Pushing boundaries at Carbon Calling – getting used to feeling a bit uncomfortable

Australian author Charles Massy wrote in his book ‘Call of the Reed Warbler’ about “landscape illiteracy.” Having spent all of my life on farms, to think that I could possibly be “landscape illiterate” was a hard pill to swallow, but looking back, I think that is exactly what I was.

Reno and I had listened to Charles speak at Groundswell 2019 when the cogs started to turn – whilst enjoying a few refreshments on floral sofas in the beer tent! We were well in to our regenerative agriculture journey but still felt like we had a mountain to climb. We were hugely excited (as we slurped our beer) by the sense of positivity and excitement within this growing community that was particularly palpable at Groundswell.

Witnessing the power of the movement at Groundswell gave Liz Genever, Tim Nicholson, Reno and I the belief that we could do a similar ‘mini’ version with more of a ‘pasture’ focus up in Cumbria. When you start seeing things differently, things you never even noticed before stop you in your tracks and it becomes difficult to ‘unsee’, whether that’s the top soil running down the road after heavy rain, over grazing, or your neighbours spraying the verges… Once that ‘mindset’ begins to shift, finding like-minded folk is hugely important.

Our first Carbon Calling was in 2022, the buzz of 200 farmers in a shed at 9am on a Saturday morning was surreal! Farmers talking to farmers is what Carbon Calling is all about; sharing, listening and inspiring. We are now eagerly anticipating our third conference on the 2nd/3rd/4th of August 2024.

As we are a very small team of organisers, it gives us the scope to mix things up and try new ideas. After last year’s event, we realised that we need to get out of our comfort zone and go and speak to farmers who are just ‘on the turn’ – they know what they are doing isn’t quite working, but are unsure what to do next… Thanks to the Frank Parkinson Trust, we set up a series of evening meetings in the North East, Forest of Bowland, and Northamptonshire, inviting farmers to come and listen to other farmer’s stories. Creating a space where everyone feels comfortable and heard is at the very core of Carbon Calling.

This years event will begin on the Friday, with an on-farm workshop aimed at anyone who wants a deep dive into what regenerative farming means, for example advisors, consultants and people working within the supply chains or industry.

Later in the evening the ‘Old Barn Doors’ bar will open, wild campers will be able to pitch their tents, food will be available, and the excitement will build over a few pints.

Saturday is conference day, a full program is available on our website but we can guarantee a great mix of vibrant speakers. Commentator Rob Yorke will be opening, and will take opinions and questions from the floor, a format we have never tried before but have extremely high hopes for! Our keynote speaker will be Allen Williams from the US – a leading grass farmer and regenerative consultant. Workshops and lunchtime chat stations from the likes of Tom Fairfax, Nikki Yoxall, Stuart Johnson, and Claire Whittle, will be provided along with a delicious lunch, courtesy of our magical caterer Janet.

Our new look Sunday morning session ‘farm hack’ will be designed to address some of the practical limitations of pushing your businesses further. It will run as a co-creation workshop. Please bring your skills, experience and thoughts to help others, along with your own problems, frustrations, and logjams… many of the answers to our problems may well be found ‘in the room’, it’s incredible what other people can see that you can’t when you’re ‘in it.’

Liz and I have also over the last four years set up a podcast ‘RegenAg Chat’, speaking to farmers and folk within the industry about a range of subjects from tree hay and cheese making, to obesity and dung beetles. It features some recent episodes talking to various people who will be at Carbon Calling so please tune in and have a listen!

Associated Agricology Partner Organisation(s):