers Alliance and the Landworkers Alliance are organising a regional workshop day for those growing produce organically (or uncertified to organic standards) at a smaller scale for local communities.
When?
10.00 – 16.00 Sunday 18th August
Camping is available on Saturday 17th August at East Coast Organics, East Lothian
What
Sunday – 10am to 4pm, a day of workshops led by experienced growers from Scotland. There will be time for discussion and exchange of knowledge and information, plus a farm walk round the East Coast Organics growing areas. An organic, veggie lunch is included! Please see workshop list below.
Saturday from 5pm – camping (tent or van) the night before is possible. The LWA are organising some informal social activities, please bring instruments if you want! An evening meal can be booked.
Where
East Coast Organics, East Lothian
Tickets
Numbers are limited so please book as soon as you can. There is discounted places available for OGA or LWA members but you do not have to be a member to come.
The event is aimed at people growing organic vegetables at small scale for sale to a local market.
Price of tickets includes the online booking fees.
Food and Drink
Lunch will be an organic vegetarian provided by East Coast Organics included in the ticket price.
Dinner on Saturday needs to be booked separately and can either be an organic meat or organic veggie meal also provided by East Coast Organics.
Coffee and tea will be available.
Camping
Camping is available at ECO. Camping costs £5pp. Please reserve your space in the tickets section and bring cash to pay on the day.
Become a member
Join either the Organic Growers Alliance or the Landworkers Alliance and get a cheaper ticket to this event and other events throughout the year.
Liftshare
We encourage people to lift share to the event. Please use this spreadsheet to coordinate lifts.
Workshops
Help us plan the day. When buying your ticket, please tell us your top 3 workshops that you would like at the get-together from the following list:
1. Overwintering crops in polytunnels, how to use tunnels most effectively
2. Dig and no dig methods in polytunnels
3. Finances and organic vegetable businesses, including pricing
4. Protecting and improving the soil in polytunnels, including green manures, using mypex
5. Harvesting, packing, storage
6. Resting and care for people and the soil – not growing over the winter
7. Other – other suggestions for subjects and workshop leaders welcome (no promises!), please give details
More information
Please contact:
Roz Corbett LWA rozlandworkersalliance@gmail.com
Antonia Ineson OGA Antonia.ineson@googlemail.com
In this Talk, Professor and TEDx Peter Higgins will discuss our relationship with our planet, its climate and biodiversity. He will offer some thoughts on communicating new ideas and supporting positive policy developments. Get ready for a challenging and perhaps controversial evening! The talk will be followed by a question and answer session.