Professor Lynn Dicks recently joined a leading agriculture and sustainability podcast to discuss the science behind regenerative farming and share insights from University of Cambridge team in the H3 Programme (Healthy Soil, Healthy Food, Healthy People), lead by the University of Sheffield.
The conversation explores what robust, real-world evidence tells us about soil health, biodiversity, and the practical transition of commercial farms towards more regenerative management systems.
Listen/Watch to the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZRTITjoXko
From Labels to Evidence
In the interview, Lynn reflects on how the H3 research team worked with commercial farms across England — examining the transition to more sustainable farming under genuine economic conditions."
Rather than relying on simple “regenerative” labels, the programme developed a structured way of assessing farming practices over time. This approach allows agricultural systems to be understood as a spectrum of management choices — measured, analysed and compared.
It is a shift from rhetoric to data.
What the Research Reveals
The discussion touches on emerging findings from the programme, including measurable improvements in soil structure and biological activity, alongside changes in input use and biodiversity indicators.
At the same time, the research highlights the complexity of agricultural systems. Some outcomes respond at field scale; others depend on the wider landscape.
It is this nuance — and the commitment to rigorous, commercial-scale evidence — that makes the H3 programme such a significant contribution to the conversation around regenerative agriculture.
The episode offers a thoughtful and grounded exploration of what science can — and cannot — tell us about transforming farming systems.
Lynn continues:
"We are looking at environmental outcomes from regenerative agriculture in our Fenland Farms at CLR, using the 'regenerative score' approach developed in H3 and described in this interview. Some interesting findings are coming soon — on birds, beetles, and water quality."
Keep an eye on this space — we’ll be sharing updates as the research unfolds.
We encourage you to listen to the full discussion. It is also available on all major podcast platforms.
This article was originally published on the Centre for Landscape Regeneration website, on 19 February 2026: