Woodlands, farming, and what is good food?
Hello.
We visited a friend at the weekend who is restoring ancient oak coppice woodland on his land near the River Taw at Umberleigh. He's put a huge amount of effort into removing invasive Rhododendron ponticum that had engulfed the area, and thinning scrawny and unhealthy trees out. Sunlight is making it to the woodland floor for the first time in years. Blue tits bounce between the branches and heather, broom, gorse, foxgloves and grasses are returning.
Philip is making charcoal from the rhododendron in his small retort kiln and looking at ways to break down the larger chunks to make biochar. This way, the carbon from the cut material can be kept in the ground by using it as a soil additive, which works wonders for water and nutrient retention, and soil biology. This invasive plant is finding a new and more positive purpose.
Yesterday was spent at Rootstock, a regenerative farming conference for the South West. Livestock and net zero, low input arable, routes to market and other themes were discussed by farmers, scientists, academics and advisers. One highlight was seeing revolving 3D CT scans of soil core samples from no-till farming systems showing tunnels and connected spaces through the soil created by plant roots and creatures; a peek into a hidden world.
What is good food?
I chatted recently with a restaurant owner who was keen to understand more about organic food and health. Though she runs a restaurant that serves really good healthy fresh food, she's keen to eat better at home, as well as doing better still in the restaurant, and has concerns about pesticides and other nasties in conventionally-produced food.
We explored the complex world of food labels, diving into what organic truly means and examining other terms like agroecological and regenerative. While these approaches to food production share some overlap, they carry distinct meanings and spark diverse opinions. This TABLE infographic does a good job of untangling these terms.
How we eat presents a captivating puzzle. We're bombarded with information, opinions and even scare stories, all while navigating intricate issues of health, affordability, and sustainability. We only just managed to scratch the surface in our chat.
I mentioned Hodmedod's to the restaurant owner. They specialise in pulses, grains and seeds, primarily sourced from UK farms, with a good portion being organic. I also suggested Good Food Loop, a not-for-profit wholesaler connecting producers in Cornwall and Devon, highly focussed on locally grown food using agroecological practices and with many organic growers.
Still on the subject of food:
I joined Oxford Real Farming Conference online last month, with a couple of standout sessions on cheap food and perennial vegetables.
I was deeply moved by campaigner Dominic Watters' words on poverty and food insecurity in this recent webinar on food systems transformation and poverty.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is now law. You probably didn't feel the Earth move, but from 12 February, all larger planning applications must leave the natural environment in a measurably better state than it was before development took place. I wrote on BNG in August with some thoughts on possible outcomes.
Some links for The Good File:
I have no idea when, if ever, we'll make it to see Japan - meanwhile I'm always fascinated by Rambalac's walks.
Gwenevere is a lovingly made short film set on Dartmoor, telling the story of Queen Gwenevere's banishment from Camelot and her adventure on the moor. There's a hint of Monty Python and the Holy Grail to it.
Streaming radio choice: Power 103.5 playing from Delap-Uliga-Djarrit, Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Sunny tunes to lift a dull February day.
Apologies for the radio silence since December. I didn't want to add to the festive season inbox overload with year-end reviews and holiday greetings. So, a belated Happy New Year - I hope you're having a healthy and happy 2024 so far. I'll be in touch again soon.
All the best,
Nathan