Groundswell Isn’t Perfect — But It’s Asking the Right Questions

Every year, Groundswell rolls around, and the same pattern emerges: people come away inspired, buzzing with ideas, and then, inevitably, someone takes a swing at it. This year’s critique was a familiar one: too much mysticism, not enough science, full of barefoot dreamers and spiritual nonsense. So here’s my take. Not because I think regenerative farming is flawless. Not because I think everyone at Groundswell gets it right. But if we don’t speak up for the movement, asking the right questions — and actually trying something different — then who will?

“It’s not scientific” — Actually, it’s ahead of the science

One of the main jabs is that Groundswell isn’t based on hard science.

Now, this gets thrown around a lot, and it usually comes from people who want evidence in the form of a tidy, replicated, plot-scale trial with a clear winner. That’s fine, but that’s not always how complex systems like soil, biology, and long-term fertility work.

Regenerative farming isn’t about single variables. It’s about interactions. A cover crop doesn’t “add X units of nitrogen” in the same way a bag of urea does. Its benefit comes from rooting depth, carbon input, compaction relief, microbial stimulation, water infiltration, and more. Same with compost teas, biology-based foliar sprays, or multi-species swards — it’s the system effect that matters.

Yes, the research base is still catching up. But if you wait for a university trial on every mix, timing, and scenario, you’ll be farming by candlelight. What we are seeing, time and again, is farmers sharing consistent improvements: better structure, better water retention, reduced inputs, and more resilient crops.

That doesn’t sound like pseudoscience to me.

People saying soil is “spiritual” isn’t a problem — it’s a sign they care

Farming is personal. When you’ve spent a lifetime walking the same fields, trying to coax life out of tired ground, and then something finally clicks — of course, it’s emotional. Of course, it goes deeper than spreadsheets.

We’re allowed to feel proud of our soils. We’re allowed to say that watching biology come back to life moves us. And frankly, if someone wants to talk about microbes and mycorrhizal fungi with genuine passion, I’m not going to roll my eyes, I’m going to listen. Because that’s what we need more of in farming: people who care.

Yes, some of it’s fringe — but that’s how progress works

Look, not everything at Groundswell is going to be up your street. Some stands do feel a bit off-piste. Some people are selling ideas that probably won’t catch on. And that’s okay.

Because Groundswell is one of the only places where this sort of experimentation is allowed to breathe, where we don’t all stand around comparing the newest drill tine or moaning about glyphosate prices, where someone can suggest an idea that’s a bit out there — and you’re allowed to disagree, discuss, and dig deeper.

Some of it will fizzle out. Some of it will go mainstream. And some of it will quietly revolutionise the way we farm.

SFS were at the very first Groundswell back in 2016, originally named  “The UK No Till Show & Conference,” with just a handful of stalls and under 500 attendees. Since then, it has grown into the farming festival we see today, with thousands of regen-minded soil enthusiasts attending. You don’t get that mix of curiosity and open-mindedness at the average trade fair — and that’s why Groundswell matters.

 “No clear profit improvement” — maybe not yet, but look again

Another point often raised is that regen farmers aren’t seeing instant boosts to profitability. And it’s true — this isn’t a silver bullet. You don’t just sow a cover crop, apply a microbial brew, and watch your margins double.

But that’s not a reason to dismiss it. Because profit isn’t just about this year’s yield or this month’s savings. It’s about system resilience. It’s about keeping input costs manageable long-term. It’s about reducing dependency on volatile nitrogen markets and protecting soil against drought, erosion, and compaction. We’ve seen it time and again: lower diesel bills from reduced cultivations. Lower N requirements when soils start to cycle nutrients properly. Fields that drain better, carry stock longer, or hold up in dry years.

And yes, it takes time. But building soil isn’t a one-season fix. If you want fast returns, consider buying cryptocurrency.

No, regenerative isn’t “regressive” — it’s adaptive.

Some claim that regenerative farming is somehow regressive. That it’s anti-modern. That’s stepping back into a romanticised past. “Cobblers”.

The best regenerative farmers I know are some of the most technically savvy operators around. They’re running drones, variable-rate systems, biological mapping, and data-driven nutrition plans. The difference is they’re not just focused on yield — they’re focused on system health.

It’s not anti-science to say that we should use less synthetic input if we can get the same or better results. It’s not backwards to use animal impact, composts, or root exudates if they help rebuild soils that have been flogged for decades. This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about adapting to the reality we’re in — where inputs are expensive, regulations are tightening, and soil health is no longer optional.

It isn’t just for hobby farmers in sandals.

Yes, there are people at Groundswell who don’t farm full-time. There are academics, consultants, barefoot composters and wildflower evangelists. So what? The majority of people I met at the event were real farmers — grappling with the same pressures we all are: wet autumns, slug damage, blackgrass, N bills, machinery costs. And they’re there not to play eco-farmer, but because they’re looking for ways to keep farming viable.

You don’t have to agree, but don’t dismiss it.

No one is saying Groundswell is flawless. No one is saying every idea on display should be rolled out farm-wide tomorrow. But what it is — is a place where people are thinking critically, challenging assumptions, and looking for answers in a world that’s clearly shifting. That deserves more than a sarcastic YouTube review.

So next time someone knocks it, maybe ask them this:

What are you doing to build resilience?

What are you doing to make farming work in five, ten, or twenty years’ time?

Because if you don’t like what Groundswell stands for — you’d better come up with something better. Because carrying on as we are isn’t working.

SFS don’t claim to have all the answers, but we do know that:

If you want to help today’s plant and tomorrow’s soil, get in contact: https://www.soilfertilityservices.co.uk/contact