Entering it's ninth year, Groundswell is returning to Lannock Farm, Hertfordshire.
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.
Head to the Groundswell website to purchase tickets.
Catch the NFU President for a talk on the Land Use Framework
Day one | 10am – 10:55am | Big Top
NFU President Tom Bradshaw will be speaking during the A land use framework: powering the change in farming and nature? session.
One of the key questions around a Land Use Framework is how farming can play a big role in delivering nature and climate targets, with or without taking land out of production. But what role should ‘management change’ play?
Regenerative, nature-friendly farming – as part of a wider, more sustainable approach to food production – will be fundamental. And from private investment to consumer purchasing, what more is needed?
This session will explore how landlords are grappling with the multi-functionality of their land, the force for change being driven by Defra, and what this all means for the tenanted and wider farming sector by 2050.
Share your story on the impact of IHT changes
Speak to our team about how the proposed inheritance tax changes will impact your farming and growing business.
With your consent, we'll turn your story into a powerful letter to your MP, ensuring your voice is accurately represented. Ask a team member for more details and get involved.
Join us at the NFU Sofa Sessions
NFU Sofa Sessions at Groundswell are informal, interactive discussions held on the NFU stand, where farmers, industry experts and NFU representatives come together to explore key topics in a relaxed, conversational setting.
This year, the two sessions will focus on the value of waste within farming systems and the benefits of protein break crops. These sofa-style talks offer visitors the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and engage in open dialogue on issues shaping the future of sustainable agriculture.
Day one – Wednesday 2 July
Sofa Session: Could greater adoption of protein break crops strengthen the economics case for regenerative farming?
5pm – 5:30pm | NFU stand G39 Demo field
Beans, peas, and lupins are fast becoming key players in regenerative agriculture. This session will explore how these crops contribute to soil health, biodiversity, and nutrient cycling, while also assessing their economic potential to improve farm profitability and resilience.
Our expert panel will share farmer-led experiences and practical insights on integrating protein break crops into rotations, addressing challenges around establishment, market opportunities, and agronomic performance. The discussion will also focus on the policy, research, and supply chain support needed to encourage wider adoption and embed protein crops as a vital component of sustainable farming strategies.
Speakers:
- Joe Stanley, Head of Sustainable Farming, GWCT’s (Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust) Allerton Project
- Heather Oldfield, mixed arable and beef farmer in Lincolnshire and Cereals and Pulses Product Manager, Limagrain
- Will Oliver, mixed farmer (Leicestershire/Warwickshire)
- Colin Peters, Break Crop Specialist, NIAB (National Institute of Agricultural Botany)
Join us to learn how protein break crops can enhance both the environment and the economic viability of regenerative farming.
Day two – Thursday 3 July
Sofa Session: Is the pressure to produce 'perfect' crops driving more waste than it's worth?
12noon – 12:30pm | NFU stand G39 Demo field
The pressure to deliver flawless fruit and veg is driving up waste and driving down farm profits. But what’s the real cost of chasing perfection?
Our panel of experts will examine the environmental and financial consequences of crop wastage and share practical insights from farmers and redistribution charities actively working to reduce waste and redistribute to the communities and families who need it most.
This session will explore how consumer expectations influence farming practices, increase food waste, and impact the economic sustainability of growers. Attendees will also discuss collaborative solutions and the role of retailers, policymakers, and farmers in shifting standards, educating consumers, and supporting widespread access to nutritious, homegrown food.
Speakers:
- Dan Byam Shaw, Policy Lead, The Felix Project
- Mark Game, Founder, The Bread and Butter Thing
- David Thomas, Farm Manager, Riviera Produce
Join us to learn how a more flexible approach to crop quality could benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment alike.
Mark Betson
National Water Resources Specialist
Mark has joined the NFU from the Church of England where he was providing advice to the church in the House of Lords and national church institutions on public policy issues relating to rural affairs, environmental science, land and heritage.
He has a background supporting agriculture as regional director for the Farming Community Network in the South East and with water research working for Adas as a consultant.
Mark has also been involved volunteering with educational work promoting agriculture in schools and supporting students at land based colleges with the South of England Agricultural Society.
He is now based in Northamptonshire with his family where he has an active involvement in local village life.
Tom Bradshaw
NFU President
The home farm is based around arable production but has also diversified into equestrian and renewables.
Tom has represented the NFU from Local Branch Chairman through to Chair of the National Combinable Crops Board.
Tom was elected to the position of NFU President in February 2024.
Responsibilities
- Animal health and welfare incl. bTB
- Trade and standards
- Climate, energy and net zero
- Food supply chain (fair dealing, mergers and acquisitions, competition, regulation)
- Animal ID and movements
- Assurance review
- Taxation and fiscal policy
- Immigration
Jamie Burrows
NFU Combinable Crops Board chair
The joint venture has a mix of owned, tenanted and contract farming agreements, growing milling and feed wheat, milling oats, feed and malting barley, peas, beans and, for the time being, oilseed rape.
Due to the complex nature of the soils in South Herts, ranging from heavy clays to gravel, Jamie and his colleagues cover a wide range of cultivation and drilling methods. However, a happy medium of min-till normally takes place on 50% of the land farmed. All grain is sold through Openfield going to homes relatively locally, usually within 50 miles.
At home, the family farm has diversified, with an 80-horse livery and riding school, with all hay and straw produced in house.
Having been involved in the NFU locally since returning home from Harper Adams in 2005 Jamie has gradually become more and more involved at a regional level and now, as well as being Hertfordshire NFU County chair, he is also East Anglia Combinable Crops Board chair. He is also an ex-Cereals Development Programme participant, and keen to get others involved in these types of initiatives.
Jamie is passionate about achieving the best for cereal and oilseed producers, and proud to represent the cereals interests of East Anglia members.
Luke Cox
NFU combinable crops senior policy adviser
Haydn Evans
NFU Combinable Crops Board co–optee
They run a herd of some 100 milking cows consisting of traditional breeds, principally British Friesian, Ayrshire and Dairy Shorthorn.
Milk is supplied to the local dairy (Rachel's) in Aberystwyth.
Formerly representing NFU Cymru on the Organic Forum, he also chaired the Soil Association Farmers and Growers board.
Rachel Hallos
NFU Vice President
In the last 20 years the farm has evolved from a milk producer/retailer unit, to a farm that focusses on their beef herd, hill sheep and environmental outcomes. They have also diversified with a holiday let and contracting business.
The business has grown through their ability to change and also by collaborating with their landlord on water management, heather regeneration and hay meadow restoration. Rachel takes an honest approach and has an open mind-set.
Rachel was elected to the position of NFU Vice President in February 2024.
- Workforce skills and training
- Education
- Science and research and development
- Regulation review and enforcement
- Planning, housing and rural development
- Agriculture supply relations
- Infrastructure (HS2, roads etc)
- Rural broadband and mobile communications
- Rural crime
- Water and air issues
- Organics
- Member development
- Member engagement
Alastair Heinrich
Adviser (Environment)
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, which has since led to Alastair's current position as an environment adviser.
Diane Mitchell
NFU chief environment adviser
Diane has led on the NFU’s policy work feeding into the Environment Act 2021 and more recently other areas such as nutrient neutrality and water quality. She also provides the secretariat to the NFU’s Environment Forum, which works with members, other NFU commodity boards, government, government agencies and other stakeholders to ensure farmers’ views on the environment are at the forefront of policy making.
Alongside her responsibilities at the NFU, Diane was the Vice-Chair of the Environment Working Group at COPA-COGECA, which is the trade body for farmers and agri-cooperatives at an EU level, for six years until 2020.
Before joining the NFU, Diane was a researcher at Cambridge University Farm and she has a BSc and PhD from the University of Aberdeen, both in soil science.
Charlotte Nott
NFU Food Business Relationship Adviser
Before joining the NFU, Charlotte was awarded an MSc in Agroecology from Harper Adams University and a BSc in Physical Geography from Aberystwyth University, both with a focus on soil ecology and ecosystems.
Outside of work, Charlotte enjoys road cycling and rock climbing.
Claire Robinson
Senior Countryside Adviser
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 and the RPA.
After completing a Master's degree at the Royal Agricultural University, Poppy has undertaken various roles within the agricultural industry and has been with the NFU for two years.
Poppy understands the many challenges farmers face and is passionate about ensuring environmental policy works for farming businesses.
Dr Alison Warrington
NFU Senior Plant Health adviser
Her focus is on the on-farm aspects of plant health issues, such as IPM, stewardship and the impact of farming practices on plant and soil health.
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.