This month, we’re back to our regular format, bringing you a mix of voices from the regenerative agriculture movement. First up, we hear from Gala Bailey Barker, a first generation farmer at Plaw Hatch Farm. Gala and her mother Deborah Barker, a natural dyer, are establishing Fibreshed UK to bring together all the people involved in a garment’s lifecycle.
Next, we head to Caney Fork Farms in Carthage, Tennessee, a 400-acre organic, 100% grass-fed mixed farm owned by environmentalist and former US vice-president, Al Gore to meet vegetable and agroforestry manager Ranan Sokoloff. Last year, the farm hosted The Climate Underground conference, which explored what it takes to raise food, sink carbon and work towards healthier communities.
Then, we hear from Angela McKee Brown, deputy executive director of the Edible Schoolyard Project, an initiative founded by celebrated chef Alice Waters. Angela designs and facilitates hands-on educational experiences in gardens, kitchens and cafeterias that connect children to nature, food and each other.
Finally, we come back to the UK to meet shepherd Sam Robinson, another first-generation farmer based in Machynlleth, Wales. The 27-year-old moved from Oxford to the Welsh countryside where he joined a rugby team, became a member of a Welsh choir, got a job on a livestock farm and became fluent in Welsh – all in the space of 18 months. He reads us a poem called Untamed, by Megan Elenid Lewis, which speaks to the heart of rewilding.
This episode of Farmerama was made by Jo Barratt, Katie Revell, and Abby Rose. We’re extremely grateful to our Patreon supporters, who help us make the show. If you’d like to support Farmerama, visit patreon.com/Farmerama . Thanks to James Fryer and Cathy St Germans for recording interviews featured in this episode. Community support for Farmerama is provided by Hanna Söderlund, Fran Bailey, Annie Landless, Eliza Jenkins and Olivia Oldham. Our theme music is by Owen Barratt.