Opinion: How farming’s past is shaping a resilient future

Resilience has always been at the heart of UK farming.

Every generation has faced uncertainty and adversity, from technological innovation to unpredictable weather, and every generation has found ways to adapt.

When I look at my own family and neighbours, I’m reminded how that spirit endures across our farming communities.

See also: OFC 2026 to focus on farming resilience

My father recalls ploughing the fields with a horse, then the arrival of the first tractor, and the excitement when electricity reached the milking parlour.

He often tells the story of the day they bought a new chicken house that collected the eggs neatly in trays instead of searching for them in the hedges.

It may sound simple, but to him it represented progress and proof that resilience is built through steady adaptation and improvement. That rhythm of change is what defines farming.

We may have more tools and technology now, but the core mindset remains the same: look ahead, learn quickly and stay grounded in community.

Strength

Farming has never been about standing still, and resilience is the strength that allows families and businesses to recover, rebuild and continue producing food for the nation.

Through my work with the Farming Community Network (FCN), I see that resilience isn’t only about the finances.

It is also social, about the ability to stay connected and supported when times are tough.

When people face difficulty, what helps most is knowing they’re not alone.

Farming can be isolating, yet it depends on relationships – with nature, with markets, and with each other.

Those connections are what make adaptation possible.

It is this blend of personal experience and shared purpose that drew me to the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC).

When I first attended in 2020, it had been in my role as chief executive of FCN for just a week.

I was struck by the atmosphere, the history of the venue, the diversity of people and the openness of discussion.

Inspire

OFC brings together voices from across agriculture and beyond to challenge the status quo and inspire positive change.

That sense of purpose left a lasting impression on me.

Six years on, I have the privilege of chairing the 2026 conference as it marks its 90th anniversary.

It is a voluntary role and one I am proud to take on.

For me, it represents a chance to give something back and to shift perspective.

Our 2026 theme, “Growing Resilience”, reflects both my own outlook and what I see across the industry every day.

When people face difficulty, what helps most is knowing they’re not alone.”

Resilience is not something you achieve once and move on from.

It is something you grow, work at and keep developing through change.

And you do not grow resilience on your own. You need people around you – family, friends, colleagues and community – who understand what it takes and can help share the load.

The 2026 programme will explore resilience in all its forms: financial, environmental and social.

It will look at how policy and trade are evolving, how technology and innovation are reshaping farming and how wellbeing and mindset are every bit as important to long-term sustainability as the balance sheet.

As we celebrate 90 years of OFC, my hope is that delegates leave with a sense of optimism and purpose, recognising the challenges ahead, but also the opportunities.

There is so much to be proud of in UK agriculture, and so much to look forward to as we bring the next generation with us.

The Oxford Farming Conference runs from 7-9 January 2026 and tickets are still available.