AFSA Solidarity Sessions

It is clearer than ever that it is time to transform our food systems and the economic models and loss of connection that created them to create a new normal that puts the health of planet and people over profit. The alternatives for transformative change already exist — degrowth, social solidarity economies, and collectivising for action.

Our online Solidarity Sessions draw from solidarity economies which are a commitment to community, to localised economies focused on mutual benefit, sufficiency for all, and frugal yet radical abundance for everyone. These sessions draw us together to learn from each other and enable us to enact real change with a view to transforming our broken food system. AFSA is working to help connect people and organisations doing great work through our regular Solidarity Sessions online.

Check back for more sessions as they are added. You can also keep up to date with new sessions on social media (links at the bottom of this page). If you have an idea for a Solidarity Session, drop us an email at admin@afsa.org.au.

Watch the Solidarity Sessions

SESSIONS 21 to 26

SESSION #27

A Licence to Sell Lettuce?

with Tammi Jonas

During this session, we invite market gardeners around Australia to unpack FSANZ tightening regulations on leafy greens, berries and melons.

We detail AFSA’s campaign efforts against unfair and inconsistent regulation and the potential impacts on small-scale market gardeners when changes come into effect in 2025.

Led by AFSA President Tammi Jonas, we spend this session delving into:

  • What are the changes to P10​52 Primary Production and Processing Requirements for Horticulture – berries, leafy vegetables and melons?
  • How will the changes impact smallholders?
  • Why AFSA is collectivising to campaign against the changes
  • How you can get involved in the Licence to Sell Lettuce campaign
  • A brief note on how food safety regulation is being addressed in the updated Peoples’ Food Plan.

If you’re a market gardener looking to access advice or legal support, become an AFSA member today!

SESSION #26

Decoding the UN COPs

with Tammi Jonas

During this Solidarity Session, AFSA’s Agroecology Action Research Network (AARN) will decode recent meetings at COP27 and COP15, by addressing some fundamental questions:

  • What is a COP?
  • Why aren’t the COPs ordered numerically (ie. Why did COP27 take place before COP15?)
  • How are decisions made at COPs?
  • What commitments were made in Sharm el-Sheik in November 2022 (COP27?)
  • What commitments were made in Montreal in December 2022 (COP15?)
  • Do these global governance spaces even make any difference?
  • How does the Australian Government’s Nature Positive Plan link to COP15?
  • What do COP outcomes mean for First Peoples, farmers and civil society?

SESSION #25

Agroecology: A real solution for biodiversity

with Tammi Jonas

During this session, you’ll hear from:

  • Sam Bosquanet, Old-Lands Farm (UK). Sam is an ecologist and naturalist who has recorded flora and fauna grown on his family’s farmland for the past 25 years. Under his observation, Sam has been managing the farm and surrounding parkland through increasing the diversity of wildflowers to enhance biodiversity.
  • Miriam Kate McDonald, Holistic Restoration (UK). Holistic Restoration was born from a 15 year exploration of ecology, conservation, rewilding and agriculture, where Miriam’s book ‘Emergent’ captures her journey and learnings on human relationships to nature through agroecology.

Agroecology: A real solution for biodiversity

SESSION #24

FOOPL Perspectives: Young farmers and landowners

with Eliza Cannon, Borrowed Ground

This session is an open discussion on success stories, challenges and opportunities for FOOPL arrangements to provide experiential insights for young people, First Peoples as well as emerging and existing farmers to inform decision making when and if they have access to land.

During this session, we’ll hear from:

  • Karina Vennonen, Southern Harvest Association (SHA) and Patchwork Urban Farms
  • Karl Fitzgerald, Grounded – Community Land Trust Advocacy
  • Katie Finlay, Harcourt Organic Farming Co-operative
  • Simone Watts, Barrangunda Farm
  • Joyce Wilkie, Stepping Stone Farm
  • Fraser Bayley, Old Mill Road Bio-Farm
  • Murray Prior, Nguurruu Farm
  • Josh Williams, Tumpinyeri Growers

+ More FOOPL farmers and other folk involved in the sphere.

SESSION #23

A Legal Guide for AFSA Members

with Tammi Jonas

In response to ongoing legal challenges for small-scale food producers, AFSA’s Legal Team is in the process of building a Legal Guide for AFSA Members, as a resource for navigating common hurdles across all states and territories.

Whether you are encountering obstacles with planning provisions or food safety regulations, this Solidarity Session is an open invite to all small-scale farmers and producers, to provide input on the common challenges they face under legal frameworks.

SESSION #22

A Peoples’ Food Plan for farmers and eaters

with AFSA

During this session, we open up a discussion with farmers and eaters to tell us their thoughts and ideas for AFSA’s revised Peoples’ Food Plan (launching later this year!).

SESSION #21

Biodiversity on Farms Beyond the Shelterbelt

with Amy Pagett

This Solidarity Session shares wisdom from farmers who are embedding biodiversity at the heart of their practice. This session is hosted by AFSA National Committee member, Amy Pagett, an agroecological farmer raising heritage breed Berkshire pigs in forest at at Ethical Swine.

SESSIONS 17 to 20 ON NEXT PAGE