Five conversations we’re still thinking about after Groundswell

The regenerative agriculture festival marked its tenth year at Lannock Farm in Hertfordshire, bringing together around 500 speakers and 375 exhibitors. It was a valuable opportunity to see what is new in agri-tech while also exploring the policy, environmental, and consumer changes needed to support more sustainable agriculture.

Here are five of our main takeaways:

1. Agricultural innovation must build on generational know-how

While technological developments in agriculture provide new possibilities- whether that be to optimise farming practices or mitigate against climate change, or both – it is important to acknowledge and retain practical knowledge develop through years of working with specific animals, crops and landscapes. For example, when you combine a useful product like virtual fencing collars with the shepherding skills and understanding of the land of a Highland sheep farmer, innovation adds value.

What we’re taking forward

The question is not simply how technology can change agriculture, but how innovation can work with and strengthen the knowledge that already exists in traditional farming communities.

2. Sustainability needs a joined up approach

While Groundswell is focused on agriculture, sustainable farming cannot be considered separately from wider national and global sustainability goals. Agriculture connects with energy, land use, biodiversity, food systems, supply chains and climate resilience.

Citizens of Soil was an interesting example of this in practice. Its approach to olive oil brings together regenerative farming, soil health, relationships with producers and the way those practices are communicated to consumers, all while rising temperatures in the Mediterranean are negatively impacting olive oil production.

What we’re taking forward

Achieving a more sustainable future requires joined up thinking across sectors, rather than treating each sustainability challenge as a separate issue.

3. Consumers want to hear about the process, not just the product

Many conversations at Groundswell highlighted the need to look at food as part of a wider, connected system, involving everything from soil quality and biodiversity to farming challenges and what eventually appears on supermarket shelves.

Consumers often see the final product in complete separation from the wider food system. But there is growing curiosity about how food is grown and what that means for them.  Brands like Riverford Organic are building on this by educating customers about all the value of better farming.

What we’re taking forward

Brands should be framing better farming practises – whether it’s organic or regenerative – as an active investment in one’s own health, wellbeing and future, not simply “environmentalist” action.

4. Farmers must be part of the sustainability conversation

Farmers’ needs, realities and language must be understood and reflected in the policies and decisions that affect them. Approaches developed without practical farming knowledge can create a gap between what is expected in theory and what can realistically be implemented.

The burden for sustainability is often shifted onto farmers without thought for the extreme financial pressures they are under, and the need to prioritise productivity in the short term. Research into the adoption of more sustainable farming practices also shows that local environmental and economic conditions matter.

What we’re taking forward

We need to marry up our ambitions for sustainability with the practical realities of farming, speaking with – not at – farmers.

 5. Soil health is a key focus of innovation in agriculture

Soil health was, unsurprisingly, a key topic at this year’s festival. Evidence only grows about its importance for crop performance and long term productivity for farms.

There was a particular focus on innovation that can track, measure and analyse soil data, while helping farmers understand how soil conditions are changing over time.

What we’re taking forward

As innovation and understanding grows, more and more farmers beyond the regenerative movement will prioritise the health of their soil.