Project Process. Part 2: Exploring — Sensing and Mapping Relationships
Explore how the Roots and Rhythms project delved into the web of life at Lopemede Farm and beyond, laying the groundwork for an ecocentric approach that values regenerative relationships
This is the second in a series about the Roots and Rhythms project process. In this series, we share insights and learnings from each stage of the project, documenting how a life-centred approach reshaped our relationship with land, community, and nature.
Why We Did This
In the Explore stage, our goal was to deeply understand and map the interconnected systems, inhabitants, and potential innovations for Lopemede Farm. This phase was essential for grounding our actions in the reality of the landscape and community, ensuring that our vision for the farm was both informed and inspired by the existing ecological, social, and historical contexts.
Aligned with the North-East phase of the 8 Shields framework, this mid-winter exploration was a time for listening and inspiration—a period where new ideas begin to take shape, preparing us for transformative work ahead.
How We Did It
With a commitment to a life-centred approach, we began using systems mapping to uncover the complex interactions within the farm's environment. This method allowed us to create a shared mental model, recognising the interconnections between social, environmental, economic, and technological elements. Our focus was on revealing blind spots and forming questions to guide our journey, rather than seeking a complete picture.
To sharpen our focus, we employed assumption mapping, forming a hypothesis that guided our exploration: “We believe that creating space and support for both nature recovery and meaningful nature connection experiences at Lopemede Farm will contribute towards the reciprocal flourishing of all life, including human communities, for generations to come.” From here, we identified several high-risk assumptions, each critical to our hypothesis.
For each assumption, we conducted a mix of desk research to identify beacons of inspiration, alongside existing research and insights. We also engaged with innovators, researchers, and practitioners working in each area, inviting them to participate in a series of dialogues. Where possible, we brought these experts together in video calls, fostering an open and emergent environment where they could build on each other's knowledge and experience while relating it specifically to this project. These discussions always began with an ‘Acknowledgment of Context,’ reminding us of the interconnectedness of our work and our responsibility for the long-term implications of our actions on both humans and the rest of nature (refer to our pocket guide for more on this practice).
This article offers an overview of our findings and insights from this phase, but it is by no means exhaustive. If you have specific questions or connected inquiries, we encourage you to reach out to us via email. We’re open to sharing more detailed information and engaging in further discussion
Assumptions and Insights
Nature Connection: Creating Spaces for Deep Engagement
Our exploration into nature connection environments was driven by the assumption that increasing biodiversity at Lopemede would enhance its potential as a hub for meaningful nature connection. Conversations with experts like Professor Miles Richardson, who leads the Nature Connectedness Research Group at the University of Derby; Phil Greenwood, founder of Sacred Earth, a project focused on connecting people with nature for mutual well-being; Natalie Ganpatsingh, Director of Nature Nurture CIC, an organisation dedicated to connecting communities in Reading with their natural surroundings; and Max Girardeau, Director of The Visionaries, which champions change in education through nature-based approaches, enriched our understanding of what makes an environment conducive to nature connection.
Key Insights:
Local Biodiversity: Professor Richardson emphasised that “The more nature there is, the more there is to notice and be embedded in.” Biodiversity enriches the sensory experience, making nature connection more profound.
Participation and Engagement: Max Girardeau highlighted the value of local engagement through farming and nature connection practices, deepening people’s relationship with the land.
Inclusivity and Accessibility: Natalie Ganpatsingh stressed the importance of creating “stepping stones into nature” for those most disconnected, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and safe.
Sense of Place and Purpose: Phil Greenwood reminded us that nature connection can occur in both everyday settings and extraordinary landscapes—both hold the potential to foster deep, meaningful engagement.
Food production as Nature connection: Max Girardeau emphasised the opportunity of food production as connection. He said, "It has to be about participation, local economies, and local food production to engage people with where their food comes from and who is growing it."
Information Flows: When discussing the role of food Professor Richardson called for more "systems thinking in outdoor spaces, including the flow of information between local, biodiversity and food, and the importance of providing meaningful experiences for visitors." How might education and information design play a role?
What we learned: Increasing biodiversity and creating inclusive environments at Lopemede Farm can foster meaningful nature connection. Integrating this with local food production offers a tangible way to engage people with the land. Our research suggests that success hinges on clear invitations for participation, fostering local relevance, and ensuring inclusivity and access
Supporting a Diverse Audience: Breaking Down Barriers
We assumed that Lopemede Farm could support a diverse audience for nature connection, but this raised critical questions about access, inclusivity, and equity. Through interviews and research, we explored how to make the farm welcoming to a broad range of communities, particularly those who have historically been excluded from natural spaces.
Key Insights:
Historical Inequities: Professor David Olusoga’s keynote at the Blue Earth Summit underscored the historical disconnect many people have from nature, rooted in the urbanisation and land ownership dynamics of the past.
Practical Barriers: Dialogue with Max Girardeau and Alayne McDonald, Community Rail Development Officer at Oxfordshire Community Rail Partnership, highlighted the importance of removing barriers to access, whether they are physical, cultural, or logistical. Alayne McDonald noted, “Access isn’t just about physical barriers—cultural and logistical challenges must also be addressed to make natural spaces truly inclusive.”
Cultural Sensitivity: The panel discussion on “Decolonising the Outdoors” at the Blue Earth Summit, featuring Dr. Geetha Ludram and Oge Ejizu, stressed the need for a systemic shift in how natural spaces are managed, calling for spaces that nourish and value diverse communities.
“We must create spaces that nourish and value diverse communities,
not just preserve them for the privileged few.”
Dr. Geetha Ludram
What We Learned: To support a diverse audience, Lopemede must actively address historical and systemic barriers to access. This involves co-creating experiences with different communities, removing barriers, and ensuring that diversity is reflected not only in the audience but also in the team and partnerships.
Diversified Finance: Building Resilience Through Innovation
Our financial assumption centred on the belief that diversified revenue streams are essential for Lopemede’s long-term sustainability. We explored innovative financial models, such as those that integrate regenerative practices with community engagement, to create resilient and multifaceted revenue streams.
Key Insights:
Innovative Models: We discovered various models promoting regenerative farming and nature-based solutions. For instance, the Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs) initiative by 3Keel focuses on deals that enhance crop resilience for multinational food production businesses. These models offer potential revenue streams through investments in natural capital, ecosystem services, and community-supported agriculture.
Holistic Returns: The inspiration Commonland’s 4 Returns Framework integrates inspiration, social capital, natural capital, and financial capital to drive holistic landscape restoration. This model emphasises the importance of diverse and multi-functional farms.
Health and Social Benefits: James Vaccaro and Alison Rickett highlighted how deeper root systems and strong business models lead to financial resilience, ensuring that the farm can thrive even in volatile conditions.
Community-Based Initiatives: Projects like Eve’s Hill Veg Co and the HEAL 3x3 Rewilding project demonstrated the power of local engagement and crowdfunding in fostering community ties and financial sustainability.
What We Learned: Diversified finance models that integrate regenerative practices with community support are crucial for ensuring Lopemede’s financial viability while enhancing biodiversity and social cohesion.
Governance: A Living System Approach
Finally, we explored governance with the belief that new models could enable Lopemede to prioritise the regeneration of nature and community. Patrick Andrews, a lawyer and facilitator specialising in sustainable and earth-connected organisational structures, emphasised, “Governance should be seen as a living system, where diversity and adaptation lead to resilience.” His insights into biomimetic governance inspired us to view governance as a dynamic, living system, much like a prairie meadow where stability and resilience are achieved through diversity and adaptation.
Key Insights:
Ethical Governance: Patrick Andrews also noted, “Clear ethical guidelines are essential for navigating complex decisions and ensuring that governance structures reflect the collective wisdom of the community.”
Inclusive Decision-Making: Including diverse voices in governance is not just beneficial—it’s necessary for creating a thriving ecosystem that respects both nature and community.
Incorporating Ethical Principles: Governance structures can enhance an organisation’s resilience and adaptability. Faith in Nature, for example, legally placed Nature on their board, ensuring that nature's voice is considered in all major decisions. Riverford Organic Farmers adopted an employee ownership model, preserving the company’s values while empowering employees. Children’s Forest integrates ancestral knowledge and ethical principles into their governance through the concept of the Children’s Fire, an ancient pledge to consider the well-being of all species seven generations ahead. This practice guides their work with a long-term vision of sustainability and community engagement, ensuring that decisions are made with the future in mind.
What We Learned: Governance at Lopemede should be approached as a dynamic, adaptable system that integrates diverse voices and ethical principles. By doing so, the farm can support and foster a thriving, resilient community that prioritises the regeneration of both land and society.
Purpose and Values: Crafting the Farm’s Guiding Star
As we delved into the various aspects of Lopemede Farm, we recognised the need for a clearly defined purpose and set of values to provide clarity, confidence, and direction. Working closely with Eddie, the farmer, we drafted a Vision, Purpose, and Values statement as a prototype—a version based on our best understanding at that point. This prototype served as a way to test some of our early thoughts and allowed us to incorporate and test our research findings.
We used this draft to engage in dialogues with businesses already connected to the farm, using these conversations to quickly learn what resonated, what was clear, and what needed further refinement. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive; many saw their work at Lopemede as an extension of personal healing journeys, resonating deeply with the farm's vision. However, the process also revealed concerns about communication and uncertainty regarding future changes, highlighting the need for stronger community-building efforts and clear, transparent communication.
The insights gained from these early tests and dialogues informed our later work, ensuring that our purpose and values were not only aligned with our vision but also clearly communicated and well-understood by all stakeholders.
What We Learned: A well-defined purpose and values are crucial for guiding decisions and fostering a sense of belonging. These must be underpinned by consistent, clear communication to build trust and collective impact among all stakeholders.
Moving Forward: Towards Reframing
As we concluded the Explore stage, we found ourselves equipped with invaluable insights into the interconnected systems at Lopemede Farm. This phase allowed us to deeply understand the landscape, its inhabitants, and the potential for innovation, providing a grounding for the next stage of our project: Reframing.
The lessons we learned during this exploration—about the importance of a clear purpose and values, the creation of inclusive and biodiverse environments, the need for diverse and equitable audience engagement, the integration of innovative financial models, and the adoption of ethical governance structures—provided us with the insight needed as we moved into the Reframing stage where they would help the team prioritise actions, identify opportunities for Lopemede, and inspire our imagination of possibilities for the future.
With care and wild wishes,
Julian and George
On behalf of the Roots and Rhythms team
Let's Connect and Explore Together!
We’re eager to connect and learn from others who share our passion for land, community, and creativity. If our work at Lopemede Farm resonates with you, or if you have experiences or challenges to share then we’d love to hear from you. Let’s explore how our journeys intersect or how we might be able to support you.
If you’d like some inspiration for how to apply these approaches then check-out From Surviving to Thriving: a pocket guide to life-centred practices for farms, landscapes, and their stewards. The booklet features a curated a selection of practices designed to help reconnect farming, communities, and nature.