Lincolnshire Farming Conference 2026: A Roadmap to Resilience Highlights Ways Forward for British Agriculture
- Verity Newcombe
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
The Lincolnshire Farming Conference, hosted at the Lincolnshire Showground on Thursday 12th February 2026, brought together farmers, industry leaders, agribusiness professionals, policy experts and students at the EPIC Centre for a day of dialogue, insight and practical strategy.
This year’s conference provided a platform to explore how the agricultural sector can adapt, thrive and build resilience amid ongoing policy changes, market pressures and environmental challenges. Attendees benefited from expert-led sessions, interactive workshops facilitated by our sponsors and invaluable networking opportunities designed to inform and inspire.
Kelly Hewson-Fisher, Chair of the conference, opened the day with a call to action for collaboration and resilience in farming communities. Reflecting on the success of the event, she said:
“The Lincolnshire Farming Conference, now in its 9th year, is one of my favourite days of the year. It’s an opportunity to bring together everyone involved in the farming sector across Lincolnshire and beyond for what we hope will be an informative and inspiring day. The 2026 conference saw a record number of attendees enjoy the event. The speakers were excellent, focusing on global to local challenges and opportunities, and the exhibitors were in abundance - giving attendees the chance to seek specialist information and advice. A key part of the farming sector is the people within it, and the conference provided the opportunity to meet new people and reconnect with others. Already, I’m looking forward to 2027 - let the planning begin.”
The conference featured a distinguished lineup of speakers including:
Victoria Atkins, MP for Louth and Horncastle and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who spoke on current and emerging policy challenges.
Ed Barker, Head of Policy and External Affairs at the Agricultural Industries Confederation, who delivered a forward-looking exploration of the UK agricultural supply chain.
Digby Sowerby, Managing Director at Environmental Farmers Group, discussing investment opportunities and climate-aligned farm strategies.
Simon King, Farm Manager at J Wharton (Agriculture) Ltd, sharing insights into sustainable and resilient practices on a large arable and livestock operation.
Minette Batters, delivering the keynote address on farming profitability and the sector’s future prospects.
In addition to the keynote and presentations, the programme included panel discussions featuring industry experts, practical case studies and Q&A sessions that allowed delegates to engage directly with speakers.
Workshops covered timely topics such as:
Counter-Attacking the Chancellor – supported by Brown & Co, Streets Chartered Accountants and Shakespeare Martineau.
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in the Agri-Food Sector – led by the SUSTAIN AI Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Lincoln.
Protecting Your Farm from Upcoming Energy Cost Rises – exploring smarter energy procurement and on-site generation with Woldmarsh Producers and NerG.
Together, speakers, sponsors and delegates contributed to a vibrant day of knowledge exchange aimed at equipping the industry with tools, insight and confidence to meet future challenges.
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the Lincolnshire Farming Conference 2026 a successful and impactful event.
For more information on future conferences and events at the Lincolnshire Showground, please visit www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk
Thank you to our Sponsors who played a vital role in supporting this year’s conference:
Brown & Co
NerG
Omex Agriculture
SUSTAIN AI Centre for Doctoral Training
Shakespeare Martineau
Streets Chartered Accountants
Woldmarsh Producers
Branston Ltd (Lanyard Sponsor)
Dallas Scott Davey (Lunch Sponsor)
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The Lincolnshire Farming Conference 2026 provided a thoughtful and forward‑looking platform for people across the UK farming community to share insights, innovations and shared priorities for building resilience. With sessions that balanced tradition and innovation, the conference highlighted how farmers are adapting to economic, environmental and technological pressures while maintaining a deep commitment to quality and stewardship of the land. What stands out is the spirit of cooperation that emerged — from practical planning tools to shared resources and support networks — all aimed at strengthening farms and rural livelihoods across the country. These conversations remind us that resilience isn’t just about weathering individual storms, but about communities learning from each other and working together toward long‑term sustainability. It’s…