Grow joy and restore nature

Charles Dowding is an English horticulturalist, author, and for the past 30 years a renowned innovator of no dig growing, weed free gardening, and organic soil management.

Vandana Shiva is an Indian scholar, environmental activist, food sovereignty advocate, ecofeminist and anti-globalisation author and Earthed course teacher.

Tayshan set up Grow2Know which reimagines green space through innovative design, reconnecting community with nature so both can thrive. In 2023 he became an RHS Ambassador for young people and community gardening.

Andrew Millison is a Permaculture designer, instructor, and documentary videographer based out of the Pacific Northwest of the United States of America. He has been an instructor in the Horticulture Department at Oregon State University (OSU) since 2009 and he shares his research in story form on his popular YouTube channel. Andrew has travelled the world documenting large-scale and impactful land restoration projects, including India, Africa, and North America.

Tuntiak Katan, deeply rooted in his Shuar community, is a staunch advocate for the conservation of the Amazon and the rights of its indigenous peoples. His academic background has expanded his commitment to biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, territory, and sustainable development.

Helena Norberg-Hodge, a pioneer of the new economy movement, is the founder and director of the international non-profit organisation, Local Futures, and the convenor of World Localization Day. She is author of the inspirational classic Ancient Futures and of Local is Our Future, and producer of the award-winning The Economics of Happiness and of Planet Local: A Quiet Revolution. Other publications include ‘Bringing the Food Economy Home’ and ‘From the Ground Up: Rethinking Industrial Agriculture’.

Jack Hogdson is an urban grower and permaculture designer helping people reconnect with nature whilst teaching them how to grow their own vegetables.

Co-founder of the Landworkers’ Alliance, Jyoti is an agroecological smallholder farmer based in Dorset, UK where she runs a micro dairy and produces a wide range of products from cheese and meats to cider, juice and preserves. She coordinates the Policy, Lobbying and Campaigning work of the Landworkers’ Alliance and is spokesperson for La Via Campesina, which represents over 200m people in more than 180 countries.

Dr Hutchings has been working at the crossroads of Indigenous knowledge, whānau and environmental wellbeing for the last three decades and is a recognised leader in Indigenous food systems and Māori food and soil sovereignty.

Coralive is an NGO that protects and restores oceans around the world.

Alessandro Vitale, also known as Spicy Moustache, moved from his hometown in Northern Italy to London almost a decade ago, where he has since transformed his 8 x 5 metre outdoor space into a thriving urban garden.

Abel Pearson is a vegetable farmer, nature-based facilitator, permaculture educator and land steward listening for the stories we need to reconnect to land, food and seed. He believes that the kinds of growing and farming techniques we need for the future must come from a place of authentic relationship to the land, reverence for the life it provides for us and the wholehearted support of communities, gathered around a table or a smoking fire once again.

Thea Maria Carlson is a land tender, facilitator, educator, community weaver, speaker, writer, and co-creator working at the intersections of land and community.

Sidney-Max Etienne is a regenerative farmer, community activist, and artist from Haiti. He co-founded Grown in Haiti to promote ecological and community health through regenerative farming and community-driven change.

Will Bonsall, director of the Scatterseed Project, is best known for his work in preserving crop diversity. A regular speaker on seed saving, organic farming and veganic farming, he is also an active author. He lives on an 85-acre homestead called Khadighar Farm in Industry, Maine, where he saves seeds.