Better Farming Conference 2024
16 October 2024 | 10.30am – 3.00pm
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
The Better Farming Conference
As Labour completed its first 100 days in government, RPG and the Institute of Directors (IoD) asked whether there are green shoots of hope for British agriculture. Chaired by farmer and You Tube blogger Olly Harrison, this conference will delve into what lies ahead for sustainable farming and regenerative agriculture over the coming months and years.
Discussions around the new Labour government’s commitment to farming and sustainable food production, led by respected national and international speakers, were complimented by a unique dining experience during luncheon. Delegates left the conference with renewed insights into the future of sustainable food production and how to equip your food or farming business for policy shifts.
For lunch, an exclusive small-plates menu and beer pairing was crafted by the award-winning Long Man Brewery and renowned restaurant Skylark of Eastbourne. Long Man’s Master Brewer guided us through the tasting notes as we enjoyed thoughtfully matched local, seasonal produce. In fact, all catering for the event came from within a 10 mile radius and included wines from the Rathfinney Estate, sparkling presse from Folkington’s and cakes from A Taste of Dreams.
Long Man beers are brewed in a converted flint barn using regeneratively farmed barley, grown onsite at our Church Farm location. When the day’s business is finished, guests were invited for a private tour of the brewery and a drink in the tap room.
The Better Farming Conference Agenda
1030 | Welcome
1100 | Keynote session: Policy Shifts in Sustainable Agriculture
1200| Lunch with beer pairing guided by the Long Man Master Brewer
1300 | Panel debate: 100 Days of the New Government
1430 | Case Study: Longbridge Regenerative Farming Project
1515 | Closing Remarks
1530 | Private tour of Long Man Brewery
The Better Farming Conference 2024 Speakers
RUPERT CLAXTON has nearly 20 years’ experience with Gira, directing a wide range of livestock and meat sector research and consultancy assignments globally, from the fast-evolving markets of Africa and Asia, to the established markets of Europe and North America.
DUNCAN ELLIS is revolutionising the family farm and spearheading the pioneering Longbridge Regenerative project. He is also a co-founder of the Long Man Brewery.
WILLIAM ENGLISH CBE runs the family estate in Kent as owner and chair of Owen English & Son and is an Institute of Directors (IoD) Ambassador.
MARK LUMSDON-TAYLOR is a Partner and Head of Sustainability ESG for MHA, the UK member firm of Baker Tilly International. He has 20 years experience in rural industries leading and advising organisations spanning the public and private spheres.
ALLIE RENISON spent many years as a government advisor, most recently as a direct policy advisor to the Business and Trade Secretary of State. She previously led the IoD’s trade and EU policy and has sat on numerous expert committees in Whitehall and Brussels.
Better Farming Conference Chair: Olly Harrison
Olly Harrison
Farmer and Blogger
Farmer and entrepreneur Olly Harrison is the face behind popular YouTube channel @OllyBlogsAgricontractfarmer. The daily videos, which he started in lockdown, provide a glimpse into the real-world challenges and triumphs of farming, marked by a touch of humour and diversification tales to fund his machinery and tractor addiction!
Olly’s online presence reaches over 350,000 across his social channels, 110,000 of which are on YouTube. His 1500+ videos have been watched over 77 million times, where he shares insights, experiences, and challenges faced in the agricultural industry. His content resonates with both farming enthusiasts and those curious about the intricacies of rural life. Never afraid to speak out about the industry, he achieved the DLG accolade of ‘International Agricultural Influencer for YouTube’ and was recognised as an NFU Community Farming Hero. His ability to explain the complexities of farming in straightforward language has made him a regular contributor across BBC channels, including BBC News and BBC Radio 4.
The farming business in 2024 has 14 different income streams, from ‘dog walking fields’, to chipping wood for biomass, to a merchandise operation that grossed over £100,000 in 2023 alone. With a truly diverse range of activities, Olly, who left school at 16 having struggled with dyslexia, has grown his farming acreage from 180 to 1500. From traditional crops to sunflower mazes, office rental and holiday lets, Olly will always find a brilliant way to commercially exploit his land and assets. He promised himself that by the age of 40 he’d own a brand new combine harvester, and having achieved that he then decided to drive his Claas Lexion combine from John O’Groats to Land’s End, all in the name of charity!
Olly is not just about farming, his dedication extends to charitable contributions that exceed £450,000 to date. From his tractor runs through Liverpool, to the YouTube channel’s ‘birthday bumper’, many have benefited from his fundraising, including Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and the North West Air Ambulance. As recognition of his continued hard work, Olly has been made a Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside.
Session outputs
Chatham House rules were applied so speakers and delegates could share their thoughts on these important issues freely. And share freely they did!
A short film and session summaries will be made publicy available soon.
Launching The Sustainable Food Report 2023
Founder and Chairman Mark Lumsdon-Taylor launched this year’s report just before it was sent to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, Defra, the EFRA Select Committee and other parliamentarians in the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
Download your copy here: Building a Resilient Agri-Food Value Chain
Photos from the Better Farming Conference 2024
