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Making Low Input Farming Work – A Day at Ryedale Folk Museum

On 20th March, Ryedale Folk Museum hosted a day of shared learning and practical insight for farmers exploring or already on the path toward low-input and regenerative farming. The event, supported by Ulrike Ehgartner and FixOurFood, brought together farmers and organisations from across Yorkshire to share experiences, build networks, and discuss how to make low-input farming work — both on the ground and in policy.

The day was packed with insight and inspiration. Alex Fraser shared their journey into organic arable farming with regenerative elements, while Hannah Fraser spoke about her Nuffield Farming Scholarship, which investigated how farming practices influence the nutritional profile of food. Charlotte Bickler offered reflections on the role of crop diversification and biodiversity in agroecological systems, emphasising the power of networks and collective action. Angus Gowthorpe gave a grounded account of his mixed arable and beef regenerative system.

The event created a space for:

  • Knowledge-sharing across different stages of the farming transition
  • Partnership-building between like-minded practitioners and researchers
  • Collective advocacy for better support, training, and policy change

It was brilliant to see representatives from several farmer networks considering how they might collaborate more widely to push for more systemic change. There was a strong shared message in support of low-input and regenerative farming to become a viable mainstream approach, farmers needing accessible resources, better market access, and supportive policy environments.

Farm/Mill/Bake – OPEN NOW until Monday 5 May 2025

The afternoon included the opening of Farm/Mill/Bake, a beautiful photography exhibition by Tessa Bunney, documenting the journey of heritage and diverse grains from field to mill to plate. Curated in partnership with Yorkshire Organic Millers and Ryedale Folk Museum, the exhibition celebrates the people, landscapes, and values driving this grain revival. The Yorkshire Grain Alliance was well represented, and many familiar faces gathered to share their stories over a locally sourced lunch.

The exhibition runs until 5th May at Ryedale Folk Museum in the stunning village of Hutton-le-Hole. Alongside the show, visitors can enjoy the museum’s rich displays of rural Yorkshire life — making it a perfect destination for a spring day out.