Lecture
Fair income for Farmers: Towards a movement for Solidarity Payment
Financial insecurity is the number one reason that stops farmers from transitioning to a more sustainable farming system. This is why farms all over the world are developing their own financing systems, thereby questioning the whole economic paradigm. Join us for three events in March that address the questions around a Fair Income for Farmers: a movement towards solidarity payment.
According to the Rekenkamer, about half of the Dutch farmers have an income below the minimum income standard. Studies show that CSA farmers even earn below the minimum wage. To address this issue, Elkse Hageraats, sociologist and farmer at Ommuurde Tuin introduced the concept of Solidarity Payments and joined a worldwide movement to make (organic) agriculture fair, sustainable and within reach for all farmer and consumer.
Introduction and documentary
On 02-03-22 at 12.30
During the first event (during lunch), Elske Hageraats will introduce the topic of solidarity payment and how she set it up in de Ommuurde Tuin, after which we will show the documentary "Valuing the work of farmers: building solidarity in our communities" (Dutch subtitles will be available). Afterwards, there will be time for a Q&A with Elske and the documentary makers.
Wat is een eerlijk loon? (Dutch)
On 13-04-22 at 17:30
During the second event in our series we will dive deeper into the economic part. How can you introduce 'solidarity payment' on your farm and start earning a fair income? Farmer Siem from the Eet Meerbosch horticulture farm, will tell how he succesfully developed 'solidarity payment' for his farm. In the second part, we will look together at the target price: what kind of hourly rate should we ask as a target price? Is it acceptable that 1/3rd of all farmers in the Netherlands earn below the minimum income?
International Solidarity Movement
On 29-03-22 at 17:30
The last event in the series will be about the international movement. What does solidarity payment look like in a completely different context, for example where people in general have a low income? We will explore this question with Colombian CSA farmer Julián Cortés, and discuss options like a solidarity loan for farmers, and an international solidarity system, where shareholders here can buy a share in a CSA elsewhere in the world.