More than 350 exhibitors and hundreds of speakers will attend Groundswell next month – as the two-day festival hosts its most expansive programme yet.
Farmers, scientists, food businesses and environmental campaigners will gather at Lannock Farm near Hitchin to debate regenerative agriculture, soil health and sustainable food production.
Groundswell has become one of UK agriculture’s most influential forums for discussion – and this year’s programme reflects how those discussions have moved beyond niche farming circles into mainstream business and policy conversations.
Sessions will span arable production, livestock systems, carbon markets, biodiversity, food branding and agricultural finance.
Among the headline names is Andy Cato, the musician-turned-farmer and co-founder of Wildfarmed, who will discuss regenerative supply chains and consumer demand for lower-impact food production.
Transition movement
Food systems expert Professor Tim Benton is also due to appear. Other speakers include transition movement pioneer Rob Hopkins and Tom Macmillan, of the Centre for Agricultural Research Impact.
The speaker line-up highlights how regenerative farming is increasingly intersecting with politics, finance and environmental regulation.
Senior figures from the Country Land and Business Association will host discussions examining land use policy, environmental delivery schemes and private-sector investment in natural capital.
Other sessions include talks featuring environmentalist Ben Goldsmith and ecologist John Lawton, alongside politicians and land managers debating future countryside policy.
Alistair Carmichael, chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, is expected to address concerns about agricultural support schemes and regulatory burdens facing farmers.
Tighter margins
The event comes as many farms face tighter margins following weaker commodity prices and continuing uncertainty over environmental payments. Technical sessions remain central to the programme despite Groundswell’s rapid growth.
Many discussions will focus on practical farm management, including cover cropping, direct drilling, mob grazing, biological inputs and integrated livestock systems.
Farmers will also hear from businesses developing alternative supply chains and food brands linked to regenerative farming methods.
Organisers say the aim is to combine practical field-scale learning with wider strategic discussions about the future economics of agriculture.
Market demands
Groundswell’s growth mirrors wider changes across the food and farming sector as retailers, processors and investors place greater emphasis on environmental performance throughout supply chains.
Now celebrating its 10th year, the festival has evolved from a small gathering of direct-drill farmers into a major industry event attracting corporates, policymakers and institutional investors alongside growers and agronomists.
Alongside the main conference programme, visitors will attend machinery demonstrations, crop walks, livestock discussions and workshops exploring biodiversity, water management and natural capital markets.
Organisers describe the festival as “a forum for farmers, growers and anyone interested in agroecological systems to learn about producing food and fibre while regenerating the soil and land”.