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Regenerating Local Food Economies: Feeding Eight Billion

Concluding the 2023 series Schumacher Conversations: Envisioning the Next 50 Years


December 21, 2023

As the 50th anniversary of the book Small is Beautiful, 2023 is our opportunity to advance solutions to today’s social, economic, and environmental challenges that build on Schumacher’s original vision. To meet this calling, the Schumacher Center is convening a monthly series featuring New Economic thinkers, builders and activists from a range of fields. December theme is Regenerating Local Food Economies: Feeding Eight Billion.

The Conversation features three activists advancing just, sustainable farming practices through organizing, education, and innovation.

  • Elizabeth Henderson (Peacework Farm / Northeast Organic Farmers Association)
  • Dr. Wes Jackson (The Land Institute)
  • Dr. Vandana Shiva (author, Navdanya)
  • Severine Von Tsharner Fleming, host (Greenhorns, Agrarian Trust)

The event was held online on Thursday, Dec. 21st at 2PM (EST),

Each speaker was invited to reflect on the influence, if any, of Small Is Beautiful  on their socio-economic thinking and activism, opening up a broader conversion on the topic, followed by  audience Q&A.

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Event Panelists

Vandana Shiva

Vandana Shiva trained as a Physicist at the University of Punjab and completed her Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario, Canada on the subject of “Hidden Variables and Non-locality in Quantum Theory.” She later shifted to inter-disciplinary research in science, technology and environmental policy, which she carried out at the Indian Institute of Science and … Continued

Wes Jackson

Wes Jackson is one of the foremost figures in the international sustainable agriculture movement. In addition to being a world-renowned plant geneticist, he is a farmer, author, and professor emeritus of biology. Wes Jackson, the co-founder and president emeritus of The Land Institute, earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kansas Wesleyan University, a master’s degree … Continued

Elizabeth Henderson

Background Elizabeth Henderson farmed at Peacework Farm in Wayne County, New York, producing organically grown vegetables for the fresh market for over 30 years. A farmer, activist, and writer, she has exerted an enormous influence on the movement for organic and sustainable agriculture since the 1970s. She served for many years on the Board of Directors … Continued

Severine von Tscharner Fleming

Severine von Tscharner Fleming is an organic farmer, young farmers’ advocate, publisher and organizer based in Downeast Maine. She runs Smithereen Farm, a MOFGA certified organic wild blueberry, seaweed, and orchard operation. Looking out on Cobscook Bay, Smithereen farm hosts summer camps, camping, and educational workshops. Since 2008 Severine has served as director of the … Continued