Feeding the future without costing the earth

How we produce food is one of the biggest questions of our time. Can we feed a growing population while protecting nature, reducing emissions, and making food affordable for everyone, including farmers?

At the AHDB-LEAF Sustainability Conference, these questions were not raised by policymakers or industry leaders, but 150 A-level students from across Hertfordshire.

Throughout the day, students explored how food, farming and the environment connect. They asked probing questions, challenged assumptions, and showed a clear appetite for evidence rather than headlines.

Far from rejecting farming, they were interested in how it could continue to improve.

Roz Reynolds, Head of Retail and Education Partnerships (AHDB), said:

“Students brought real energy and curiosity to the conference, asking thoughtful questions and engaging confidently with complex, evidence-led discussions.

"Thanks to Rothamsted Research and partner organisations together with LEAF and AHDB colleagues, students were able to speak directly with farmers, scientists and industry experts, and see first-hand how their learning connects to real world farming”. 

Students quickly moved beyond surface-level debates. They talked openly about trade-offs between productivity and environmental protection, affordability and sustainability, and local action versus global responsibility.

They wanted to understand how the system works, where it’s under strain, and where genuine progress is being made. 

Many recognised that feeding a growing population while reducing environmental impacts is inherently complex.

In a world often dominated by polarised narratives, their willingness to grapple with nuance felt both refreshing and important. 

Environmental sustainability clearly matters to this generation. It shapes their opinions and decisions. 

Few had visited a working farm, so their understanding of day-to-day farming was limited. Nevertheless, farmers were widely seen as part of the solution. There’s an expectation that farming systems should continue to evolve, innovate and respond to environmental pressures. 

Students want to know where their food comes from, how it’s produced, and what lies behind different choices. Many also recognised the need to understand food systems globally, not just from a UK perspective.

The discussions also exposed gaps in knowledge. Some students held the view that all farming is environmentally damaging, something the keynote session set out to challenge by showing the diversity of UK farming systems.

Methane cropped up a lot, with some confusion about what it is, where the challenges lie and what it means for the environment. 

There was also a tendency to underestimate the progress already made in areas such as nutrient management, soil health, animal welfare and emissions intensity.

This highlights the need for clearer communication from the sector about what has improved and where genuine challenges remain. 

Today’s students are tomorrow’s consumers, voters and decision makers. The views they form now will shape future markets, policies and public attitudes to farming. 

They want transparency, measurable environmental outcomes and clear evidence. They’re not asking whether change is necessary but how it will happen, how quickly and who will lead it. 

For British farming, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is to close the gap between perception and reality, address misconceptions without defensiveness and be open about ongoing challenges.

The opportunity lies in bringing young people closer to farming, involving them in shaping solutions and demonstrating that food production and environmental care go hand in hand.

One clear message came through from listening to these 150 voices. The next generation is ready for a more honest, mature conversation about food and farming.

They want leadership, evidence and openness. By communicating clearly and confidently, agriculture can improve understanding, strengthen trust and help secure its future for the long term.