Ep 34 Joel Orchard giving young farmers a fair leg up

It isn't magic that food grows in our backyard?! And Joel Orchard is just the gent to encourage the farmer in all of us.Joel is the founder of Young Farmers Connect and the Australian/New Zealand CSA Network; a fair food advocate, educator and a passionate agricultural networker. He's super calm, absurdly inspiring and imparts hard truths about our world with intense kindness.Wrap your ears around this episode and be reminded that through farming,  we can be social and environmental activists, impacting cultural change. And simply getting to know where your food comes from is a profound way to make a difference.SHOW NOTESRecorded on Bunjalung country in the Northern RiversDespite being surrounded by progressive thinkers, there are still boundaries to small scale regenerative food productionWhy language builds boxes that can limit opportunityThe difficulty in making small scale farming work: Cost, land access, paths to marketWhat the new face of farming looks likeChanging the narrative about the reality of a successful small scale farming businessWhy it’s not necessary to be a full time farmerThe young professionals who are moving into agricultureDiversification of on farm/off farm existence Identifying the structural concerns that make eating consciously difficultWhy farming is the most meaningful way to “walk-the-talk”Creating a circular economy, no waste, mushroom business Why it’s important we all continue to share and learn togetherCultivating networks where we feel “safe” to learn. Peer-support learning.What does ‘CSA’ mean? And creative paths to market.Shortening supply chains for our food is critical in creating a genuine shift away from nationalised, commodified growing practicesEnsuring fortified perpetuity for the small scale farming sectorThe strength in collectivisationWhy beauty mattersFinding ways to slow down and observe the small thingsThe importance of telling the complete and imperfect realities of farming to remove the cultural elitism -- not just bucolic, romantic imagesHow do we make sure everyone can access local food?The true cost of food -- mother nature is already paying the bills for usSupporting each other to ensure those who are pushing envelopes can continueCreating spaces and places for safe support, development and solidarityShifting the scarcity mindset to a sharing/collaborative mindsetWorking with kids -- the next gen farmersDemystifying farming  -- it isn't magic that food grows in your backyardBringing life back to a place that limits over stimulation Revelling in repetitive tasks that use your bodyWhat is a locavore? Why should be all eat localShake the hand of the person who grows your foodLINKS YOU'LL LOVECall of the Reed Warbler - Charles MasseyFarming Democracy - Food Sovereignty AllianceFoodies Guide to Capitalism - Eric Holt-GiménezYoung Farmers Connect NetworkProm Coast Food CollectiveOpen Food NetworkRECO Hubs (Qld)Support the show