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Joseph Lofthouse's European speaking tour

 
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In October a super event will happen in France. It will bring together hundreds of farmers from all over discussing seed saving landrace style.

Presentation of the newly published French version of Landrace Gardening, Semences paysannes métissées, will take place! Conferences will be filmed and seeds exchanged!

After Joseph will travel the continent to seed saving collectives. Help us pay for this trip!




Help Joseph spread seeds across Europe. In October a super-inspiring event will take place in the south of France, in the Mediterranean city of Antibes. It will bring together hundreds of farmers from all around the world discussing the importance of adaptation agriculture, seed saving and outgrowing, experiences so far and solutions to problems that farmers implementing it face. There will be numerous workshops surrounding seed saving, endophytes and everything crop breeding related from the  3th, 4th and 5th of October, for and by farmers and experts from over a hundred countries. We’ll enjoy fresh local food and a day of seed exchange for farmers open to public.

Going to Seed will have a stand with diversely tongued people explaining the landrace concept to interested gardeners and farmers alike. We’ll have flyers in French and English. And the stand will be beautifully decorated by the members of the group. The presentation of the French version of Joseph’s book will take place, the start of a paradigm shift in seed saving techniques for a deeply agricultural society in the heart of Europe as well as a few hundred million French speaking people living in Africa. The conferences, are taking place in two buildings, sometimes five or six subjects will be covered simultaneously. Impossible to follow that all. Going To Seed received a grant to organize a local film crew to film the most relevant conferences and audio tape all the others for podcasts. Videos of the workshops and plenary sessions we’ll be involved in will be made available in four languages, and podcasts of other contents will be both in english and french.

To stimulate the seed saving situation in Europe even further, Joseph has been invited by several seed saver collectives spread throughout Europe. The planned tour involves Croatia, Thomas Picard’s collective in Limoges, Brittany France, Scotland, England and it will end in Copenhagen Denmark with an event that brings together kitchen and field at the city’s culinary school hosted by Malte Rod & colleagues. Since the last 15 years, Copenhagen has become one of the most lively cities for gastronomy and the seed saving community is experiencing a growing interest in adaptive and diverse seed.

They’re aiming to get diverse wheat grower Anders Borgen, landrace gardener Bodil Gimbel and perennial vegetables guru Stephen Barstow to come. As well as members of the culinary community that are interested in working with genetic crop diversity and community-oriented breeding.

The planned tour will come at a price, we’re expecting to need 3000 dollars for travel expenses and we’re hoping we can count on you or your organization's help to make this possible. The following (people and) organizations have made this event possible. Dates are still tentative, subject to airline schedules, etc...

  • Going to Seed: Inspiring a shift in agriculture towards adaptation, community, and diversity. Sponsored plane tickets to get Joseph and Julia Dakin to Europe. We’re immensely grateful to Going to Seed for working together and helping out as much as needed to spurt on our common mission of making folks and farmers alike more resistant while leaving the planet healthier and tastier.


  • Conferences/Workshops in Croatia About September 28th-30th


  • International Farmer Seeds Gathering: Sow Your Resistance co-organized by the french network (Réseau Semences paysannes), the SOL NGO (alternatives agroécologiques et solidaires), and the local Seed House (Maison des Semences Maralpines) . October 3-5. Antibes France. Koal Koz and D’une Graine aux Autres host in Brittany. Traveling through southern France Oct 6th to 10th.


  • Gaia Foundation, Seed Sovereignty UK and Ireland Programme, working with experts and growers across the UK and Ireland for a food revolution that starts with seeds. Edinburgh seed collective/salisbury centre. East Neuk in Fife.  Scotland the Bread. October 11th to 14th


  • England Central England about October 15th to 17th


  • Copenhagen Hospitality College. Host for an event on October 20. Frøsamlerne (Danish Seed Saver Association). Partner for main Copenhagen event and farm visits plus accommodation for Joseph.


  • Best of days,
    GTS team




    Joseph Lofthouse, a popular speaker at farming conferences worldwide, authored Landrace Gardening, and the French translation, Semences paysannes métissées. He has grown landraces and sold seeds since 2010. He devotes himself to helping gardeners and farmers grow healthy plants with less stress and empowering communities to adapt seeds to their local conditions.




    A personal note:

    This is a huge undertaking! I couldn't do it by myself.  I am nothing without my tribe. I sure am grateful to the hosts in each country who coordinate housing, food, and speaking opportunities. I appreciate the donor that paid for my tickets to Europe. I'm grateful to the permies.com community who were the first group to really understand my message, and encourage me, long before I wrote my book.

    I could use help paying for transportation within Europe. https://ko-fi.com/josephlofthouseauthor
    Lofthouse-Europe-tour.jpg
    Joseph Lofthouse, heading to Europe
    Joseph Lofthouse, heading to Europe
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    crossbreeding peasant seeds
    crossbreeding peasant seeds
     
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    I was really excited to see this post, the idea of being able to meet up with so many people with similar interests and goals, especially as it is so difficult for us to meet people like this normally as we are always working away at home on our land.  My children and I would really love the opportunity to meet other people like us.  However when I tried to find out how to register it looks as if it is too late.  Does anybody know if it is still possible to go, even to just some of it?  Of course we need to find someone to watch our animals and get the old van running well enough for the trip but if it were possible it could be a very welcome oppportunity and boost to our enthusiasm!
     
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    Congratulations Joseph,

    It is exciting to see your work recognized for the value it brings to our food ecosystem.   Love the work you are doing.  Have you heard of One Small Town  ( www.onesmalltown.org )? Their goal is establishing local, regional, and global networks for local and regional food security, sustainability and resilience.

    It costs nothing to join.  After joining you may submit a business plan (funding is available) and if approved it may be organized as a not-for-profit, a co-op, or conventional business.  Whatever best suits the situation.

    OST has invented ways to actively engage the local communities and provide them with payment for that.  I hope you can find a few minutes to check out the link.  I am sending OST a link to your announcement.  I will strongly urge them to have some representation there.  It seems to be a perfect place to start.

    Respectfully,

    Mike
     
    Joseph Lofthouse
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    J shire: The conference in Antibes filled up some time ago. A festival, open to the general public is happening on Saturday, October 5th at the conference site. I'm spending about 9 days in France, traveling by car through central France and Brittany, will be stopping at farms and collectives along the way. Similar get togethers are planned for each country.

    Michael: Thanks for your support, and for connections.
     
    Joanna Shire
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    Thank you so much  Joseph for replying, what a shame I only just found out about it.  

    I must find the time to look for things that are happening in Europe, it would be good to be involved a bit.  
    The only thing I really look at on the internet is Permies which I love but it does tend to feel a long way away so the idea of something happening closer to us is really exciting.
    Unfortunately it is a very long way to go for just the one day although we would love it and value the experience I am sure.

    Whereabouts could I find out about the other events that are happening in France?
    It would be great if any of them were near enough to attend.  
    We love our quiet and relentlessly busy life but it would be a real encouragement to us to meet up with other people with similar lifestyles and interests, and obviously to see you in person would be amazing.

    Is there anyone else from permies in France that will be going along?

    Good luck with the trip, I hope it all goes swimmingly.  If you are passing through central France do feel free to drop in for a cup of tea and a slice of cake.   Jo
     
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    I hope everything goes well for you Joseph! I've sent you a small donation - that's a lot of money to raise, but I'm sure that you'll get there with a bit of help. Are you going to have a bit of time for yourself to visit places of interest too?
     
    master gardener
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    How very exciting! Best wishes for you and your travels.
     
    Joseph Lofthouse
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    Thanks for your support Nancy.

    Nancy Reading wrote:Are you going to have a bit of time for yourself to visit places of interest too?



    My tour guides express awareness that travel takes a toll, especially on older people, and they are building down-time into my schedule. I couldn't do this without them -- so many moving parts, and things to take care of. Today I emailed people to make arrangements to ship books into various countries ahead of my arrival.
     
    gardener
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    @Joanna, you asked : " Is there anyone else from permies in France that will be going along?"
    Yes i am! I'm in Morvan Burgundy. Where are you?
    Some people are going to an Italian festival first about traditional food ways and sorts before going to Antibes. There are some beautiful hiking tracks in the hitherlands with azore blue watered rivers and vultures and stuff.
     
    Joanna Shire
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    Hi Hugo

    That sounds really appealing! Where is the Italian festival being held?  Love all things Italian!

    I am a bit further south than you on the edge of the Creuse .

    Are you going for the whole event?

    Lovely to have contact with another permie in France.
     
    Joseph Lofthouse
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    Terra Madre Salone del Gusto is organized by Slow Food, the City of Turin and the Piedmont Region. Join us in Parco Dora, Turin, from Thursday, September 26 to Monday, September 30, 2024, and explore how food can restore our relationship with nature. #TerraMadre2024

    My close collaborator, Julia Dakin, will speak at this conference. Then join me in Antibes the next week.


    https://2024.terramadresalonedelgusto.com/en/
     
    Hugo Morvan
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    @Johanna. Yes i'll be going to the whole event. There will be a lot of organizing, sound recording of talks and food making to do and we'll bring along the seed train to exchange seeds and make variety in people's gardens happen.
    Sadly i got no time to go to Terra festival in Italy.
    There will be other members from France too!
    Maybe see you there!
     
    Joseph Lofthouse
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    Edited: I am updating this post as new details become available.

    Vukomeric, Croatia
    Festival ‘Our Good Food’
    September 28-29, 2024
    Tickets: https://www.facebook.com/events/927792416035131/

    France
    Sow Your Resistance International Gathering, October 1-5, 2024
    Saturday, October 5
    Public meet and greet day - Campus vert d’Azur - Antibes
    all day, Over 30 stands from around the world including Going To Seed
    all day, Biodiversity exhibition and seed exchange
    Tickets: Not required for Saturday festival.

    I will also travel through southern France to Brittany. Reach out if you are in that area, and want to join a farm tour.


    Edinburgh, United Kingdom
    Adaptation Agriculture: Landrace Gardener and Author Joseph Lofthouse at Lauriston Agroecology Farm
    Sat 12 Oct 2024 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    Lauriston Agroecology Farm, EH4 5EX
    Tickets: https://buytickets.at/thegaiafoundation/1375423

    We're excited to present this rare opportunity to our seed and plant breeding networks in Scotland - join us for a discussion around adaptation agriculture, landrace gardening, and biodiverse crowd breeding with US plant breeder and author Joseph Lofthouse! This is a must-see event for any growers interested in plant breeding, landraces, increasing plant genetic diversity, and growing food in increasingly challenging climate conditions.

    Joseph adopted the principles of adaptation agriculture in response to the harsh growing conditions in a high-altitude, short-season, desert garden. Instead of relying on expensive pesticides, labour, and materials to coddle the plants, he encourages genetic diversity, cross-pollination, and survival of the fittest, allowing the plants to adapt to the current and ever-changing ecosystem, thus simplifying farming and seed saving. Joseph authored Landrace Gardening: Food Security Through Biodiversity and Promiscuous Pollination. He devotes himself to helping gardeners and farmers grow healthy plants with less stress and empowering communities to adapt seeds to their local conditions.

    The day will start with a talk by Joseph, followed by Q&A and discussion. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch to enjoy together for an informal chat after the proceedings.

    ---------------------------------------------------------

    The event will take place at Lauriston Agroecology Farm, a ground-breaking community urban agriculture initiative in Edinburgh. Please take care when navigating the site as it is a working market garden and community growing space with crops in the ground and equipment nearby. There is limited parking available, and public transport is encouraged. More details on travel and logistics will be sent on to all attendees.

    This event is organised through a collaboration of Abundant Borders and the Gaia Foundation's Seed Sovereignty Programme with support from Borders Organic Gardeners. The cost of the event is covered by the Seed Sovereignty Programme, but any contribution towards Joseph's travel to the UK is much appreciated, either through the ticket donation option or through this link: https://ko-fi.com/josephlofthouseauthor



    Scotland
    Monday October 14: Up to Fife for informal gathering with Scotland the Bread, East Neuk Market Garden (another crowd breeding project), Falkland Estate, and the Seed Sovereignty team.
    Hosted by Ninian Stuart at Falkland Estate: https://falklandestate.co.uk/

    England
    Thursday October 17: Oxton Organics: https://www.oxtonorganics.co.uk/.
    Gathering of crowd breeding projects around the UK.

    Tickets for events hosted by Gaia Foundation in Scotland and England:
    https://www.seedsovereignty.info/events/upcoming-events/

    Copenhagen, Denmark
    Future Heirloom: A full day of talks and workshops on kitchen-centered plant breeding
    20th October 9:30-17:00
    Copenhagen Hospitality College
    Vigerslev allé 18, 2500 Valby
    Price: 250 DKK incl. coffee, tea and lunch (50 DKK for school students)
    Tickets: https://hrs.dk/future-heirloom


    Copenhagen Hospitality College will host an international meeting for kitchen gardeners, chefs and anyone interested in new tendencies in the farm-to-table movement.

    Discover how chefs can play an active role in dreaming up new ingredients, when we're visited by a wide range of hugely knowledgable people from both farms and kitchens, all with a passion for creating amazing gastronomic experiences with exciting plants as the focal point.

    Meet innovative vegetable breeder Joseph Lofthouse, who among others has collaborated with Dan Barber and the team at Blue Hill at Stone Barns.

    For many years, Joseph has worked with chefs to develop new vegetable varieties that are adaptive to local conditions and the kitchens they serve: Butternut squash with longer necks, carrots with improved flavor, pumpkin with dry, spicy taste and highly diverse tomatoes.

    Joseph will tell his inspiring story of how he came to seek vegetables that are more diverse, adaptive to the place they grow and the community they serve.

    His approach invites chefs to play a central role in guiding what plant breeders select for. Together with kitchen gardeners, it's possible to grow the ingredients we wish for - the heritage varieties of the future.


     
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    Just popping in to say how happy I am that this tour is happening. I've first found Joseph's teachings on modern landracing here on permies some years ago, and later (via info I've read here) become a part of really nice online Going to Seed community, great place for discussions on everything to do with landracing/adaptive gardening & farming. There I found same minded people who live much closer to me, meaning in my country and in Europe in general, and we do so much lovely seed sharing (serendipity seed train is so much fun!), collaborating on our amateur breeding projects, and managed to put together this great tour Joseph is doing :-)

    Thank you Joseph for helping us teach our communities about more resilient and nature oriented way of growing our food and re-learn our relationship with seeds. Looking forward to meet you Joseph in person both in Croatia and in France. And to meet in person some of those same minded people mentioned above :-)
     
    Joseph Lofthouse
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    Thanks Mare for all the effort you have put in to planning my tour. I couldn't have done it myself. Looking forward to greeting you in Croatia.
     
    Hugo Morvan
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    Getting seeds ready for the stand.
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    seed swap Antibes, France
    seed swap Antibes, France
     
    Joseph Lofthouse
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    Thanks for checking in Hugo. Looking forward to greeting you in Marseille and Antibes France.
     
    Joseph Lofthouse
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    Here's a link to get tickets for the events hosted by the Gaia Foundation in Scotland and England.
    https://www.seedsovereignty.info/events/upcoming-events/

    Here's a link that describes the public festival in Antibes France on October 5th.
     
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    I must say it really put a smile on my face, when i read your name on the list of speakers for gathering in vukomeric. Looking forward to meet you there tomorrow.
     
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