The full speaker line-up for LandAlive, a major new regenerative farming conference, has just been released and includes expert talks on ‘climate-adaptive farming’ from leading practitioners, advisors, soil specialists, food policy makers and entrepreneurs from across the food supply chain. The event, at the Bath & West Showground, Somerset, on the 22nd and 23rd November, offers two days of talks and a full-scale exhibition showcasing the latest innovations, services, opportunities and support to help farmers negotiate the transition towards more sustainable and profitable farm businesses.

Graham Harvey, LandAlive Programme Director, says, “We’ve got the best of regenerative farming expertise in one place with content tailored to the particular needs and interests of farmers in the South West, but drawing in the country’s top speakers and farmer-pioneers. We’ll be looking at the nuts and bolts of regenerative farming practice, but also covering what’s new in soil science, technology, changing supply chain dynamics and, of course, the shifting subsidy landscape.” 

He continues, “It’s an amazing opportunity for farmers to get up-to-speed on the huge changes going on in farming. Paying attention to soil quality, rebuilding biodiversity and reducing dependence on chemical inputs is very much in the mainstream now. Given the bottom-line cost of inputs, and rising consumer demand for planet-friendly, gut-friendly food, it’s simply good business sense to look at more nature-based solutions.”

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With dairy and cattle for beef accounting for over 40% of total output from farming in the South West, regenerative approaches to herd and pasture management will be a key focus for the event, drawing on evidence that grazing animals play an essential role in restoring soil fertility and biodiversity. 

A related theme of the conference will be how to ‘weatherproof’ farms going forward, with farm advisor Niels Corfield leading a session on this with farmer Silas Hedley-Lawrence. “Poor soil and pasture health is bringing systemic weaknesses to grazing operations,” says Corfield. “Our session will give farmers a better understanding of the causes of these issues and offer solutions that draw on first-hand experience as well as the latest soil and plant science. Amongst other benefits, this can translate into shorter housing periods for livestock, slashing costs and boosting productivity.”

Other programme highlights:

• Regenerative farmer Matt Chatfield discusses the need for suppliers of nutrient-dense foods to build relationships with everyone in their food chain – abattoir, butchers and chefs;

• Farmer and ecologist Rob Havard will explore ways to match the genetics of beef cattle to diverse pastures;

• Vet and regenerative dairy farmer Lucy Noad, who works with LandAlive sponsors the regenerative dairy co-operative First Milk, will reveal why her focus is on improving soil health and biodiversity, demonstrating how dairy farming can balance cow yield and environmental benefits and still be financially viable;

• Professor Andy Neal, Rothamsted soil scientist, FarmEd’s Ian Wilkinson and veteran regen farm Tim Parton will take on the thorny ‘Glyphosate vs. Tilling’ debate in the light of a new understanding of the impact of each on soil; 

• Martin Lines, CEO of the Nature Friendly Farming Network and farming consultant Tim Williams (Earth Farmer) will show how biodiversity and profitable farming belong together, with Tim looking at ways to increase productivity on regeneratively managed farms;

• Nikki Yoxall, small-holder grazier and Head of Research at Pasture For Life, joins Ian Wilkinson of FarmEd to talk about ‘the magic of diverse pastures’; while Philip Lymbery, farmer, author and global head of Compassion in World Farming, will report on regenerative farming around the world;

• Closer to home, Exmoor farmer Holly Purdey will explain why she believes regenerative farming will provide a better future for her three young boys and their generation.

There’ll also be a focus on how policy needs to shift to support farmers better, make good food more accessible and build UK food security in the years ahead, with a ‘Policy Makers’ Forum’, and talks by Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive of the Food and Farming Commission, and DEFRA’s Helen Coates, bringing the conference up-to-date with developments in farming and food policy reform at both a national and regional level.

Carol Paris, Chief Executive of the Royal Bath & West of England Society (co-hosts of the event) said, “It’s an incredible line-up, but LandAlive isn’t just about the speakers. It’s designed to maximise interaction between delegates, giving farmers plenty of opportunity for peer-to-peer learning and mutual support and collaboration. Delegates can enjoy great local food and drink, connection with old friends, a chance to make new contacts and exchange ideas over ‘a pie and a pint’ – it’s going to be an exciting place to be! We want this to become a major social event in the farming calendar.”

LandAlive is at the Bath & West Showground, Somerset, on the 22nd and 23rd November 2024. Tickets are available at www.landalive.co.uk. The Early Bird tickets discount ends on 6th October ’24. If you are interested in exhibiting at the event, contact paul.waterer@bathandwest.co.uk.

The conference is a collaboration between Sustainable Food Somerset and The Royal Bath and West of England Society, supported by DEFRA’S  ‘Farming in Protected Landscapes’ (FIPL) fund through Mendip, Quantocks and Exmoor National Landscapes, with support from Somerset Council.

Stewart Crocker, Chair of Sustainable Food Somerset (co-organisers), said: “The conference will cover all the latest innovations, research, sources of investment and opportunities emerging; how to capitalise on the ‘Regen premium’, new sales channels, subsidies, carbon markets, diversification strategies and more.”  

Mark Brooking, Chief Impact Officer of LandAlive sponsor First Milk said: “We are delighted to be supporting this inaugural LandAlive conference. As the regenerative co-op, First Milk believes we all share responsibility as custodians of the land. Farming regeneratively is part of the climate and biodiversity solution, building resilience for the future. As a speaker on the dairy panel on Day 1, I’ll be talking about how our farmers are producing the highest quality dairy products based on regenerative principles and showing how you absolutely can be ‘both green and in the black”

The event is also sponsored by solar supplier Your Eco Director, Amanda Spicer said: “Your Eco is honoured to be a headline sponsor for The LandAlive show. Decarbonising farming is crucial for a sustainable future. By reducing carbon emissions in agriculture through investment in renewable energy initiatives, we not only protect the environment but also make farm businesses more resilient in the long run.”