about
Inspired by the invigorating regenerative farming festivals taking place around the world, UNDERGROUND has been created to connect farmers, growers and eaters around the common grounds of soil, food and farming… with some music thrown in for good measure!
Think of Underground as part-farming conference, part-food festival. We champion low impact, biological ways of producing food (and there are many approaches, from organics to regen to agroforestry and indigenous food systems - they are all our jam).
Ultimately, we’re here to put farmers and growers at the centre of conversations about our food and to celebrate kai with incredible chefs and plenty of feasts!
Bringing diverse stories, ideas, people and practices together at the source of where our food comes from, is part of what makes UNDERGROUND unique.
Photo of the festival site at our South Island home, Greystone Wines, North Canterbury
Underground is always hosted on a farm.
After two incredible years at Greystone Wines in North Canterbury, in 2027 we will migrate North to the home of Wholly Cow - a regenerative sheep and beef farm owned by Tommy & Carrie Andrews.
Located on the outskirts of Cambridge, the farm has regenerating bush, native tree plantings, and a micro-abattoir & tannery. Their son, Luke, runs Wholly Cow Butchery in town.
Tommy and Carrie were speakers at our first event. They have created a circular, sustainable independent farming system that incorporates regenerative farming practices, the highest animal welfare standards and they are constantly working toward zero waste. It really embodies everything Underground is about. Learn more at Wholly Cow Butchery.
We will return to North Canterbury in 2028!
THE LOCATION
What to Expect
A comprehensive two day programme featuring speakers from Aotearoa and around the world, covering a diverse array of topics.
Two talk tents with a rolling programme of in-depth presentations, panel discussions and workshops.
Sessions out in the field demonstrating diverse pastures, grazing management, biological fertiliser application, compost & biochar techniques, soil tests and observations, regen viticulture, biodiversity walks and more.
Incredible food/kai sourced locally from organic, regenerative or Hua Parakore producers wherever possible. See exhibitors page for last year’s line-up.
Exhibitors and market stalls featuring businesses passionate about soil, seeds, trees, farming, food and more.
Onsite camping and glamping (available for three nights, with activities/food onsite the night before)
A very social atmosphere and, of course, music!
The line-up will feature more than 30 speakers with a strong emphasis on local
If you are passionate about growing and eating food, then Underground is for you!
The programme is designed to appeal to a broad range of farmers, growers, food producers (large and small), home gardeners and cooks, and soil and nature enthusiasts.
80% of attendees are actively farming across a variety of sectors and scales, from large scale dairy and sheep & beef farming, to wine, horticulture, and market gardening.
Soil is a common ground for all us, even eaters, and that’s why we attract such a broad audience.
We welcome people curious about where their food comes from and keen to connect with those who produce it. Chefs, foodies, nutritionists, scientists, makers, home gardeners, lifestyle blockers (small holdings), researchers, all come along.
Who is UNDERGROUND FOR?
Fran Bailey
Underground is Fran’s baby. She’s an events & comms specialist who worked the UK’s biggest regen ag festival, Groundswell, for three years. She lives on a dairy farm in the Waikato and loves connecting people around soil, food, farming, and nature. Fran also founded Soil Sisters Aotearoa NZ.
The EVENT team
Chanelle O’Sullivan
Chanelle is our creative genius and event co-pilot, alongside Fran. Living off-grid in Central Otago, Chanelle holds a group of 19,000 rural women, has her own business, Harvested Media, and is a passionate advocate, working in many diverse areas of the farming and regenerative industry.
Nick Gill
Nick is co-owner of The Food Farm in North Canterbury, a 16 acre small farm embracing permaculture principles. For 20 years he guided the transformation of Greystone Wines into one of the country’s leading regenerative organic vineyards. He’s now added regenerative business coach to his bow.
SUPPORTING MINDS
These are the familiar faces from Aotearoa’s regenerative food and farming movement that provide support and guide us - ensuring we provide an event that is powerful, unique, fun and unmissable!
Top left clockwise:
Angela Clifford, Simon Osborne, Jules Matthews Amber Rose, Sam Lang, Mark Anderson.