JRI/Redcliffe College Environment day Conference: Food Futures
Organised in partnership with Redcliffe College, CMS and the Agricultural Christian Fellowship
A full report on this meeting is now available in the June 2010 JRI Newsletter (number 23)
Archive for the ‘Event’ Category
JRI/Redcliffe College Environment day Conference: Food Futures
Sunday, January 24th, 20102009 Agricultural Christian Fellowship Conference
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009Farming Dilemmas – Continuity and Succession
The annual ACF conference this year will be at Stoneleigh on 19th November 2009. See programme
Details: No farmer lasts forever, half a century at most. However, land lasts for aeons and there is a remarkable degree of continuity in farming families. Transition that engages real people at deep levels has always demanded a lot of human nature and involved pain and failure as well as success. For several reasons, this process is becoming harder and more uncertain, often leading not merely to an end of one family’s involvement, but to the disappearance of the farm as an entity. We want to explore people’s personal experiences of this. Very possibly some issues will emerge which can be carried forward but this day’s focus will be on the personal experiences, and we hope people will come ready to share some of their own insights.
However, all this does have a context, both in our understanding of family and human relationships and in our understanding of our relationship with Creation and of farming. Does scale and “familyness” matter? Would it matter if half of England was farmed by a couple of farming companies? Is a banana plantation as good as farms, which grow bananas? Should square miles of the Ukraine be farmed by foreign companies or half of Mauritius be leased for a hundred years to the Daewoo motor company? There is much at stake all over the world as well as in our farming lives, but we will focus on our lives and experiences. We will begin with biblical reflection on farming, family, community and land.
ACF conference 2008 report
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008Cherishing the earth – challenges in food, farming and climate
Agricultural Christian Fellowship (ACF) Conference, November 17th 2008 at the Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
Introducing the conference Christopher Jones said the aim of the day was to produce insights, pointers, signposts, indicators as part of an ongoing process for an ACF contribution to tackling climate change. A threatening reality has emerged, and the air seems to be filled with solutions advanced by special or vested interests, or riders of hobby horses, with myth and assertion and rumours of more treaties, pacts and regulations. In it all a hollow morality is becoming visible. Those who actually grow food can become ensnared by all the froth and unable to embrace the substance. Our purpose is to discern both scientific and Biblical truth and explore their application at farm, national and global level. We wanted this conference to release truth and Christian principle into all the ferment; to find signposts for thought and action at all levels; to free people to find their own response and initiative. We saw this meeting as the start of a process and the day’s events were planned to that end.
Keynote Speakers
The main speakers were Dr. Martin Hodson, an environmental biologist at Oxford Brookes University, and his wife The Reverend Margot Hodson, a theologian and Chaplain of Jesus College, Oxford. Both have done a lot of work on this subject with The John Ray Initiative and they have just published a book together – ‘Cherishing the Earth – How to Care for God’s Creation’ (Monarch, 2008). Martin recently toured England speaking on the science of Climate Change with the Hope for Planet Earth tour, speaking to some 5000 school pupils and 3000 others.
Martin Hodson spoke on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food
http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/projects/rusource_briefings/rus09/765.pdf
Margot Hodson spoke on Theology of the Land
http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/projects/rusource_briefings/rus09/766.pdf
Workshops
In the afternoon there were workshops on:
• Appropriate Crops and Technology for the Future
• The Future Role of Fertilizer and Manure
• Biofuels
• The Impact of Climate Change on Third World Farming
• Local Food
• The Role of Government – Partnership or Control?
Further briefing reports will follow on these topics.
Final Discussion
To end the conference we had a plenary session in which the following points were made:
Problems with Defra and food buyers’ disconnection from the land.
We cannot adapt to climate change unless all these pressures are pushed back. The realities of the land must drive the agenda.
Unpredictability of rainfall will be more important than lack of it.
We will run out of phosphate in 50 years.
IATC needs more publicity.
Biofuels ‘won’t do it’ – feeding the world is priority.
We need to think holistically about local food – the issues are complex and impact on other areas – e.g. livelihoods in some third world countries.
Could Christians with agricultural interests forge a long term relationship with similar minded people in government prioritising prayer, mission and relationships?
The predominant issue is feeding the world.
“We need to get out and share our faith”
“We are held back by our ancient buildings”
Cherishing the earth – challenges in food, farming and climate. Agricultural Christian Fellowship (ACF) Conference, November 17th 2008 at the Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.
Cherishing the Earth
Saturday, September 20th, 2008ACF National conference November 17 2008
at the National Agriculture Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
10.30 am – 4.00 pm
Cherishing the Earth
Challenges in farming, food and climate
A threatening reality has emerged, and the air seems to be filled with solutions advanced by special or vested interests, or riders of hobby horses, with myth and assertion and rumours of more treaties, pacts and regulations. In it all a hollow morality is becoming visible. Those who actually grow food can become ensnared by all the froth and unable to embrace the substance.
Our purpose is to discern both scientific and Biblical truth and explore their application at farm, national and global level.
We want this conference to release truth and Christian principle into all the ferment; to find signposts for thought and action at all levels; to free people to find their own response and initiative.
We see this meeting as the start of a process and the day’s events are planned to that end.
The main speakers will be:-
Martin Hodson, an environmental biologist at Oxford Brookes University and his wife The Reverend Margot Hodson, a theologian and Chaplain of Jesus College, Oxford.
Both have done a lot of work on this subject with The John Ray Initiative and they have just published a book together – ‘Cherishing the Earth – How to care for God’s Creation’, published by Monarch books. Martin recently toured England speaking on the science of Climate Change with the Hope for Planet Earth tour, speaking to some 5000 school pupils and 3000 others.
Martin has talked with the FCN Coordinators on part of this subject and related it to farming very well.
In the afternoon there will be workshops on:
• Appropriate Crops and Technology for the Future
• The Future Role of Fertilizer and Manure
• Biofuels
• The Impact of Climate Change on Third World Farming
• Local Food
• The Role of Government – Partnership or Control?
Each group will contain one or two people with appropriate expertise, to assist discussion. Please bring a Bible. Attendance will be limited to ensure everyone’s participation.
To attend : Please send a cheque for £20 (single), £30 (couple), or £10 for students or full time Christian workers made out to Agricultural Christian Fellowship to Manor Farm, West Haddon, Northampton, NN6 7AQ (preferably by 1st Nov.) Email martin@hodsons.org for more information
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Comments
Tue, 09/30/2008 – 20:26 — admin
Cherishing the Earth
Cherishing the Earth conference timetable
Cherishing the Earth: the Challenge of Farming, Food and Climate Change
The Agricultural Christian Fellowship meeting at the Arthur Rank Centre on Monday 17th November 2008.
The timetable for this event is now published below
10.00-10.30 Arrival, Registration and Coffee (during this time the ACF AGM will be taking place for members who wish to attend)
10.30-10.40 Opening Worship
10.40-10.50 Introduction- Christopher Jones
10.50-12.30 Climate Change, Agriculture, Food and Theology- Martin and Margot Hodson
12.30-1.45 Lunch (provided)
1.45-2.00 Reflections- Sir Donald Currie
2.00-3.30 Group work- practical and theological.
1) Appropriate crops and technology for the future
2) The Future Role of Fertilizer and Manure
3) Biofuels and Biomass
4) The Impact of Climate Change on Third World Farming
5) Local Food
6) The Role of Government – Partnership or Control?
3.30-3.45 Closing Worship- Margot Hodson
3.45-4.00 Tea and Depart
Cherishing the Earth
A new book by Martin J. Hodson and Margot R. Hodson
http://www.hodsons.org/cherishingtheearth/index.htmACF National conference November 17 2008
at the National Agriculture Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire
10.30 am – 4.00 pm
Cherishing the Earth
Challenges in farming, food and climate
A threatening reality has emerged, and the air seems to be filled with solutions advanced by special or vested interests, or riders of hobby horses, with myth and assertion and rumours of more treaties, pacts and regulations. In it all a hollow morality is becoming visible. Those who actually grow food can become ensnared by all the froth and unable to embrace the substance.
Our purpose is to discern both scientific and Biblical truth and explore their application at farm, national and global level.
We want this conference to release truth and Christian principle into all the ferment; to find signposts for thought and action at all levels; to free people to find their own response and initiative.
We see this meeting as the start of a process and the day’s events are planned to that end.
The main speakers will be:-
Martin Hodson, an environmental biologist at Oxford Brookes University and his wife The Reverend Margot Hodson, a theologian and Chaplain of Jesus College, Oxford.
Both have done a lot of work on this subject with The John Ray Initiative and they have just published a book together – ‘Cherishing the Earth – How to care for God’s Creation’, published by Monarch books. Martin recently toured England speaking on the science of Climate Change with the Hope for Planet Earth tour, speaking to some 5000 school pupils and 3000 others.
Martin has talked with the FCN Coordinators on part of this subject and related it to farming very well.
In the afternoon there will be workshops on:
• Appropriate Crops and Technology for the Future
• The Future Role of Fertilizer and Manure
• Biofuels
• The Impact of Climate Change on Third World Farming
• Local Food
• The Role of Government – Partnership or Control?
Each group will contain one or two people with appropriate expertise, to assist discussion. Please bring a Bible. Attendance will be limited to ensure everyone’s participation.
To attend : Please send a cheque for £20 (single), £30 (couple), or £10 for students or full time Christian workers made out to Agricultural Christian Fellowship to Manor Farm, West Haddon, Northampton, NN6 7AQ (preferably by 1st Nov.) Email martin@hodsons.org for more information
Login to post comments
Comments
Tue, 09/30/2008 – 20:26 — admin
Cherishing the Earth
Cherishing the Earth conference timetable
Cherishing the Earth: the Challenge of Farming, Food and Climate Change
The Agricultural Christian Fellowship meeting at the Arthur Rank Centre on Monday 17th November 2008.
The timetable for this event is now published below
10.00-10.30 Arrival, Registration and Coffee (during this time the ACF AGM will be taking place for members who wish to attend)
10.30-10.40 Opening Worship
10.40-10.50 Introduction- Christopher Jones
10.50-12.30 Climate Change, Agriculture, Food and Theology- Martin and Margot Hodson
12.30-1.45 Lunch (provided)
1.45-2.00 Reflections- Sir Donald Currie
2.00-3.30 Group work- practical and theological.
1) Appropriate crops and technology for the future
2) The Future Role of Fertilizer and Manure
3) Biofuels and Biomass
4) The Impact of Climate Change on Third World Farming
5) Local Food
6) The Role of Government – Partnership or Control?
3.30-3.45 Closing Worship- Margot Hodson
3.45-4.00 Tea and Depart
Cherishing the Earth
A new book by Martin J. Hodson and Margot R. Hodson
http://www.hodsons.org/cherishingtheearth/index.htm
(Publication date 1st Feb. 2008)
(Publication date 1st Feb. 2008)
ACF National conference November 17 2008 at the National Agriculture Centre, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. 10.30 am – 4.00 pm
Cherishing the Earth: Challenges in farming, food and climate.