Why the government needs to support plant-based agriculture

Meet Laurence Candy, a trailblazing farmer from Manston, Dorset, whose radical transformation of a 60-year-old dairy farm is challenging the very foundations of traditional agriculture. Once a conventional dairy farmer, Laurence now runs Northwood Farm entirely without animals, becoming the UK’s first Biocyclic Vegan Standard certified farmer in October 2022.

After losing most of his dairy herd to bovine tuberculosis in 2017, and his organic milk contract in 2020, Laurence faced a crossroads: abandon organic farming or reimagine it. Inspired by the Vegan Organic Network and driven by years of unease with the realities of livestock farming, he chose to go stock-free—replacing cows with oats, wheat, and fava beans, and turning barns into grain storage.

The emotional journey behind Laurence’s transition is as powerful as the practical one. From witnessing the daily death toll of livestock farming to personal family losses, his reflections led to a profound shift in perspective:

“I never became conditioned to witnessing the end of an animal’s life. That’s probably a good thing—otherwise I wouldn’t have questioned my actions.”

Despite backlash from the farming community, Laurence stood firm in his values, rehoming his remaining cows at Hillside Animal Sanctuary and receiving a PETA award for his compassionate decision. Today, his farm adheres strictly to vegan organic principles, using no animal by-products in fertilizers or production.

Laurence’s story is one of courage, innovation, and compassion. It’s a bold challenge to the notion that animal agriculture is essential—and a powerful example of what’s possible when farmers listen, adapt, and lead.

Don’t miss our upcoming interview with Laurence Candy—a pioneering voice in the future of farming. Discover how he turned tragedy into transformation, and why he believes Stockfree Organic farming could be a roadmap for a kinder, more sustainable food system.

Interviewer Matthew Appleby is editor of Growing Green International, author and three time winner of the Garden Media Guild awards. His latest book is The Super Organic Gardener – Everything You Need to Know About a Vegan Garden.