The Fete de l’agriculture paysanne organised by my union, the Confederation paysanne is going to be held on Saturday 12th September in Limoux. If you are free please come along to show your support for us and our vision of the future of agriculture in the Aude and beyond.
The fete de l’agriculture paysanne is a celebration of an alternative vision of farming to the post war Green revolution that industrialised the agricultural landscape across the world. Confederation paysanne brings together the pioneers who read Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and the raft of mid 20th century literature that arose in protest to the industrialisation and huge extension of monoculture agriculture driven by technical advances in both machinery and chemical inputs. Re discoverying smaller mixed agricultural models this “first” generation started the organic movement that has slowly being building and transforming over the decades (See The Origins of Organic Agriculture 3.0) . With the recent arrival of a new wave of neo-ruralists like us, and the realisation amongst sections of traditional farmers that the old ways need rethinking, the Conderation paysanne is slowly growing in influence, the recent Chambre d’agriculture elections saw the union get just over 20% of the vote and finally representation on the management board.
There is now a small solar system round the Confedration paysanne, ADEAR, the original association that pre dates the Conferation paysanne is a development agency to help farmers and wanabee farmers develop their project, Nature et Progres who organise events like the Couiza festival and the Fete des Arbres, as well a work with farmers to promote sustainable agriculture. They also provide social assistance, advice and general support.
For the fete de l’agriculture paysanne thuis year there will be a series of events; discussions, music, food- naturally- wine and a chance for all us paysannes to get together with our supporters, party; gossip and see folks that we are usually too busy to see during the year. They are also organising a local producers market, where we will be selling our plants. Hope to see you there.
