How can we encourage a diversity of ideas and approaches to the land, food and farming, bring fresh ideas, new energy and people to rural areas if there is little to no land available to access or affordable homes to live in? It is a complex problem, involving planning, legislation, and social and cultural ideas of ownership and connection to the land, but it is a nut that needs cracking. Join our expert panel to earn more and hear about some ideas and initiatives beginning to make progress. More details to follow on contributors
Panel:
Helen Lucocq – Strategy and Policy Manager, Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority. Helen is a Chartered town planner who has specialised in collaborative policy development within protected landscapes for the past 15 years. Based in Brecon, Helen was the driving force behind the recent, much publicised 25 year Plan for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, Y Bannau: The Future – A bold collaborative vision for the future of this special place, drawn through art, poetry, story and a moon shot approach to policy.
Hal Rhoades – Land-based Projects & Policy Lead, Action for Conservation, Penpont. Hannibal is an anthropologist, environmentalist and writer. He lives in the Malvern Hills and works for Action for Conservation on the Penpont Project in the Bannau Brycheiniog. The Penpont Project is the largest intergenerational nature restoration project of its kind in an effort to reverse devastating ecological breakdown and create a global gold standard for youth-led environmental action.
Holly Tomlinson – Cymru Policy Coordinator, New Entrant Policy. Holly Tomlinson is the Welsh Policy Coordinator for The Landworkers’ Alliance as well as leading on new entrant policy across the UK. Her work involves advocating for financial support for agroecological farmers, improved training opportunities, amendments to planning rules, access to land and better markets. The Landworkers’ Alliance (LWA) is a grassroots union of farmers from all sectors, foresters and other land-based workers with a mission to improve the livelihoods of members, promote agroecology and sustainable forestry and create a better food system for everyone.
