‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s discourse and action on agriculture inspires contemporary food system visions
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‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s discourse on agriculture, as well as His efforts to establish a farm community at ‘Adasiyyah in Jordan, provides an inspirational example for contemporary action to create just and sustainable food systems. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá‘s approach, which corresponds to elements of the current global plans of the Bahá’í community, is compared to those of recipients of the Rockefeller Food Systems Vision 2050 Prize, the work of the Bahá’í-inspired Smallholder Farmers Association in Haiti, and other agricultural initiatives.
Hugh Locke
Hugh Locke is president and co-founder of the Smallholder Farmers Alliance (SFA), a non- profit working to feed and reforest a renewed Haiti using a new agroforestry model in which smallholders plant trees to earn credits that they exchange for seed, tools, and training. Locke is also president of the Impact Farming Foundation, which is using a social business approach to transform smallholder farmers into a global force to improve food security and empower women. Hugh was mentored by the late forester Richard St. Barbe Baker, and currently serves as literary trustee for Baker’s estate.
Paul John Hanley
Paul Hanley has published five books and 1,600 articles on the environment, sustainable development, agriculture, and other topics. Paul’s latest book is Richard St. Barbe Baker: Child of the Trees, part of the Change Maker series from Bellwood Press aimed at junior youth. Paul is a recipient of several awards including the Food System 2050 Vision Prize from the Rockefeller Foundation for kwayēskastasowin wâhkôhtowin, a food system vision for the Canadian Prairies.
45th Annual Conference
In the Footsteps of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá: Contributing to the Discourses of Our Time
The views expressed in this recording are those of the presenters and do not necessarily represent the views of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, nor the authoritative explications of Bahá’í writings.