The Future of Farming is Veganic
Animal Justice Academy Lunchtime Live
with Meghan Kelly, jaz boler, Jimmy Videle, & Dan Graham
12pm - 1pm

Toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers, methane emissions from farmed animals, water pollution, soil erosion, and the destruction of biodiversity to make room for livestock grazing... Our current agricultural system is killing our planet.

The veganic food movement, though, offers an exciting solution...

'Veganic" is a combination of two words "vegan" and "organic" and refers to non-animal foods grown with only plant-based fertilizers and encouraging functional biodiversity so pesticides aren't necessary.

Four speakers from the upcoming international Veganic Summit will join us for this AJA Lunchtime Live to share their wisdom around veganic farming and gardening and why growing veganic is vital in creating a healthier, kinder planet.

Find out not only how you can get behind the veganic movement, but how you can practice veganic growing yourself—whether you have a big backyard garden or just an indoor pot.

*We invite folks to have their video on during this event to enhance the sense of community, but it’s not mandatory

About Our Guests: 

Meghan Kelly is an advocate for veganic gardening and farming. In 2008 she co-founded the Veganic Agriculture Network to promote organic food production that uses fully plant-based fertilizers, without any animal byproducts. She also teaches the Learn Veganic online gardening course to empower people to grow their own fruits and vegetables at home using sustainable vegan techniques. And Meg is organizing the upcoming Veganic Summit, a free 3-day online event about veganic gardening and farming happening from November 8th-10th, 2024. An avid gardener, Meg has been growing food veganically for 15 years in backyards, on balconies, and in the countryside.

Jimmy Videle is a farmer, activist, author, researcher and naturalist. He has consulted and researched with A.U.M. Films (producers of Cowspiracy and What the Health), the Humane Party USA and the Animal Protection Party, Canada. He lives with his wife, Mélanie Bernier and four rescue cats on the small-scale veganic farm, La Ferme de l'Aube Accueil in Boileau, Québec. He has been growing his own food for over twenty-five years and became a professional full-time organic farmer in 2005. His veganic farming and research has been featured in the bi-annual publication Growing Green International since 2016. He is the author of The Veganic Grower's Handbook: Cultivating Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs from Urban Backyard to Rural Farmyard, contributing author with Independent Media Institute/Observatory on the issues of agriculture, environment, nature and social justice. and co-founder of the North American Veganic Certification Standard whose mission is to certify farmers throughout North America and beyond in 100% plant-based agriculture practices that work to end animal agriculture forever.

jaz boler is a vegan programs team member with Food Empowerment Project. She graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in sustainable development, specializing in community organizing and human and non-human animal relations and ethics. Since going vegan in 2019, jaz has been committed to advancing both human and non-human animal justice as well as vegan food systems. This has reflected in her work designing the first vegan food systems class at her college, supporting vegan food accessibility efforts within her community, and dedication to advancing work on sustainability and justice oriented veganic agriculture. jaz is a dedicated yoga practitioner, avid gardener, and lover of all outdoor activities with her favorite adventure partner, her companion animal, bodhi!

Dan Graham runs the Vegan Organic Network (VON), an organization in England that has promoted vegan organic growing internationally since 1996 and created Stockfree Organic certification standards for farms in England. Dan produces regular online events including Veganic Gardeners Question Time and Farming for a Future, as well as in-person events like Vegan Organic Fest Cornwall. Dan helped create the Vegan Organic World Map to facilitate networking between gardeners, farmers, and veganic supporters locally and around the world. Dan also helps promote the Vegan Organic Network’s magazine Growing Green International.