Groundswell has unveiled the full programme for its 2026 festival, with almost 500 speakers set to take part as the regenerative agriculture event marks a decade of bringing together farmers, researchers and industry leaders.
The two-day festival, hosted by the Cherry farming family at Lannock Farm in Hertfordshire on July 1 and 2, has grown from a small gathering of a few hundred people in 2016 into an internationally recognised event attracting thousands of visitors each year.
Event director Alex Cherry said organisers had received unprecedented interest from prospective speakers.
“We were blown away by the number of high-quality session applications for this year, over ten times the available spaces,” he said.
A distinctive feature of Groundswell is that much of its programme is selected from submissions made by farmers, businesses and industry experts, helping to ensure the event remains rooted in practical farming experience.
Reflecting on the festival’s growth over the past decade, Cherry said the original aim had been to create a forum where ideas could be openly shared across the industry.
“When we launched Groundswell back in 2016, we wanted to create a space where knowledge, innovation and practical, real-world experience could be openly shared,” he said.
“Over the years, our audience has evolved, and Groundswell now brings together farmers, researchers, food producers, policymakers and environmentalists to explore resilient, nature-friendly farming systems.”
He said regenerative agriculture had gathered significant momentum since the event first launched and the focus was now shifting beyond individual case studies.
“Regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum worldwide, and this year we want to help move the conversation from pioneering examples to systemic transformation that benefits farmers, landscapes and society.”
This year’s programme includes hundreds of talks and demonstrations covering soil biology, biodiversity, agroecology, livestock integration, food systems and climate resilience.
Visitors will also be able to take part in machinery demonstrations, farm walks and guided safaris exploring the soils, hedgerows and woodlands around the host farm.
The speaker line-up includes Professor Chris van Tulleken, professor of infection and global health at University College London; regenerative agriculture consultant Allen Williams; fourth-generation American cattle producer Will Harris; and Elaine Patarini, founder of the NoRegrets Initiative and Paicines Ranch Learning Center in California.
Now widely regarded as one of the flagship events for regenerative agriculture, Groundswell continues to provide a platform for debate and collaboration as farmers look for practical ways to improve resilience, profitability and environmental performance.
Organisers say the event remains committed to ensuring all conversations are welcome, providing an inclusive but challenging environment as agriculture continues to adapt to changing economic, environmental and political pressures.
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