Designing a healthier, fairer farming future at Falkland

The movement to build a better future for our farms and for Scottish soil is building momentum with a two-day festival lined up in Fife this summer.

Falkland estate is playing host to the second year of regenerative farming event Groundswell Outreach Falkland, an offshoot of the annual Groundswell Regenerative Agriculture Festival which is held in Hertfordshire. Following the success of last year’s pilot event, GO Falkland is being held over two days on 17th and 18th July and tickets are now on sale.

The aim of GO Falkland is to generate awareness, engagement and action in people and organisations across regenerative land use in Scotland. Led by farmers, foresters, smallholders, growers and anyone interested in food production, it’s about co-designing a healthier and fairer future in Scotland’s food and farming system, sharing knowledge and creating partnerships which generate progress.

The gathering will feature a packed programme of speakers, workshops, panel discussions and demonstrations, showcasing some of the key practices and principles of regenerative land use. There will also be a vibrant fringe of smaller venues and exhibitor spaces as well as local food and drink.

Ninian Stuart’s family owns and operates the 1590 acre Home Farm and hill-land at Falkland. With a strong focus on responsible stewardship of the land, he is one of the founders and steering team behind GO Falkland. Ninian believes there’s a real appetite for people to find out more about regenerative farming and land use in order to sustain our soils, enhance well-being and build community wealth:

“In creating GO Falkland we’re embracing an opportunity to bring together key players in regenerative agriculture in the heart of Scotland. Our aim is to spark conversations and progressive actions in the fields of the future.”

“We were inspired by the original Groundswell festival, where the seed of the idea for GO Falkland was sown. With Groundswell’s encouragement we’re now developing more independently, with our own specific flavour and focus on the challenges and opportunities present in Scotland. Together with others, we’re growing a community of practitioners on the ground, sharing the learning of an international movement.” GO Falkland 2023 was supported by the original Groundswell festival. In 2024, the event welcomes some new partners and sponsors including: NHS Fife, Fife Council, Soil Association, James Hutton Institute, Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board, Pasture for Life, Rare Breeds Survival Trust, Woodland Trust and Scottish Forestry.

Key speakers include: Groundswell founders Joanna Bowen and John Cherry, Dan Kittredge from the Bionutrient Institute, soil health educator Joel Williams, Abi Mordin from Propagate, Johnnie Balfour of Balbirnie and Doug Christie of Durie Farm in Fife. More experts will be added to the programme in the coming weeks. 

Ninian Stuart hopes the event will attract people from across Scotland: “There will be something here for everyone - from those who are already practising or moving towards regenerative systems and have skills and experience to share, to farmers and growers just beginning to consider making a change for the better.

“Last year’s inaugural GO Falkland gathering surpassed our expectations. It is a friendly, open and inspiring place to be with people at the leading edge and those just starting out with regenerative farming. I’d encourage anyone who is interested to come along and learn more, or share what they’ve learned on their journey so far.”

The programme of events, talks and workshops at GO Falkland will be updated regularly at falklandestate.co.uk/go-falkland/  and tickets can be purchased at falklandestate.co.uk/event/go-falkland-2024/