In February 2024 CoFSA hosted a session on “Listening to the Land: A Consciousness Practice to Transform Food Systems” to explore our innate relationship with the land, placing a special emphasis on the practice of “listening” to and “connecting” with Nature. in particular when farming and working with food.

The session was held in collaboration with Shumei International, in continuation of the conversation on “Tapping into the spiritual aspects of Nature for the well-being of People and Planet” held at Oxford Real Farming Conference, on the 5 th January 2024.

During the event we explored how to fine-tune our ability to connect with the land, guided by traditional wisdom, indeed we opened with inspirations from the “Listening to the Land” series created by Insight Share with Indigenous communities in Africa.

Shinya Imahashi, founder and manager of Shumei International’s farm in Yatesbury, UK, shared how connection with the soil and plants is central to Natural Farming, a means of cultivating wholesome food in harmony with Nature.

Patrick MacManaway, a third generation “land whisperer” from Scotland, explained how he supports farmers and livestock herders around the world to improve their yields and animal well-being through deep listening and connection. He guided us in a simple but powerful practice of drinking a glass of unfiltered apple juice before and after blessing it and attuning our body to the juice.

Listening to the Land 🌱 A Consciousness Practice to Transform Food Systems (youtube.com)