Rachel Martin: It feels like changing times for farming, even outside of Ireland

Irish Examiner Farming Editor Rachel Martin at the Oxford Farming Conference.

This week, I find myself writing from one of the dorms at Christchurch College ahead of the Oxford Farming Conference.

The conference is an exciting place to be – set in the beautiful surroundings of the oldest English-speaking university in the world – there is a sense of importance to the talks.

Here, over the next few days, many high-level discussions and debates will take place, over the way forward for one of the oldest industries, farming.

Many of us live by the adage not to fix what’s not broken. But when change is inevitable, the choices become struggling on with a victim’s mentality, clinging to what you’ve always done, or looking change straight in the eye, finding the opportunity in the change and taking the best step forward that you can.

That’s exactly what the theme for the 2025 conference, “Facing Change, Finding Opportunity” sets out to instil.

We’re used to hearing the word “uncertainty” a lot in farming at the moment. In fact, it was only a couple of weeks ago at the ICMSA AGM that I heard one speaker remark, “The only thing certain right now is uncertainty”.

It certainly feels like changing times for farming, even outside of Ireland. In fact, the first day of the conference alone here, the word ‘change’ is mentioned 16 times on the programme’s list of topics.

Everything from changing practices to new schemes and incentives to climate and emissions is covered.

But rather than drum up fear, which often comes with the feeling of change, the focus is to come together to uncover the opportunities ahead, and stress-test and challenge perceptions.

In his opening welcome, OFC chairman Geoff Sansome explained that while the conference theme was picked just over a year ago, it has become all the more apt in the months which followed.

“Today, farming is facing some unprecedented levels of challenge and change, not only our businesses, but impacting greatly at the family and personal level. We are an industry that is at a pivotal moment in terms of purpose, politics and profitability. We walk the tightrope of standing up for what we believe in, whilst maintaining wider public support for the vital services we provide,” he said.

He warned of the risks of getting “distracted” by shorter-term pressures and stressed that it was important to look ahead.

Mr Sansome told delegates he firmly believed that every change creates an opportunity.

“To see or do things differently, to take stock of ambition and purpose and to put our thinking and businesses in order to help future generations,” he said.

“Collectively, we have all the talent, resilience, technologies, skills and experience to succeed and make the most of the opportunities open to us.” Next year the Oxford Farming Conference celebrates 90 years since its formation.

Reflecting on the changes that have taken place over this time, Mr Sansome said one word had come to mind, to sum up how the industry has come through; “resilience”.

On a personal level, I’m privileged to be here on one of the OFC Inspire scholarships this year. In speaking to the other scholars, who all come from a diverse range of backgrounds and professions within the agri-food sphere, I see a lot of the ambition, drive and purpose that Mr Sansome describes.

My key takeaways from our sessions so far have been the importance for farming to communicate with the wider public, as well as basing whatever you are doing on your own core values and trust.

But most importantly, to allow yourself to be challenged, have a vision and have the confidence to make it happen.

I certainly look forward to being challenged and inspired over the next few days.