BLOG: IMAGINE CITIZENS AS AN ACTIVE PART OF OUR FOOD SYSTEM

Where are the citizens in the landscapes of the future? How can we, the people, get involved in the proces of making our own food? Lets co-create the foodsystem and rethink our connection with soil, nature and food. By Helle Solvang - visionary, founder and director of Jordens Skole / Soil School. Initiator of BYMARK, a prototyping of the intertwined landscape and hub for restoration of urban nature and food making.

The Green Triangle: A Great large scale Project forgot human participation We are facing a massive transformation in agriculture. In Denmark the government driven project 'Den Grønne Trepart' will reduce industrial factory farming in lowlands and develop more untouched nature. We will see a treeplantning effort never seen before with 5707 trees being planted in average every day from now till 2045. We will see more large grazers too. Den Grønne Trepart is an impressive initiative. It connects nature reserves and preserves untouched forests, creating a continuous green landscape. Yet, one crucial element is missing: active participation from citizens.

Where are the citizens in the landscapes of the future? How can we, the people, get involved in the proces of making our own food?

If we, the people, do not become involved in producing the food we eat and in caring for the nature we live in, the transition to sustainability risks becoming a purely technical process. This approach can alienate people and reduce the chances of lasting change.

That's why Jordens Skole is supporting a broad public involvement and alongside other organizations we are driving this vision and sparks the conversation.

Why Citizen Involvement Matters in Food and Nature

Engaging citizens in growing, gathering, and caring for food plants can rebuild the connection, that many Danes feel they have lost with nature. Today, fruit, berries, nuts, and vegetables cover only 0.6 percent of Denmark’s land area. This share could grow significantly if subsidies would go that way and more people and hands were included in the process.

When people participate in activities like planting, harvesting, pruning, and seed spreading, they develop a deeper understanding of natural cycles and their role within them. This hands-on experience encourages respect for the environment and motivates sustainable choices.

Flax is a sustainable material that grows very well in the Scandinavian countries. Jordens Skole has involved gardengroups in growing flax throughout Denmark opening their eyes for flax products - both oil and fibre. Even small scale productions can spark an inspiration. At ByMark - Rungsted Kyst we aim to involve citizens as well as artists and designers in growing flax on a larger scale and is currently testing 25 different flax varieties as a part of a nordic research project led by NordGEN.

Ways to getting involved

There are many ways to get involved or bring people closer to nature and food production:

Regenerative, professionally managed fields

Supporting hundreds of small-scale, human-sized plant growers who want to involve a workforce of citizens. Businesses of all kinds can support by giving their employees the opportunity to help out for 1-4 days a month on a local farm.

Community gardens

Local groups can manage woodland gardens, orchards, berry fields, vegetable gardens or other food landscapes. They share the harvest among themselves and donate the surplus to food banks.

School gardens and school fields Creating school gardens and school fields where children can learn by doing helps foster an early appreciation of local food and nature. It also encourages healthy habits and outdoor activities. Encourage your local school to set up a garden or field / Involve children in the design, construction, maintenance and harvesting.

Workshops and volunteering

Organizing events where citizens can learn about sustainable gardening, fruit tree care or foraging can build skills and community spirit / Volunteer for a regenerative farmer or community garden. Be curious and learn more.

Seed sharing and planting initiatives

Encouraging people to collect and exchange seeds helps preserve biodiversity and spread knowledge about native plants / Share seeds and knowledge with neighbors and friends.

Benefits Beyond Food Production

Citizens involved in these activities will not only produce more divers range of fresh local fruit, berries, mushrooms, nuts and vegetables. It also helps restore a symbiotic relationship with nature, which many feel has been lost in modern life. It also promotes physical activity and mental well-being by encouraging time outdoors.

Moreover, local food production reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation and packaging. It strengthens community ties and creates a sense of shared responsibility for the environment.

Jordens Skole is creating spaces for ecological education and contact with soil and nature for all ages and kickstarts a conversation about 'the human involvement in our food production and nature restoration. Our project ByMARK is designed to prototype how civil society can take part in producing climate-friendly food and restoring nature.

Imagining a New Balance Between Work, Leisure, and Nature

This vision of an increased involvement in our food will of course demand a rethinking of the way we spend our work-time and leisure time. And that rearrangement might solve other crucial problems in our society. Many people wish to step away from screens and computers to engage even more with the natural world. Providing opportunities to do so through food cultivation and nature care could meet this need.

Imagine neighborhoods with accessible green spaces where residents can grow their own food. Picture schools with fields where children learn about ecology firsthand. These changes could make sustainable living more tangible and enjoyable.

Jordens Skole's ByMARK project as an prototype of the integrated intertwined landscape Jordens Skole is currently developing a piece of land 'ByMARK' (the field) by the townhood Rungsted Kyst as an example of an integrated landscape where culture and nature is intertwined where we welcome humans and their hands.

It is a beautiful open listed area surrounded by forest situated by the townhood of Rungsted Kyst just 20 min. north of the capital of Copenhagen. It is neighboring Rungsted Public School, Rungstedgaard Hotel, Karen Blixen Museum and Rungstedlund bird-sancturary. The project aims to demonstrate how civil society can engage in producing their own climate-friendly food and textiles (nettels, hemp, flax etc) hand in hand with creating the best conditions for more thriving nature and human wellbeing. Hands are being activated and our sensed opened and practised in a natural setting. The three-hectare area (or more) will serve as a living classroom, community hub for reconnection with the land and a blossoming pantry.

Visitors can learn about practical examples of sustainable cultivation. School children can be engaged in food foresting and seed spreading. Adults can bring their children to the regenerative no dig vegetable garden. The project even aims to inspire others to start similar initiatives in their communities.

How You Can Get Involved in the movement and Jordens Skoles ByMARK as an inspirational example of the future landscape

Involve yourself

By becoming co-creators of our food systems and caretakers of nature, we can build a more sustainable future together.

Financial support By granting Jordens Skole financially you will help us grow this vision, spread the engaging story and develop ByMarken as a living example of an intertwined landscape where humans can involve themselves in the food and textle production as well as learning about sustainable food systems and regenerative naturefriendly practises.

Spread the word Support projects like Jordens Skole’s ByMARK by spreading the word. If you are interested in getting involved please contact HELLE SOLVANG / JORDENS SKOLE kontakt@jordensskole.dk

Thank you

Helle Solvang - founder of 'Jordens Skole' (Earth School), Denmark 2020

/ Helle Solvang. Green public educationist, lecturer, moderator, facilitator, teacher, documentarian, visionary and inspirer. Long-time host on DR and practitioner of 'The Art of Hosting'. Founder and leader of Jordens Skole since 2020. Læs mere om Helle Solvang HERE

Read more about Jordens Skole HERE

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