Local permaculture farms help change the global food system by connecting with each other. Evidence shows that creating, protecting and restoring local small-scale agro-ecological food systems around the world is key to feeding the world in a just and sustainable way, while restoring biodiversity and addressing climate change at the same time.
In the UK, there is a nationwide collective advocating for this called the Landworkers’ Alliance, a movement of small-scale farmers, growers, foresters and land-based workers. It works with La Via Campesina, the global peasant network with 200 million members, and recognises how hard it is for young people to move into farming so has catalysed a network of local on-farm food traineeships and mentoring programs.
As well as developing small-scale farming, the alliance focuses on icreasing awareness that the global food system is broken and unjust. This example of acting locally and connecting shows that while we each might be only doing a small action, together we can make a difference, whether in our neighbourhood, our nation or internationally.