Networking for young people at Groundswell

Groups at Groundswell regenerative farming festival. Credit: Emergent Generation

Published: Thursday 4 June 2026

The Groundswell Festival provides a forum for farmers, growers, or anyone interested in food production and the environment to learn about the theory and practical applications of regenerative farming systems.

Emergent Generation is a network of 18-35 year olds who are passionate about building a sustainable food system and this year they will have a tent at Groundswell!

This will be a base for young people aged 18-35 to meet peers, reconnect with friends, relax between sessions, exchange ideas and opportunities and connect with mentors and sector leaders. In the tent there will be meet ups, mini workshops and youth-led sessions for young people passionate about food, farming and the environment for two days of connection, inspiration and knowledge sharing.

Some of the activities happening include:

Wednesday evening social from 6pm, with a special keynote speaker, Franco Fubini, Founder and CEO of Natoora and big supporter of young folk who are getting started in farming.
Creating Strong Farm Partnerships with Abunda (sessions all around the topic of Enterprise Stacking & Land Matching)
Strengthening Youth Voice in Policy with the UK Youth Farming & Food Forum
Reimagining Agroforestry with Chris Wilmoth
A celebration of Young Women Working in Farming & Food with Ila Malhotra Gregory (currently interning at Sustain and Culture Roots Collective) and other speakers Danielle Semple, Elva King, Neave Anderson and Veronica White
Soil Microscopy with Jonny Furze of Soil Smiths
1:1 mentoring with sector leaders (including Niels Corfield, Russ Carrington, Claire Whittle, Rachel Phillips, Harry Epsom, Jonty Brunyee and Becky Grove)

Keep an eye on their website here for the final schedule.

Em Gen members are also invited to the Sustainable Food Trust Podcasting Tent on Thursday 2 July from 11am - 12pm for a session that's part masterclass, part live recording. Learn the basics of podcasting, how to hold your own in an interview, and how to find your story. If you’re up for it - share your thinking on mic and contribute to an Em Gen at Groundswell podcast episode.

No experience needed. Just a point of view. It’s free to join as an Em Gen member here!

For more information on Emergent Generation visit their website.

We need healthier food on our shelves, now

Join the nationwide call

Blogs • Sustain

Share

Sign up for news

Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.

Sareta Puri
Diversity Outreach Coordinator
Roots to Work

Sareta coordinates Sustain's diversity outreach work which aims to bring more people from underrepresented backgrounds, with specific focus on ethnic diversity, into the progressive food and farming sector. A core part of this work is outreach with younger people and students to inspire them to get involved in the movement. She manages Sustain’s Roots to Work jobs platform which is also a tool to engage new and diverse talent into the sector.

Sareta has worked freelance for several years in areas of sustainable food, community and diversity. This includes as chef, teacher and special project development at Made In Hackney community cookery school; ambassador for Be Inclusive Hospitality; and in several strategy and operations lead roles in plant-based food startups. Prior to being self-employed Sareta had a decade-long career in youth and education charities and holds a Masters degrees in Childhood Studies from The University of Edinburgh.

Staff profiles