Future of farming discussed at Ardingly conference

The annual Farming Conference, held at the South of England Showground in Ardingly, West Sussex, on November 12, focused on resilience, sustainability and the urgent need for adaptation in UK agriculture.

This year’s event, organised by the South of England Agricultural Society, carried the theme Adapting with Purpose: Farming in a Changing World.

Kaye Masefield-Baker, trustee of the South of England Agricultural Society, introduced the evening, with Charlotte Smith, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today, chairing the panel discussion.

Speakers included Helen Browning OBE, chief executive of the Soil Association and a leading organic farmer; John Gregson, UK general manager at Regenified and an advocate for regenerative agriculture; and Richard Means, managing partner at Ceres Rural and a Norfolk farmer.

In a recorded video, the Duchess of Edinburgh, patron of the South of England Agricultural Society, said: "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."

Helen Browning OBE opened the discussion by reflecting on four decades in organic farming and the role of purpose in building a resilient, values-led business.

She said: "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."

Ms Browning also highlighted the growing importance of collaboration within the supply chain and across generations, noting that family purpose and succession planning are becoming central to long-term sustainability.

She stressed that soil health, water management and agroforestry will be key to supporting productivity and biodiversity.

John Gregson spoke about regenerative agriculture and its potential to rebuild 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."

He said: "We’ve optimised for yield. Now we must optimise for margin and resilience. We must design a system where good food is affordable because it is efficient in its truest sense, efficient with nature, energy and trust."

He said the fragility of the UK food system, exposed during the pandemic, requires long-term cooperation between government, business and civil society to achieve lasting change.

Richard Means, who advises hundreds of UK farms, presented a data-driven analysis of profitability in the post-subsidy era.

The evening concluded with a shared commitment to collaboration, innovation, and clear purpose as the cornerstones of farming’s future. (Image: Southern News & Pictures (SNAP))

He said: "The good times are definitely higher. 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."

Mr Means advocated for hybrid systems that combine regenerative and conventional methods, supported by new technologies.

He said: "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."

During the Q&A session, attendees raised questions about government policy, succession and retaining young people in farming.

There were calls for agriculture to be recognised as a "key strategic industry" and for greater policy certainty.

Other suggestions included aligning food and farming with NHS prevention strategies and improving consumer understanding through honest labelling and education.

The panel further underscored the importance of empowering consumers through transparent labelling and greater public awareness. It also called for urgent tax reform and strengthened fair-trade policies to ensure Britain’s farmers can compete on an even footing in global markets.

The panel also addressed soil health, agroforestry and community access to land, praising "care farm" models for reconnecting people with food production.

Speakers highlighted a shift in farming priorities — from maximising yield to focusing on margin, efficiency and sustainability. Farmers were urged to emphasise profitability, resilience and soil health rather than short-term output, recognising that lasting success depends on balance, not volume alone.

Digital innovation, data analysis and automation were also seen as key to improving performance. Participants stressed, however, that progress relies on stronger rural connectivity, greater data literacy and awareness of AI’s environmental costs.

Panellists discussed private investment and emerging revenue streams, noting the rise of environmental finance to supplement shrinking subsidies. They cautioned that such systems must remain transparent, accountable and properly regulated to win farmers’ and the public’s trust.

Hybrid and diversified models were widely endorsed, with speakers supporting approaches tailored to each farm’s soils, scale and capacity. Success, they agreed, rests on experimentation, collaboration and respect for local context.

There was a shared call for coherent, long-term government policy recognising farming’s strategic importance and integrating food production with public health. Delegates argued that a joined-up framework is vital to secure fair competition for British farmers.

Contributors also stressed reconnecting communities with food production to strengthen understanding and trust between consumers and the sector.

Finally, panellists highlighted the need for succession planning, investment in skills and farmer wellbeing, maintaining enjoyment and purpose in agricultural life so the next generation sees farming as both viable and fulfilling.