Adam Henson, the popular presenter of Countryfile, has candidly revealed the challenges and financial difficulties he has encountered on his journey toward regenerative farming at his 650-hectare Cotswolds Farm Park. Known for his passion for sustainable agriculture, Adam has been working to improve soil health and reduce carbon emissions through innovative farming practices.
During a podcast focused on regenerative farming, Adam explained that despite his commitment, the transition hasn’t been smooth. He highlighted particular struggles with three crops: beans, peas, and oilseed rape. “Beans haven’t been profitable, peas are difficult to grow here, and oilseed rape faces issues with flea beetle,” he shared on Grounded: The regenerative farming podcast.
Adam also revealed that financial constraints have forced difficult decisions, such as taking poorer land areas out of production and converting them into wildflower and seed margins. He described how a government payment acted as a “brake block,” enabling him to accelerate this regenerative shift. “Without this support, we simply couldn’t afford to continue at this pace,” he admitted.
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This isn’t Adam’s first exploration into regenerative methods. In a 2022 Countryfile episode, he looked at alternatives to conventional farming with his neighbour, David Wilson, who employs fully regenerative practices without synthetic chemicals. The contrast was stark: Adam used over 200 tonnes of nitrogen fertiliser, while David used none.
Intrigued by these alternative approaches, Adam began learning about reducing soil disturbance and diversifying crops to improve sustainability, while also managing costs and maintaining viability. David stressed the need to cut chemical inputs, which are costly and increase carbon footprint, but reassured Adam that adopting regenerative principles doesn’t necessarily mean switching to organic farming.
Adam’s openness about his farming challenges highlights the complexities faced by many farmers seeking to balance sustainable practices with financial realities. He continues to adapt and refine his approach, offering a valuable perspective on the evolving future of British agriculture.
Catch Adam Henson on the next episode of Countryfile on BBC One, Sunday, September 21st, from 6.15pm to 7.15pm.