Blog

Reflections from Groundswell

17.07.2026

Each summer members of the LUNZ Hub find their way back to Groundswell. This year we asked colleagues who spent time there to write down one overarching impression, and one thing that’s stayed with them since.

What follows is a summary from members across the Hub, in their own words.

Heiko Balzter, Principle Investigator

Groundswell showed just how much momentum there is for a transition to regenerative agriculture – which brings hope that the goals of the Land Use Framework for England are achievable by drawing on the expertise and will of farmers. It was stimulating and thought-provoking to have so many discussions with farmers, NGOs, other researchers and government representatives around land use for net zero, nature and people, with a great deal to take away.

Farmers have a whole arsenal of options to increase the profitability of their farm while restoring nature and reducing emissions. These goals are actually compatible, and can be achieved by reducing farm inputs (fertiliser, pesticides), creating beetle banks and micro-habitats that keep pests under control, and growing new crop varieties or holding new animal breeds with lower emissions. All of it makes good business sense, as well as delivering public goods and services.

Isabelle Williamson, Eunomia Research and Consulting

Like previous years, I’ve come away from Groundswell feeling overwhelmed, inspired and energised. What has stayed with me most isn’t any single talk, technology or idea — it’s the feeling that has lingered after leaving. The connections. The curiosity. The challenge. The momentum. The possibility of what the future food system could become!

There remains a strong sense of shared purpose, but combined with an incredible diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and expertise. The inclusivity of the event, respect for differing views, and willingness to challenge has created something precious: a community of changemakers at scale.

The openness of Groundswell creates an environment where people genuinely want to listen and learn — which feels like a powerful educational approach. Groundswell sparks curiosity at every turn, and makes complex ideas accessible and engaging. It leaves me wondering whether a forum like this can be replicated — within and beyond the UK. There are certainly principles that could be applied beyond agriculture: creating spaces that are inclusive, curious, practical, open-minded and grounded in shared purpose.

A final thought: I’d love to see more children and students attending in future. They are the generation who will inherit and help activate the future that so many are imagining and shaping.

Georgie Barber, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission

As with all of Groundswell, but particularly in the LUNZ+ tent, the overall impression is of the millions of actions people are taking at all scales. The continual trials and attempts at making things better — at different scales, focused on different topics — is quite inspiring, and feels like we’re all pulling in the right direction. It brings to mind the scene from Finding Nemo when all the fish swim down together in the fishing net: the hope is that’s where we’re going, pulling in the same direction even while tackling these complex challenges in different ways.

The importance of communicating specific unknowns in data analysis. What can be clearly understood from evidence, what can be inferred (and to what degree of likelihood), and where the specific gaps in certainty are — all of this matters, and matters equally to other researchers and to lay audiences.

Harriet Fraser, Somewhere-nowhere

Groundswell was a brilliant couple of days, with so much going on that it was impossible to get round everything – yet every conversation, talk and meeting felt worthwhile. What stayed with me most was the sense of community and kinship, shared care for the land and all its species, and a dedication to producing and increasing access to good food – as the norm. There’s a long way to go, but there were lots of examples, plenty of energy and hope, and a real warmth running through the event.

One takeaway was the importance of connecting people – especially children – with nature, farming and rural areas. Seeing the work of organisations creating opportunities for learning and engagement reinforced that while there’s lots more to be done, there are plenty of inspiring examples of how to do it well.

Perhaps one of the most memorable moments was the panel discussion during the ‘Women on the Land’ session. Centring empathy, community, kindness and humour – not a gendered thing of course, but notable for valuing courage and sustainability, and drawing on feminist and regenerative principles.

Tilly Kimble-Wilde, Sustainable Soils Alliance

Groundswell’s sessions were full of inspiration and positive stories in the face of a third consecutive year battling extreme climate. It was motivating to learn how people are adapting and building resilient systems and that despite the year’s challenges, farmers, land managers and NGOs are rising to the occasion. The platform Groundswell provides for knowledge exchange is important and galvanising. As one speaker put it, everybody is part of the problem, everyone is part of the solution.

A consistent theme was that a narrow, single-metric view of climate progress is missing the bigger picture. Farmers often talked about how they don’t frame their work in Net Zero terms, rather in terms of resilience, biodiversity and viability with much focus on soil health, water and nutrient cycles. We need more of these positive stories to showcase what achievements are being made on the ground. I think it’s right that any progress made to improve the environment, small or large, should be celebrated.

Star Molteno, Net Zero Futures Platform

By bringing people together, Groundswell brings unity and optimism to the regenerative movement, which is great to be part of. There was a buzz of common purpose to most people I engaged with — only after did I reflect on who wasn’t there, and I think it’s important to remind ourselves that as wide and diverse as the attendance was, the majority of farms in the UK are not thinking in these terms. The challenge is getting regenerative principles to become the norm.

On behalf of the LUNZ Hub we’d like to thank the organisers of Groundswell for another inspiring year. Thank you also to Rob Fraser for providing all the photography in this report.