Down to Earth South is heading to Somerset later this month on 21 June when Neil Baker, an Arla Regenerative Pilot farmer milking 1800 cows indoors, will open his gates to scores of visitors eager to learn more about regenerative farming and see it in action.  

Be Inspired  

As soon as you pass through the gates, be prepared to be inspired as world-renown Ted X Talk speaker Ffinlo Costain kicks off the day with his opening address setting the record straight on how cows are a vital part of the climate crisis solution. 

Ffinlo is the chief executive of Farmwel and founder of the Food & Global Security Network. He will explain how cows in a regenerative farm system help the soil sequester carbon, restore ecological connectivity and help us solve the climate crisis while providing nutrient-dense food and supporting livelihoods. 

Setting the tone for the day, visitors can then take a farm tour to see what regen practices host-farmer Neil has put in place, or they can choose to listen to further inspiring talks, case studies and see practical demonstrations across the show site. 

Muddy boots know-how  

Visitors new to the regen concept can choose to receive a guided talk on how to get started, with other farmers sharing their regenerative farming journey. 

Rob and Jo Hodgkins are sheep and arable farmers from Hertfordshire who are transitioning to a regenerative farming system that supports the profitability of their farm business. 

Hear how they set up Kaiapoi in 2013 with 200 ewes on 60 rented acres of grass and have since driven the business forward hard and now run 2250 ewes across 1000ac semi-improved grassland and solar panels and farm 1600ac of arable crops. 

The day, however, doesn't just consist of talks about land management; there are also sessions discussing the importance of choosing the right genetics for a regen system. Two dairy consultants from Tyndale Vets and Kite Consulting will discuss the role genetics play, with ecologist and regenerative farmer Rob Harvard detailing how to select the best beef genetics for regen systems. 

Practical demos  

And if that's not enough, a whole suite of practical demonstrations and drop-in clinics are taking place, including Carbon Calculating Clinics with event sponsors Trinity AgTech. Demonstrations will showcase the latest seed drills with Aitchison, Cowconnect's Mollie Cresswell will give a tour of Feedlync, showing how the product transforms TMR feeding globally. And if you want to reduce the emissions from your farm vehicles, then now's your chance to check out New Holland's new biomethane tractor and JCB Electric Telehandler.  

So, no matter where you are on the regenerative farming journey, there promises to be something for everyone at this event, which was awarded the Exhibition News (EN) Rising Star Award this year. 

Get your tickets now  

Tickets are on sale now for £20 or free for RABDF Members at  https://projectdowntoearth.co.uk/   .

To view the full line-up of talks and demonstrations or to find out more about the host farm, go to https://projectdowntoearth.co.uk/learning/    

You can also find out information on Down to Earth North taking place on 6 July in Cumbria at https://projectdowntoearth.co.uk