Oxford Real Farming Conference 2023 | Agroecology Movement Gathers for Hope and Action

Reflecting on the Oxford Real Farming Conference, which took place earlier this month, Ursula Billington traces common threads that emerged from the rich programme.

This year’s Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) felt more necessary than ever. Gathering in person for the first time since January 2020, the great and the good of agroecology turned their attention to the pressing matters of the day: the intersectional crises of biodiversity, climate, energy and cost of living. The movement discussed available support for small-scale farmers, and solutions provided by transformed food and farming systems.

The event – and the movement – continues to grow, this time combining a virtual programme and in-person event. Online speakers represented six continents, whilst hundreds gathered in Oxford to discuss transforming food and farming systems for good.

The following takeaways represent common threads from the expansive programme which, each year, provides so much more in terms of connection, solidarity and mobilisation than any single lesson learnt.

1. Positivity nurtures hope and seeds change – Good things are happening ‘below ground’, but the movement needs better storytellers

“The point of ORFC is not to attack the status quo but to look ahead: to ask what the world really needs, what’s possible, and to show what can be done. Always on the agenda is the dream to restore farming to its proper place at the heart of the economy, and all of our lives.” (Co-founder Ruth West).

Positive case studies are vital to bolster and drive transformation, but they are so often buried under news of everyday struggles, opposing governments and global crises. The conference provided countless heartening examples of real change happening on the ground.