Phil Warsaw

Ecological Economics and Agriculture: Alternative Economic Approaches to Achieving Food Sovereignty

The shocks created by the COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread breakdowns in global agricultural supply chains, revealing the fragile nature of our industrialized food system, as well as the deeply embedded inequalities within it. Decades of increased concentration and market specialization among agribusinesses and growers in the name of increased profits resulted in massive food waste, as large- scale farming operations were slow to pivot their production away from wholesale production. This waste occurred at the same time as lines at food banks around the country grew due to an economic downturn brought about by shutdown orders. These impacts were felt most by working class BIPOC families, many of whom already face inadequate food environments, despite that fact that many of them work in ‘essential’ jobs in the production of our food.

These breakdowns have intensified the call for a new economic paradigm, one which centers resilience and equity in local food systems. In this plenary, Dr. Warsaw will discuss the rise of ecological economics, a heterodox field of economics which challenges the default assumptions of external economic growth and centering profit seen in mainstream economic approaches. During this discussion, Dr. Warsaw will present the primary critiques the ecological economists make of ‘business-as-usual’ economics, alternative foundations for an economic system, and real world applications to agricultural systems both in the United States and abroad.

Oliver Chedgey

Sharing the Regeneration

Regeneration of farms is about much more than fixing broken soils, we have whole supply chains and farm rural communities that need regeneration as well. Kingsclere Estates is working towards building more resilient farming models allowing new entrants onto the land. Oliver Chedgey runs the Roaming Dairy on the farm under a share farming agreement with Tim May of Kingsclere. Olly will tell his story about how the agreement and farming system works for him, and a bit of background about Kingsclere Estates

To regenerate land, revitalize communities, and foster social equity, requires a shifting of paradigms. When we change how we conceive of land stewardship, numerous new tools and frameworks become available to us, as well as methods for adapting the tools and frameworks we already have. Join us for a panel discussion on the importance of shifting paradigms, and the diverse suite of tools and concepts available to you to support rangeland health, ecosystem restoration, cultural revitalization, equity, and agricultural production. Panelists will help us think outside the box, and not be afraid of what our neighbors might think! Panel topics include grazing and the Safe to Fail Method (Mark Biaggi, TomKat Ranch), bison grazing and land rematriation (Jason Baldes, National Wildlife Federation’s Tribal Partnerships Program), and silvopasture and biochar (Coley Burgess, Cattle & Pecan farmer).

Mark Biaggi will discuss the “Safe to Fail” method to trial Bale Grazing and Swath Grazing, and how to choose tools that fit your context
Jason Baldes will discuss Tribal Bison Restoration-Land Rematriation and Reconciliation
Coley Burgess will discuss multi-species grazing to manage plants, animal nutrition, soil cover, silvopasture, and homemade biochar
Panel will be moderated by Judith McGeary, Farm & Ranch Freedom Alliance

Panelists:

• Mark Biaggi, TomKat Ranch
• Coley Burgess, Cattle & Pecan farmer
• Jason Baldes, National Wildlife Federation

Truly regenerative agriculture nourishes soil, ecosystems, and people, particularly those most marginalized. Financial support is necessary to advance truly regenerative agriculture. In this split plenary you’ll hear from Jessica Chiartas (UC Davis, REGEN1) about soil carbon and a new food label that supports producers’ regenerative practices. And you’ll hear from Mariela Cedeño (Manzanita Capital Collective, Equitable Food Oriented Development Collaborative) about how shifting capital and power to Black, Indigenous, and POC-led land, food, and agriculture can help us more towards more just economies, resilient food systems, and ecological land stewardship.

Panelists:

• Jessica Chiartas
• Mariela Cedeño

Throughout African American history, even when Blacks were discriminated against and oppressed at work, or could not find a job, they engaged in economic cooperation and solidarity. Blacks pooled their resources to provide and pay for services they needed but did not have access to otherwise, either due to their masters’ control, or exploitative economic systems. African Americans used solidarity for escape (i.e., the Underground Railroad); started independent schools, intentional communities, and mutual aid societies. They created intentional communities, and used cooperatives to successfully farm, to run their own cotton mills, to collectively buy equipment and supplies, to provide insurance and health services, to gain access to credit and financial services, to provide electricity and alternative energy, etc. Black Americans have retained a sense of humanity and cooperative practice from their African ancestors, and created alternative economic activities that were jointly owned and democratically governed to provide for their families and strengthen their communities. These community solidarity economic accomplishements and strategies are increasing being used to address 21st century crises.

What began as a peaceful, small family sheep farm in Vermont with a grass-based dairy and the best genetics in the world, three years later, turned into a nightmare battle with the USDA. Learn the full story behind the book and documentary about the USDA’s war on a family farm, and how tragedy made one family even stronger.

Linda Faillace, co-owner of Three Shepherds Farm, overcame adversity to find her voice in the world of agriculture. A pioneer of the local food movement, and champion for farmer’s rights, Linda & her husband, Larry have spent the last four decades helping other small farmers and food producers around the world follow their passions, find unique agricultural niches, while using sustainable, organic, earth- and life-enhancing practices.

Speaker: Linda Faillace