Why Soil Might Be the Most Important Health System We Have

04th September 2025

Dirt is something we often take for granted, but in truth, the ground beneath our feet is one of the most powerful influences on our health, our food, and our future. Patrick Holden CBE, Founding Director and Chief Executive of the Sustainable Food Trust, has spent decades working to transform the way we grow, produce and consume food. Ahead of this year’s Goodwood Health Summit, presented by Randox Health, Patrick’s message is clear: soil health is public health.

“The soil microbiome is the foundation stone of public health.” – Patrick Holden

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GOODWOOD ESTATE PROJECT..STARTED IN 2019, COMMISSIONED BY DR

Accelerating the Transition to Sustainable Food Systems

After leading the Soil Association for 15 years, Patrick has dedicated his work to accelerating the transition towards more sustainable food systems on both a national and global scale. Through the Sustainable Food Trust, his team is influencing policymakers, producing reports such as Feeding Britain from the Ground Up, and spearheading frameworks like the Global Farm Metric, designed to help farmers everywhere measure sustainability in a harmonised way.

“Our mission is to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable food systems… but it isn’t happening fast enough.” – Patrick Holden

One of his newest projects, the Beacon Farmers Network, brings together farmers across the country who are committed to educating the next generation about where food really comes from. Patrick believes that real change happens when informed public opinion drives consumer choices — and in turn, influences both politicians and food companies.

 

The Power of Public Choice

Rather than pointing the finger at retailers and food companies, Patrick argues that the key lies in consumer behaviour.

“You can’t blame the big food companies. They’re serving our desire for cheap food… If we don’t buy their products, they’ll have to change and give us what we will demand in the future.” – Patrick Holden

This means educating children, families and communities about food provenance and better farming practices, so that healthier, more sustainable food becomes not just a niche choice but a mainstream expectation.

 

Interconnected Biomes: From Soil to Self

Patrick’s own farm in West Wales - the longest established organic dairy farm in the country - is a living example of these principles. His herd is fed from the land, without imported soya or intensively grown feed, producing rich, flavoursome milk that is crafted into award-winning cheese.

He explains how every stage of this process is connected:

“Everything is connected; nothing is separate. The farming world is a series of interconnected biomes… the soil microbiome, the food we produce, and our own digestive system.” – Patrick Holden

This cycle of soil, food, and health is fragile, and industrialised farming has broken many of those connections. But regenerative practices, such as diverse crop rotations, can rebuild fertility naturally and create nutrient-rich food for future generations.

 

A New Chapter for Farming and Health

Patrick believes we are standing at a turning point:

“Our health and the health of future generations depend on the vitality of the food we eat. The power of informed public opinion can enable us to step into a new world where the health of our children will be rebuilt through the fertility of the soil.” – Patrick Holden

 

Looking Ahead: The Goodwood Health Summit 2025

For Patrick, the Goodwood Health Summit, presented by Randox Health is more than just a conference; it’s a place where change begins.

“This gathering is incubating change. These are influential people who will go back into the world and share these ideas. Very often, it’s small gatherings like this that sit right at the epicentre of what can really change the world.” – Patrick Holden

On Thursday 2 October, Patrick Holden and a world-class panel of experts, including Mr James Kinross, Dr Federica Amati and Dan Kittredge chaired by Dr Chris van Tulleken at this year’s Goodwood Health Summit 2025 as they explore how soil health, food systems, and gut health are shaping the future of wellbeing.

Join the online audience for the Goodwood Health Summit.

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  • gut health

  • Health Summit

  • health summit 2025

  • home farm

  • organic

  • Farming

  • latest news