Regenerative farming in spotlight at Writtle

Farmers joined leading academics to discuss regenerative agriculture and food production at the Writtle Farmers’ Club’s annual conference last month.

Held at Writtle University College, near Chelmsford, speakers included National Trust tenant Andy Cato, co-founder of the Wildfarmed conservation agriculture brand, which rewards farmers who use more sustainable methods of growing cereal crops.

He said: “In my years as a farmer, gaining first-hand experience of what an incredibly difficult and often very lonely profession it is, a key lesson was that knowledge exchange and collaboration are fundamental if we are to move towards systemic change.

“For a long time, I’ve been immersed in the practical difficulties of farming that combines food and nature, and field to plate supply chains that can support it. So it’s fantastic to see that the dial is moving and Writtle are leading the way, both teaching and bringing together people.”

Groundswell

Mr Cato was joined at the conference by no-till farming experts John and Joanna Cherry, hosts of the two-day annual Groundswell event in Hertfordshire. Other speakers included dairy and beef producer Becky Mayhew, who farms 200ha in south Norfolk.

Academics included Tim Land, emeritus professor of food policy at City University London’s Centre for Food Policy in 2021. He was joined by Professor Peter Hobson from the School of Sustainable Environments at Writtle University College.

The conference was organised by farmer and regenerative agriculture lecturer William Hudson. He said: “The Writtle Farmers’ Club is for all those who care about the environment and are involved in the production of healthy, sustainable food.”

Writtle University College (WUC) is on the edge of Writtle village, in the middle of the Essex countryside.

Established in 1893, Writtle is one of the UK’s oldest specialist institutions. It completed a formal merger with Anglia Ruskin University last month to become ARU Writtle, and will continue to offer courses in agriculture and land-based sciences.