In this month's episode, Lucy Ridge is joined by Tammi Jonas and Raj Patel.

Tammi and Raj have been in conversation over the last few years in various contexts, here they focus on the role of the state in our food systems, and how to create the counter hegemony.

The conversation explores the deeply human work of movement building with Raj talking to his lived experiences in South Africa, the Americas and beyond. In these times of trouble this conversation brings hope to the table to build the future we need.

Tammi Jonas is AFSA's focal Point for Farmers and grows uncommonly delicious pork and beef on the unceded lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung.

Raj Patel is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and academic who has been deeply engaged in the work of food sovereignty across the globe.

AFSA: https://afsa.org.au/

Follow this link to help fund this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/agroecologyradiohour

Raj Patel: https://rajpatel.org/

HEAL Food Alliance: https://healfoodalliance.org/

Abahlali baseMjondolo: https://abahlali.org/

As most of AFSA's work, this podcast is run entirely by volunteers, we are grateful for any contribution to help the production continue: buymeacoffee.com/agroecologyradiohour

Follow AFSA's work and join us at www.afsa.org.au

Agroecology Radio Hour is hosted by Lucy Ridge, member of AFSA National Committee, food writer, former chef, and passionate advocate for local food systems.

In this episode of the Agroecology Radio Hour, host Lucy Ridge talks with John Monaghan and Alan Smith from Rocking Chair Farm in the Hunter Valley (Wonnarua country) about how chance meetings, shared meals, and big conversations grew into an intergenerational farming partnership. John and Alan farm angus beef, Australian white lamb, chooks, hops, and veggies on 800 acres and sell direct to the public.

They unpack their journeys from diverse past careers to farming and then from conventional production to holistic, regenerative decision-making, and dive deep into their unusual succession and land-share arrangement that has been built on trust and relationships. Along the way they explore the real costs and legal complexity of doing succession differently, the value of involving partners and community, and why selling direct to customers has helped them build both profitability and stronger relationships. The conversation ripples outward into local food sovereignty in action, from field days to a micro-abattoir co-op and on-farm events.

AFSA: https://afsa.org.au/

Rocking Chair Farm: https://www.rockingchairfarm.com.au/

Follow this link to help fund this podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/agroecologyradiohour

As most of AFSA's work, this podcast is run entirely by volunteers, we are grateful for any contribution to help the production continue: buymeacoffee.com/agroecologyradiohour

Follow AFSA's work and join us at www.afsa.org.au

Agroecology Radio Hour is hosted by Lucy Ridge, member of AFSA National Committee, food writer, former chef, and passionate advocate for local food systems.

In this months episode we chat with Chris Smaje; he is an aspiring woodsman, stockman, gardener, and peasant in Somerset, southwest England. Chris is also an author who writes urgently about the need for a small farm future, making the case for organising communities around small scale local agroecological farming in order to meet both the environmental and political challenges of our times.

Chris is the author "Saying NO to a Farm-Free Future" and "A Small Farm Future".

Chris has just finished a new book "Finding Lights in a Dark Age: Sharing Land, Work and Craft". It will be released on the 11th of November 2025. It can be pre-ordered here.

Follow this link to help fund this podcast:

https://buymeacoffee.com/agroecologyradiohour

Links:

Become a member of AFSA: https://afsa.org.au/join-us/

Chris Smaje: https://chrissmaje.com/

As most of AFSA's work, this podcast is run entirely by volunteers, we are grateful for any contribution to help the production continue: buymeacoffee.com/agroecologyradiohour

Follow AFSA's work and join us at www.afsa.org.au

Agroecology Radio Hour is hosted by Lucy Ridge, member of AFSA National Committee, food writer, former chef, and passionate advocate for local food systems.