Regenerative Agriculture Blog

In our latest blog, Douglas Bowden-Smith shares some of what he’s learned having immersed himself in ‘Regen ag’.

“As part of a strategy workshop, the SAOS team recently visited the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie where JHI CEO, Colin Campbell, presented a striking visual: a map depicting historical and projected average crop stress across the UK from 1961 to 2080. The takeaway was unmistakable, our climate is changing rapidly, and agriculture will bear the brunt.

The forecast indicated that parts of southern England, and in some years well beyond, are expected to suffer severe crop stress due to hotter, drier summers and increasingly unpredictable rainfall. Conversely, the JHI models suggest that Scotland’s agricultural potential may grow, as warmer temperatures allow a wider variety of crops to be planted, such as maize, already being grown in the Southwest of Scotland. Other regions in the UK, particularly England’s Southeast and Midlands, will increasingly be under pressure with limited irrigation. A growing shift is already occurring towards more drought-resistant crops, such as grapes now being planted in Sussex and the surrounding counties.

In this context, Scotland’s role in the UK’s food system is poised to become even more crucial, especially for staple crops like potatoes and brassicas. Here, regenerative agriculture enters the discussion. While some might dismiss it as nothing more than “good old-fashioned farming” (such as integrating livestock into crop rotations) regenerative agriculture involves much more than a nostalgic glance at the past. According to Groundswell, organisers of the UK’s leading regenerative agriculture event, it is “any form of farming, i.e. the production of food or fibre, which at the same time improves the environment. This primarily means regenerating the soil. It’s a direction of travel, not an absolute.”

At its essence, regenerative agriculture focuses on rebuilding soil health, the cornerstone of sustainable food systems. Six key principles drive this approach:

1. Know Your Context - Every farm is unique. Soil type, climate, enterprise mix, and long-term goals influence how regenerative principles should be implemented. The crucial first step is grasping your specific context.
2. Minimise Soil Disturbance - Ploughing and heavy chemical use disrupt the intricate underground networks of worm tunnels, fungal threads, and microscopic air pockets. Preserving this structure is vital for maintaining resilient, living soil.
3. Keep the Soil Covered - Bare soil is at risk. It can be damaged by rainfall, scorched by the sun, and compromised by frost. A protective cover, either from growing crops or crop residues, serves as a shield against these elements.
4. Maintain Living Roots Year-Round - Continuous root presence nourishes the soil food web, sustaining bacteria, fungi, and larger soil organisms. Living roots also support mycorrhizal fungi, which assist plants in accessing nutrients and water.
5. Encourage Plant Diversity - Nature avoids monocultures. A diverse crop mix fosters a healthier soil ecosystem, mitigating pest and disease threats. Diversity above ground cultivates resilience below ground.
6. Integrate Grazing Livestock - Well-managed grazing rejuvenates soil, particularly using multi-species swards and mob grazing techniques. This approach allows the land to rest and recover, boosting fertility and carbon storage.

Over the last 18 months, I’ve become increasingly engaged in the burgeoning regenerative agriculture movement. I’ve attended the European Regenerative Agriculture Summit, where 600 delegates convened, including representatives from Unilever, Mars, Nestlé, and Lloyds Banking Group, the UK’s largest agricultural lender. This year I have also attended the Oxford Real Farming Conference and plan to attend the Groundswell event again, the UK’s largest dedicated regenerative agriculture event, with 8,000 visitors.

What is clear to me, is that with the introduction of the Whole Farm Plan this year and the mandatory requirement for a carbon audit (which is intrinsically linked to the health of the soil) farming in a more environmentally conscientious manner will become future government policy and is gaining ever more traction, as evidenced above.

However, the uptake of these alternative forms of agricultural practices is somewhat slow. It’s easier to continue with what you know. In the East Neuk of Fife, I’ve observed farmers like Doug Christie at Durie Farms, (recently named Carbon Farmer of the Year) leading the charge. Doug has been practising direct drilling and various regenerative techniques for over two decades. While there are inspiring examples like this, widespread adoption is still limited.

Regenerative agriculture isn’t merely about changing farming practices, it’s about gearing up for a future where resilience, soil health, and ecological balance are crucial. As the UK’s climate evolves, and with this our food producing areas, farming in ways that restore rather than deplete resources has become imperative. This is no longer optional - it’s essential.”