Farming for Good

Overview

The Farming for Good event, held on 17 May 2025 at Solidarity Farm, brought together a diverse group of farmers, researchers, community leaders, and stakeholders with a shared interest in exploring alternative futures for farming.

Hosted by John Harrison and supported by Newcastle University and partners, the day was rooted in the principles of design thinking and rural innovation. The event focused on rethinking the purpose and identity of farming through the lens of personal values, community contribution, and alternative education. It brought together participants from across Northumberland and beyond, including representatives from family farms, educational institutions, and rural networks.

John Harrison's story

A central theme of the event was the personal and professional journey of John Harrison, the founder of Solidarity Farm. Described as an “un-farmer-y farmer,” John’s path has diverged significantly from traditional agricultural narratives.

Having originally started farming in 2001, John made the brave decision to leave the industry following a period of personal challenge. His subsequent work in Malawi, Liberia, and with homelessness in the UK provided him with a unique perspective on land, society, and healing.

Solidarity Farm was born out of this reimagining. John’s period of reflection, combined with an Executive MBA at Newcastle University, allowed him to examine farming through a different lens. He developed a mission centred on creating psychologically safe, value-rich environments for young people, particularly those failed by traditional education systems, including children with special educational needs and disabilities.

This sense of purpose, grounded in lived experience, has made Solidarity Farm not only a site of agriculture but also a place of transformation and hope.

Participants described being profoundly moved by John’s story. Many had anticipated that the day would inspire ideas for their own contexts; instead, they found themselves wanting to amplify and support Solidarity Farm directly.

There was a sense that this outward focus may have stemmed from discomfort with inward reflection, or perhaps because relatively few farmers remained in the room by the end of the day.

Nevertheless, the result was a collective recognition of the importance of John's work and a desire to ensure its sustainability. This led to questions about how the farm might function without John in the hopefully distant future and what steps could be taken to future-proof its mission and impact.

Find out more about Solidarity Farm

Collaboration and networking

Towards the end of the day, attention turned to the idea of creating a local network of like-minded organisations within the Coquet valley, Northumberland, where most of the participants were based. Participants highlighted the tendency for farmers to ignore opportunities for engagement with each other outside traditional settings like market days. While opportunities for collaboration exist, they are seldom taken up.

Any successful network, it was agreed, would need to be led from within the farming community. External imposition would likely fail. Attendees began to discuss how to overcome competitive mindsets that prevail around access to funding and support. A mentality of abundance, collaboration instead of competition, was emerging as a possible cultural shift.

The role of a 'Parallel Farm' model

Another significant point of conversation centred on the operational model of Solidarity Farm. Rather than existing solely to support vulnerable individuals, it functions in parallel with a working, albeit modest-scale, commercial farm.

This structure removes pressure from those receiving support. Attendees noted the value of this setup where participants in the farm’s programmes are not the central focus, but rather contributors within a functioning environment. This removes the risk of creating dependency and instead fosters a sense of mutual contribution.

The take-home message was that Solidarity Farm works because it is not the sole purpose of the farm, but one stream running alongside traditional farming operations. The interaction between these two elements; a viable farm business and a supportive, inclusive learning environment, creates a sustainable and balanced ecosystem, both financially and emotionally.

Education, labour and opportunity

A major theme that resonated with many was the potential for Solidarity Farm to act as a bridge between urban youth and rural opportunity. There was a shared concern about young people, particularly those who are disengaged from education, drifting into unemployment or criminality.

At the same time, the farming sector faces an acute labour shortage. The farm was seen as a possible connector, a hub that could link these two unmet needs.

However, questions remained around how to make these opportunities visible and accessible, and how to remove the structural barriers that prevent marginalised young people from finding a way into farming.

Barriers and opportunities

Practical challenges remain. The issue of affordable rural housing was raised as a barrier to accessing rural employment. There were concerns about scalability, sustainability, and long-term leadership.

At the same time, participants discussed exciting possibilities; creating more resources to signpost interested parties to the farm, collaborating with local businesses, and designing profit-generating activities to subsidise educational work.

The idea of farms offering open afternoons or engaging with schools and home education networks was well received. There were also discussions about using digital tools (e.g., FaceTime calls from lambing sheds) to extend reach. Suggestions included supporting John to present his story to other farmer groups, not as a prescriptive model but as an example of value-driven reinvention.

Conclusion

The Farming for Good event was a powerful, emotionally resonant gathering that challenged participants to rethink what farming is, who it is for, and what it can become. Through John Harrison’s story and the design thinking methodology, attendees explored themes of identity, value, collaboration, and education. The day left many inspired, hopeful, and ready to think differently—not just about farming, but about how land and people might thrive together in a changing world.

Watch the event video here Read the blog