With rising food prices, climate change and growing urban populations, how do we make sure we can continue to put food on our tables?
It’s a fundamental question: for MIF13, Manchester International Festival and The Biospheric Foundation will be investigating some possible answers, creating and experimenting with sustainable food systems in a disused mill in the centre of Salford, on the banks of the river Irwell.
This is part farm, part laboratory and part research centre, all embedded in the heart of an existing community.
Festival audiences visiting the site will see it transformed from a derelict industrial site to a thriving agricultural space, with innovative sustainable growing systems all around the building, from agroforestry to aquaponics. A programme of related events, including special activities and visits for schools and families, will bring the research to life, exploring how these experiments into food, technology and design can help forge a new way of urban living. The full programme of events will be announced on 1 May at www.mif.co.uk
Salford City Mayor Ian Stewart says: “This is a flagship project for Salford – transforming a disused, former printing works into a world-first eco-centre which will have huge grass roots involvement and leave a lasting legacy for the local community.”
The Biospheric Project has grown out of work conducted for MIF11’s Vertical Farm and The Biospheric Foundation’s own research, supported by partners including Manchester Metropolitan University and Queen’s University Belfast. The Biospheric Project will help to put Greater Manchester at the forefront of this vital area of international research and activity, and will continue to flourish beyond 2013.
The project has recently received a boost in funding when Manchester International Festival secured £91,121 from People’s Postcode Lottery Dream Fund, becoming the first charity in Manchester to receive an award from the fund. People’s Postcode Lottery is a grant-giving charity which funds hundreds of projects that benefit local communities.
Commissioned by MIF Creative and Salford City Council.
Produced by Manchester International Festival and The Biospheric Foundation
Supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
THE BIOSPHERIC PROJECT
IRWELL HOUSE, EAST PHILIP STREET, SALFORD, M3 7LE Fri 5 – Sun 21 JULY
Free admission; booking essential
Full details of how to book tickets for events at The Biospheric Project will be available from Wed 1 May at mif.co.uk/biosphericproject
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