Thousands of people once again descended on Lannock Manor Farm in Hertfordshire for two days of discussion, learning and celebration of all things related to nature-friendly farming. Here are the NFFN’s top takeaways from this year’s Groundswell.

With thousands of people in attendance and a midsummer festival feel, Groundswell has grown into an important and popular date in the agricultural calendar as well as a major showcase of the latest thinking about regenerative and nature-friendly farming.

Hundreds of speakers took to the stages across Lannock Manor Farm for two packed days covering all the hottest topics in farming, while there were also high-profile special guest appearances from HRH Prince William and Defra Secretary Steve Reed.

Here are five of the NFFN’s top takeaways from the latest Groundswell.

1. Climate resilience taking centre stage

   A key theme of the two days was how farming will cope with the increasing volatility of weather patterns and the challenges posed by the changing climate. This was the topic of the NFFN’s own event, with head of policy Jenna Hegarty and farmers Colin Chappell, Roisin Taylor and Rhodri Lloyd-Williams joined by Pete Falloon from the Met Office. A packed tent listened to the experiences of arable, horticulture and livestock farmers, with the discussion covering the shocking facts of the climate’s impact on farming and clear calls for action to give farmers the support they need to face the future.

2. Realism and optimism over the future of farming

   Whether it was the event dedicated to silvohorticulture or the numerous talks that touched on the issues of drought and heatwaves, Groundswell did not shy away from just how difficult climate change is making farming. But it was inspiring to hear farmers determined to find a future for food production through working in harmony with nature. Across the two days, realism about the situation was blended with optimism and suggestions that the solutions we need as a sector are already out there. Another key message from the festival, particularly in the high-profile speeches in the big top, was that nature-friendly farming must focus on the quality of the outcomes, both for nature and businesses.

3. Seeing nature-friendly farming in action

   One of the most attractive aspects of Groundswell is that it takes place on a working farm. This means it can offer ‘safaris’, taking groups out into the fields to see nature-friendly approaches to agriculture in action. This was once again a highlight of this year’s event, with safaris ranging from a look at the farm’s mature hedgerows with NFFN England chair James Robinson, to a dung beetle event co-hosted by NFFN Cymru steering group member Claire Whittle, which explained just how vital to ecosystems and nature these invertebrates are and how utterly dependent they are on choices livestock farmers make around putting animals out on pasture in fields.

4. Putting the next generation of farmers centre stage

   It’s an often-quoted stat that the average age of a farm owner in the UK is around 60, but Groundswell showed that the future of farming is in very good hands. The emergent generation panel put young farmers front and centre, while the up-and-coming generation also showcased their knowledge and passion for working with nature at an event dedicated to pastured pigs. It was clear that a new generation of nature-friendly farming leaders is beginning to make their mark, but they also frankly discussed issues such as impostor syndrome, work-life balance and coming into the sector without a farming background.

5. Coming together as a nature-friendly farming movement

   This year’s Groundswell seemed to put particular focus on breaking down the barriers between different sections of the farming community and defusing tensions over the way forward. Examples included discussions on the importance of teamwork and handling differences of opinion over nature-friendly farming practices, and the session asking if regenerative is the same as ‘old-fashioned’ farming. Branding, messaging and how nature-friendly farming talks to both the rest of the sector and the broader public were all thoroughly scrutinised. It was an important reminder that all those who believe in a more sustainable, nature-friendly farming future need to come together to deliver the agricultural transition.

With 10 stages and talks running from morning until evening, the programme at Groundswell can seem daunting. However, you will be able to catch up on some of the things you missed on the event’s YouTube channel.

We hope to see you at Groundswell in 2026!