2019 Crop; the debate what to plant and when.

[Note from clause 5 of founding team's "manifesto of being and working together"] Greater vision - we reject traditional ideas of success and endeavour to remind ourselves of the greater good and vision of a just, sustainable and ecological future that fuels our work together [end note] Key action words for me: "work together". Otherwise, the ideal is unattainable, which would call into question the reason for being. A convenient choice now doesn't organically flow into an enlightened one later.

I’d like us to have the freedom to experiment further and to support our host farmer and his farming system. This will, hopefully, give us some financial security where currently we are running on empty.
& we’d gain a greater group knowledge of agronomy to then discuss and implement development projects as part of OurField over time.
Cheers,
Steven

I do want to be more experimental and adventurous but I think it's important to recognise the lessons learnt by the 2017 investors and also accept that we're on a journey and it's a process that cannot happen overnight. We need to think long-term so with that in mind I am willing to agree to go on a more commercial route this year in order to move into more adventurous territory in the future...

I am voting to not be commercial as I entered this with the understanding that, as a collective, we were removing an element of risk for John in order to enable more experimental decisions to be made.

Hello! I feel a bit uncertain expressing my opinion here because I don’t have enough knowledge in farming but here it is:
If I was a proper farmer I would probably go for the crusoe wheat and for a much secure income. I have strong feelings towards heritage grains though because that’s what the world needs the most and if we can experiment with it and also fail and learn also that would be useful bunch of informations for us and others.

I find I have changed my mind today after reading people's views and thinking about why I wanted a safer option (because we haven't sold the Spelt). I realise as a 2017 member I will need to cover more costs but can't dismiss why I joined in 2017 and why 2018 members have joined us.

I am happy to grow a commercial crop, but would like to test some of the herbicide-free no till methods for removing the cover crop, as demonstrated by agro-ecology europe on their farms

I agree with Harriet. I'm happy to grow something commercial so we have the funds to experiment and be more adventurous next year - this will give us more time to really research and plan perhaps with a look beyong 2019 too, instead of being what can feel quite reactional and not giving good thought into what "experimental and adventurous" looks like.
Where I currently disagree is the role of herbicides and whether we can explore an option free of this?

already commented below!

I can not agree with using glyphosate.