Groundswell continues to grow, not just in size but in the calibre and diversity of the thought leaders and influencers it now attracts. What struck me most, though, wasn’t the scale, it was the atmosphere. Despite a slightly bumpy start to the day (photo below), the festival-like energy was infectious: genuinely new ideas, new challenges, and new solutions being thrashed out in an informal, positive environment that few industry events manage to replicate.
Two things stood out. First, the sheer range of conversations happening in parallel, investors talking to start-ups in one tent, farmers swapping notes on regenerative practice in the next, made clear just how much interest and innovation are converging on this sector right now. Second, and more importantly, it was evident throughout the day that people remain at the heart of enabling change. Brilliant solutions count for little without the practical application, and that comes down to people’s commitment, their ability to drive adoption, and yes, at times their sheer stubbornness in seeing change through. That human element is exactly what is shaping the future of UK, and wider, agriculture.
Eden Search remains excited to support the sector as it evolves, both the solutions being developed and the leadership driving them. Groundswell is now a firm fixture in our events calendar, and this year’s edition only reinforced why.
Please reach out to David Macaulay if you’d like to discuss any of the themes further.
