Oxford Real Farming Conference 2026
2026-01-08 - 2026-01-09 | Newman Room in the Catholic Chaplaincy, The Old Palace, Rose Pl, St Aldate's, Oxford, OX1 1RD, United Kingdom
We are very pleased to have a session at this coming ORFC again!!
Our session
Date & Time: 9th January 9:00 am – 10:20 am
Venue: Newman Room in the Catholic Chaplaincy, and online

FARMER PERSPECTIVES: PATHWAYS TO HEALING PEOPLE AND PLANET
Speakers: Patrick Holden, Rod Calder Potts, Barbara Hachipuka Banda, Shinya Imahashi
Chair: Ben Raskin
There is growing awareness of the connection between personal wellbeing, planetary health and the current food system. The impact of climate change, along with the significant rise in diet related health conditions, has highlighted the urgent need to shift how food is produced. This panel will explore the diverse perspectives of farmers from Scotland to Zambia who transitioned to agroecological, regenerative practices through a shift in mindset. Learn how they tapped into farming as a spiritual practice to support the healing and wellbeing of the land, their crops, and their communities.

You need to buy the ticket if you would like to join it. Please check details about ORFC 2026.
We look forward to seeing you all!!
About ORFC
8th – 9th January 2026, in-person + online livestream

Listening to the Land Day 2026
2026-01-07 09:00 - 18:00 (Europe/London) | Wesley Memorial Church, Oxford, OX1 2DH, Wesley Memorial Church, Oxford, Oxford, OX1 2DH, United Kingdom
We would like to express our gratitude for our collaboration with Cofsa (Conscious Food Systems Alliance) and respectfully quote the following content. The event hosted by Cofsa is a valuable opportunity for us to deepen our relationship with nature. Additionally, we will be featuring a taiko drum performance and workshop as part of this event.Tickets can be purchased from the following link:https://www.tickettailor.com/events/landbasedspirituality/1791638
Join us for the return of the Listening to the Land day, a collaborative gathering to explore how building a reciprocal relationship with nature can support radical food system transformation. The Listening to the Land day will be held in Oxford on January 7th 2026, one day before the Oxford Real Farming Conference 2026, which convenes the largest gathering of the agroecological movement in the UK.
Building on last year’s success, the Listening to the Land day has expanded and will offer a choice of interactive sessions across four venues. We are delighted to welcome speakers from many different backgrounds – from Indigenous elders and land protectors to farmers, policy-makers and conservationists – to explore how a deeper connection with land can shape personal and collective change. Confirmed speakers include: Indigenous organiser and musician, Lyla June, botanist and author, Monica Gagliano (Thus Spoke the Plant), Maori land rights activist, Pania Newton, Afroecology founder Dee Woods, Satish Kumar, Rupert Sheldrake, Jill Purce, Patrick McManaway and many others.
The Listening to the Land Day will offer anyone who has a deep, heartfelt connection to the natural world the opportunity to share knowledge, insights and ways of knowing, and reconnect with a sense of belonging and community with the human and more-than-human world. It will be a welcome space for people who work and care about the land to seek clarity, allies and confidence in their own intuition and a philosophy of interconnectedness.
The spaces for this day are limited, and early booking is essential to avoid disappointment. This year, we are offering supporter tickets for anyone who would like to support our commitment to creating a space that is accessible to all. Supporter tickets directly support low-waged or marginalised identities from the movement to be part of this gathering. We also offer other ticket tiers to suit all circumstances. If the ticket price is barrier to attending, please reach out to us to enquire about bursary tickets.
The event will run from 9am – 6pm and will include teas, coffees and refreshments. A delicious seasonal vegetarian lunch will be available to book in advance (spaces limited).

Volunteer for LTTL Day:
Apply here by 14 November: LTTL Volunteer Application
As a Listening to the Land Day Volunteer, you will support the safe, efficient, friendly, and smooth running of the event on Wednesday, 7th January. Volunteers will complete a half-day shift (AM or PM) and are free to attend the event for the rest of the time. See more details.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applicants to volunteer in-person will be notified by Friday 21 November 2025.
This event is hosted by Real Farming Trust (RFT), in partnership with Animate Earth, Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA), St Ethelburgas Centre for Reconciliation, Landworkers’ Alliance, Shumei International, Schumacher College, GoGrowWithLove, The British Pilgrimage Trust, and Right to Roam.
For more information, please contact francesca@orfc.org.uk. or alice@realfarming.org.
Stay in touch with the Listening to the Land newsletter and podcast, or explore highlights from the Listening to the Land Day 2025.
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The fine print: Refund requests must be submitted in writing to alice@realfarming.org by Thursday, 4 December 2025. No refunds will be provided after this date. Please note booking fees are non-refundable. Fraudulent ticket sales have been attempted in the past. Please read our Fraud Protection statement to understand more about how what measures you can take to protect yourself from phishing and scams.

Location
Wesley Memorial Church, Oxford, OX1 2DH

Shumei Yatesbury Open Day 2025
2025-08-30 12:30 - 16:30 | Shumei Yatesbury, Shumei Yatesbury, 3 Yatesbury House Farm, Yatesbury, Calne, SN11 8YG, United Kingdom
Come along to this fun event and discover Shumei Natural Agriculture. Learn how our vegetables are grown without chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures, enjoy the Japanese tea ceremony and the sound of Japanese drums. Please check the details and buy your tickets here.

Time schedule:

12.30pm – Registration / Self-guided tour around the vegetable field
1.15pm – Talk: “Let’s learn Natural Agriculture in depth” by farm supervisor, Shinya Imahashi
2.00pm – Free time: Sale of fresh produce from the garden / Self-guided tour of the vegetable field/ Japanese tea ceremony (Reservation needed due to limited)
3.45pm – Japanese Taiko Drum performance
4.15pm – Programme ends

—— **Please book early as places are limited via Eventbrite.
Tickets:
– Registration: £10.00 (Not including Japanese tea and sweets at the tea ceremony)
– Registration + Tea ceremony: £17.00 (please choose one of the two time slots: 1st or 2nd session)
You can also reserve an assorted vegetable box for £10 (valued at £14).
Please pre-order now so that we can prepare for the veg box and rooms for the Tea ceremony for you.
Free Healing Session
Japanese healing session is also available during the event. Please try.
Please check the details and buy your tickets here.

Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 1
2025-07-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Shumei Yatesbury, Shumei Yatesbury, 3 Yatesbury House Farm, Yatesbury, Calne, SN11 8YG, United Kingdom
About this event
This is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at the importance of soil; role of composts; basic idea of seed savings, the concept of purification and our attitude towards problems such as diseases, pests and weeds. The course consists of a lecture/presentation and farm tour.
Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
By the end of this course you should be able to…

Describe the key concepts of Shumei Natural Agriculture
Understand the role of soil and composts/catch crops
Understand the importance of seed saving in Natural Agriculture
Understand the attitudes towards pests and weeds
Understand the concept of purification
Recognise how people’s thoughts would affect plants

Programme

Presentation of Part 1 (About soil)
Farm tour

Please register from our Eventbrite page.
This Basic course is a part of Shumei Natural Agriculture learning programme, which consists of Basic course and Advanced course.
Please let us know if you would like to take other parts such as part 2 or 3. We can arrange courses as you like. (E-mail: yatesbury@shumei.uk)

(Online) Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 1
2025-01-19 11:00 - 12:30 | On Zoom, Online, United Kingdom
About this event
Although this would be held as a following up event of ORFC 2025 but definitely anyone will be welcome to join. Also, this is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at the importance of soil; role of composts; basic idea of seed savings, the concept of purification and our attitude towards problems such as diseases, pests and weeds. The course consists of a lecture/presentation and farm tour.
Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
We explain the philosophy of Shumei Natural Agriculture by zoom.
In this session, you will learn

What is the Natural Agriculture？
The benefits of Natural Agriculture.
The role of the compost.

On part 2 and 3, you will learn more about;

How to maintain insects and disease.
Seed saving etc…

Programme

Presentation of Part 1 (About soil)

Please register from our Eventbrite page.

Oxford Real Farming Conference 2025
2025-01-09 16:00 - 17:30 | Newman Room in the Catholic Chaplaincy, The Old Palace, Rose Pl, St Aldate's, Oxford, OX1 1RD, United Kingdom
We are very pleased to have a session at this coming ORFC again!!
Our session
Date & Time: 9th January 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Venue: St Columba’s United Reformed Church SANCTUARY
NURTURING THE LIFE FORCE IN SEED, SOIL AND PLANTS
Speakers: Shinya Imahashi, Matthew Adams, Jana Rock
Chair: Ben Raskin
This panel will explore how we can recognize and nurture the innate life force in seed, soil and plants to advance human and planetary health. Panelists will provide perspectives on how growing practices and the consciousness of the farmer can lead to greater resilience, nutrition, and flavour in food. The panel will discuss ways to assess nutrient density, the importance of food vitality and community engagement, and how our relationship with nature nurtures mind, body and spirit.
You need to buy the ticket if you would like to join it. Please check details about ORFC 2025.
We look forward to seeing you all!!
About ORFC
9th – 10th January 2025, in-person + online livestream

Shumei Yatesbury Open Day
2024-08-24 13:00 - 16:30 | Shumei Yatesbury, Shumei Yatesbury, 3 Yatesbury House Farm, Yatesbury, Calne, SN11 8YG, United Kingdom
Come along to this fun event and discover Shumei Natural Agriculture. Learn how our vegetables are grown without chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures and enjoy the sound of Japanese drums.

12.30pm – Registration / Self-guided tour around the vegetable field
1.15pm – Talk: “Love and gratitude for Soil and Vegetable” by farm manager, Shinya Imahashi
2.00pm – Talk: “Creating Heaven on Earth” by Elisabet Alfstad
2.30pm – Japanese Taiko Drum performance
3.30pm – Sale of fresh produce from the garden
4.30pm – Programme ends

—— **Please book early as places are limited.
Admission: £5.00
Free Healing Session
Japanese healing session is also available during the event. Please try.
Vegetable sales
You can purchase an assorted vegetable box for £10 (worth £14). Please pre-order now so that we can prepare the box for you.

(Online) Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 1
2024-03-17 13:00 - 14:30 | On Zoom, Online, United Kingdom
About this event
This is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at the importance of soil; role of composts; basic idea of seed savings, the concept of purification and our attitude towards problems such as diseases, pests and weeds. The course consists of a lecture/presentation and farm tour.
Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
We explain the philosophy of Shumei Natural Agriculture by zoom.
In this session, you will learn

What is the Natural Agriculture？
The benefits of Natural Agriculture.
The role of the compost.

On part 2 and 3, you will learn more about;

How to maintain insects and disease.
Seed saving etc…

Programme

Presentation of Part 1 (About soil)

Please register from our Eventbrite page.

(Online) The 7th Natural Agriculture Conference
2024-01-28 13:00 - 15:30 | On Zoom, Online, United Kingdom
We are delighted to announce we will hold the annual Natural Agriculture conference again. This time, the conference is for everyone, not only for producers.
It will be held online, which made us possible to include international speakers and audience. Everyone is welcome!
The speakers include;

Alice Cunningham – Director of Shumei International
Liam King (Conservation Manager for Well-being at Garon Park)
Shinya Imahashi (Shumei Yatesbury) Watch video
and a few more. To be announced.

Whether you are a professional farmer or a gardener our hope is to provide a space where ideas and experiences on growing food naturally can be shared among like-minded people.
Date and time: Sunday, 28th January 1pm (will end around 3.30pm)
Venue: Online by Zoom (Zoom invitation will be included in the confirmation mail)
If you would like to attend the event, please register it with the following a page linked by making £5 or more donation.
Natural Agriculture Conference 2024

We look forward to seeing you in January.

Shumei Yatesbury
Yatesbury, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 8YG

Shumei Yatesbury Open Day
2023-08-19 14:00 - 17:00 | Shumei Yatesbury, Shumei Yatesbury, 3 Yatesbury House Farm, Yatesbury, Calne, SN11 8YG, United Kingdom
Come along to this fun event and discover Shumei Natural Agriculture. Learn how our vegetables are grown without chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures and enjoy the sound of Japanese drums.

12.30pm – Registration / Self-guided tour around the vegetable field
1.20pm – Talk: “Concept of purification and our attitude towards problems” by farm manager, Shinya Imahashi
2.30pm – Japanese Taiko Drum performance
3.15pm – Sale of fresh produce from the garden
4.00pm – Programme ends

—— **Please book early as places are limited.
Admission: £10.00
Free Healing Session
Japanese healing session is also available during the event. Please try.
Vegetable sales
You can purchase an assorted vegetable box for £10 (worth £14). Please pre-order now so that we can prepare the box for you.

Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 1
2023-06-25 13:00 - 14:30, 2023-05-20 13:00 - 14:30, 2023-04-01 13:00 - 14:30 | Shumei Yatesbury, Shumei Yatesbury, 3 Yatesbury House Farm, Yatesbury, Calne, SN11 8YG, United Kingdom
About this event
This is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at the importance of soil; role of composts; basic idea of seed savings, the concept of purification and our attitude towards problems such as diseases, pests and weeds. The course consists of a lecture/presentation and farm tour.
Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
By the end of this course you should be able to…

Describe the key concepts of Shumei Natural Agriculture
Understand the role of soil and composts/catch crops
Understand the importance of seed saving in Natural Agriculture
Understand the attitudes towards pests and weeds
Understand the concept of purification
Recognise how people’s thoughts would affect plants

Programme

Presentation of Part 1 (About soil)
Farm tour

Please register from our Eventbrite page.
This Basic course is a part of Shumei Natural Agriculture learning programme, which consists of Basic course and Advanced course.

Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 3
2023-05-13 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-04-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Shumei Yatesbury, Shumei Yatesbury, 3 Yatesbury House Farm, Yatesbury, Calne, SN11 8YG, United Kingdom
This is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at the importance of seed savings and characteristics of the vegetables grown by Natural Agriculture. The spring session is lecture only. There will be no farm tour.
Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
By the end of this course you should be able to…

Describe the key concepts of Shumei Natural Agriculture
Understand the relationship between seeds, soil and plants
Recognise how saved seeds will adapt to their environment
Understand the common characteristics of vegetables grown by Natural Agriculture method

Programme

Presentation of Part 3 (More detailed concept of seed saving, characteristic of the vegetables grown by Natural Agriculture)

Please register from our Eventbrite page.

Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 2
2023-05-06 13:00 - 14:30 | Shumei Yatesbury, Shumei Yatesbury, 3 Yatesbury House Farm, Yatesbury, Calne, SN11 8YG, United Kingdom
This is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at the concept of purification and our attitude towards problems such as diseases, pests and weeds. The spring sessions are lecture only. There will be no farm tour.
Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
By the end of this course you should be able to…

Describe the key concepts of Shumei Natural Agriculture
Understand the attitudes towards pests and weeds
Understand the concept of purification
Recognise how people’s thoughts would affect plants

Programme

Presentation of Part 2 (Concept of purification and our attitude towards problems)

Please register from our Eventbrite page.

(Online) Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 1
2023-01-14 13:00 - 14:30 | On Zoom, Online, United Kingdom
About this event
This is an online session.
This is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at

[Part 1] the importance of soil; role of composts; basic idea of seed savings,
[Part 2] the concept of purification and our attitude towards problems such as diseases, pests and weeds.
[Part 3] the importance of seed savings and characteristics of the vegetables grown by Natural Agriculture

Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
By the end of this course you should be able to…

Describe the key concepts of Shumei Natural Agriculture
Understand the role of soil and composts/catch crops
Understand the importance of seed saving in Natural Agriculture

Programme

Presentation of Part 1 (About soil)

Please register from our Eventbrite page.

Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 1
2022-07-24 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-07-17 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-07-02 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-06-25 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-06-11 13:00 - 14:30 | Shumei Yatesbury, Shumei Yatesbury, 3 Yatesbury House Farm, Yatesbury, Calne, SN11 8YG, United Kingdom
About this event
This is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at the importance of soil; role of composts; basic idea of seed savings, the concept of purification and our attitude towards problems such as diseases, pests and weeds. The course consists of a lecture/presentation and farm tour.
Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
By the end of this course you should be able to…

Describe the key concepts of Shumei Natural Agriculture
Understand the role of soil and composts/catch crops
Understand the importance of seed saving in Natural Agriculture
Understand the attitudes towards pests and weeds
Understand the concept of purification
Recognise how people’s thoughts would affect plants

Programme

Presentation of Part 1 (About soil)

Please register from our Eventbrite page.
This Basic course is a part of Shumei Natural Agriculture learning programme, which consists of Basic course and Advanced course.

Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 1
2022-05-28 13:00 - 14:30 | Shumei Yatesbury, Shumei Yatesbury, 3 Yatesbury House Farm, Yatesbury, Calne, SN11 8YG, United Kingdom
About this event
This is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at the importance of soil; role of composts; basic idea of seed savings, the concept of purification and our attitude towards problems such as diseases, pests and weeds. The course consists of lecture/presentation and farm tour.
Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
By the end of this course you should be able to…

Describe the key concepts of Shumei Natural Agriculture
Understand the role of soil and composts/catch crops
Understand the importance of seed saving in Natural Agriculture
Understand the attitudes towards pests and weeds
Understand the concept of purification
Recognise how people’s thoughts would affect plants

Programme

Presentation of Part 1 (About soil)

Please register from our Eventbrite page.

This Basic course is a part of Shumei Natural Agriculture learning programme, which consists of Basic course and Advanced course.

Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 1
2022-05-11 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-04-30 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-04-16 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-04-11 13:00 - 14:30 | Shumei Yatesbury, Shumei Yatesbury, 3 Yatesbury House Farm, Yatesbury, Calne, SN11 8YG, United Kingdom
About this event
This is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at the importance of soil; role of composts; basic idea of seed savings, the concept of purification and our attitude towards problems such as diseases, pests and weeds. This Autumn sessions are lecture only. There will be no farm tour.
Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
By the end of this course you should be able to…

Describe the key concepts of Shumei Natural Agriculture
Understand the role of soil and composts/catch crops
Understand the importance of seed saving in Natural Agriculture
Understand the attitudes towards pests and weeds
Understand the concept of purification
Recognise how people’s thoughts would affect plants

Programme

Presentation of Part 1 (About soil)

Please register from our Eventbrite page.
This Basic course is a part of Shumei Natural Agriculture learning programme, which consists of Basic course and Advanced course.

Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 2
2022-05-07 13:00 - 14:30, 2022-03-15 08:00 - 17:00

Online Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course Part 1
2022-02-06 13:00 - 14:30 | On Zoom, Online, United Kingdom
Shumei Natural Agriculture learning course
About this event
This Basic course is a part of Shumei Natural Agriculture learning programme, which consists of Basic course and Advanced course.
This is aimed at farmers/growers and students who wish to try growing food naturally without applying any chemicals, fertilisers and animal manures. On this basic course, you will look at the importance of soil; role of composts; basic idea of seed savings, the concept of purification and our attitude towards problems such as diseases, pests and weeds. This Autumn sessions are lecture only. There will be no farm tour.
Shumei Natural Agriculture was featured in “On your farm” programme on BBC Radio 4 in May 2019.
By the end of this course you should be able to…

Describe the key concepts of Shumei Natural Agriculture
Understand the role of soil and composts/catch crops
Understand the importance of seed saving in Natural Agriculture
Understand the attitudes towards pests and weeds
Understand the concept of purification
Recognise how people’s thoughts would affect plants

Programme

Presentation of Part 1 (About soil)

Please register from our Eventbrite page.

Dates
Basic course:
This year, we will have the basic course on the following days. (The content of the presentations are the same)
Part 1

Sunday 6 February 2022 (online only [on Zoom] )

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