We stand at a critical moment in history for food and farming. During the last century, our extractive farming practices have contributed to the depletion of nature and brought us to the brink of a planetary emergency, resulting in climate change, catastrophic biodiversity decline and a crisis for public health.

With half of our land now used for agriculture, farmers across the globe have become the primary stewards of nature, climate and health. Yet their delivery of public goods requires redesigning our businesses and industries away from systems based on extraction and growth and towards approaches based on the principles of regeneration, sustainability and the circular economy.

During this talk, Minette Batters explains how she is involved in the Global Farm Metric coalition and her vision for a sustainable farming future. Minette Batters is President of the National Farmers' Union and runs a tenanted family farm in Wiltshire. The mixed farming business includes a 100 cow continental cross suckler herd, and a small herd of pedigree Herefords as well as sheep and arable. Diversification includes the conversion of a 17th Century tithe barn into a wedding and corporate events venue, and horse liveries. Minette co-founded the campaigning initiatives 'Ladies in Beef' and the 'Great British Beef Week'.

She has been an NFU member from grassroots through to County Chairman; she served as Wiltshire's Council delegate and also as Regional Board Chairman for the South West. Minette has also been a member of the NFU Governance Board and served as NFU Deputy President for four years from 2014 to 2018, before being elected as President in 2018. Minette is also a Trustee of Farm Africa. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx