Groundswell: Why The Glastonbury Of Farming Is So Important

It may be a fallow year for Glastonbury, but on a farm over in Hertfordshire another festival is kicking off for its 10th anniversary edition. Groundswell is one of the biggest events on the British farming calendar, having grown from a small meeting of 450 farmers to a world-famous gathering of thousands – with 10,500 visitors flocking to Lannock Farm last June, including none other than Prince William. The festival returns from 1 – 2 July 2026; here’s what to expect this year.

Everything You Need To Know About Groundswell 2026

What Is Groundswell?

Groundswell is a two-day festival focused around regenerative agriculture. Founded in 2015 by the Cherry family on their family farm in Hertfordshire, the event began as a modest gathering for farmers to discuss no-till agriculture. Over the years, farming issues were propelled into the spotlight – helped by shows like Clarkson’s Farm – and the movement began to gain traction. Now, Groundswell attracts not just farmers but policymakers, environmentalists, wildlife experts and growers, climate-conscious citizens and those interested in where their food comes from. 

Why Is Groundswell Important?

At the heart of Groundswell is a commitment to regenerative agriculture: a holistic farming system which prioritises soil health. The global food system relies on industrial farming practices, which are destroying wildlife habitats and leading to biodiversity loss – ultimately exacerbating climate change. Regenerative farming, meanwhile, shifts the focus towards methods that work in harmony with nature by avoiding pesticides – improving human health as well as the health of the planet.

Groundswell aims to bring the movement forwards, providing a platform to discuss topics ranging from soil diversity to climate resilience and food systems while also uniting like-minded individuals to instill positive change.

Plus, British farms need our support more than ever. They’re vital for protecting food security, yet the sector remains plagued with issues: unpredictable and extreme weather, livestock disease, rising costs, labour shortages and inheritance tax changes (hence the recent protests).

‘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,’ said event director Alex Cherry. ‘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.

‘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.’

What To Expect From The 2026 Event

This year’s festival sees a star-studded line-up of names from the worlds of agriculture and food. Environmentalist Ben Goldsmith and rewilder Dave Mountjoy will discuss the impact of nature-based farming practices on our wellbeing, while Chris van Tulleken will host a talk on ultra-processed food – now the leading cause of early death for humans. Festival goers can also join host farmer John Cherry and sixth-generation family farmer Allen Williams to see a demonstration of the moving of the cow mob, join a fireside chat with Farm Rebellion‘s Benedikt Bösel and hear all about the female farmers leading the way in farming.

Tonight (1 July) the festival will also host the world premiere of the award-winning documentary film Groundswell – the final chapter in the Kiss The Ground soil trilogy. Afterwards, there will be a Q&A with filmmakers and featured regenerative agriculture leaders including Will Harris, owner of White Oak Pastures, and producer Rebecca Tickwell. Come evening time, musician and regenerative farmer Andy Cato will kick things up a notch with a DJ set.

The Duchy of Cornwall (a private estate owned by Prince William) has also announced a new partnership with regenerative agriculture certification Regenified at Groundswell. This will help support its mission for 100 percent of equipped farms across the estate to follow regenerative principles by 2035.

Matthew Morris, rural director at the Duchy of Cornwall, said: ‘Regenerative farming has an important role to play in building resilient, profitable farm businesses while improving soil health, biodiversity and the long-term condition of the land.

‘At the Duchy, our ambition is for 100 percent of our equipped farms to be following regenerative principles by 2035, but we recognise that every farm is different and that this transition will take time. We’re delighted to be partnering with Regenified to support our tenants on this journey and give them the tools, advice and confidence to adopt regenerative practices, measure their progress and build more resilient farming businesses over time.’

Find out more about the festival at groundswellag.com