Building Common Ground at ORFC: Bridging the Divide in Our Food Systems

This year’s Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) was a testament to the power of connection and collaboration, with so many Sustainable Food Places members and supporters in attendance.

What struck me most was a growing dialogue between ORFC and the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC). This was much talked about in 2024, but this year there were signs of it beginning: from shared meals like the one hosted by the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission, to shifting agendas (OFC becoming more progressive and ORFC more policy-focused). On paper, these two groups might seem to have obvious overlap—after all, all farmers produce food. But in reality, bridging the gap requires more than proximity. Building mutual understanding between different “farming camps” means navigating barriers, including the language we use, divergent ideas of what constitutes “good food,” and even unspoken rules like dress codes. Some stakeholders, on both sides, remain resistant to connecting—whether out of fear of being co-opted or skepticism that others understand 'real' food production. But progress is possible.

Learning from Those Who Bridge Divides

The session “Bridging the Rural-Urban Divide: Building Common Ground” offered valuable lessons for fostering collaboration. Bonnie VandeSteeg shared how the Cairngorms used the idea of “blether”—a simple, open exchange of dialogue—to address land-use divides. It’s a principle we could all embrace: talk to each other, with respect.

Anna Jones spoke candidly about her own biases when moving from a farming community to an urban one, showing that preconceptions can be overcome with the right mindset. Meanwhile, Deirdre “Dee” Woods reminded us of the deep historical and emotional meaning of land, particularly for people of color, for whom land often represents a painful legacy. With understanding and care, even these divides can be navigated.

The discussion soon turned to the idea of a basic income for farmers. What a transformative policy that could be, offering a lifeline to all producers, regardless of scale or farming philosophy. This concept of mutual support extended into the session “Knowledge Is Power: How Farm Clusters Can Change the World.” Propagate (Scotland)’s “Regenerative Farming Network South West Scotland” provided a shining example of how farmers can support one another through farm visits, idea-sharing, and encouragement. After all, discussions about collaboration mean little if farmers are too exhausted, burnt out, or financially strained to participate.

At the Sustain: The Alliance for Better Food and Farming session on “Local Powers and Levers Driving Agroecology,” we heard inspiring stories from pioneers like Charlotte Molyneux of Devon County Council and farmer Henri Greig. Devon is actively supporting farmers through short supply chains, while Henri has successfully navigated the complexities of succession within a sizable agroecological enterprise. Their stories showed how positivity and proactive measures can bridge the gap between “big” farming and agroecology.

Later, at the packed session “Improving Food Resilience: Connecting Farmers, Government, and Citizens,” Tim Lang of the City, University of London’s Centre for Food Policy drove home the urgency of embedding food resilience into government policy. Despite its critical importance, food resilience barely features in current plans. Lang reminded us that it’s time to secure the right to food in law—scaling up the movement and ensuring it’s immune to the shifting winds of politics. As Tim noted, Sweden already offers a template for action.

Moving Forward: A Shared Vision for Food Systems

Across all the conversations, one clear theme emerged: there is enough common ground in the farming sector to come together around a shared vision. And a food strategy must go beyond farming; it must encompass the entire food system, meeting the needs of all citizens.

The energy at ORFC was inspiring, but now the real work begins. Sustainable Food Places will continue to advocate for a future where food systems are resilient, equitable, and rooted in collaboration. Together, we can ensure that these discussions translate into meaningful change—because the future of our food systems depends on it.

Leon Ballin, Sustainable Food Places Programme Manager