Éditions Emile publish regular photo-zines looking at specific subjects through the collections of the Société Jersiaise Photographic Archive. In this upcoming publication, they turn their attention to agriculture. The zine, ED.EM.05 Agriculture – looking back to go forward is made up of images by Maurice Richardson who donated his archive to the Société upon his death in 2022. The collection provides an excellent insight into all aspects of rural and agricultural life in Jersey from the 1960s through to the 1990s. 

Agriculture was a subject close to Maurice, himself a small-scale grower, and from a line of farmers stretching back over 400 years. The photographs show an industry in transition but also an awareness and desire to keep traditional practices alive. The photographs are particularly poignant considering how many farms have closed during the period Maurice was active and since. For India Hamilton, author of this issue’s article, the practices and the deep connection to the land evident in these images, can offer positions for us to begin to re-imagine Jersey’s agricultural future.

This issue will be launched during the Jersey Festival of Words on 21 September 14:00-15:00 at Jersey Library and will include a panel discussion on the past, present and future of agriculture in Jersey, chaired by India Hamilton (Co-founder SCOOP and Jersey Food Systems Lab). Deputy Kirsten Morel, (Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture) will be introducing the panel discussion which will include James Godfrey (CEO Royal Jersey Agricultural & Horticultural Society), Aaron Le Couteur (Sheep Farmer and Conservation Grazier) and Kaspar Wimberley (Director and Co-founder SCOOP, The Sustainable Food Cooperative).  

This is a free event and we encourage anyone interested in this subject to attend. You can reserve a free place here. There will be an opportunity to buy a copy of ED.EM.05 and past issues at the event. Otherwise copies and a set of Limited Edition Prints can be purchased online at www.edem.je or at Société Jersiaise bookshop on 7 Pier Rd, St Helier.