"I loved how it bought together farmers, research, businesses, policy makers and growers on practical regenerative solutions."
- Jenny, CEO
From the moment we walked through the gates, the conversations started.
“What brings you here, then?” one person asked their neighbour waiting in line.
“I’m from a collective of women in farming and I love this festival,” she replied.
“I’m from Kent, where we’re restoring wetlands, and I want to learn,” said another attendee at a picnic table over lunch.
“I’m studying food systems - I've never been before, but I’ve observed so much in just one morning,” said the person who sat down opposite her.
This was Groundswell, the tenth festival of regenerative agriculture, where a record 10,000 people were welcomed by Lannock Farm in Hertfordshire, where guests came to connect, learn and share practical solutions to some of the major challenges faced today across food and farming. The festival was buzzing with ideas that streamed out of every corner - panel talks, book discussions and film screenings to live demos and nature ‘safaris’.
These kinds of interactions are typical of the Groundswell experience – that you can talk to someone who you’ve never met before, and exchange something brief and uplifting, or it could even be the start of a great new relationship.
For some of our team, it was the first time they’d visited – and they’re already looking forward to next year’s sessions.
Here are some of the things we learnt across the two days.
“SMALL STEPS ARE OK”
Janie Bickersteth, OxFarmToFork, Project Lead:
Loved: the buzz, the connections with old friends and new, the hope... and, of course, dancing to Groove Armada.
Learnt: that 'regenerative' has become more palatable to ‘conventional’ farmers – it's a smaller step than agroecological and organic, but this is OK – we need to lean into any progress we can make away from industrial farming practices.
"SO MANY PRACTICAL, REGENERATIVE SOLUTIONS”
Jenny Ekelund, Good Food Oxfordshire, CEO:
Loved: this was my first Groundswell experience. I loved how it bought together farmers, research, businesses, policy makers and growers on practical regenerative solutions. The political interest felt encouraging, too – it was great to see Climate Minister Katie White on a chaired panel.
Learnt: that there are around 60 different species of dung beetle in the UK, at least 50% of which are threatened to some degree. Their role in soil health is vital in aerating compacted soil and improving water filtration.
“WE MUST BE BRAVE TO STEP INTO THE FUTURE!”
Rose Birch, OxFarmToFork, Logistics and Data Coodinator:
Loved: the ‘Time Travellers’ session, where we were collectively taken to 2036 (imagining positive, evidence-based possibilities for the future of food and farming) and that all their aspirations for green cities and local growing. Individually these sound unachievable but are already being done in individual places. This means we already have proof they work - but we just need to be brave enough to try them!
Learnt: that the recognition of a reduction in inputs being a driver to regenerative farming is key and would lead to healthier food. It felt as if the word regenerative was becoming more defined. In the opening speech, Philippe Birker talked about how we cannot call a farm regenerative if it is not constantly reducing its inputs (and therefore enabling biodiversity and the regeneration of its soil).
“DON’T JUST TELL STORIES – TELL THEM WITH OTHERS”
Victoria Stewart-Mitchell, OxFarmToFork/GFO, Comms & Fundraising Consultant
Loved: the idea of a Global Regenerative Agriculture University or that of Farms as Universities. I loved Josh & Rebecca Tickell’s (the Groundswell filmmakers) idea of storytelling with others. “Don’t always do it alone – find others who support you and do it together!" As a Groundswell first-timer, I loved these moments of uplift!
Learnt: It was incredible so see water disappearing into the soil in only 12 seconds, which I learnt was a sign of healthy soil during the 'soil health indicators' session with Soil Mentor. Meanwhile, Prof. Tim Benton gave a bleak talk about global food insecurity and encouraged us to adjust our mindset from the current thinking that global shocks are one-offs, to the expectation that they will happen continually, with resources being stretched even further. His advice? "Imagine you’ve got five minutes in a room with Donald Trump – how will you convince him of your perspective?”
"What if Oxfordshire could feed Oxfordshire?" That’s the question driving OxFarmToFork. We’re moving away from wasteful global systems and back to a model built on collaboration and fair pay for farmers.
Whether you’re a grower looking for a fair market or a supporter of a resilient local food system, we want to hear from you. Get in touch at oxfarmtofork@gfo.org.uk
