On 12th November, the South of England Agricultural Society hosted its annual Farming Conference at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex. The event drew significant interest with over 200 people attending.
This year’s theme, “Adapting with Purpose: Farming in a Changing World,” brought together industry leaders to discuss how UK agriculture can stay resilient and profitable while navigating rapid environmental, economic, and policy change.
Introduced by Kaye Masefield-Baker, trustee of the South of England Agricultural Society, and chaired by Charlotte Smith, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today, the panel featured Helen Browning OBE, Chief Executive of the Soil Association and a pioneering organic farmer; John Gregson, UK General Manager at Regenified and passionate advocate for regenerative agriculture; and Richard Means, Managing Partner at Ceres Rural and a Norfolk farmer.
The conference opened with an impactful and poignant video message from Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh, Patron of the South of England Agricultural Society, who commented:
“This important industry has always had to be both resilient and innovative, but the current pace of change feels unprecedented. Tonight you will hear the views of leading industry experts on how farming cannot just survive but thrive, whether through fresh thinking, new technologies or alternative approaches. As well as creating a space for reflection, debate and shared learning, I’m grateful to the Society for also providing an opportunity for you to come together, in person or online, as one community to find ways of creating a positive collective future.”
Purpose, passion, and sustainable progress
Helen Browning OBE began the discussion by reflecting on her four decades of organic farming and the importance of purpose in creating a sustainable business. She described how a clear sense of values—soil health, animal welfare, and enjoyment—has guided her through continual adaptation, saying: “When we’re talking about a resilient future for farming, for me, I’m focusing on soils as ever, on trees, increasingly on water, because that’s going to be a very precious commodity indeed, as well as how nature, how the birds and the bees can aid my farming system.”
Browning emphasised the growing opportunity for cooperation within the supply chain and across generations, noting that succession planning and family purpose are becoming increasingly central to long-term sustainability. She also drew attention to soil health, water management, and agroforestry, highlighting how they will be key to sustaining productivity and biodiversity in the years ahead.
Regenerative farming and rebuilding trust
Next, John Gregson examined the potential of regenerative agriculture to restore trust between farmers, retailers, and consumers. Drawing on 25 years in food retail and farming, he described regenerative agriculture as farming that “really puts nature at the centre of everything”, emphasising that proof, transparency, and collaboration will determine its success.
“We’ve optimised for yield. Now we must optimise for margin and resilience,” he said. “We must design a system where good food is affordable because it is efficient in its truest sense, efficient with nature, energy, and trust.”
Noting how consumers increasingly expect food that supports people, animals, and the planet, he also reminded the audience that the UK food system’s fragility—exposed during the pandemic—demands long-term collaboration across government, business, and civil society to deliver genuine change.
Profitability through precision and purpose
Richard Means, who advises hundreds of UK farms, delivered a data-driven analysis of farm profitability in the post-subsidy era. Means believes success now depends on “maximum sustainable output” and the ability to balance yields, costs, and environmental outcomes.
Means advocated hybrid farming systems that draw on both regenerative and conventional practices, backed by new technologies. “The good times are definitely higher,” he said. “But I think we’ll see some very low lows as well. So, when the times are good, we need to make everything right so we have a solid base and platform to be able to survive when they become tougher,” he warned.
He also emphasised the need for long-term planning, and closer collaboration between farms and research institutions to improve productivity and sustainability, something Dutch farmers have done particularly well. Means concluded that the industry must embrace technology and innovation if we want to get in that top 25% of producers. “We need to be open to new technologies and have our eye on the prize, which is maximum sustainable output. If we can achieve that, and it will be different for every farm, then we are going in the right direction.”
Audience discussion: Defining purpose, building resilience
During the Q&A session, the themes of purpose, succession, and government policy dominated the discussion. Attendees asked how the next government could better support farmers through transition and how the sector could retain younger generations. One recurring theme was the need for policy certainty and recognition of agriculture as a “key strategic industry.”
There were calls for better integration between agriculture and public health, suggesting that food and farming should form part of NHS prevention strategies. The panel also highlighted the need for consumer empowerment through honest labelling and education, while urging tax reform and fair-trade measures to help UK farmers compete internationally.
The panel also addressed soil health and community access to land, highlighting the benefits of agroforestry and diversity in improving soil structure and resilience. There was praise for community-led and “care farm” initiatives for reconnecting people with food production.
Shared vision for a sustainable future
The evening concluded with a shared commitment to collaboration, innovation, and clear purpose as the cornerstones of farming’s future. Panellists and attendees agreed that the next generation of farming must combine economic resilience with environmental responsibility—ensuring the sector not only survives but thrives in a rapidly changing world.
Key discussion points from the event:
Succession, skills and enjoyment: the importance of succession planning, farmer wellbeing, and maintaining a sense of enjoyment and purpose in farming life, ensuring the next generation sees a viable and fulfilling future in agriculture.
Defining purpose and adaptation: successful adaptation in farming begins with identifying a clear purpose. Whether driven by environmental goals, business resilience, or family succession, purpose provides direction and meaning when it comes to decision-making.
Farming with nature and regenerative practices: the shift toward regenerative and nature-friendly farming, placing soil, water, and biodiversity at the heart of food production. Regenerative agriculture was presented as a route to profitability, resilience, and public trust.
From yield to margin: the transition from maximising yield to maximising margin and efficiency. Farmers were encouraged to focus on profitability, resilience, and long-term soil health rather than short-term output.
Technology, data and AI: the role of digital innovation, data analysis, and automation in improving farm performance. Participants noted the need for better digital infrastructure, data literacy, and awareness of AI’s environmental costs.
Private investment and new revenue streams: the rise of private environmental finance as opportunities to supplement declining subsidies, provided these systems are transparent and well-regulated.
Hybrid and diversified farming models: the panel supported hybrid approaches tailored to each farm’s soils, scale, and management capacity. Success was linked to experimentation, collaboration, and local context.
Government policy and market frameworks: the need for a long-term, joined-up policy framework that recognises farming’s strategic importance, integrates food and public health, and ensures fair global competition.
Community access and public engagement: a call for greater community involvement to connect people to food production and rebuild public trust in farming.