The Oxford Farming Conference
Wednesday 8th January, 2025
06:00
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
Visit our booking office to secure your in-person or online ticket for the 2025 conference, running from 8 - 10 January.
Physical Tickets include: Wednesday afternoon (Inspiring Innovators, FW Question Time, Fieldwork Book Club), Thursday (Partner Events, Main Conference, OFC Debate) and Friday (Partner Events, Main Conference). Access to the OFC25 app for networking with in-person and online delegates and on-demand video content post-OFC. There is the option to add the Chairman's Reception (£25 plus VAT) and the Christ Church Dinner (£95 plus VAT).
Digital Tickets include: Access to a live online stream of all sessions hosted on the main conference stage on Thursday and Friday. Access to the OFC25 app for networking with in-person and online delegates and on-demand video content post-OFC. It excludes the debate and any partner events during these days.
11:00
Early Registration Opens
Get ahead and visit our registration desk, open from 11am to 2pm at The Oxford Examination Schools.
14:30
Inspiring Innovators
Sponsored by McCain
A new addition to the OFC programme, bringing together inspiring speakers who will present their innovative ideas during short presentations, hosted at the Examination Schools. Spaces are limited so to join us, please select this option when booking your OFC25 ticket.
16:30
Farmers Weekly Question Time
Sponsored by Farmers Weekly
We have teamed up with the Farmers Weekly to bring you one of their Question Time sessions, hosted at the Examination Schools. Spaces are limited so to join us, please select this option when booking your OFC25 ticket. Click “more” to see a list of the speakers.
Chair: Johann Tasker, Farmers Weekly
Speakers:
- Graham Wilkinson, AHDB
- Alice Groom, Head of Sustainable Land Management, RSPB
- Matt Lobley, Exeter University
- Henry Tufnell, MP South Pembrokeshire
- Minette Batters
16:30
Fieldwork Book Club, in partnership with OFC and book signing
Returning for the third year, the Fieldwork Book Club, in partnership with OFC, the 2025 session will welcome Dieter Helm to discuss his new book, "Green and Prosperous Land”. This session will take place at the Examination Schools. Spaces are limited so to join us, please select this option when booking your OFC25 ticket. Hosted by Adam Bedford.
18:30
Chair's Welcome Reception
Sponsored by Birketts LLP
OFC25 Chairman, Geoff Sansome, will officially kick off the conference with welcome drinks, hosted at the Examination Schools. Please note, this event is charged at £25 plus VAT and includes drinks and nibbles. You can add it to your booking when buying your OFC25 ticket.
19:30
Oxford Conferences’ Welcome Dinner: Building Connections, Celebrating Progress (hosted by FFCC)
This inaugural dinner, organised by the Food, Farming & Countryside Commission, will bring both conferences together to celebrate the food and farming community’s shared sense of purpose, and build connections for the path to 2030. After a 3 course dinner and drinks (all included in the £45 ticket price), you will hear from speakers who will reflect on our common ground, common interests and common purpose. To book this event, please use this booking link and use the code OFC324. Drinks are from 7.30pm with dinner starting at 8pm.
20:00
OFC/Agrespect Joint Social
After the success of the joint OFC/Agrespect Social in 2024, it will return again this year, hosted at The Chequers Inn Pub. Please note, there will be security on the door so you will require your OFC pass to gain access, and it is on a first come basis.
Thursday 9th January, 2025
07:00
The Mike Potter Memorial Run
Kick-off the day with a short run, enjoying some of the sites in Oxford. Suitable for all levels of fitness, led by Sheena Horner and Adam Bedford. Meet at the steps of the Oxford Examination Schools. The run will last no longer than 30-minutes.
07:15
Registration Opens
Registration will open at The Oxford Examination Schools. If you are attending a partner session, please allow enough time to collect your pass.
07:30
Morning Prayers - Chapel Service
An OFC tradition, Morning Prayers will take place in the University College Chapel, led by Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley. The service will conclude by 8am for those wishing to attend partner sessions.
09:00
Session 1 - Policy: enabling opportunity
Agricultural policy is in transition, in a world requiring increased food production, with demanding environmental priorities. This creates challenges for governments and farmers, yet also opportunities. This session will cover the major farming political updates at domestic and international levels and showcase how farming businesses are responding to these changing drivers.
14:00
Session 2 - Adapting to a changing world
Seasonal extremes and climate change are testing our established farming systems. Yet technological advances and innovations are creating incredible new opportunities. This session will explore our changing natural world, how that impacts on land used for farming and how today’s science can help feed tomorrow’s world.
18:45
OFC Debate
The renowned OFC debate is the perfect way to end the second day of the conference. Spaces are limited so to join us, please select this option when booking your OFC25 ticket.
20:00
OFC Post-Debate Supper
The Post-Debate supper will take place in Christ Church, renowned for its links to fame with Alice in Wonderland written at the college in the 19th Century by Lewis Carroll, and the Great Hall used as inspiration for the Dining Hall in Harry Potter. A three-course meal will be served with wine for those who wish to purchase a ticket at £95 plus VAT. To add this to your booking, please select it when buying your OFC25 ticket.
Friday 10th January, 2025
09:00
Session 3 - Inspiration from change
Change and adversity can often provide the catalyst for inspirational and influential leadership to flourish. Farming produces fantastic food for increasingly health-conscious consumers. This session will showcase inspiring farmers and food businesses, and people who have seized new opportunities born out of adversity, opportunity, ambition or a simple passion for food.
