Groundswell Show 2022

[Samcowman]

Don’t get me wrong; that’s all I wanted to know that it was not-for-profit. I’m merely offering some constructive criticism. Having been involved in open days for farmers etc when I had a ‘real’ job in the agchem industry which were always foc I was just struggling with the numbers but admittedly we only ever had a burger van and a portaloo. Like you say; you sell out and if that’s the size it needs to be to work effectively then fair play. I fully take your point too that it needs to be priced to exclude riffraff but for me sitting on the fence it’s a £40 day. I spend more than the ticket on coffee in a month but to spend it on one day I think I would be wanting to take detailed notes of absolutely everything rather than enjoying it. Just my opinion which is what TFF is all about.

You would definitely want to be taking notes to try to remember everything.

 

[CornishTone]

What about when you go to say a varieties day? From your grain trader maybe; or hgca? I go to look at new varieties to see what I like the look of? I might buy a bit of seed (from any supplier) to then FSS(?) but I’m not obliged to.

Breeders take a punt on you buying their variety and then paying royalties on FSS = not FOC.
Grain trader wants to trade your grain and take a big ol' slice of your profit = not FOC.
HGCA/AHDB is payed for through the levy = not FOC.

My original point merely said IF this is making a surplus then it APPEARS a little greedy. Which I’ve since been shown otherwise. I think sadly it’s just a snap shot of a bigger issue which I see every day. I feel there are three groups of farmers; the full blown regen lot; the full blown father did it and his father before so we are going to carry on as we were and a huge number in between (including myself) who, because on a small mostly tenanted farm, need to justify each and every cost but want to move slightly toward, let’s say, Conservation Ag but who are financially restricted to do so. If Groundswell is purely to cater for group 1, fine. Keep up the good work. But if you want some middle groups which would represent a way higher proportion of area and therefore impact on the environment…then, like premium priced drills for example, it’s a shame nothing can be done to make it more accessible. Clearly I’m not going to convert anyone in this group so I don’t want to take away from the build up and excitement by putting a negative viewpoint so I’ll not contribute any further. I sincerely hope it’s a great day and will be sure to watch any footage on YouTube.

And that's all fair enough, it either floats a persons boat or it doesn't but I think £80 for a day of ad-lib information and learning is pretty reasonable. What does £80 buy you nowadays. Plenty of folk will happily throw £80 over the bar on a quiet night in the pub with a meal and come away at the end of it with little more than a hang over. Although to be fair, at Groundswell you do have to pay extra for the hang over!

 

[Northdowns Martin]

Rip off!!!
Would like to go but way too expensive!

I thought the same about £150 tickets for England v Ireland at Twickenham, my head hurt just as much after both events for different reasons, the knowledge learnt at Groundswell and the beer at rugby, both were equally as enjoyable.

 

[B'o'B]

Rip off!!!
Would like to go but way too expensive!

It’s actually excellent value for money.
It’s a very different experience to any other Ag event I’ve ever been to.
Most of the information at Groundswell is about reducing your costs and increasing your farms resilience, at most other events it is pretty much the opposite (even though that’s is not the image given at the time!)

Anyway, I’m now booked in for both days and camping and thoroughly looking forward to it!

 

[willyorkshire]

It's a bit early really, but we've just started selling tickets to this years show (22/23rd June 2022). Every year I tell everyone that they shouldn't hang about too long as we're going to sell out and this years no different. We've got room this year for a few more (post covid), but there's a lot more interest from farmers.

We've got over a hundred speakers lined up, including Jill Clapperton and Greg Judy back for old times sake and Dwayne Beck is finally coming...I've been badgering him every year since we started, but this always clashes with the Dakota Lakes open day. There'll be Government ministers and anarchists, foodies and food and most of the fun of the fair. There's a biostimulant trial plot, a compost zone and of course, the direct drill demo area...this year including an inter-row hoe demo. It is going to be the best Groundswell yet. Don't miss out. https://groundswell.yourticketpurchase.com/events/groundswell

Will there be electric car charging facilities??

 

[sjt01]

Will there be electric car charging facilities??

If not, there is Ionity and Gridserve at Baldock Services on the A1, amongst others. I would avoid the BP as they have a terrible reputation.

 

[steveR]

It’s actually excellent value for money.
It’s a very different experience to any other Ag event I’ve ever been to.
Most of the information at Groundswell is about reducing your costs and increasing your farms resilience, at most other events it is pretty much the opposite (even though that’s is not the image given at the time!)

Anyway, I’m now booked in for both days and camping and thoroughly looking forward to it!

If you are coming the night before Day 1.... bring your own food! I was very pleased I had lobbed some emergency rations from Lidl into the bag....

Also worth a pack of beer or whatever your poison might be... These days, with a reduced bladder capacity, large quantities of beer and camping are not recommended!!

 

[B'o'B]

If you are coming the night before Day 1.... bring your own food! I was very pleased I had lobbed some emergency rations from Lidl into the bag....

Also worth a pack of beer or whatever your poison might be... These days, with a reduced bladder capacity, large quantities of beer and camping are not recommended!!

Yes I was getting pretty hungry until the open fired steak boys took pity on us last year and fired up to get cooking. That steak tasted goooooood!

it’s a fine balance between pitching your tent close enough to the toilet block and too close!

 

[steveR]

Yes I was getting pretty hungry until the open fired steak boys took pity on us last year and fired up to get cooking. That steak tasted goooooood!

it’s a fine balance between pitching your tent close enough to the toilet block and too close!

A fellow sufferer then... Expensive but desperately needed/wanted by the time they were ready Some food vendors missed a trick I reckon.

I have to admit to tucking in at the far end of the field and going "au natural", on the basis that the Cherry's would appreciate all liquid fert inputs offered.

 

[martian]

Yes, that was a bit of a mistake last year...we've got much more food on offer this time. Hoping queues will be shorter too

 

[CornishTone]

Yes I was getting pretty hungry until the open fired steak boys took pity on us last year and fired up to get cooking. That steak tasted goooooood!

it’s a fine balance between pitching your tent close enough to the toilet block and too close!

Those boys made a killing last year! It was very welcome when it finally came!

Park your tent next to a tree or a hedge. Always somewhere to wee then!!

 

[martian]

Will there be electric car charging facilities??

good question...I'll ask if it's possible

 

[Homesy]

good question...I'll ask if it's possible

Shouldn't take much doing.

 

[steveR]

Those boys made a killing last year! It was very welcome when it finally came!

Park your tent next to a tree or a hedge. Always somewhere to wee then!!

Learned that on French campsites years ago...

 

[steveR]

good question...I'll ask if it's possible

Saw the mahoosive units at teh Game Fair last year, they must be bloody expensive to hire in, or for the punters to charge their cars...

 

[Badshot]

I'm planning on taking the camper again, and have 3 nights in the earthworm arms

 

[steveR]

I'm planning on taking the camper again, and have 3 nights in the earthworm arms

Civilised.

Well, the camper bit anyway....

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

I'm planning on taking the camper again, and have 3 nights in the earthworm arms

Welcome to stop off here if want (although probably hardly worth it as we are only 20 Miles away from Groundswell).

 

[CornishTone]

I'm planning on taking the camper again, and have 3 nights in the earthworm arms

I tried having 3 nights in the Earthworm Arms last year. There wasn't a lot happening on night 3!

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

I tried having 3 nights in the Earthworm Arms last year. There wasn't a lot happening on night 3!

Just needs organising in advance.....