South of England Farming Conference
Bringing together landowners, agriculturalists and industry representatives from across the South East, the South of England Farming Conference is part of our charitable remit to fund and support agricultural education and countryside learning.
It’s a chance to find out more about some of the most pressing matters facing the industry today, listen to expert views and get involved in the discussion and put your questions to our experts.
Adapting with Purpose: Farming in a Changing World
On Wednesday the 12th November we are hosting our Farming Conference on the question ‘Adapting with Purpose: Farming in a Changing World’.
Refreshments and the opportunity to network will be available for those attending in person.
With subsidies fading and instability rising—from climate shocks to shifting markets—farmers face a future that demands agility, innovation, and new ways of thinking. This conference will explore: Which farming models are fit for a volatile future? What does resilience really look like? And can the industry afford to cling to tradition, or is it time to back bold alternatives? Expect challenge, debate, and ideas that push the boundaries of what farming could, and should, be.
About our Speakers
Charlotte Smith (Chair) - Presenter of BBC Radio 4's Farming Today
Charlotte Smith is one of two main presenters of BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today. She grew up in Quorn, Leicestershire, where she volunteered on BBC Radio Leicester. Charlotte was then put on the BBC’s Local Radio Reporters Scheme before touring the local radio stations of Sussex, Cumbria and Devon. She then returned to Radio Leicester as a news reporter working alongside Julian Worricker.
She also worked on BBC national radio, The World Tonight. More locally to Leicestershire, she became a reporter and sports presenter on East Midlands Today. Returning to national radio on BBC 5 Live, she was a producer, reporter and presenter. Prior to Farming Today Charlotte worked as a reporter for You and Yours, the lunch-time consumer programme on Radio 4. She has also since been a television reporter on BBC1’s Countryfile, until 2009, and returned as an occasional relief reporter from 2014. Charlotte is also a mother of two children.
Helen Browning OBE, Chief Executive, Soil Association
Helen Browning OBE is Chief Executive of the Soil Association and a pioneering organic farmer. Born and raised on her family farm in Wiltshire, Helen knew from the age of nine that she wanted to be a “proper farmer.” At just 24, she took over the tenancy of Eastbrook Farm, soon beginning its conversion to organic production. Her work has focused not only on creating healthy soils and landscapes but also on championing high standards of animal welfare, particularly developing innovative organic pig systems that allow animals to live naturally outdoors.
Alongside her farming, Helen has contributed to national food and farming policy as a member of the Curry Commission into the Future of Farming. She was awarded the OBE in 1998 for services to agriculture. Helen believes true success lies in creating vitality and livelihoods from the land and finds her greatest contentment when walking the fields and admiring how well the next generation is now doing the farming!
John Gregson, General Manager, Regenified
John Gregson grew up on a 100 acre tenant farm in West Lancashire, an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to the vital role smaller and family farms play in the food system and the transition to regenerative agriculture. Today, he serves as the UK General Manager for Regenified, where he works to accelerate the adoption of regenerative practices across the farming and supply chains. Before joining Regenified, John spent 25 years at Waitrose in various senior communication, agriculture, public affairs and ethics and sustainability roles, helping to develop and implement the retailer’s farming and sustainability strategy.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a journalist and commodity trader, gaining a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. He is a graduate of the Royal Agricultural College. John remains passionate about championing regenerative approaches that can secure a resilient, thriving future for farmers and the land.
Richard Means, Managing Partner, Ceres Rural
Richard is a Managing Partner at Ceres Rural, a leading, rapidly growing, independent rural consultancy. Richard specialises in farm management and strategic farm advice to improve productivity, sustainability and resilience. He also carries out the agronomy and manages his own 650 hectare farm business in West Norfolk, where he has pioneered farm trials of various concepts and technologies. He is always willing to learn and does so through participation in several projects including ADAS YEN, the Kelloggs Origins Group and the Framework for Improving Nitrogen Efficiency trials.
He has undertaken several due diligence projects on large scale purchases and refinancing deals, in particular those relating to anaerobic digestion.
Richard is BASIS, FACTS, BETA and FAAV qualified and a Fellow of the Institute of Agricultural Management. As well as being a Trustee for a few farming clients, he sits on committees for the local branches of organisations such as the CAAV, IAgrM and GWCT and took on the Chairman role at Fengrain to oversee its financial restructure and ultimate sale in 2024.
Tom Heap, Journalist, Author & BBC Countryfile Presenter
Tom Heap is a regular presenter on BBC1’s Countryfile, specialising in the more investigative films, and has made many BBC Panorama documentaries on food, energy and the environment. Tom is also the presenter of Radio 4’s new Rare Earth series and was the anchor of The Climate Show on Sky News. He was the creator and presenter of BBC Radio’s flagship climate change podcast ’39 Ways to Save the Planet’. His latest book is ‘Land Smart: How to Give People and Nature the Space to Thrive’.
