Another rural is possible! ARC2020 and friends were in Cloughjordan Ecovillage, Ireland on March 25-26 for the annual Feeding Ourselves gathering, which takes food and farming as an entry point for moving towards fairer, more caring communities. What are the ingredients to cook up transformative system change? How can we build bridges between islands of practice? Why do we need to keep talking about gender? Louise Kelleher gives us a taste of conversations and connections at Feeding Ourselves 2023.

I was in the mood for dancing. First, though, I braced myself for a sombre presentation on the curlew, one of Ireland’s most threatened farmland birds. 

It wasn’t what I expected. The curlew inspires a cultural heritage all of its own, which may be key to saving it from extinction. The talk was an awe-filled tribute to this magnificent wader. Some unintentional comedy helped, with zany technical hitches to remind us that humour and resilience are needed in addressing the biodiversity crisis. 

That is the magic of Cloughjordan Ecovillage, and its annual think-in Feeding Ourselves. In its 12th edition this year, this springtime gathering brings together agroecological farmers and workers, environmental advocates, and people active in fair food systems and rural regeneration. Connections are woven year to year to ensure that, increasingly, the Feeding Ourselves magic lasts all year round.