James Rebanks will be the keynote speaker at the first-ever Yorkshire Farming Conference, held by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society at the Great Yorkshire Showground in January.

The Yorkshire Farming Conference is an event for everyone working in agriculture and takes place in Harrogate on Wednesday 28 January 2026 at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre from 9am to 5pm where the Keynote Theatre is sponsored by Barclays. The Conference will see agriculture’s big topics discussed during a series of talks and workshops featuring farmers, industry leaders and innovators.

Keynote speaker James is a farmer and writer based in the Lake District, where his family has lived and worked for more than 600 years. An advocate and practitioner of farming with nature, James is a graduate of Oxford University and has worked as an expert advisor to UNESCO on sustainable tourism. He has authored bestselling books, including The Shepherd’s Life, English Pastoral and The Place of Tides.

James, who runs a flock of Herdwick sheep and a herd of Belted Galloway cattle said: “I’m looking forward to speaking at the Yorkshire Farming Conference and meeting other farmers at the Great Yorkshire Showground. It promises to be an interesting and informative day of conversation about the future of farming, and I’m delighted to have been asked to share what I have learned on my own farming journey.”

Allister Nixon, CEO of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society said: “We are delighted to reveal James Rebanks as the Yorkshire Farming Conference’s keynote speaker. As a progressive advocate of working with nature and as a farmer who is so passionate about what he does, his session is not to be missed.”

Among other speakers confirmed so far is Anna Jones, founder and Managing Director of Just Farmers which aims to improve communication between the farming community and urban audiences. Anna will host a session looking at how the perception of farmers by those outside of the industry has never mattered more.

Yorkshire farmers who will speak at the conference include fourth-generation arable farmer Graham Potter based near Thirsk, Anna Pennell who runs pedigree flocks of native sheep breeds near Richmond, and Richard Barker, of Lingy Moor Farming who finishes Aberdeen Angus cattle.  

Topics include farming smarter, policy implications and strengthening supply chains, with talks pitched for everyone in farming regardless of the size of their businesses or how long they have been in the industry. The theme of the conference is ‘Every Field, Every Farmer’ to reflect its inclusive spirit.

As well as a packed programme of talks, the conference will feature a trade show, opportunities for networking and the chance for farmers to claim BASIS and NroSo (CPD) points.

This is the first landmark event brought together by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s farming networks – Future Farmers of Yorkshire, Farmer Scientist Network, Yorkshire Rural Support Network, Women In Farming Network and Yorkshire Food, Farming and Rural Network. Each of these networks is guided by farmers and funded and coordinated by the Society to support those working in the industry.

Throughout the year, the Society’s farming networks offer skills training, bursaries to attend other industry events, knowledge exchange and networking opportunities and mentorship support.

Tickets for the Yorkshire Farming Conference are available to purchase online in advance only and are priced £25 + VAT. A discount is available for group bookings of 10 or more. To buy tickets, for more details and upcoming announcements about the conference line-up, visit yorkshirefarmingconference.co.uk.