Regenerative Farmers Revolutionize the Game
John and Paul Cherry, farmers from Hertfordshire, are leading the way in promoting regenerative farming in the UK. They are the founders of the popular Groundswell festival and conference, which has rapidly grown from a small event for 450 farmers to a major fixture in the farming calendar, attracting over 8,000 visitors.
The idea for Groundswell was sparked when John attended the No-Till on the Plains Conference in Kansas and saw the enthusiasm American farmers had for soil health. This inspired him to bring a similar focus on soil health to the UK. Meanwhile, Paul noticed the difference in soil erosion between a ploughed field on a neighboring farm and a no-till field on their own farm, leading them to realize the importance of treating the soil with care.
Groundswell is a family-run event, with Paul’s son Alex playing a key role in organizing the festival content. The festival offers a platform for innovative farmers to share ideas and learn from each other, with a wide range of seminars covering topics from soil health to sustainable food production.
By hosting Groundswell, the Cherries have not only created a successful event but have also spread the message of regenerative farming and encouraged new thinking within the UK agriculture industry. The festival has become a hub for discussions on improving environmental and human health in farming, challenging traditional farming practices and promoting a more sustainable approach.
In sponsorship news, Lightsource bp, an international solar business with strong ties to the farming industry, is proud to support the Game Changers award celebrating Innovation in agriculture. Their commitment to bolstering the rural economy aligns with the values of the award and they are dedicated to supporting the pioneers of the sector.
SOURCE
Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.