Seeding Liberation on the Land, with Dr Vandana Shiva, Leah Penniman, Chris Smaje, Abby Rose

Globally well-known intellectual and activist, Vandana Shiva has shown ongoing commitment in different fields, making it difficult to label her name under a precise and unique category. At the core of her activism there are: counter-development in favour of people-centered, participatory processes; support to grassroots networks; women rights and ecology. Author of numerous important books and articles, Vandana Shiva has shown a lifetime interest in campaigning against genetic engineering and the negative impact of globalisation, advocating for the crucial importance of preserving and celebrating biodiversity.

Chris Smaje has coworked a small farm in Somerset, southwest England, for the last fifteen years. Author of ‘A Small Farm Future: Making the Case for a Society Built Around Local Economies, Self-Provisioning, Agricultural Diversity and a Shared Earth’ (Chelsea Green).

Abby Rose is co-producer and co-host of Farmerama. As a farmer and soil health advocate, Abby was named one of 50 New Radicals by The Guardian and Nesta in 2018 for her work developing simple apps that help build ecology, profitability and beauty on farms around the world.

Leah Penniman (all pronouns) is a Black Kreyol farmer, mother, soil nerd, author, and food justice activist from Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, NY.

Ruby co-founded Advaya in 2015 and works as a curator, creator, yoga therapist and free-diver fascinated by how we relate to the world around us.