Crofter 93 - Scottish Crofting Federation

28let's liberate diversityTHE CROFTER, december 2011Celebrating crofters’ seeds and breedsThe Let’s LiberateDiversity forum is theannual gathering offarmers and associationsworking on agriculturalbiodiversity in Europe.The SCF is delighted to behosting next year’s forum, theseventh, which will take placein Strathpeffer from 9th to 11thMarch 2012. This will enable asmany of our members as possibleto attend the event, which will beheld in conjunction with the SCFannual gathering.The theme of next year’s eventis "Celebrating Crofters’ Seedsand Breeds" – looking at how theycontribute to sustainable land useand the high nature value of thecrofting counties.The first Let’s Liberate Diversitymeeting was held in November2005 in Poitiers, France, where150 participants, farmers andassociations exchanged viewsand experiences on the rights offarmers linked to the production,exchange and conservation ofseeds. This was followed byevents in Bullas in Spain, Hallein Germany, Ascoli in the Marcheregion of Italy and Graz, Austria.SCF was part of the organisinggroup for the 2011 forum heldin Szeged, Hungary. Its centraltheme was the question of farmers'rights related to the conservation,sustainable use and developmentof agricultural biodiversity. Lastyear’s event was attended by some280 delegates including farmers,gardeners and seed artisans,as well as local communitiesimplementing initiatives onagricultural biodiversity in Europe.This year’s event is beingorganised by the Europeancoordination of Let’s LiberateDiversity in conjunction with theSCF heritage seed library/GardenOrganic, Practical Action and othermembers of the UK food group,with support from the EU. Thefirst steering group meeting washeld in Balmacara last June; andwith the majority of the work sincethen accomplished by e-mail – inthree working languages – thenext meeting is due to take placein London this month.The programme for celebratingcrofters’ seeds and breedsincludes among others a posterexhibition, seed exchange, filmfestival and workshops on foodsovereignty, the Scottish actionplan, livestock health and policyissues – and poses the questionWhat is sustainable food?To find out more aboutthe event, visit our websitewww.liberate-diversityscotland2012.orgor keep up todate by following us on twitter at@LLD2012 or find us on FacebookLet’s Liberate Diversity Scotland.Further details and a bookingform are enclosed with this editionof The Crofter.Farmers' Seed steering group in BalmacaraSteering group members visit DuirinishSCF Board of Directors:Eleanor Arthur (chair)Derek Flyn (vice-chair)Marina DennisNorman LeaskAlasdair MacMhaoirnPaddy ZakariaFiona MandevilleCompany secretary:John BannisterSCF registered office: Unit 26,Kyle Industrial Estate, Kyle, IV40 8AXCompany Number SC 218658Charity Number SC 031919Scottish Crofting Federationrooted in our communitiesHow to contact ushq@crofting.org 01599 530 005SCF HQ, Unit 26, Kyle Industrial Estate, Kyle IV40 8AXCrofter editor –Fiona Mandevillefiona@crofting.orgTo advertise, contactClaire Nicolson onads@crofting.org 01471 833 239Printed using vegetable oil based inks on paper from sustainably managed forestsby Strath Print Ltd, Broadford, Isle of Skye email: info@strathprint.co.uk tel: 01471 822 555 www.strathprint.co.uk