Marianne Hill and Michelle Turner are transforming relationships between food producers, their environments, and discerning customers. Though their journeys began in different places, they came together to work toward true restoration of entire ecosystems. In a wide-ranging discussion, Marianne and Michelle explained how entrenched agricultural practices have the most detrimental impacts on the land and, as a result, human health. Sharing their own extensive stories, they explained how they started Food4Change, a movement with unique momentum and positive outcomes for all involved. They place healthy food at the center of the relationships that bring communities together.
Both of them have a very deep and wide knowledge in their respective fields, and in this interview, Savory Research InstituteIn particular, the devastating damage that monoculture grazing systems cause to the topsoil, which is very difficult to reverse. Michigan State University She explores the topic of no-till farming, which continues to stir controversy in conventional agriculture. To illustrate her point, she explains that glyphosate does less damage to the topsoil than a plough. Of course, glyphosate itself has always been controversial.
As with many environmental movements before it, there have been recent warnings about the hijacking of terminology. Regenerative AgricultureThis should mean diversifying land uses to return land and its habitats to as natural a state as possible. others In mainstream circles, September 2023 European Food Safety Authority EFSA declared glyphosate to be essential and safe for agriculture, a decision that seemed to please the then UK Environment Secretary, Therese Coffey. re-air It has led the National Farmers Union (NFU) to declare it a “vital” part of regenerative agriculture.
The rapid post-war industrialisation of agriculture in the 1950s dramatically changed the paradigm, and even today very few farmers see the land as anything other than a means to maximise yields at the lowest possible cost. This transactional relationship makes farmers extremely vulnerable to pressure from large distributors, especially supermarkets. More recently, UK Column News reported: Plea This is a campaign for an overhaul of the food supply code of conduct – to put it simply, to give some control and stability back to producers.
In this interview, Marianne and Michel use their interaction with a farmer named Tom as a case study. By discussing food and the particular interests of the local community who buy what Tom offers, Food4Change is enabling farmers to regain their autonomy. Currently, the farmers participating in Food4Change are small producers and will likely remain so, but entering into contracts that focus on quality and land stewardship is a trend that has proven to be appealing to both producers and consumers alike. The biggest obstacle at this stage is the transfer of knowledge and information.
Consumers are often completely ignorant of the harm that modern farming methods cause to the land. However, the hardships faced by farmers are more universally acknowledged, and Marianne Hill and Michelle Turner are able to alleviate this constant pressure through Food4Change. Many challenges lie ahead for all involved, with the retail sector and even franchise sales being considered. What is lacking at the moment are people with the time and energy to push this initiative forward for the benefit of food, farmers and communities.
For more information about Food 4 Change or to contact Marianne and Michelle, please visit: EnglandEmail Marianne at food4change@protonmail.com.
