Key Takeaways
- Early shift to regenerative agriculture: Thomas Gent’s family began transitioning in 2008, prompted by declining soil health and economic viability.
- Core principles of Gentle Farming: Focuses on improving soil health, reducing inputs, and creating space for nature.
- Agreena and carbon markets: Thomas Gent highlights the role of Agreena in helping farmers monetise sustainable practices through carbon credits.
- Machinery innovation from necessity: Facing a lack of suitable equipment, Thomas Gent’s family created their own direct drill technology, now patented and sold globally.
- Call for farmer-led narrative: Gent urges farmers to take control of the sustainability conversation rather than letting it be shaped by retailers or regulators.
A Farmer’s Perspective: How Thomas Gent Is Reframing Sustainability in UK Agriculture
From Crisis to Catalyst
In 2008, before “regenerative agriculture” was a common term, fourth-generation farmer Thomas Gent and his family began transforming their approach to farming in South Lincolnshire. The shift wasn’t inspired by headlines or market trends—but by necessity.
“Our conventional methods were no longer financially working, and we could see that soil health was declining,” said Gent. “There wasn’t much reliable advice, and access to the right machinery was a challenge.”
Lacking access to suitable tools, the family built their own. Gent’s grandfather now holds the patent for a direct drill coulter used globally—an innovation born out of local constraints.
Defining Success Differently
Gent is the founder of Gentle Farming, a family regenerative agriculture business. His definition of success extends far beyond yield.
“It’s about improving soil health—95% of our food depends on it. But it’s also about farmers taking ownership of this movement,” Gent explained. “Agriculture is at the heart of the climate conversation.”
Gentle Farming promotes four principles: minimising soil disturbance, minimising inputs, maximising soil cover, and maximising areas for nature. According to Gent, regenerative agriculture is not a fixed recipe but a dynamic learning process.
Addressing Risk and Misconception
Gent notes that the biggest barrier to adoption isn’t cost—it’s mindset.
“Around 70% of farmers wait to see others succeed before they act. That slows everything down,” he said. “You have to be willing to test, adapt, and learn from your own land.”
While new machinery and digital tools are increasingly available, Gent advises new adopters to start small and test practices on a portion of your land, and build confidence.
Carbon Credits as a New Frontier
As UK agriculture navigates economic and environmental stress, Gent sees carbon markets as a promising avenue.
Through his role with Agreena, Gent works to support farmers in generating carbon credits through field-level digital monitoring. This provides an additional income stream while validating sustainable practices.
“Carbon markets are a way to monetise the environmental benefits that farmers are already contributing,” he said. “Agreena’s dMRV system gives credibility to those efforts.”
Still, he acknowledges the system can be complex and intimidating.
“Farmers need transparency and education. The key is showing real-world examples and building systems that are easy to understand and use.”
Blending the Old and the New
Gent often references the value of historical practices, such as growing an understory of clover to maintain soil cover and enhance biodiversity.
“The best ideas aren’t always new. We just have better ways to scale them now,” he added.
Leading the Narrative
Gent believes farmers must take a more active role in shaping how sustainable farming is portrayed.
“If we don’t lead the narrative, supermarkets and policymakers will. Farmers need to be visible, vocal, and involved,” he said.
He points to events like Groundswell as important for fostering a unified, farmer-led movement.
Looking Ahead
Over the next 3–5 years, Gent sees real potential for regenerative farming to address environmental and economic pressures.
“It’s not just about soil—it’s about profitability, resilience, and staying relevant in a changing world,” he said.
For those considering the transition, Gent’s advice is straightforward:
“Start small. Observe what works. Don’t wait for someone else to prove it’s viable—because by then, you’re already behind.”
