Pitch Up! is an annual call-out for sustainable businesses and start-ups to join a growing network of circular communities.

Pitch Up! match holistically-managed and regenerative farms with sustainable food producers and other like-minded businesses to share land, space, raw materials, retail or production space, by-products, ideas, knowledge, contacts, equipment, costs, and whatever’s needed to help good ideas grow into successful businesses.

Applications to take part in the 2024 for season close on 30 November 2024.

Find out more about Pitch Up! and apply

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial agents.

AMR is a pressing global health and socioeconomic crisis. It has significant impacts on human and animal health, food production, and the environment.

The World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of AMR and promote best practices among One Health stakeholders to reduce the emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.

Find out more about AMR and its impacts on the food system

SHAKE Climate Change are looking for founders and early stage ventures with exciting, original, and viable business ideas in agriculture and food production. Up to £125k of funding is available along with two years of expert mentoring.

Now in its fourth year, the Programme is hosted and led by Rothamsted Research and helps entrepreneurs and start-ups who are combating climate change with science or tech-based ideas in the areas of agriculture and food production.

Applications for the next SHAKE Climate Change programme cohort are open until Monday 6 January 2025.

Read more about the SHAKE Climate Change Programme and apply  

LandAlive is a new conference focussing on regenerative or nature-friendly farming and ways of making the food system more sustainable, equitable, and health-giving. It will feature a two-day programme of talks by top experts in regenerative farming and sustainable food. The new conference will be held at the Bath and West Showground on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 November.

Read more about the LandAlive Conference

In this talk organised by Exeter Food, globally renowned chef and restaurateur Michael Caines will draw upon his vast experience to address some of the most pressing challenges in the food world today, from the loss of biodiversity in the natural environments upon which our food depends, to wastefulness in our food culture. He will suggest that such problems may be addressed by expanding our vision in multiple ways, from developing a better understanding of where our food comes from and of the foods that particular places (including Southwest England) are best placed to provide, to making the most of seasonal foods, to reincorporating neglected elements back into our cuisine.

Register for Michael Caines’ talk on Eventbrite

In the first of the Rootstock Sessions, farmers and industry stakeholders will be brought together to engage in a dynamic discussion focused on the resilience and challenges faced by dairy farmers today. The discussions will feed into The Future of Dairy project, run by the charity Forum For the Future. The aim of the project is to help create a more resilient UK dairy industry that can withstand financial, environmental, and social challenges. A panel will kick off proceedings to highlight trends and innovative practices in sustainable farming as well as challenges. Facilitated discussions will then provide attendees the opportunity to share personal experiences and solutions, fostering a collaborative environment for problem-solving.

Register your place at the Dairy Resilience event

From finding land and setting up a community organisation, to financing the garden and organising its activities through the year, this workshop will cover all the essentials to set up and care for a community growing space. There will be opportunities to look at local community food growing projects. This workshop is for anyone interested in community work and food growing, including those who already run a community garden, or dream of creating a community growing space. The workshop will take place from 2pm to 5pm at Emmanuel Hall, Exeter, EX4 1EJ.

This workshop is supported by the Growing Communities Fund and is free. Booking is essential. For booking or further information, please email Clémence at zeromilegardens@gmail.com