Little comparative research has investigated the ‘lifeworlds’ of organic and conventional farmers. Using phenomenology, this article explores and describes the ‘lifeworlds’ of farmers in central‐southern England with the aim of identifying their understandings and experiences in relation to their choice of farming system. On‐farm ‘lifeworld’ interviews and observations (examined in terms of movement, rest and encounter) showed that, in contrast to conventional farmers, organic farmers often have less tidy farms, perceive the farm and ‘natural’ environment as one and the same, place more importance on their dwelling and experience greater feelings of isolation. Most of the organic respondents' understandings of farming were more closely linked to the ‘natural’ environment, biodiversity and agricultural sustainability than the conventional farmers, whose agricultural understandings were often concerned with creating pheasant cover and providing ‘good environments’ for foxes.