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5 of 414

Climate Resilience on European Farms: Adaptation and New Potential
Welcome back to another episode in our panel discussion series. In this edition we’ll be focusing on the challenges and opportunities of climate adaptation with examples of farmers in different key and representative zones of Europe. There's no question that the climate is shifting in severe and unpredictable ways. The question is how can agriculture adapt to this new reality. Like all systemic challenges we'll take a look at this broad topic from a number of farmer perspectives as we explore the adaptations that can be made on the land, in the business, and the support mechanisms needed from the wider agri-food sector to assist in the transition.
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56:45
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56:45
From humble beginnings, to leading a permaculture revolution in Malawi, with Luwayo Biswick
Alex got a chance to follow up with Luwayo Biswick in Malawi. Luwayo had been on the Regenerative Skills podcast when it was still Abundant Edge for episode 71 in 2018. As the Founder of the Permaculture Paradise Institute, Luwayo and his family have built an enterprise that helps local farmers throughout the whole country learn how to integrate regenerative practices. The Institute works on a trainer model that helps farmers get access to the tools, seedstock and livestock they need to create a steady stream of productive, diverse foodcrops. As a country with thousands of smallholders, the gap between conventional agricultural practices and resilient abundance requires peer learning, and access to new tools and techniques. You can learn more and support the institute on their website: https://permacultureinstitutemw.com/ -- you can also learn how to sponsor farmers and farm training there!
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57:36
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57:36
From extractive agrobusiness to permaculture abundance, with Ripura Hewicke
In our tour of Sub Saharran Africa, Alex followed a recommendation from Thiang’o to talk with Ripura Hewick. Ripura is based in Namibia, and manages a dryland farm for the non-profit Steps for Children. Ripura started as a traditional Agrobusiness management student University of Science and Technology (NUST) graduate with a Bachelors of Agriculture but left conventional agriculture, disappointed in the business. After a hiatus he returned to as a farm manager of a permaculture project connected to one of Steps for Children’s schools. In this interview, Ripura describes the unlearning and relearning process he had to go through to figure out how to successfully build a community integrated market garden, that provides nutrition, education and seedlings for the local community.
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1:17:02
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1:17:02
Crossing milestones and charting a new path forward:
400 episodes down and some big changes coming. It's been almost 9 full years since I started this little show and I'm amazed at the journey that it's accompanied me on, from my apprenticeship in bamboo building in Guatemala, to starting a homestead, leaving it to move to Spain just ahead of the pandemic, and where I am now, putting down roots in central Catalunya on my little farm with my partner Alba. This is hardly then end though. despite a tough year where I've even considered shutting down the show, some new opportunities have come up that will take this podcast in a new direction. I would love for you to be a part of how the show takes a new shape in the coming year. Please take the time to fill in the short survey here if you'd like to guide our new direction. And of course, a sincere thank you to all of you who've supported this podcast and it's growth over 9 years. There's no way I would have persisted this long without you.
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32:42
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32:42
Community Resilience: Farms as Anchors of Local Culture and Community
Welcome back everyone and welcome back to the monthly panel sessions. In this session that I hosted with Climate Farmers, we dive into the lives of three passionate farmers, Julia, Anne, and Mateo, who are not only dedicated to regenerative agriculture but also deeply invested in their communities. Each farmer shares their unique journey, challenges, and successes, from establishing cooperative farms to activities that bring people to participate in the work and bounty that they’re creating. This conversation explores the essential role of social design, community engagement, and the diverse activities that make their farms resilient and impactful. We also go into practical steps on everything from building relationships with local communities to navigating cultural differences, all while highlighting the importance of personal growth and understanding in fostering a thriving, regenerative ecosystem.
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54:24
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54:24