About James Rebanks

James Rebanks is a fifth-generation sheep farmer from Matterdale in the Lake District, where his family has stewarded the land for over 600 years . Despite leaving school at 16, he balanced evening classes with farm work, later earning a double-first in History from Magdalen College, Oxford.  James is the author of the international bestselling memoir The Shepherd’s Life (2015), which captures the rhythms and realities of fell farming, and English Pastoral (2020), winner of the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing, which explores three generations of farming and the impacts of industrial agriculture. His latest book, The Place of Tides(2024), reflects a deeply personal exploration of land, wildlife, and self-sufficiency.

James has become a compelling voice for regenerative farming, advocating for soil health, biodiversity, and the economic viability of family farms. Regularly spotlighted in the media, from BBC’s Desert Island Discs to thought-provoking articles on farming policy, he channels his lived experience into stirring conversations about sustainable agriculture in the modern world.

At Fields Good, James will bring a richly woven narrative, melding personal journey, historical insight, and a passionate call to mend land through thoughtful, regenerative stewardship.