Key sessions Overview

Ark Summit 2025: Finding the Future 

Bridging Debates | Financing Change | Leading Regeneration 

Ark Summit 2025 will tackle some of the biggest questions in sustainable agriculture and land management: 

• Bridging Debates: Aligning perspectives on organic vs. regenerative farming, land sharing vs. land sparing, and sustainable food systems. 

• Financing Change: Unlocking capital for farmers, land stewards, and ecosystem restoration. 

• Leading the Regenerative Transition: Empowering the next generation of change-makers in food, farming, and conservation. 

Keynote Speech: The Spirit of the Land
Dr. Rupert Sheldrake will explore the deep connections between soul, mind, and land, offering a spiritual perspective on our relationship with nature. In a world focused on the functional aspects of farming, land use, policy, and often polarised debate, his address will bring a reflective dimension—reminding us that the future of food and land is not just a technical challenge, but a spiritual and ecological one.
Rupert Sheldrake, Scientist, Biologist & Author

Panel: Viva La Revolution: How Are Our Leaders Spurring Mass Adoption of Sustainable Agriculture?Join us as we explore pivotal initiatives from leaders in sustainable, organic, and regenerative agriculture. We will examine how these efforts foster consensus among key stakeholders—policymakers, consumers, the media, retailers, the supply chain, and educators—to promote sustainable, organic, regenerative farming. Drawing on successful initiatives, we aim to create a cohesive narrative that highlights current achievements and outlines a clear path forward for sustainable agriculture.
Helen Browning, CEO, Soil Association
George Eustice, Special Advisor, Pelican Ag
Guy Singh-Watson, Founder, Riverford Organic Farmers
Dr Charlie Taverner, Policy Lead Farming Futures, FFCC
Moderator: Sarah Langford, Author, Rooted

Panel: Green is Good - Catalysing Regenerative Farming, Food, and Landscapes with Innovative Finance. As the demand for sustainable agriculture increases, green financing becomes essential in supporting farmers transitioning to sustainable and regenerative practices. This panel will explore various financial instruments and incentives available to farmers, including grants, low-interest loans, and tax incentives aimed at promoting eco-friendly farming methods. Collaborative green financing and landowner discounts for tenants for environmentally friendly behaviour will also be discussed. 
Carolien Samson, Head of Sustainable Banking, Oxbury Bank
Adele Jones, Executive Director, Sustainable Food Trust
Tom Cackett, Director, Food & Farming, Savills
Tim Field, Co-Founder, North East Cotswold Farmer Cluster
Moderator: Tamara Giltsoff, Senior Consultant, Soil Association Exchange

Panel: Shining a Light on the UK's Farming Pioneers: Leading the Way in Organic, Regenerative and Agroecological Agriculture. Across the UK, farmers are at the forefront of transforming food systems through regenerative and agroecological practices, adapting to regional challenges and pioneering a more sustainable future. This session brings together a panel of young and innovative farmers who are leading the charge in improving soil health, water resilience, biodiversity, and farming profitability through sustainable methods. We’ll explore how these forward-thinking farmers are integrating nature-based solutions, tackling climate challenges such as flooding and soil degradation, and leveraging new market opportunities to support financially viable, ecologically sound farming.
Ed Horton, Regenerative Farmer & Managing Partner, SS Horton & Sons
Annie Landless, Farm & Enterprise Manager, Ampney Brook Farm
Ben Andrews – Agroecological Farmer
Sophie Gregory, Dairy Farmer, Home Farm
Moderator: Jonty Brunyee, Agroecological Farmer, Conygree Farm

With a Little Help from My Friends: Building Bridges Between Organic, Regenerative, Rewilding, and Nature-Based Solutions to Reclaim Agriculture and Natural Capital This session explores the alignment of organic, regenerative, rewilding, and nature-based solutions (NBS) as essential forces in reclaiming agriculture and restoring natural capital. While each approach brings a distinct perspective—ranging from sustainable food production to wilderness restoration—they share key goals, including enhancing biodiversity, revitalizing ecosystems, and safeguarding natural resources. Positioned as a bridge, NBS offers a flexible framework that integrates with both organic farming and rewilding, helping to unite these movements and harness their combined potential to counter conventional, extractive agriculture. Key debates—such as organic vs. regenerative farming and land-sharing vs. land-sparing—will be explored and reconciled.
Patrick Holden, Founder & CEO, Sustainable Food Trust
David Wilson, Director, Earthtime
Molly Biddell, Head of Natural Capital at Knepp Estate

Beyond the Buzzwords: Benchmarking Regenerative Farming and Avoiding Greenwashing
We explore the findings of a new farmer-led survey by Farmers Guardian designed to define what ‘regenerative’ truly means in practice. We’ll examine how to set meaningful benchmarks, identify impact, and guard against farmwashing and greenwashing as the movement grows.
Olivia Midgley, Editorial Director, Farmers Guardian

Outdoor Workshops & Nature walks
Join us on the lawn and in the fields for a series of interactive workshops and walks that connect soil, story, and regeneration.

Water Source Pilgrimage Walk with Dr Guy Hayward
Begin the day with a guided walk to a nearby spring, reconnecting with land, story and spirit through song, silence and shared intention.
Dr Guy Hayward, Director, The British Pilgrimage Trust

Workshop: Leather Reimagined with Billy Tannery
Discover how Billy Tannery is transforming overlooked waste into high-quality, sustainable leather. Founder Jack Millington shares the brand’s journey from discarded goatskins to microtannery innovation - including a recent collaboration with Knepp Estate, turning wild deer hides into purpose-driven goods rooted in regenerative and circular principles.
Jack Millington, Founder, Billy Tannery

New Roots: Empowering Young Voices, Inclusion, and Wellbeing in Farming
A practical workshop exploring how to open up land, knowledge, and opportunities for the next generation of diverse farmers. We’ll also look at the role of charitable initiatives in supporting inclusion and mental wellbeing in agriculture.
Jamie Fielden, Founder and CEO, Jamie’s Farm
Hugh Addison, Partner, The Borderline Challenge
Lara Cowan, The Soil to Soul Gardener and Founder Botanic Shed

Organic Farm Walk with David and Luke Wilson
Five years into the farm’s organic journey, explore how heritage grains, mob grazing and low-input systems are regenerating the land on the farm.

From Orchard to Glass: Ripe Cider’s Regenerative Journey
Join Georgie for a complimentary cider tasting and discover how Ripe Cider is building a thriving, regenerative business rooted in tradition and ecology.
Georgie Beach, Co-Founder, Ripe Cider


Soil to Soul: Medicine Garden
Gifts from the mother nature and the world of herbal medicine on a tabletop outside the bar
Lara Cowan, The Soil to Soul Gardener and Founder Botanic Shed

We are continuously updating our programme, stay tuned for announcements and email tom@arkce.com if you have an idea you want to discuss

2025 Programme at a Glance

09.00 Water Source Pilgrimage Walk with Guy Hayward

10.00 Tea & Coffee

10.45 Opening Keynotes

11.15 Panel Sessions

12.00 Panel Sessions & Farm Tour 1

13.00 Lunch on the lawn with a special guest chef

14.15 Panels, Workshops & Farm Tour 2

17.15 Closing Keynote & Remarks

17.30 Bar, Live Music & Entertainment

21.00 Event Closes

Join us at Ark Summit 2025—where ideas take root, and action begins. Get your ticket here today