Film night on trends in food production

What are some of the trends in food production that are happening globally?

Want to learn about sustainable, regenerative farming? Then set aside time next Thursday evening (August 24) to head along to the third Be the Change film night - The Future of Food - and experience six short films which document some of the inspirational trends and initiatives from around the world in food production.

Accompanying the films will be a panel of guest speakers who are authorities in their own right on sustainable farming, holistic land management and organic food production.

The film night, will touch on everything from community-supported agriculture, holistic farm management to integrated and diverse highly productive farm systems, as well as agroforestry systems.

Films are from Canada, United States, South America, as well as local content from New Zealand which will highlight what is possible.

Local to the region, Ruth Mclean, will share her extensive knowledge and experience which started in a farming family in the Bay.

Ruth spent 20 years in Australia, now specialising in horticulture. She currently teaches courses in commercial organic primary production at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology. Ruth believes creative thinking is important and needed in tackling our food supply challenges.

"Healthy food isn't the only benefit, there is good evidence that the act of gardening improves our health and wellbeing. Wouldn't it be great that anyone who wanted to enjoy a diet of healthy, delicious, nutritious food grown within walking distance of their kitchen could do so?"

Joining Ruth is Shane Ward who has recently relocated to the Bay from Australia.

Shane is an international design consultant passionate about regenerative agriculture and food systems. He is a specialist in soil management and weaves together the latest scientific research and sustainable management best practice into helping people turn degraded, unproductive,underused or unhealthy land into ecologically rich and economically profitable landscapes.

"The future in New Zealand lies in building healthy productive soils, which will better serve us into the future," Shane says.

Rounding out the trio is Jodie Bruning - mother, author and researcher with qualifications in Agribusiness from Monash University in Australia.

Jodie established the website SafeSaysWho.com in 2012 in an effort to understand whether the pesticide studies held with three assessment agencies - the US EPA, WHO and European Commission - were safe.

Jodie brings a strong scientific analysis and rigor and provides a wealth of knowledge on the impacts of pesticides on human populations.

"The quality and depth of knowledge in and around the Bay demonstrated by these panellists is exceptional," organiser Andrew Martin says.

"Having access to such high calibre people is a huge benefit for the Bay of Plenty. I encourage anyone who is interested in learning about transitioning to a more productive and holistic way of farming and growing to come along, learn and engage with some interesting and inspiring people."

Be the Change Film Night - 'The Future of Food', Thursday August 24, 7pm (doors open 6.30pm), St Paul's Presbyterian Church (Cnr Main Road and Mulgan Street).