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LEAF Conference 2026
New Frontiers: Regenerative Agriculture, the Power of Public Engagement and the Data Revolution
New Frontiers: Regenerative Agriculture, the Power of Public Engagement and the Data Revolution
Date: Thursday 29 January 2026
Location: BNP Paribas, London
Chair: Tom Heap, BBC Journalist and Author
Price:
£102 (including VAT) for general admission
£60 (including VAT) for LEAF members
Join leading farmers, scientists, policy makers, technologists, and food system thinkers for a powerful one-day conference exploring the shifts reshaping our sector. Across three focused panels, we examine whether regenerative farming represents a revolution, an evolution or a deeper cultural transition; we delve into how public engagement can drive meaningful change in human and planetary health; and we uncover the transformative potential of high-quality data - its capacity, the culture needed to use it well, and the change it can unlock. Together, these conversations chart the emerging frontiers that will define a more resilient, connected and more sustainable future for global food and farming sytems.
Our Keynote Speakers:
John Shropshire OBE DL FRAgS
Chairman, G's Fresh Group
Dr Elliott Grant
CEO, Mineral & Visiting Fellow, University of Cambridge Institute for Manufacturing
Our Panellists:
Professor Janet Dwyer, Professor of Rural Policy, Countryside and Community Research Institute, at the University of Gloucestershire
Jake Freestone, Farm Manager, Overbury Enterprises, LEAF Demonstration Farmer & LEAF Trustee
Lucy Harler, Future Farming Manager, G’s Group
Dan Stevenson BVSc MSc, Head of Sustainable Farming, LEAF
Dr Tom Pearson, Regenerative farmer in West Cambridgeshire
Professor Carol Wagstaff, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research (Agriculture, Food and Health), University of Reading
Dr Johnny Wake, Managing Partner at Courteenhall Farms & LEAF Trustee
Judith Batchelar OBE, Founder, Food Matters International Ltd
Carl Edwards, Director of Communication, Engagement and Education, LEAF
David Farrell, CEO and founding partner of Blue North Sustainability
Dr Helen Ferrier, Director of Innovation & Knowledge Exchange, LEAF
Dr Tara Garnett, Director of Table, University of Oxford
David Hutchinson OBE, Chairman, Hutchinson Group & Director HL Hutchinson Ltd
Christine Knipe, Experience Director, RASE
Michael Sly MBE, Partner and Farms Director, Park Farm
The conference will focus on three broad themes:
Panel 1:
Regenerative Farming - Revolution, Evolution or Cultural Transition?
This panel will explore the practical realities of regenerative agriculture—both in the UK and internationally—and the benefits it can bring to farm businesses within an Integrated Farm Management (IFM) approach. Speakers will discuss how these techniques are being applied on the ground, the operational and environmental gains they offer, and the mindset shifts that support successful transition, recognising the role of farmers’ motivations, experience, and autonomy in driving change.
Panel 2:
Regenerating Human Health - the Role of Public Engagement in Farming & Food.
As we prepare to celebrate 20 years of Open Farm Sunday in 2026, this panel looks at the powerful role of public engagement in helping communities understand where their food comes from, how it's grown, and why it matters. We will example the drivers needed to rebuild trust in food systems to deepen public understanding and inspire more informed, sustainable choices.
Panel 3:
Beautiful Data - Capacity, Culture & Change.
This session explores the critical role of data and digital tools in accelerating sustainable agriculture at a global scale. From AI-driven analytics to real-time on-farm monitoring, data holds enormous promise, but how do we bridge the gap between potential and practical application, ensuring that insights translate into real, meaningful change on the ground?
Who should attend?
Farmers and growers
Agronomists and land managers
Food system professionals
Policy makers and researchers
Environmental and health advocates
Technologists and data innovators
Educators, campaigners, and community leaders
Whether you’re working in the field, developing tools, shaping policy, or building public trust, the LEAF conference is your opportunity to connect with change-makers, share ideas, and contribute to a new vision for more sustainable global farming and food.
