The third annual Regen Gathering will take place on 5 – 6 September at Le Tâcheron Farm, Trinity.
The annual event is billed as being about ‘food, farming and enterprise’. It is also about economy, ecology and culture. Specifically, it is about farming, community, putting the fun back into farming and farming in harmony with the natural environment.
This event in Jersey is very much part of a growing farming culture worldwide that emphasises small-scale local farm businesses, diversification in farming, the importance of developing local community and providing ‘local food for local people’.
A similar, but much larger event UK, called ‘Groundswell’ was the original inspiration for inspiration for Regen in Jersey, and has been called the ‘the Glastonbury of farming’. It is a forum for farmers and anyone interested in food production or the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of ‘conservation agriculture’ or regenerative systems. This includes no-till, cover crops and re-introducing livestock into the arable rotation, with a view to improving soil health.
In short, it is where agriculture meets the environment – in other words: ‘agroecology’.
The organisers, HYPHA Consulting, comprise India Hamilton, Taylor Smythe and Jess McGovern. India said: ‘We’re building something new in Jersey… more local food, more thriving rural businesses, and stronger, healthier communities.’
Visitors can expect plenty of talks, demonstrations, local food and drink, film screening and live music, as well as Jersey’s premiere screening of “Six inches of Soil”
There will be 30 local and international speakers covering soil health, hospitality, supply chains, dairy and arable crops, community supported agriculture (CSA), marketing, business models, human health, equine, fisheries and everything rural.
A cash prize is being offered for entrepreneurs and innovators, to be launched shortly.This will be the £20K Food System Prize, across the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the UK, for the most promising idea driving innovation and impact in improving the environment, farming, supply chains and community health. Regen is kindly sponsored by Alex Picot, Lloyds Bank, Channel Islands Coop, Evelyn Partners and Woven.
WHAT’S NEW IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT? –Cultivate is offering apprenticeships for those interested in a career in horticulture. Email jess@hypha.je for more information.
Entry is free of charge: for more information, see the Regen website: www.regen-gathering.com
