Prince William At Groundswell: ‘Regenerative Farming Is Not A Fringe Alternative’

One of the UK’s biggest farming festivals, Groundswell’s annual two-day event kicked off today, complete with an appearance from a special guest. Prince William visited Lannock Farm in Hertfordshire to speak to farmers, growers and climate enthusiasts about the importance of regenerative agriculture in the future of our planet.

Prince William Attends Regenerative Farming Festival Groundswell 2025

This is the second time the royal has attended the festival, following his initial visit in 2024. ‘It’s a great pleasure to be back here at Groundswell,’ said Prince William. ‘Last year I was uplifted by the sense of mission, the willingness to share knowledge, and the innovation throughout the Groundswell community,’ he continued, adding: ‘we come together to reaffirm our commitment to a brighter, resilient and regenerative future.’

Prince William has long been passionate about supporting the farming industry. As the Duke of Cornwall, he is the landlord of Duchy farms, and in March this year he was named patron of We Are Farming Minds, a charity set up to help farmers experiencing mental health issues. He also recently made a trip to Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds farm to raise awareness for the cause (which it’s thought will be documented in the next series of Clarkson’s Farm).

‘Farming is not simply the act of growing food, it is much bigger than that,’ he said in his Groundswell speech. ‘It is the stewardship of the land, the health of our soils, the purity of our water, and the resilience of our rural society in harmony with nature.’

William also spoke about the difficulties faced by farmers today, noting the urgent need for change. ‘Demand on land and on farmers have never been greater. A changing climate system and unpredictable weather patterns are exposing weaknesses in conventional thinking. Add to this the economic pressures of rising input costs and volatile markets, it becomes clear we need a different approach.’

That approach, he added, is regenerative agriculture. ‘Regenerative farming offers a hopeful path forward, a way of working with nature, not against it, of enhancing soil health rather than depleting it, of building resilient systems that are economically viable and ecologically sound. It is not a single method or dogma, but a mindset, rooted in curiosity, observation, community and growth.’

And while farmers have a huge role to play, Prince William noted that they can’t do it alone – it’s also the responsibility of retailers, food manufacturers, and the general public. ‘As consumers, we must reeducate ourselves on what we eat, where it comes from, and the true cost of its production.’

William finished with a rousing call to action. ‘If we as a society are to meet the challenges ahead, it will be by learning for the land and those who tend it with wisdom and humility. Let this festival be not just a celebration of innovation, but a rallying call, for regenerative farming is not a fringe alternative, it must be a foundation stone for British agriculture to help us rebuild the health of our nation.’

This is the ninth edition of Groundswell, founded by the Cherry family in 2009. The festival has seen huge growth over the years: it began with just 500 guests, and last year over 8,000 people were in attendance. The 2025 event, taking place on 2 and 3 July, includes talks from 250 speakers including the likes of Gabe Brown, a pioneer of the soil health movement, and musician-turned-farmer Andy Cato.

Find out more at groundswellag.com