Focusing on a topic that is still hotly debated in agricultural media and learned journals alike, the fourth annual Kent Farming Conference on 22 January 2025 will delve into the pros and cons of regenerative farming.

Organised by the Kent County Agricultural Society, the Kent Farming Conference is an opportunity for farmers and those linked to the agricultural sector to come together for an evening of insightful discussion, thought-provoking speakers and relaxed networking.

Meet the speakers

Lincolnshire arable farmer Andrew Ward MBE first made UK headlines when he founded the charity Forage Aid in 2013 to support some of the hardest-hit farms across the UK during an unprecedented snowstorm.

Since then, Forage Aid has continued to support farmers affected by severe weather, earning Andrew an MBE amongst other plaudits. His farm updates on his YouTube account, Wardys Waffle, receive up to 30,000 views.

The founder of Grassfed Farmer, Silas Hedley-Lawrence, is an agroecological farmer, coach and consultant with a decade of experience in regenerative agriculture.

Formerly farm manager at FAI Farms and English Farm, Silas has experience in both commercial and direct selling models. With ties to New Zealand through his family dairy farm and kiwi fruit orchards, he maintains an emphasis on lean, profitable farming systems that also deliver increasing biodiversity and soil health gains.

Finally, Sir Peter Kendall is a fifth-generation arable farmer from Eyeworth in East Bedfordshire who completed a degree in agricultural economics at Nottingham University before returning to a traditional mixed farm in 1984.

The farm today is a specialist arable unit that undertakes contract farming for a number of local farmers, cropping a total of 1,400 hectares. In 2016 the business started a broiler unit, heavily based on renewable energy.

President of the NFU for eight years, Peter’s overriding passion has been to change the image of farming from an old-fashioned industry to one that is innovative, exciting and central to facing the global challenges depicted in the UK Government’s Foresight Report on the Future of Food and Farming. Peter was appointed Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board between 2014 and 2020.

The Kent County Agricultural Society is delighted to be bringing together three big names from across the farming industry for what promises to be a lively, in-depth discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating regenerative farming techniques into on-farm practice.

Taking place at the Kent Showground on the evening of Wednesday 22 January 2025, the event is free to attend and includes networking and complimentary drinks and light refreshments after the seminar.

The Kent Farming Conference 2025, a not-for-profit event, is kindly sponsored by South East Farmer, Crawfords Group, Brachers LLP, Forestry England, Azets, Wilson Wraight and the NFU Mutual Kent agencies.

Register for a free ticket: www.kcas.org.uk/the-kent-farming-conference

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