A radical share-farming model based on custodianship, not ownership

This episode explores a share farming model which is radically different.Food system change-makers Kirsten Larsen and Serenity Hill reveal their ground-breakingnew collaborative farming model and succession plan designed to improve ecologicalfunction, support a diverse range of small-scale businesses, and ensure security of tenurefor emerging farmers. These inspirational farmers in North Eastern Victoria have establishedput the family farm in a trust and created an agreement which over 80 years shifts theequity of their family’s farm into a not-for-profit – conditional on improving ecologicalconditions of the land.Show notes:Open Food Network (OFN): Started as an online marketplace to match farmers with eaters which supports collaborative distributionOFN as an open-source platform: Working with people in 29 countries to develop platform.Model keeps on improvingRegenerative farming something positive for climate and improving ecosystem but it is so labour intensive. We need solution to this problemTrust the collaborative process to bring along people in to solve problems on the farmLeasing 400 acres North East Victoria from family (Pukawidgee) and marketing lamb on OFNCore issue of young farmers is they need security of tenure and longstanding connectionSet up a Non-profit with a long-term lease arrangement with a trust over 80 yearsShift from Land custodianship rather than ownership: improving health should be tied to land custodianshipBuilding a succession plan around the condition of improving ecological conditions.Further resources:Full story about Kirsten Larsen and Serenity Hill share farming modelOpen Food Network websiteOrder from Pukawidgee (Warrenbayne Farm Collective)Open Food Network Facebook Page