Soil centre stage at Groundswell debate

This year’s Groundswell, the regenerative agriculture festival held in Hertfordshire was supported by Yeo Valley Organic with the sponsorship of the Old Dairy speaker’s tent.

A packed full two days saw visitors hear talks from our very own regen project team, Regenesis author George Monbiot and Sacred Cow author Diana Rogers, all packing into the Old Dairy tent.

Environment Secretary George Eustice, gave a keynote speech at the event, stating that soil is “at the heart of successful farming”. As too did Henry Dimbleby, where he discussed his frustrations with the Government not adopting his recommendations in the national Food Strategy, published last year.

At Groundswell, the Soil Association criticised Rt Hon George Eustice’s defences of the failure to adopt Henry Dimbleby’s recommendations to make healthy food more available and junk food less available. The dismissal of the need for government intervention to spark a diet shift to less intensively produced meat and ultra-processed foods was felt by many to ignore the elephant in the room, in this case tent.

The event was also attended by Green Party peer Baroness Natalie Bennett, Natural England Chair Tony Juniper and NFU President Minette Batters as well as some of the Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose agriculture teams.

Thousands of visitors enjoyed Yeo Valley Organic samples, in our newly configured Land Rover – dairy defender and plenty were snapped in our giant deck chair.

We can’t wait to return next year.