An initiative of the peasant youth of Europe

Reclaim the Fields held a gathering of about 300 young farmers and landless youth with agricultural projects of various kinds from all over Europe. It took place on a collective farm at Cravirola, near Minerve, in the South West of France, from September 30th to October 4th. It was organised by Reclaim the Fields, a youth movement tightly linked to Via Campesina. It was created in Rostock, Germany at the time of the anti-G8 meeting in May 2007.

The camp was essentially self-organised (camping, collective kitchen, workshops and plenary sessions…). It was aimed at addressing various issues that have become increasingly critical in the current multiple global crises (financial, economic, climate change…). The participants were a mixture of people who had either started up their own projects or who intended or wanted to do so. The key issues discussed were those of access to land and to seeds (especially the traditional rights of farmers to save, exchange and resow their seeds). Some of the discussions also addressed the questions of fair prices for agricultural products and direct sales’ circuits from farms to consumers, the social recognition of farmers, the opposition to the dominant industrial farming model, and the need for fair agricultural policies. Other discussions included ideas on how to achieve self-empowerment and capacity building that is adapted to a non-industrial model, and how to make it possible for those who want to farm to do so. But the most recurrent and central theme was that of access to land, a question which varies according to the law and availability and price in each country.

The importance of local communities and sustainable local development

One of the most central and recurrent questions was the best way to articulate and organise things at local level. Peasant agriculture is probably one of the most effective ways to fight climate change, improve health and maintain a sustainable local economy. Some of the most interesting discussions were those on gaining acceptance within local communities. This concerned not only new arrivals within the communities, but also how to manage change in the case of transmitting the farm within the same family, particularly when the transmission was from father to daughter, and when the new generation wanted to change the way the farm was run (a shift to organic agriculture, or from raising livestock to market gardening for example). Becoming an accepted member of a rural community is one of the key levers to success.

Access to land

The idea of learning to work within local communities, to get support form local authorities and have land set aside for peasant farming and market gardening was often mentioned. This also needs to take the notion of collective property and projects as well as individual land-ownership into account. One idea for the future was to develop an on-line community to inform people of available land that might suit their project. Structures like Terre de Liens and the Nef in France are a help, but are not sufficient. Too much land is lying fallow, and although the first option is always to gain access to land through peaceful, legal means, a deep and total agrarian reform is needed to provide more equitable solutions. The Brazilian MST movement and their practice of occupying unused land is highly effective too… Each country has its own legislation, which can either facilitate or prove to be a major obstacle. Access to land is highly controlled in France, which is often a major obstacle.

Selling produce in direct supply chains

All the existing networks and solutions, such as the CSA (AMAP) were of course mentioned as part of the answer. But maintaining and even developing local farmers’ markets, direct sales on the farms, linking sales to agrotourism and other initiatives also need to be supported. There are also many atypical projects that do not fit into any mould, and that also need to be considered. The move to including organic local suppliers in public tenders in France is a positive thing too. Again, this requires lobbying and communication with local structures.

The urban dimension was also included as an important aspect, both in terms of urban and peri-urbans market gardening, but also in terms of linking up with other social movements to improve living conditions and access to healthy affordable food.

The camp ended with a peaceful sit-in outside the regional offices of the SAFER, the Société d’Amenagément Foncier et d’Establissement Rural, a State body that plays a powerful role in the sale and acquisition of land. This clearly showed the determination of so many young people to gain access to land, to build a European movement of young peasant farmers.

Author: Judith Hitchman

Original article in English and French

http://reclaimthefields.org/

http://reclaimthefields.org/content/action-à-la-safer

http://www.terredeliens.org