A is for Apple is a project that looks at the changing landscape of apple farming post-Brexit in England. Apples have often been referred to as the most English fruit. Shakespeare would often refer to apples in his sonnets, there were many tales of scrumping, and today England celebrates Apple Day on October 21st. Many books have been published on the different sorts of apples in England, their history and cultural significance. This tells us that food is not only a basic need but also represents tradition and heritage. It is key to look at farming in this process of cultural make up, since it is the origin of food. Not only does it feed society, it also represents our demands.

Brexit will change the production, trade and consumption of apples in England with its new policies. One of these policies is restricting the use of migrant seasonal workers, which may cause a lot of farms to shut down. Some people are turning to robotics as the solution to replace human workforce. A is for Apple aims to open a conversation among farmers, migrant workers and consumers about these new, changing policies. It will focus on personal lives and stories. We pose the questions: What relationships will be affected? What are appropriate interventions to farming processes? How do we imagine a humane future for farming?

The project will have four events in key apple farming locations in England and a summative exhibition in London. There will be research, farm visits, exhibitions, presentations and discussions by individuals within the fields of arts, ecology and natural science.

Why now?