~ Farming without oil
- The seminar at Cirencester
Agricultural College on June 17 focusing on "how we will farm without fossil fuels"
-
"Following the success of the Transition Towns Seminar held back in February we are pleased to announce that we are now arranging a second Seminar....
We hope that the day will consider the options for local agriculture and food production after fossil fuels have run out.....95% of our food is dependent on oil through energy-intensive agriculture and food supply chains, from fertiliser and fuel to distribution and retailing - resulting in food prices and availability being directly affected by oil prices....
Professor Chris Gaskell, Principal, Royal Agricultural College, will chair the event.
Hello Mary,
I attended the Transition Farms Event yesterday, short of time to write a
Report, will just say now that it was a very good event indeed, the College does
these events brilliantly, a very full and fast-paced programme, with
adequate breaks for refreshment and 'networking' - not a dirty word at
Cirencester ( I wish that DEFRA would realise that having brought a
group of people with a shared interest together then the least the financial
supporters of that activity and the environmental supporter of the same [Mother
Earth who carries the true transport cost] can expect is that the attendees can
get together to talk and make the most of the trip).
Outcomes from this event will become apparent over time, very encouraging
though to hear lecturers from the RAC speaking from the stage like a bunch of
old hippies - climate change, peak oil, peak phosphate, water shortage,
pollution, resource depletion, population and the social dimension - astonishing
really, or perhaps more astonishing that it has taken this long! Good to
hear people talking about the atmosphere now being almost 'super-saturated' with
green ideas, awaiting crystallisation in the 5% of the population
that can/ do/ will make the changes. Good, also, to hear the positives coming
out of the Stroud CSA.
Needless to say, a range of views were present (a main pro-GM proponent was
present but not speaking - this was not a pro-GM event) but positives - despite
the doom and gloom- were to the fore. The event was so oversubscribed that
they are planning to repeat it elsewhere (Exeter) and other useful events are
also planned. I hope to be able to follow up on some of the initiatives I learnt
about, as well as (defintely will be) working on 2 separate initiatives with two
different but neighbouring Herefordshire farmers I had to go there to
meet.
Notes from the meeting will be available on the RAC website (not sure when,
or about access) - let me know if you want to access them but can't and I will
forward to you; I gave www.warmwell.com as the route via which I heard of the event.
Best wishes,
Chris.