Adam Henson, well known as the presenter of Countryfile, has opened up about the challenges he has faced while transitioning to regenerative farming on his 650-hectare Cotswolds Farm Park. During a recent podcast focused on sustainable agriculture, Henson revealed that he and his team encountered significant financial difficulties that momentarily halted their progress.
Regenerative farming, which aims to restore soil health, improve biodiversity, and reduce carbon emissions, has been a long-term goal for Henson and his wife, Charlie. However, the journey has not been straightforward, especially when it comes to managing three particular crops: beans, peas, and oilseed rape. Henson explained, “We’ve been trying to improve our soils and reduce our carbon footprint for many years, but we’ve faced real challenges—beans haven’t been profitable, peas are hard to grow here, and oilseed rape suffers from flea beetle infestations.”
To tackle these issues, he decided to remove poorer land from production, instead converting it into wildflower and seed margins. This move was supported by a financial payment, which Henson described as a “brake block” that helped accelerate their shift toward more sustainable practices. He admitted, “We couldn’t afford to keep going down the same route, and this payment was incredibly useful in pushing us further on the regenerative path.”
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Adam’s interest in regenerative farming intensified after collaborating with his neighbour David Wilson, a farmer who combines organic and regenerative methods. On a 2022 episode of Countryfile, the two compared their approaches. David produces crops without any nitrogen fertiliser, whereas Adam was using over 200 tonnes annually. This contrast sparked Adam’s curiosity about whether regenerative farming could work on larger-scale farms like his own.
Before fully embracing the method, Adam sought advice to understand its principles better. David highlighted the importance of reducing soil disturbance, planting diverse crops, and cutting back on expensive chemical inputs that harm the environment and worsen a farm’s carbon footprint. Importantly, David reassured Adam that fully converting to organic farming wasn’t necessary to adopt regeneration practices.
Adam’s journey reflects the complex balance farmers face between maintaining financial viability and embracing environmental sustainability. His openness about the struggles and adjustments required offers valuable insight into the realities of modern farming.