What if we looked at health beyond the clinic — and considered the systems that shape our health long before we need healthcare?Join us at Lincoln University’s Ashley Dene Research and Development Station for a one-day interdisciplinary event exploring the connections between soil, farming, food, nutrition and human health. Bringing together perspectives from agriculture, science and healthcare, the event will examine what the evidence tells us about the links between the environments we create, the food we produce and the health of people and communities. Hear from leading researchers and practitioners, take part in an interactive round-table discussion and see agricultural systems in practice during a farm visit. The day will take a critical, evidence-based approach, exploring both the opportunities and limitations of thinking about health from the ground up.Whether you work in healthcare, agriculture, research, food or community wellbeing, this is an opportunity to explore a different way of thinking about prevention — and what we can learn when we connect the dots between farming and health.
Tuesday 3rd November9.30am – 2.30pm at Ashley Dene Research Development Station,736 Bethels Rd, Springston, Canterbury
"Building Healthscapes: From Farming to Mental Health" has been endorsed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and approved for up to 8 CME credits for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) purposes. Credits will be uploaded on behalf of RNZCGP Fellows.
9.30am – Registration & Welcome
Morning tea and an opportunity to connect with participants from healthcare, agriculture, science and related sectors.
10.00am – Opening Address- Prof Pablo Gregorini
Building Healthscapes: Setting the Framework
An introduction to the concept of healthscapes, exploring a systems-based approach to health and disease prevention and sharing recent research findings that connect farming systems, food production and human health.
10.30am – 12.00pm | Speaker Insights: From Soil to Health
10.30am – Jacopo Orazi
Soil, Food Quality & Human Health
Jacopo Orazi, Soil Agroecologist, will explore the relationship between soil health, food quality and human health, drawing on research and projects including work with Tūranga Health.
10.50am – Amanda Currie
Farm Management & Food Quality
Amanda Currie, owner of Tinwald Farm, will share practical insights into the relationship between farm management and food quality, including research into changes in the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio.
11.10am – Lautaro Di Martino
Integral Health Index: Quantifying the connection between Farm Systems and Human Health
Lautaro will explore how farm systems can be measured and understood in relation to human health, using knowledge graphs, AI and research data to connect information across agricultural and health systems.
11.30am – Prof Julia Rucklidge
Food Quality, Nutrients & Mental Health
Prof Julia Rucklidge will explore the connections between food quality, nutrition and mental health, and what current evidence tells us about the role of nutrients in mental wellbeing.
11.50am – Dr Ivan Lin
From Individual Health to Healthscapes: A Systems Perspective
Dr Ivan Lin will explore different healthcare paradigms and bring together the themes from the preceding presentations, considering how soil, farming, food and nutrition can be understood within a broader systems approach to health and wellbeing.
12.10pm – Lunch
An opportunity to reflect on the morning’s discussion and continue conversations across healthcare, agriculture, science and related sectors.
1.00pm – Round Table Discussion: Integrating Science, Farming & Healthcare
An interactive discussion bringing together the perspectives presented during the morning and exploring opportunities and challenges for connecting agricultural systems, food quality and healthcare in approaches to health promotion and disease prevention.
2.00pm – Farm Visit: Farm Systems & Food Production in Practice
A practical look at agricultural systems at Ashley Dene, considering the connections between farm management, soil function, food production and farm resilience.
Due to space, health and safety and biosecurity limitations registration is essential - please register every person in your group
Professor Pablo Gregorini, Lincoln University
Professor Pablo Gregorini is Professor of Livestock Production at Lincoln University and Chief Scientist for the Centre of Excellence for Designing Future Productive Landscapes. His research focuses on redesigning pastoral farming systems to be more resilient, sustainable and ethically sound, with a particular interest in the connections between soil, plants, animals and human health.
Jacopo Orazi, Radice Soil Solutions
Jacopo Orazi works across soil science and agricultural systems, with a focus on understanding soil function and its relationship with food production and environmental health. His work explores how better understanding of soil processes can contribute to more resilient and productive food systems.
Amanda Currie, Tinwald Farm
Amanda Currie works at the intersection of food, farming and human health, exploring the connections between agricultural production, food quality and nutrition. Her work contributes to a broader understanding of how the food system can influence health and wellbeing.
Lautaro Di Martino, Lincoln University
Lautaro Di Martino is an Argentine Industrial Engineer based in Christchurch, specialising in data-driven decision-making and applied AI. Working with Lincoln University’s Pastoral Livestock Production Lab, he uses knowledge graphs to connect farming systems, research data and human health, supporting more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.
Prof Julia Rucklidge, University of Canterbury
Professor Julia Rucklidge is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Canterbury and Director of Te Puna Toiora | Mental Health and Nutrition Research Lab. Her research focuses on the relationship between nutrition and mental health, including the role of nutrients in psychological wellbeing and mental health conditions. She has published more than 150 scientific papers in this field.
Dr Ivan Lin, Mind & Nature
Dr Ivan Lin takes a systems-based approach to health and wellbeing, bringing together perspectives from science, agriculture and human health. His work explores the connections between environmental and food systems and their implications for health and disease prevention.
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