The Landworkers’ Alliance – North-East Network

The Landworkers’ Alliance – North-East Network held their first meeting on Tuesday 10th February , at Ouseburn Farm, Newcastle-upon-Tyne  NE1 2PA

About the Landworkers’ Alliance:

We are a producer-led organisation of small-scale producers and family farmers who use sustainable methods to produce food, fuel, fibre and flowers. We raise awareness of the role that our members play in providing food security, environmental stewardship, livelihoods, strong communities, animal welfare and high-quality affordable food. We work to overcome the obstacles facing land-based workers face by building alliances, encouraging solidarity and campaigning for better policy for agro-ecology and food sovereignty.

This year our members have been active, organising seed saving events, campaigning against TTIP and lobbying DEFRA to implement the CAP in a way that is more supportive of small-scale, ecological farmers.  Maybe you have already joined, or attended our action outside DEFRA in April, or have seen our film “Food Sovereignty Football” .  We’ve also met socially at farm walks and ceilidhs, and our AGM in Manchester in November.

Now we want to ensure our members throughout the UK have access to LWA events, by establishing regional branches.  This gathering was the first step towards setting up a North-East of the LWA.  We will also be telling you about some new research we are undertaking on the productivity of small-scale, agroecological farmers. A Facebook account has been set up by Hannah Davies from Bill Quay Farm, to enable communication.

What kind of activities would you value from a NE branch of the LWA? Monthly farm visits/social occasions, seed sharing opportunities, people to organise/travel to campaigning actions with? It may be that it makes sense to join with other organisations, such as the CSA Network or Organic Growers Alliance, for setting up regional networks.  It’s all up for discussion, so please put your views about what would make a useful and supportive network.

For more information about the LWA, please contact: Rebecca Laughton, Landworkers’ Alliance: