Shumei participates in Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA) Webinar on Listening to the Land
On February 22nd, 2024, the Conscious Food Systems Alliance (CoFSA) hosted a webinar on Listening to the Land, A Consciousness Practice for Food Systems Transformation, exploring our innate relationship with nature and how we can improve our connection with the land through traditional practices and wisdom. This session was held in collaboration with Shumei International as a continuation of the conversation started at the Oxford Real Farming Conference on “Tapping into the spiritual aspects of Nature for the well-being of People and Planet.”
Charlotte Dufour from the Conscious Food Systems Alliance Secretariat moderated the session, which included presentations by Alice Cunningham, Executive Director of International Affairs for Shumei International, Shinya Imahashi, farmer and manager of the Shumei Natural Agriculture farm in Yatesbury, UK, and Patrick MacManaway, a third-generation “land whisperer” from Scotland, followed by breakout discussions. CoFSA is a growing movement of food, agriculture, and consciousness practitioners, convened by UNDP and united around a common goal: to support people from across food and agriculture systems to cultivate the inner capacities that activate systemic change and regeneration. Shumei International is a member of CoFSA and this was our first time presenting on the deeper spiritual dimensions of Natural Agriculture to other members.
Alice provided an overview of Natural Agriculture and emphasized that it is a spiritual practice and a way of living in harmony with nature that recognizes nature as sacred and perfect. She highlighted the importance of cultivating a relationship with nature and how a farmer’s own consciousness and attitude can impact the quality of their crops, soil, and well-being. This led into Shinya’s presentation on his experience communicating with nature, acknowledging that plants and soil have consciousness and how it has contributed to crop resilience on his farm.
As a Natural Agriculture farmer for 22 years, Shinya shared his experience successfully growing healthy crops without the use of any additives, including no animal manure, while practicing continuous cropping and seed saving. He honed in on the importance of purity in the soil, seeds, and the farmer’s heart and how developing a relationship of love, respect, and gratitude can bring out the inherent power in nature. Leaning into the theme of the session, Shinya recounted how he communicated with the soil and his tomato plants and trusted in nature to overcome aphid infestations and blight disease without using pesticides, organic fertilizers, or chemicals. His experience generated positive lessons on what is possible when integrating conscious practice.
The webinar then shifted to Patrick’s interactive presentation. Drawing from his lineage as a third-generation land whisperer, Patrick delved into the concept of vibrational communication. He explained how all beings, including humans, exist in a vibrational state, resonating with their environment. Patrick explained how understanding vibrational harmonics can help us to engage with nature to discern its needs. He led participants through an exercise on focusing their vibrations and noted that in the last 100 years, modern societies have forgotten native traditions and knowledge and that practices like Natural Agriculture should be our norm.
Overall, the session generated insights into the spiritual and practical dimensions of our relationship with nature. It underscored the importance of cultivating a conscious connection with the land rooted in respect, gratitude, and harmonious communication. Through these practices, individuals and communities can contribute to transforming food systems and fostering sustainability and well-being for both people and the planet.
If you’re interested in watching the entire session, you can check out the recording on YouTube HERE.
To learn more about upcoming CoFSA events, please check out their website at https://consciousfoodsystems.org/
