Oxford Farming Conference Marks 90 Years with Focus on ‘Growing Resilience’
Under the theme “Growing Resilience”, the 2026 Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) marked a significant milestone of 90 years of ideas, debate and progress. This year’s programme brought together leaders from across the agricultural sector to explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of farming.
Resilience as a Central Theme
Jack Bobo, Executive Director at the UCLA Rothman Family Institute for Food Studies, opened with reflections on the conference’s evolution over nine decades. OFC26 Chairman Jude McCann emphasised the continued importance of resilience across UK agriculture, highlighting the need for long‑term adaptability in a changing global landscape.
Updates on Farming Policy and Support
A keynote address by Emma Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, outlined several forthcoming measures intended to strengthen the partnership between the Government and farmers.
Key announcements included:
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The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) will be changed with two application windows in 2026 July for smaller farms (to be confirmed) and September for all other farms, and the options reduced.
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In response to Baroness Batters' Farming Profitability Review a new Farming and Food Partnership Board will be established with farmers at its core to enable partnership development of policy that will be stable at least to the end of this Government.
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Reynolds also announced the forthcoming 25-Year Farming Roadmap; and launching a £30 million Farmer Collaboration Fund to support networks and best practice.
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Additional support will focus on upland communities and extend the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.
Following Ms Reynolds’ speech, Ministers from across the devolved nations took to the stage including Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Scottish Government, Huw Irranca-Davies MS, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Welsh Government and Andrew Muir MLA, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland.
The panel of Ministers from across the devolved nations were joined by Dame Angela Eagle MP, Minister of State in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), to answer questions from delegates, offering perspectives from across the UK.
Supporting Farmer Wellbeing
RABI used the conference to introduce FarmersAid, a new initiative focused on addressing trauma and health inequalities within farming communities, an initiative AIC is proud to support.
Spotlight on Future Talent: AIC Future Forum
The Growing Farmers session featured contributions from Martha Headley, Commercial Manager at Withernay and an active member of the AIC Future Forum. Speaking alongside Stuart Armitage, Ben Martin and Simon King, and chaired by Ben Williams, Martha shared insights from her family business, which repurposes former food products into feed for young livestock.
“We had a great discussion about how to attract and retain great candidates to ensure future resilience in agriculture. It was great to share the fantastic work of the AIC | Agricultural Industries Confederation Future Forum and the insights we have gained from it. It’s been an honour to be part of such an incredible event that is held in a place so filled with history as we create the future of agriculture” – Martha Headley
Closing Reflection
OFC’s 90th year highlighted both the progress made and the collective focus required to support a resilient future for farming. AIC will also continue to engage with Defra to ensure Member interests are represented as these measures develop.
Author
Wendy Ford
Wendy Ford is Communications Manager at AIC, creating and overseeing the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media.