The Oxford Real Farming Conference 2025 offered a timely reminder of the role that biodynamic farming plays in the future of agriculture. This year’s enthusiasm for biodynamic methods, research and the Biodynamic Land Trust, demonstrated by vibrant discussions and packed sessions, highlights a growing recognition of the need to work in harmony with nature to address challenges such as soil health, climate resilience, and agroecological food production.
At the conference, the Biodynamic Land Trust hosted a session on improving the narrative around beef and sheep as public goods, discussing what policymakers should focus on to support agroecological farming practices. The session was based on our Communications Officer Amber Lawes-Johnson’s PhD research. Agroecological beef and sheep systems are not only vital for biodiversity, soil regeneration, and carbon sequestration, but they also connect communities to ethical, sustainable food production. Yet, these systems often go under-recognised in public discourse and policy. This needs to change. Policymakers must act in accordance with their own promises and create frameworks that reward and support farmers who prioritise environmental and social goods alongside food production.
The Biodynamic Association’s session on the science behind biodynamic farming was equally well-received, with attendees eager to explore the evidence supporting holistic farming practices. This research strengthens the credibility of biodynamic farming and highlights its critical role in addressing modern agricultural crises.
The growing interest in the Biodynamic Land Trust emphasises the role of land trusts in farming succession. Access to affordable land is one of the biggest barriers for new entrants to farming, and leaving succession planning to the eleventh hour is common among ageing farmers with no obvious successors. Organisations such as the Biodynamic Land Trust safeguard land for future generations and ensure it remains in the hands of those committed to sustainable practices. This approach is essential for addressing the generational handover in agriculture and ensuring continuity in ecological stewardship.
The ORFC reminded us that enthusiasm and science are aligning to prove that biodynamic farming is not only viable but essential to a resilient agricultural future. By recognising and supporting these methods – and the land access initiatives that make them possible – we can build a food system that nurtures the Earth and its people alike.
Author: Mari-Liis Nukis
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