Designing Regenerative Food Systems and Why We Need Them, Marina O Connell

A unique toolkit for designing regenerative food growing systems with tried and tested agroecological methods for transforming industrial food growing into a resilient agricultural revolution. This system grows good food from healthy soil in a low input, closed loop system.

The four challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation, offsetting biodiversity loss and producing enough good food for a growing population are identified.

The author uses the case study of her Huxhams Cross Farm in Devon, England, to show how dead soil was transformed into a thriving fertile land, drawing on a toolkit of biodynamic, organic, agroforestry, regenerative, agroecological and permaculture methods.

The principles, methods and techniques of each approach are explained concisely, with illustrative case studies of successful examples and follow up resources such as film references.

The book concludes with the Huxhams Cross Farm case study with research evidence, reviewing the extent to which the four challenges are tackled successfully by the Toolkit;  how the resilient farming revolution can be brought about by food choices, policy, tackling barriers such as land access, the psychology of scarcity and how to build farmer capacity for the resilient food growing transition.

Endorsements

 ‘A powerful and personal book about transforming the land for the better. Marina O’Connell weaves inspirational stories of redesign and transformation, showing how regenerative methods for agriculture and food have come to life. In half a decade, she created a productive, diverse, profitable and regenerative farm from depleted soil, and has said, over here is a path, now we can walk it.’ Professor Jules Pretty, author of Regenerating Agriculture (1995), Agri-Culture (2003) and The East Country (2017)

‘Marina O’Connell is a practical possibilist… a weaver of integrated agro-ecological systems that regenerate the soil under our feet and the food on our plates. She convincingly makes the case – in this most timely of books – for how agricultural practices that grew up on the fringes of our dominant industrial food system can help shift contemporary food culture to an agro-ecological paradigm that benefits both people and planet.’ Jonathan M. Code, Lecturer in Sustainable Land Management, Royal Agricultural University

‘This book should be seen as a primer for everyone entering the food and farming debate as well as those who want to broaden their perspectives.’ Julia Wright, Associate Professor, Coventry University and Chair of the Biodynamic Association

‘The strands Marina has succeeded in weaving together – including the psychological support for people connected to the farm, the creative local marketing, and the collaboration with local businesses – all are wonderful threads in what I see as the establishment of a model local food economy.’ Helena Norberg-Hodge, Founder and Director of Local Futures

‘It is hard to underestimate how profoundly important the urgent and ambitious reimagining of food and farming systems is, how we might do so in ways that are regenerative, restorative and transformative. How to create farms and gardens that build soil, community, and possibility? This book is your opportunity to learn from a master. What Marina O’Connell has created at the Apricot Centre is nothing short of miraculous. In these precious pages she shares everything you need to know in order to do the same. May this book spark a revolution of the agricultural and horticultural imagination.’ Rob Hopkins, co-founder of the Transition movement and author of ‘From What Is to What If’

‘Few people have attempted to survey the different strands of sustainable agriculture, but Marina has done so in a really valuable way, showing the links and crossovers between the different techniques along with some good science and other references.’ Martin Crawford, Martin Crawford, Director – Agroforestry Research Trust

‘Nature works not just because it is diverse, but because it is made up of relationships between the many elements. So it is with regenerative agriculture. No single approach has all the answers, but by weaving them together, forming relationships, we create a whole systems approach that works for people and planet. Marina has done a great service for students, farmers and growers, and everyone with a passion to bring land and community to life. She has shown how we can connect disciplines and approaches, and bases this not just on theory, but on her extraordinary farm at Huxham’s Cross. Highly recommended!’ Andy Goldring, Director, Permaculture Association, UK

‘Hope for the future of humanity and wild nature lies not with governments, corporates and international conferences but with grassroots movements – especially in food and farming. Marina O’Connell is a farmer and an educator. This excellent regenerative farming design toolkit of what’s already in train worldwide is just what’s needed for the coming agro-ecological revolution.’ Colin Tudge, co-founder of the Oxford Real Farming Conference and the College for Real Farming and Food Culture

‘Marina O Connell has helped our family farm become more sustainable. Within the partnership, she has helped redesign a 10-acre field into Biodynamic Conversion with a rare and valuable combination of deep experiential and practical insight, drawing on this regenerative toolkit for horticulture, farming and community life with the land.’ We value  her skill in weaving together different approaches to Agroecology, including Permaculture, Organic practices and Biodynamic methods, which are so well explained in this timely handbook.’ Dr Miche Fabre Lewin  & Dr Flora Gathorne-Hardy,  Great Glemham Farms,  Suffolk