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SUMMARY:Groundswell 2026
DESCRIPTION:Lannock Farm\, Hertfordshire\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCome and find our tent at C28!\n\n\n\nThe Groundswell Festival provides a forum for farmers\, growers\, or anyone interested in food production and the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of regenerative farming systems. Root and Reason will be hosting a stand\, with a variety of sessions throughout the two days – we hope you can join us! \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOur session on the Soil stage\n\n\n\n\n\nThursday 2nd July – 9amFood Security IS National Security: Is UK farming ready?Root and Reason’s work shows change is coming whether we plan for it or not: the question is whether the food and farming sector shapes or is shaped by it. In January\, Defra warned that global ecosystem collapse could trigger food supply shocks within the decade. Yet while politicians talk about energy security with urgency and clarity\, food security remains an afterthought.Led by Emily Norton (Norfolk farmer and founder\, Farm Foresight Ltd) with Daniel Zeichner (MP for Cambridge and former Defra Minister of State for Food Security & Rural Affairs) this session asks what would it take for food policy to give UK farmers the certainty they need. \n\n\n\nSpeakers: Daniel Zeichner\, Jimmy Woodrow\, Ali Morpeth \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOur Sessions at the Root and Reason Stand – C28\n\n\n\n\n\nWednesday 1st July – 1pmMeasuring what matters: Aligning farm reality with supply-chain needsThis panel explores how data has become an important interface between farmers and food businesses in regenerative agriculture\, and why poor alignment creates burden rather than value.Drawing on real-world experiences from both farming and food business\, the discussion\, chaired by Tom McMillan\, will unpack the growing number of carbon calculators\, natural capital tools and buyer requests facing farmers\, and the risks this creates for farm businesses and Tier 1 suppliers evidencing progress. \n\n\n\nSpeakers: Stephen Briggs\, Star Molteno\, Ben Williams \n\n\n\nWednesday 1st July – 3pm Community Power from Farm to Fork: Advancing Food Justice & Equitable Food AccessLed by Fergus Lyon (Professor of Enterprise and Organisations at Middlesex University)\, this session explores how communities and growers can build alliances to transform local food systems\, ensuring dignified\, equitable access to nutritious\, culturally relevant food. It highlights regenerative approaches that strengthen grower livelihoods\, improve demandpredictability\, and increase citizen choice. \n\n\n\nSpeakers: Hannah Gibbs\, Katherine Langton\, Martin Chadwick \n\n\n\nThursday 2nd July 10amFarming well for the future: How grasslands can help meet sustainability challengesLivestock farming in the UK comes in many shapes and sizes—and many are already cutting emissions\, building soil carbon\, and supporting wildlife\, whilecontinuing to perform financially. This session\, led by Lisa Norton (Senior Scientist UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology)\, will share findings from the Lunz Grassland for Net Zero project\, working with livestock farming clusters across all four UK nations\, \n\n\n\nSpeakers: Holly Shearman\, David Patterson\, Mark Lee \n\n\n\nThursday 2nd July – 12pmPlaying with Food: A Serious Game to Stress-Test UK Food System ResilienceEmpty shelves\, panic buying\, and supply chain failures: we’ve seen how quickly food systems come under strain. But what happens when multiple shocks hit at once? How do farmers\, suppliers\, retailers and policymakers respond?In this interactive workshop\, led by Matteo Menapace (Beesnees Games Ltd)\, we’ll playBarefood\, a serious game developed by the BBSRC-funded BAFR-UK project. Rather thantalking about food system vulnerabilities\, participants experience them first-hand. \n\n\n\nSpeakers: Elta Smith\, Angelina Sanderson Bellamy\, Holly Chalmers \n\n\n\nThursday 2 July – 2pmThe Language of Land Use: Is it part of the problem?The successful transition of our farming system depends on the expertise and close collaboration of a variety of stakeholders – farmers\, researchers\, policy makers\, corporates and NGO’s. However\, these groups all use different language to frame and describe their work\, and the objectives they are trying to achieve. Through the LUNZ Hub we have been exploring these terms and gathering feedback about those which are especially problematic\, and why.Chair: Harriet FraserSpeaker: Jack Hannam \n\n\n\n\n\nOur Speakers\n\n\n\n\nFood Security IS National Security: Is UK farming ready? \n\n\n\n\n\nAli MorpethCo-Founder\, Planeatry AlianceAli is an award winning Registered Public Health Nutritionist (RNutr) working at the nexus of health and sustainability. She has delivered systemic changes that are win-win for people and planet. Ali has a track record of consulting for global businesses and retailers as well as working extensively with NGOs and on government food policy.\n\n\n\nEmily Norton Norfolk farmer and founder\, Farm Foresight LtdEmily has 25 years’ experience in food and farming. Qualified as a lawyer\, she also has an MSc in Sustainable Agriculture. Her career has taken her from family business to global PLC\, with time spent in Brussels and across the UK. Emily is Chair of the AHDB\, NED at Soil Association Exchange and trustee at the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association.\n\n\n\n\n\nDaniel ZeichnerMP for Cambridge and former Defra Minister of State for Food Security & Rural AffairsDaniel focuses on UK food and farming policy – championing food security\, resilient rural economies and nature-friendly farming. He works on policy linking farming\, food security and the environment\, with a long-standing focus on climate action and sustainable transport.\n\n\n\nJimmy WoodrowChief Executive\, Pasture for LifeJimmy is a leading voice in the Pasture for Life movement\, supporting UK farmers to deliver profitable\, low-input livestock systems based on diverse\, well-managed grasslands. He works with producers and partners to share practical learning on grazing\, soil health and outcomes-led assurance.\n\n\n\n\n\nMeasuring what matters: Aligning farm reality with supply-chain needs \n\n\n\n\n\nBen WilliamsSustainability Manager at LeprinofoodsBen’s passion is sustainability and circularity in UK agriculture. He manages complex solutions to the complex problems\, supporting EMEA supply chains in GHG LCA reporting. Ben develops and delivers sustainability strategies that use behavioural insights to support systems change reducing scope 3 emissions.\n\n\n\nStephen BriggsFarmer and Head of Technical Development at Innovation for AgricultureStephen has 25 years’ experience of farming systems\, soil and water research in the UK and internationally. Alongside his role at IfA\, he is Director of AbacusAgri and Non-Exec Director of AHDB. Stephen is a Nuffield Farming Scholar and at home\, grows crops with the UK’s largest agroforestry system. He has previously worked for DFID\, FAO and the World bank.\n\n\n\n\n\nStar MoltenoSustainable Land Use\, Farming & Forestry Specialist at Eunomia Research & ConsultingStar provides technical expertise to UK policymakers and is co-leading the LUNZ Hub Futures Platform to develop emissions-mitigation pathways for agriculture and land-use sectors. Star also works with land managers\, using data to set strategic goals balancing climate\, biodiversity and land-use objectives.\n\n\n\nTom McMillanCEO at Ag-ImpactCEO at Ag-Impact\, a non-profit that helps agricultural scientists and research funders to make their work count on the ground. Previously the Elizabeth Creak Chair in Rural Policy & Strategy at the Royal Agricultural University\, and now a Visiting Professor. Advisor to the Food\, Farming & Countryside Commission (FFCC)\, and was part of the team who produced the National Food Strategy. Ex-Director of Innovation at the Soil Association.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCommunity Power from Farm to Fork: Advancing Food Justice & Equitable Food Access \n\n\n\n\n\n\nFergus LyonMiddlesex University\, Professor of Enterprise and OrganisationsFergus is a university professor and has been working on alternative food enterprise approaches for over 30 years. He led the research project\, Social enterprise as a catalyst for sustainable and healthy local food systems and led research on Natural Capital: what farmers and policy makers need to know\, for the Food Farming and Countryside Commission. Recent research is on capabilities farmers and intermediaries need for developing regenerative business that are positive for nature. Fergus is also the managing director of Easthall Farm that was the first farm to become a B Corp in the UK \n\n\n\nHannah GibbsSustain – The Alliance for Better Food and Farming; Bridging the Gap programme ManagerHannah joined Sustain in November 2022 as Programme Manager for the Bridging the Gap programme\, demonstrating ways to build better supply chains between climate and nature friendly food and people on a lower income. Hannah has a background in leading international development programmes\, community building and campaigning.\n\n\n\n\n\nKatherine LangtonLangton’s FarmKatherine has a degree in Environment and Sustainability\, she has been growing vegetables on her mother’s allotment and veggie patch since she was a child. Langton’s Farm have been involved in the Welsh Veg in Schools pilot delivering organic veg into Welsh Schools since 2024.\n\n\n\nMartin ChadwickFoodSEqual Project\, University of ReadingMartin leads work on culturally appropriate vegetable growing\, community participation and connectivity with agricultural systems. Leads the evaluation of innovative food access pilots in communities. His research focuses on equity\, social connectivity and evidence‐based approaches to improving access to fresh\, nutritious food in diverse communities.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFarming well for the future: How grasslands can help meet sustainability challenges \n\n\n\n\n\n\nDavid PattersonAFBI Grassland Agronomist NIDavid earned his PhD in grass/white clover species dynamics from Queen’s University in 1991. After roles in turfgrass breeding research at Queen’s University Belfast and as a Grassland Technologist at CAFRE\, he worked in education\, compliance\, and agricultural policy within DAERA. In 2018\, he returned to grassland systems research at AFBI Hillsborough. His current research focuses on silage systems\, grassland resilience\, and multi-species swards\, aiming to balance production efficiency with ecosystem sustainability.\n\n\n\nHolly ShearmanInnovation for Agriculture & Royal Agricultural Society of England – Head of Livestock and Farm of the Future ProgrammesHolly believes that healthy livestock and healthy pastures are inextricably linked. She is passionate about the role of regenerative grassland management in building resilient\, circular farm economies. Holly manages a flock of sheep on her family farm\, where she implements sustainable grazing strategies firsthand.\n\n\n\n\n\nLisa Norton Senior Scientist UK Centre for Ecology and HydrologyLisa is a senior scientist and has worked on farming practices and biodiversity\, with farmers\, policy makers and farming bodies for more than 25 years. She has led many Defra funded projects that aim to understand more about farming systems and how to manage land in ways which support both farming and biodiversity in the long-term.\n\n\n\nMark LeeFarmer LUNZ Grasslands clusterMark and his wife Jenny manage their Torpenhow Farm in North Cumbria in partnership with Jenny’s parents. Initially they ran their dairy quite intensively\, milking Holstein cows three times a day\, but in 2017 the farm stopped all use of fertiliser\, pesticide and herbicide and are now fully organic. They now farm – a cross-breed of Jersey\, Friesians and Norwegian Red – graze almost all year round\, save a few weeks in December and January\, with the herd rotating between different paddocks which are divided up by native hedgerows. They have several small businesses on their farm premises\, including a wedding venue and cheese and gelato production. They were one of a cluster of Cumbrian dairy farmers involved in the LUNZ project.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPlaying with Food: A Serious Game to Stress-Test UK Food System Resilience \n\n\n\n\n\nAngelina Sanderson BellamyRoot and Reason (formerly AFN Network+); DirectorAngelina co-founded the AFN Network+\, which has over 3\,500 members from across the food system. Central to Angelina’s work is convening members to contribute to more democratic processes that result in thought leadership and more equitable and just food system outcomes.\n\n\n\nHolly ChalmersResearch Associate – Resilient Food SystemsAs a Research Associate at UWE Bristol\, Holly works across food policy\, land use and systems thinking\, bringing people together to explore resilience in a changing world. She is interested in how we imagine and build better food futures and her practice combines research with creative and participatory methods\, to test ideas and navigate uncertainty. Holly is currently working on the UKRI and Defra funded BAFR project\, and the Defra and Welsh Government funded Wye Catchment Living Labs.\n\n\n\n\n\nElta SmithRoot and Reason (formerly AFN Network+); DirectorElta co-developed the Barefood game and has facilitated sessions with diverse groups across the food system. She is a co-founder and director at Root and Reason\, and a visiting researcher at the Global Sustainability Institute\, Anglia Ruskin University.\n\n\n\nMatteo MenapaceBeesness Games Ltd\, DirectorMatteo Menapace is best known as the co-designer of the critically acclaimed Daybreak\, a cooperative board game about stopping climate breakdown. Matteo designs and delivers bespoke “serious” games\, ranging from playful policy simulations for strategic planning\, to gamified consultation processes for stakeholders engagement.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Language of Land Use: Is it part of the problem? \n\n\n\n\n\n\nHarriet FraserPlace Collective\, co-founder \n\n\n\nHarriet is a poet\, artist and geographer\, whose practice and PhD research explore agency and action in landscape change. She works closely with farmers and is a trustee for the Foundation for Common Land. Within the LUNZ Hub consortium she co-leads the PLACE Collective group of artists engaging in issues of land and land management  \n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n\n\nJack HannamProfessor in Sustainable Agriculture and Biodiversity\, Head of Agriculture\, Health and Environment Department\, University of Greenwich  \n\n\n\nJack is a soil scientist with a particular interest in different forms of soil data\, soil knowledge and analysis frameworks and how they inform local soil management and nationals scale monitoring schemes\, She works in transdiscipliary teams developing new ideas around soil and land systems and translates these into evidence for decision making \n\n\n\n\n\nOur partners at Groundswell\n\n\n\n★LUNZ Hub\, LUNZ Grasslands\, LUNZ Openland and LUNZ JustLanz ★Transforming UK Food Systems (TUKFS) ★Eunomia ★Backcasting to Achieve Food Resilience in the UK (BAFR-UK)
URL:https://rootandreason.org.uk/event/groundswell-2026/
CATEGORIES:Online event,Workshops
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260721T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260721T130000
DTSTAMP:20260708T085037Z
CREATED:20260708T085035Z
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UID:4393-1784635200-1784638800@rootandreason.org.uk
SUMMARY:Webinar: Falling in Love with the Future - imagination as a tool for resilience
DESCRIPTION:We are good at imagining how things fall apart. Picturing a future we actually want to live in\, and believing it is possible\, turns out to be much harder\, and Rob Hopkins argues that this failure of imagination is one of the biggest barriers to change we face. If we cannot picture a better food system\, why would we work to build one?This webinar closes our resilience series by turning from risk to possibility. Where our recent sessions have mapped shocks\, vulnerabilities and the institutional trust needed to act\, Rob asks a different question: what would our activism look like if cultivating hope and longing for the future was its primary objective? Drawing on his work with communities around the world\, and on the playful “time travel” experiments at the heart of his latest book\, he makes the case that imagination is not a distraction from the hard practical work of resilience but a precondition for it.How do we help people create memories of a future they want? What can communities do to move from anxiety to agency? And how does imagining a thriving\, resilient food system make it more likely that we will actually build one? Rob will explore all this with us\, and leave plenty of time for your questions.About Rob:Rob Hopkins is the co-founder of the Transition Network and Transition Town Totnes\, a movement for community-led resilience that has spread to thousands of groups across more than 40 countries. He is the author of several books\, including The Transition Handbook\, From What Is to What If\, and most recently How to Fall in Love with the Future\, which explores how imagining positive futures can reshape activism and collective action. An Ashoka Fellow\, he holds a PhD from the University of Plymouth and two honorary doctorates\, and runs “Imagination Catalyst” trainings for organisations worldwide.About Neil:Neil Ward is a co-founder and Director of Root and Reason and Professor of Rural and Regional Development at the University of East Anglia (UEA). He is a human geographer specialising in agrifood and rural development. He was UEA’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (2014-21) and Director of Newcastle University’s Centre for Rural Economy (2004-08). He’s served as a Cabinet Office advisor on agricultural policy and has appeared before numerous parliamentary select committees. Neil is author of Net Zero\, Food and Farming: Climate Change and the UK Agri-Food System (Routledge\, 2023). \n\n\n\nAbout this webinar series:This webinar is part of a monthly series run by Root and Reason (formerly AFN Network+) which explores the transformation of the UK agri-food system with leading movers and shakers. Expect deep and varied insight from across the sector\, including farmers\, scientists\, policy analysts\, community leaders\, retailers\, politicians\, businesses and health professionals.
URL:https://rootandreason.org.uk/event/webinar-falling-in-love-with-the-future-imagination-as-a-tool-for-resilience/
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