March 13, 2025.4 minutes

From the field to the city: A farmer's take on the Soil exhibition

Thomas Gent

As a fourth generation farmer, I usually attend different events to corporate business leaders. But while our circles and suits – or lack of – may be different, we all have something in common: soil. I had the privilege of speaking at Somerset House’s Soil exhibition, where Agreena, as sponsors, hosted a fantastic event that brought together farmers, businesses, and industry leaders to explore the vital role soil plays in our everyday lives.

The morning began with a breakfast, where attendees from farms and corporates had meaningful discussions about regenerative agriculture – both its challenges, and the opportunities it presents. I had some great conversations with leaders from Barclays, Gails and Wildfarmed, all united by an appreciation for soil and its benefits.

During my talk, I shared the story of my Lincolnshire family farm’s transition to regenerative practices — why we started, the hurdles we’ve faced, and the profound economic and environmental benefits we’ve witnessed. Regenerative farming isn’t just about changing how we grow crops; it’s about restoring balance to our soils, improving biodiversity, and ensuring a more resilient future for our food system.

A staggering 95% of all food consumed on Earth originates from soil. It’s the only substance capable of transforming death into life, breaking down organic matter and recycling it into nutrients that sustain the next generation of plants. Soil is not just dirt – it’s alive. In just one teaspoon, there are more microorganisms than people on the planet, and we are only beginning to unlock the mysteries of this complex ecosystem. The potential is immense – what if we could harness the power of soil biology to replace synthetic fertilisers? What if we could enhance the nutritional value of our food simply by working in harmony with nature?

As every farm is different, I also interviewed fellow regenerative farmer Fraser Bush to compare our experiences and give unique perspectives when answering questions from the audience, many of whom were particularly interested in yields and government support. To close my talk, I extended an invitation that felt particularly important for a corporate audience: I encouraged everyone to go out and connect with soil – to touch it, feel it and most importantly smell it! Good soil smells AMAZING.

After presentations from Agreena CCO Frederik Aagaard, Deputy Director at Somerset House Trust Diana Spiegelberg, and Claire Catterall, the exhibition’s curator, I had the chance to walk through the soil exhibition, something I had been looking forward to for a long time. As a farmer, soil is a constant in my life. I interact with soil daily, assessing its condition, nurturing its health, and making critical decisions based on its behaviour. Just this past week, I spent hours in the fields checking if the soil was in the perfect state for spring planting; not too wet, not too dry, but just right for planting.

I rarely make trips into London, but seeing an entire exhibition dedicated to soil in the heart of the city was incredibly rewarding. In a place where concrete dominates, it felt like a small piece of my farm had found its way into an urban setting. More importantly, it underscored the need for people, regardless of where they live, to understand just how fundamental soil is to their daily lives.

The importance of soil cannot be overstated. Whether you live on a farm or in a flat in central London, the health of soil impacts you directly. Every choice we make – from the food we buy to the way we manage our green spaces – can contribute to regenerating the soil that sustains us all. Events like this exhibition are crucial in spreading awareness and fostering a deeper connection between people and the land that feeds them. Because in the end, healthy soil means a healthier planet – and a better future for us all.

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