Slow Food Farms: Frequently Asked Questions

Slow Food launched Slow Food Farms to promote and elevate agroecology as a way to counteract various global crises—such as climate change and biodiversity loss—while ensuring food sovereignty, dignified livelihoods for farmers and good, clean and fair food for all. Farmers are often the victims of the climate crisis, while also struggling to earn a fair living in an increasingly concentrated food system where large corporations reap the biggest rewards—at the expense of both farmers and consumers. Agroecological farmers provide an invaluable service to local communities and to society at large. They are the frontline fighters against the climate crisis, delivering diverse and nutritious diets, supporting local economies, and fostering resilient ecosystems. With Slow Food Farms, Slow Food showcases and supports farms that practice sustainable and equitable farming methods, promoting a transition towards food systems aligned with agroecological values. 

Agroecology is a science, a set of practices, and a social movement that focuses on transforming food systems by integrating ecological, sociocultural, economic, and political dimensions. It emphasizes the relationships between humans, animals, and nature in food production​.

The Slow Food philosophy is strongly intertwined with agroecology. Both are rooted in rebuilding relationships between agriculture and the environment, between food systems and society, between farmers, food artisans and citizens. Agroecology’s focus on sustainable farming and food production, fair distribution, qualitative consumption, and environmental responsibility aligns closely with the Slow Food mission of ensuring good, clean and fair food for all.  

Slow Food Farms aim to develop resilient local ecosystems, enhance farmers’ livelihoods and improve the availability of good, clean and fair food for all. By empowering the agroecological transition, Slow Food Farms ultimately aim to counteract the climate, biodiversity, health and social crises, while ensuring food sovereignty. 

A Slow Food Farm is a plot of land cultivated for agricultural purposes and according to the principles of agroecology, for growing agricultural produce and/or for raising animals for human consumption. It may comprise a processing unit, but it cannot be stand-alone. A Slow Food Farm is rich in biodiversity, is based on traditional seeds and indigenous breeds, maintains healthy soils, manages resources sustainably, respects animals, relies on synergy between the different components of the farm, is economically diversified and is ready to actively participate in the global Slow Food movement. Farms qualify to join the network if they meet a minimum threshold of agroecological practices: the idea is to encourage the farms who have not fully transitioned to further embrace agroecological principles, and to invite those who score below the threshold to gradually adopt agroecological practices. To ensure good, clean and fair food all, everyone needs to be encouraged to join the agroecological transition. 

A Slow Food Farm enjoys increased visibility and recognition through the use of the internationally renowned Slow Food logo and name. It benefits from increased market opportunities through the local Slow Food network of fellow farmers, food artisans, cooks, farmers’ markets (Earth Markets), food activists and conscientious individuals. The Slow Food Farm gains access to the global network of farms, agroecology experts and Slow Food enthusiasts, with the opportunity to participate in international Slow Food events, gaining visibility and exchanging knowledge with passionate Slow Food farmers. Finally, it benefits of the continuous support of the local accelerator. 

Yes. Slow Food Farms can use the Slow Food Farms logo to signify their alignment with Slow Food’s principles, promote their commitment to sustainable and fair food practices, gain stronger market access, and increase their visibility. The logo can be used on communication materials but must not be used on products. All terms of use of the logo are defined in the agreement that farms sign to confirm their adherence to the network.  

No, a Slow Food Farm does not have to pay a fee but is invited to make a discretionary contribution to the movement. Solidarity is one of the defining principles of Slow Food and is what allows us to grow as a global movement. 

No. A Slow Food Farm is defined by its adherence to agroecological principles and its commitment to sustainable and fair food production practices. It is not a certification but a designation recognizing farms for their alignment with Slow Food’s values and objectives. The focus is on the farm’s practices and principles rather than a formal certification process. 

A Slow Food Farm may be legally registered, though this is not mandatory. In many countries, small-scale farms operate as informal businesses or benefit from exemptions that allow them to function without being registered as legal entities. 

A farm can be nominated by a Slow Food Farm Accelerator, by a local Slow Food group and (as of July 2025) by a farm itself, by individuals or by organizations. 

Slow Food Farms Accelerators are Slow Food activists who help identify, support, and promote farms practicing agroecological methods. Their role includes providing guidance, sharing best practices, and assisting farms in joining the Slow Food network. They are in dialogue with the local network and the Slow Food headquarters, to ensure that the Slow Food Farms are well integrated in the movement and receive technical support. Accelerators play a crucial role in fostering the growth and impact of the Slow Food Farms. 

Individuals with a strong understanding of Slow Food, of agroecological principles and a commitment to supporting sustainable food systems can become Slow Food Farms Accelerators.  

Accelerators identify sustainable farms and engage in dialogue with them to understand their adherence to agroecological principles and their commitment to be involved in the network, with the help of a nomination form provided by Slow Food. Accelerators support these farms by sharing best practices, facilitating peer-to-peer exchanges, connecting the Slow Food Farms with the local network of activists, cooks, consumers, food artisans and fellow farmers, and sharing with the Slow Food headquarters the technical needs of the farms, so these can be addressed.  

If the Slow Food Farm is not already in touch with the local Slow Food group, the accelerator facilitates the first contact between the farm and the group. Slow Food Farms interact with local Slow Food groups, for instance, by participating in community events, sharing knowledge and practices, and joining local food initiatives. The relationship is collaborative, with both the farm and local groups working together to promote agroecological values and sustainable food systems.  

The Slow Food network plays a key role thanks to its deep connections with local food actors. Local groups can help identify and involve farms, can create connections between Slow Food Farms and Slow Food Cooks or Earth Markets, and can involve Slow Food Farms in local educational and advocacy activities. In other words, local Slow Food groups can help grow the network and amplify its impact by leveraging their knowledge, experience, and strong connections across the Slow Food network. Likewise, individual Slow Food members can play a similar key role, all the more effective when in synergy with other individuals and local groups. 

Yes, producers from Slow Food Presidia or Earth Markets can become Slow Food Farms if their farm practices align with agroecological principles. 

The agroecological transition involves both incremental and transformational steps, ranging from practices at the field level to reconnecting producers and consumers and building a new global food system. Through its programs, networks, and grassroots actions that defend biological and cultural diversity, Slow Food supports the first three levels of this transition: redesigning agroecosystems, eliminating chemical inputs, and using resources efficiently.  

Slow Food also helps reconnect producers and consumers, another key level of the agroecological transition, through initiatives that mobilize citizens. Finally, by influencing policy, Slow Food contributes to building new local and global food systems—the final step of the agroecological transition. Slow Food Farms embody this transition by elevating agroecological farmers and connecting them to a local and global network of cooks, markets, educators, and advocates of good, clean, and fair food. 

The Slow Food Farms learning phase begins. Together with the first generation of 200 accelerators trained at Terra Madre, we will identify the challenges farmers face on the ground and find the best ways to support them. After Terra Madre, the accelerators will return to their communities to begin identifying Slow Food Farms, collaborating with local Slow Food groups where available. They will visit 5-10 farms and submit nomination forms for those that meet the Slow Food Farms’ criteria. Slow Food HQ will review these forms and confirm the farms that meet at least 75% of the criteria outlined in the Slow Food Farms Handbook. 

The accelerators will remain in close contact with Slow Food HQ, sharing insights and identifying the technical support needed by the farms. Together, they will determine key areas for ongoing training and support. In parallel, Slow Food HQ will reach out to Slow Food groups worldwide, inviting them to identify local accelerators who will participate in capacity-building sessions. These sessions will equip new accelerators to effectively engage with farmers and provide necessary support. Regular training sessions will be organized by Slow Food HQ, while the first generation of accelerators will take the lead in on-the-ground training for future cohorts.