Environment Sec Reynolds at Groundswell Festival

Good afternoon, Groundswell. I'm really excited to be here today.

I've heard so much about Groundswell so my expectations were quite high, but I have to say today has exceeded all my expectations. The passion, the energy, the innovation, the optimism, and the buzz about this place is infectious.

No wonder people call it the Glastonbury of farming.

I would like to thank the Cherry family for hosting such an amazing event and having the vision 10 years ago to set this up.

As Environment Secretary, I see nature-friendly farming not as an alternative to productive farming, but as its foundation. I believe that profitable, resilient farming comes from working with nature. That belief has been at the heart of what I've been doing ever since my appointment last year as Secretary of State.

We all know that healthy soils are central to nature-friendly farming. They store more water during droughts, they support diverse habitats, they support pollinators and they support pest control. They provide cleaner water, stronger ecosystems and more efficient use of inputs.

That is why I am so excited about this agenda. And earlier today I was chatting with Andy Cato. We were talking about the government's 25-year Farming Roadmap, which I published just last week. England's first ever long-term farming roadmap. It provides a long-term plan through to 2050, and nature and regenerative farming runs right through it.

It brings together the different things that affect your farms and that I have been talking to people about this morning. The environment, land use, animal welfare and business resilience into one clear direction.

It sets out how improving nutrient management and input efficiency will help farmers to reduce resilience on artificial fertilisers, cut input costs and, crucially, boost resilience.

Ultimately, it shows that profitability and nature are not competing aims. They are inseparable. And we need innovation to help that strategic shift set out in the roadmap to a more nature-friendly farming system.

Last week, I announced £123 million pounds through the Farming Innovation Programme to back new technology and improve productivity.

That funding is already supporting some really exciting projects. This morning, I've met with Harper Adams University and UK Agritech Centre to discuss how technology can cut inputs, improve resilience, and work more closely with nature.

And I've seen the impact that government support has on farms across the country.

Earlier this year, I met Adrian and Charlotte Downing, who run Darville's Hill Farm in Buckinghamshire. It's a small mixed farm with native breed sheep, rare breed pigs, and an agroforestry approach that weaves trees and hedgerows into productive farmland. Over a cup of tea, and I am a big tea drinker, they talked me through their approach. The hedgerow management gives their livestock shelter and supports wildlife. Their grazing system improves soil health and environmental management.

They had benefited from SFI, a scheme which funds actions to directly improve soil health, the foundations of regenerative farming through actions like cover crops, herbal lays and building organic matter in the soil.

Window one of SFI26 opened on Tuesday and we have seen strong interest in it already.

And I'm delighted to say today that we are allowing farmers with land management agreements that are soon to expire to apply early for SFI26 so that you have the same confidence in the future as we do.

So, I'm really pleased to confirm that this new functionality will be available for window two, which opens in September.

But as I said, behind the numbers, there is a real story. Because when we get soil right, so much else follows. It means stronger crops, lower input costs, greater resilience. So in 10, 20 years' time, the next generation can continue to run productive farm businesses, thriving landscapes, and a countryside richer in nature.

It's why I'm delighted to announce today that we are making changes to the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier, changes that will make the scheme simpler and more accessible.

The scheme already supports some of the most ambitious environmental work happening on farms today, bringing wetlands, peatlands and heathlands back to life, helping threatened species recover, restoring rivers and floodplains and caring for ancient and native woodlands.

Until now, the Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier has been invitation only, very exclusive. That is changing. From later this summer, farmers and land managers will be able to submit an expression of interest and we are introducing simpler, single-focus agreements so applicants can focus on the environmental priorities that matter most on their land.

Backed by at least £50 million pounds for new agreements, this will help support targeted improvements where they can make the biggest difference. And we will set out more detail later this summer.

So, ladies and gentlemen, I want to take a step back now and look at how far we've come in just a year.

I've published a long-term roadmap for the future of farming. I've published a revised Environmental Innovation Programme. I've published the country's first ever Land Use Framework. And we have reopened SFI with record levels of investment. And backed innovation that will help farm businesses become more productive, more profitable and more resilient.

Thank you all again for engaging with us to help make all of this possible, for your willingness to adapt as farmers have always adapted across the generations.

What I see at Groundswell gives me great inspiration and great optimism for the future. Your determination to leave the land in a better condition for the next generation is truly impressive.

Thank you very much.