Groundswell provides a forum for farmers and anyone interested in food production or the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of conservation agriculture or regenerative systems, including cover crops and reintroducing livestock into the arable rotation, with a view to improving soil.
The event features talks, forums and discussions from leading international soil health experts, experienced arable and livestock farmers, agricultural policy experts and AgTech innovators. Find out more about Groundswell 2026.
What’s happening on stand and across the festival
- Don't miss our Environmental scheme clinics
- Day 1 11:00 – 12:00 | Sofa session: ‘Why not pulses? Driving sustainable protein uptake’
- Day 1 14:00 – 15:00 | Panel discussion: ‘Supporting landowners through change: The practical role of accreditation and collaboration’
- Day 2 10:00 – 11:00 | Sofa session: ‘Why Livestock Still Matters in Modern Arable Systems’
- NFU off-stand activity
What’s happening on stand?
Find out what is happening on stand (C10 in the Pasture Field) across the packed two-day event.
Day 1 – Wednesday 1 July
11:00 – 12:00 | Sofa session: ‘Why not pulses? Driving sustainable protein uptake’
Pulses and their place within the rotation and across the supply chain continue to gain attention as retailers, producers and consumers look towards the sustainability of products. We take a deep dive into how growers can incorporate protein crops into their rotations, how government can support their uptake and what actions businesses can take to make the most of the opportunities within the marketplace.
This session explores barriers, the role of research and development, and the actions needed across the supply chain.
Day 1 sofa session expert panel:
Chaired by:
Day 2 – Thursday 2 July
10:00 – 11:00 | Sofa session: ‘Why Livestock Still Matters in Modern Arable Systems’
We take a deep dive into the checks and balances of integrating livestock into an arable system with Farmers Weekly, Farm Manager of the Year Ryan McCormack. Ryan who manages Dennington Hall Estates has taken an integrated approach to regenerative practices across the estate and takes to the sofa to talk through his grazing for profitability approach.
Livestock remain one of the most effective tools for improving soil health, managing crops, and reducing input costs within regenerative arable systems. The reasons for bringing livestock back onto arable land are practical, economic, and ecological: There is a strong desire from the across the supply chain to grow livestock numbers to help meet the demand for high-quality protein domestically and in a growing number of export markets.
Day 2 sofa session expert panel:
Chaired by:
Environmental scheme clinics
Thrings Head of Natural Capital Harvey Davies is available on the NFU stand (C10 in the Pasture Field) to provide 15-minute clinics to NFU members who are considering environmental schemes as part of their business and keen to understand more about the associated legal issues.
Thrings is an independent, award-winning law firm with more than three centuries of legal heritage and seven offices across the country. As one of the UK’s leading agricultural law firms, we are at the forefront of natural capital. We help farmers unlock new commercial opportunities from environmental change, advising on innovative projects that that have delivered positive environmental outcomes alongside strong commercial results.
Win a prize
There will be a spin the wheel to win fresh British fruit and vegetable produce on stand.
Refreshments
Tea, coffee and other refreshments will be available on stand throughout the two-day event.
Part of the BASIS Knowledge Trail
Come to the stand to collect your CPD points as part of the BASIS Knowledge Trail.
NFU activity across the festival
The Workshop
Find NFU Education in The Workshop on day 1, 10:00 – 10:55, for a workshop entitled ‘Through the Farm Gate: Removing Barriers, Building Belonging’.
NFU Education is teaming up with The Country Trust and Emergent Generation to run a workshop exploring the cultural, structural and informational barriers to engaging with and entering the farming industry.
Using the perspectives of each organisation, the session will examine how people engage with food, farming and land and identify barriers and ways to overcome them, including envisioning what a more inclusive pathway could look like.
On day 2, The Workshop will host the session ‘Solutions for Local Slaughter: Small Abattoirs in Local Meat Supply Chains’.
Hear from experts in the small abattoir sector, including NFU Senior Veterinary Adviser Claire White, as they discuss new smaller, on farm and mobile abattoirs and take questions from the audience.
Claire is joined by Kevin Maher (Food Standards Agency), Andy Gray (The Centre for Dynamic Soils), National Craft Butchers Managing Director Eleanor O’Brien, and Tom Bowling, abattoir owner, farmer and butcher at Edge and Son Ltd.
The Study
Head to The Study on day 1 from 16:00 – 16:55 for the session ‘Changing Climate, Changing Crops: Scaling Novel Crops’ which will explore diversification by way of novel and non-traditional crops.
The session will feature David Lord, NFU East region crops board member and farmer at Earls Hall Farm, alongside Jenna Hegarty, head of policy at Nature Friendly Farming Network, and Josiah Meldrum, co-founder of Hodmedod Ltd.
Meet your NFU team on stand
Luke Cox
NFU combinable crops senior policy adviser
Fiona Dallyn
NFU Food Business Relationships Adviser
She began her NFU career in the campaigns team before moving into the member experience team, gaining insight into both public engagement and member needs.
Fiona now works in the food business unit, where she focuses on fairness in the supply chain and supporting a more sustainable, resilient future for British farming.
Her practical farming background underpins her work and keeps her closely connected to the challenges facing producers.
Alastair Heinrich
NFU Policy Adviser (Combinable Crops)
Alastair graduated from Harper Adams in 2018 with a 2:1 BSC (Hons) in Agri-Business.
Following his passion for agricultural policy, Alastair joined the NFU's graduate trainee programme in 2020.
Prior to Alastair's current role, he worked as an environment adviser, specialising in air and water quality.
Claire Robinson
Senior Countryside Adviser
John Royle
Chief Livestock Adviser
John is responsible for representing the interests of beef and sheep members on a wide range of policy issues. The livestock team manage the national livestock board and uplands forum.
Poppy Sherborne
NFU Countryside adviser
As well as communicating developments and consulting on changes in policy with members, Poppy regularly engages and works with key industry stakeholders such as Defra, Natural England and the RPA.
After completing a Master's degree at the Royal Agricultural University, Poppy has undertaken various roles within the agricultural industry before joining the NFU in 2021.
Poppy is from a farming family and understands the challenges many farmers face; Poppy is therefore passionate about ensuring environmental policy works for agricultural businesses.
Claire White
NFU Senior Veterinary Adviser
Rob Wise
Regional Environment and Land Use Adviser
Rob grew up on his family’s arable farm in Cavendish, Suffolk and studied agriculture at Newcastle University, before completing an MSc in agricultural economics at Michigan State University.
Before joining the NFU his career included five years of policy work in Washington DC, where he helped to draft the 1990 Farm Bill, and time as UK adviser to the Director General at UKASTA, now AIC. He also worked as regional adviser for the CLA and served as chairman of the NFU’s Stowmarket and Sudbury branch.