Climate change is real. The ice is melting, the earth is warming, and seas are rising. There is enough data, research and evidence to show that changing the way we grow, distribute, process, share, cook, and eat food can make a difference. It is not the only solution to reduce green house gases. But food has become an agent of change.

Is there hope? We take food for granted. Unlike civilisations of the past, we have become disconnected from our food sources. How often do we make the connection between the food on our plates and the state of our planet? How is food grown? Who grows my food? What goes into producing food? How far has my food traveled? How much food do we waste? How does farming and fishing impact forests and oceans? How are our regional rice, fruit, vegetable, fish and meat “baskets” coping environmentally and socio-economically? Does it matter?

Should we care? And how can we make a difference through our food choices? These questions piled up in my head and heart as I began my permaculture design and parenting journey. I wanted to make it my business to unpack these questions, provide solutions and inspire action.

How do we do better in urban centers? I'd like to think the work we do like cultivating food in urban spaces, creating conversations, inspiring action, connectedness and awareness around food systems and climate change can help.

Help people become a producer, not just a mere consumer of food. This was the premise of starting Cultivate Central; to make growing food, working with soil second nature again. To create a “grow, cook and make your own” culture in different spaces, communities and contexts.

I’ve been at this since 2013 when Cultivate Central was a mere blog. And along the way built a reputation for designing, developing and delivering engaging lesson plans, workshops and community programmes.

As a society we have the tools, resources, solutions and knowledge to tackle issues. Now it is on to the doing. Cultivate Central has worked on creating methods, solutions, kits, programmes, content and collaborations with talented, like minded and passionate practitioners and educators.

If you, your company, the school your child goes to or the organisation you lead are looking to invest in an Eco-initiative; start with a regenerative food garden or spark a transformational movement through eco learning experiences and conversations about food.

I've made it my mission to help care for the health of people and planet by imagining and creating practical local regenerative food utopias, spaces, commons, communities and systems. But I cannot do this alone.

You can make a difference. There are many ways to start. Start by addressing food waste and diets, protecting ecosystems and learning about how your food choices can shift agriculture practices. Or simply reach out to us.

I promise you it will make a difference.

Thanks for reading my rant. Let’s connect.

- Nova Nelson