A few weeks ago, we had the privilege of attending Groundswell Festival, a remarkable gathering that brought together over 6,000 individuals from the farming sector. This hands-on event provided valuable insights into the farmer’s most precious resource—the soil—and aimed to empower farmers in making informed decisions to enhance their practices. Over the course of two days, attendees were treated to an array of speeches, forums, and conversations led by internationally renowned soil health specialists, experienced farmers, agricultural policy experts, direct-drill demonstrations, and AgTech innovators.
While the event had its usual inspiring, educational, and relaxed format, there was a more serious undertone than ever before—we need to act, act now and act fast to ensure we can sustainably feed future generations.
Emily Durrant-Munro, Cool Farm’s Programme and Impact Manager, shared her key takeaway from the event, emphasising how Groundswell serves as a hub for collaboration among innovations and early adopters in the food sector:
“A wise person once said, “if you want to change the world, you need to throw a better party than those destroying it”. Groundswell does this for soil health in an inspiring and informative two-day party.”
Megan McKerchar, our Science and Methods Manager, also attended the festival and was struck by the diversity of perspectives surrounding the future of food among the attendees. It became evident that addressing the challenges in our food systems requires comprehensive discussions and innovative solutions.
“Groundswell underscored the importance of diverse perspectives to shape the future of food in a way that meets the needs of both present and future generations.“
In the spirit of action, Charlie Curtis, Cool Farm’s agronomic expert, aptly stated:
“6,000 attendees are 6,000 ripples across the farming sector; we must now join forces to become one wave that turns the tide on the future of our food systems.” Together, we can create a positive and lasting impact on the sustainability of our agricultural practices.
As we eagerly await the next Groundswell festival, let’s make a commitment to be part of the movement and the positive change it brings. Mark your calendars for June 26th and 27th, 2024, and we look forward to seeing you there!
