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

Farming Together

This episode explores a share farming model which is radically different.

Food system change-makers Kirsten Larsen and Serenity Hill reveal their ground-breaking

new collaborative farming model and succession plan designed to improve ecological

function, support a diverse range of small-scale businesses, and ensure security of tenure

for emerging farmers. These inspirational farmers in North Eastern Victoria have established

put the family farm in a trust and created an agreement which over 80 years shifts the

equity of their family’s farm into a not-for-profit – conditional on improving ecological

conditions of the land.

Show notes:

• Open Food Network (OFN): Started as an online marketplace to match farmers with eaters which supports collaborative distribution
• OFN as an open-source platform: Working with people in 29 countries to develop platform.
• Model keeps on improving
• Regenerative farming something positive for climate and improving ecosystem but it is so labour intensive. We need solution to this problem
• Trust the collaborative process to bring along people in to solve problems on the farm
• Leasing 400 acres North East Victoria from family (Pukawidgee) and marketing lamb on OFN
• Core issue of young farmers is they need security of tenure and longstanding connection
• Set up a Non-profit with a long-term lease arrangement with a trust over 80 years
• Shift from Land custodianship rather than ownership: improving health should be tied to land custodianship
• Building a succession plan around the condition of improving ecological conditions.

Further resources:

Full story about Kirsten Larsen and Serenity Hill share farming model

Open Food Network website

Order from Pukawidgee (Warrenbayne Farm Collective)

Open Food Network Facebook Page