This event will bring Dorset farmers together to explore how regenerative farming can strengthen both farm business resilience and the natural environment. The session will focus on proven approaches to improving soil health, managing drought, enhancing water infiltration, boosting biodiversity, and improving long-term productivity.
What to Expect
- Local context: Understand Dorset’s changing climate, soil, and landscape pressures—and where the opportunities lie for adaptation.
- On-farm experience: Hear from Dorset farmers who have made the transition to regenerative management, including a farm walk to observe it in action.
- Expert input: Gain insights into grazing systems, herbal leys, soil function, biodiversity improvement, and financial resilience.
- Group discussion: Explore what’s working locally and identify realistic next steps for your own business.
Speakers
- Ian Baggs – a local farmer from West Mill Farm is focused on delivering sustainable agricultural production with clear environmental benefits. Ian believes UK dairy farmers can play a key role in tackling climate change while producing healthy, high-quality food.
- Ben Mead – a farmer and advocate for resilience and regeneration at both farm and landscape level, challenging long-held “best practice” approaches and highlighting practical routes to restore soils and profitability.
- Tom Munro – Dorset National Landscape Manager. With extensive experience leading the Dorset National Landscape team, Tom offers valuable insight into how local land management and policy support farmers’ efforts to build climate resilience and deliver nature recovery on the ground.
Key Outcomes
- Practical, achievable steps to make your farm more resilient to climate change.
- Tangible examples of soil, water, and grazing improvements that also support biodiversity.
- Connections with other Dorset farmers and organisations supporting regenerative transition.
Why Attend
Dorset’s clay vales and chalk downlands face growing challenges from drought, erosion, and flooding. But they also hold huge potential for regenerative approaches that rebuild soil, improve water retention, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen farm profitability.
This event will help you explore how regenerative farming can deliver resilience for your business and the wider landscape.
Refreshments will be provided, as will a light lunch.
