Arriving at the imposing Christ Church College, the buzz and excitement in Oxford was palpable. The pre-conference scholarship sessions had prepared me well for the three days ahead, but as I approached the Examination Schools for our final scholar session, nerves began to set in. I needn’t have worried.
For those unfamiliar, the Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) is an annual event that brings together leaders, innovators, policymakers, and even royalty to discuss the future of farming and agriculture. It’s a space where passion for the industry runs deep and every conversation reflects a shared commitment to helping farming thrive.
One of the clearest demonstrations of OFC’s commitment to developing talent is its scholarship and bursary programme. I was fortunate to attend as a scholar through the support of The Gregor Award, an Aberdeenshire-based charitable organisation that supports young people in agriculture, horticulture, and home economics. When I received the call in October confirming my place, not only would I attend OFC 2026, but I’d also take part in a tailored programme designed to help scholars make the most of the experience.
A week later, I headed to London to meet my fellow scholars. We spent time on team building, leadership styles, and industry insights. This set us up well for a sunny November day at Harper Adams University, a hub of agricultural education and research. There, we previewed the OFC report Grasping Opportunities by Louise Manning, challenging our perceptions of the industry and exploring how we could shape its future. The day included a farm tour, research briefings, and a workshop on utilising our network. By December, after an online session with previous OFC speakers, we were fully equipped for the main event.
Reflecting on the conference itself, there is much to consider but there are three overarching lessons that will stay with me:
1. Never be afraid to put yourself out there
Our programme coordinators, Ben Williams and Sheena Horner, encouraged us to maximise every opportunity: speak to as many people as possible, attend every session, and ask questions. Networking can feel daunting, especially for those of us who started their professional careers during the pandemic. Even as someone who enjoys meeting new people, walking into a room full of industry leaders was intimidating. But the more conversations I had, the easier it became and the rewards certainly outweighed any fears. The lively debates, panel discussions, engaging speakers, protestors outside the conference and thought-provoking conversations throughout the conference served to develop my understanding of what makes this industry work. By Day 3, I felt confident enough to stand up and ask a question to a panel of inspiring business owners in front of hundreds of attendees. My question was put to the “Growing Famers” panel and focused on engaging young people in the agricultural industry and developing the workforce of the future.
2. Succession planning must start early
One question I was asked during the conference was: “How did you end up as a lawyer doing succession planning for farmers?” The perception was that it is a niche area and not an avenue you would consider if you want to work in either industry. My answer lies in my roots, I grew up on a farm in Aberdeenshire, spent time in Young Farmers and developed a deep love for the industry. From early in my law degree, I knew I wanted to specialise in succession, trust, and tax law. It seemed to me that succession planning was a vital part of any family business and this is even more true for rural businesses. Attending the conference confirmed to me that combining my interest in farming and law is not only a joy for me but also necessary.
Once mentioning I was a solicitor specialising in succession planning for farmers, business owners and individuals, the conversation inevitably turned to IHT and the ongoing concerns it raises for farming businesses, even with the increased threshold announced in December 2025. However, almost every discussion then turned to an acknowledgement that, prior to October 2024, many farmers and business owners had been putting off succession planning and those difficult conversations that accompany the planning. The IHT changes have left a distinct impression on the farming community that succession planning is essential for survival and growth, regardless of tax, policy or legal changes.
3. Collaboration builds resilience
The theme of OFC 2026 was “Growing Resilience” and there were such a diverse range of voices platformed at the conference, each deserving of their own paragraph if not article with every session focusing on different ways to achieve this. However, a thread that ran through each of the sessions was that we cannot work in silos. Farmers, academics, scientists, inventors and advisors must work together to ensure that agriculture is a resilient industry. As Louise Manning highlights in her report, we need to “collaborate to achieve shared benefits, reduce risk, lower production costs and limit exposures to geopolitical or socio-economic uncertainty”.
I’m sure we can expect to see this thread of collaboration continue as the new OFC chair, Sheena Horner, announced next year’s theme “Harmony”.
Final thoughts
OFC 2026 was a superb way to kick start the new year as a catalyst for ideas, connections, and personal growth. I left with renewed confidence, a stronger network, and a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead. For anyone passionate about agriculture, I would encourage you to head to OFC 2027!
Contributor
Senior Solicitor
