Wilson & Ashley

Put your thoughts into the mix In this episode, we’re tackling the controversy around the recent Budget Day farmer protest in London — what was meant to be a well-planned, low-disruption demonstration against the proposed “family farm tax” turned chaotic after the Met Police reversed permissions less than 24 hours before farmers arrived. Tractors were banned from Whitehall, some still made it into...

Put your thoughts into the mix In this episode of Wilson & Ashley, we unpack two big, and sometimes controversial, topics shaping the future of food and farming: Cambridge University’s move towards a 100% plant-based menu and the fast-growing interest in regenerative agriculture across the UK. We begin with Cambridge University’s 2023 vote supporting fully plant-based catering across its servi...

Put your thoughts into the mix In this episode of the Wilson and Ashley Podcast, we explore two major stories shaping farming and rural life. First, it's the rise of female ranchers in the US, sparked by a recent US Guardian article. We're lucky enough to hear in detail from a real life cowgirl, Faith from Little Jennie Ranch.  With women now making up more than 36% of agricultural produ...

Put your thoughts into the mix First up, we’re heading to Australia to ask: do they do it better when it comes to farm employment and training? From government-backed gap year schemes like AgCareerStart to hands-on training farms for short-term workers, we explore how the Aussies attract and upskill new people into agriculture — and whether the UK could learn a thing or two.  But is the cost reall...

Put your thoughts into the mix Is there any hope for farmers when it comes to political decision-making? We're fresh back from the Conservative Party Conference, invited by Victoria Atkins, Conservative MP and Shadow Environment Secretary, where it really did feel like farming took centre stage. In this episode, we talk more about Victoria's declaration of the "food and farming emer...

Put your thoughts into the mix Schooling. It’s something we’ve both talked about a lot beyond the podcast—mainly because our own experiences couldn’t have been more different. In this episode, we tackle the big question of: to school or not to school? Prompted by a viral Stacey Dooley reel and plenty of conversations in our own new Podcast Community on Facebook, we explore the rise of home schooli...

Put your thoughts into the mix This week, we're talking about the first ever and compeltely unique Borderline Challenge, being undertaken by Cumbrian brother-and-sister duo Hugh and Alex Addision. It's all in aid of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and with a £10,000 fundraising target already smashed, their incredible journey not only pushes physical limits but also shines...

Put your thoughts into the mix This week on the podcast, we’re tackling two big talking points in farming — one heated debate, and one devastating disease. First up: children on farms. After Farmers Weekly ran a piece comparing farm kids to Victorian chimney sweeps, the backlash was fierce.  We're asking are the clickbait headlines distracting from farming’s real health and safety issues? Do...

Put your thoughts into the mix This week, we’re de-briefing you on a couple of hectic weeks with a fair bit of time adventuring around the country! We're moving from the heart of Wales to the #Farm24, the UK’s biggest digital celebration of British farming. We kick things off at the Royal Welsh Show, and trust us when we say it's seriously Welsh! There's definitely two sides to the...

Put your thoughts into the mix This week, we're talking about the real cost of food – and the true reality of many of the products that are on supermarket shelves. Inspired by a video from B FRANK Health, we unpack the rise of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), how they’ve warped our perception of value, and why real, nutritious food can feel “too expensive” – despite the fact it shouldn’t be. Gov...

Put your thoughts into the mix This week on the Wilson and Ashley Podcast, we’re tackling the conversation around Glastonbury... but we're looking beyond the music. Held on a 1,000-acre working dairy farm, we ask: are vegan festivalgoers being hypocrites? If ticket sales support farming, can you really separate the two? We unpack the festival’s environmental impact, from solar panels on cattl...

Put your thoughts into the mix Disclaimer: This episode covers a sensitive and delicate subject, including practices around religious slaughter. We approach the topic with respect and aim to present balanced, factual information. In this episode, we attempt to unpack the complex and often controversial world of Halal and Kosher slaughter in the UK. Triggered by a 100,000-strong petition calling no...

Put your thoughts into the mix We’re back — and fresh from our very first outing with the Wilson and Ashley podcast trailer! We still can't believe that people came looking for us to have a chat after listening to our episodes! Sitting in our trailer, it really did bring home how we want the episodes to be like a chat between friends! One question kept cropping up… “How did you two even meet?...

Put your thoughts into the mix In this episode of the Wilson and Ashley Podcast , we’re talking about the weather. Yes, we know that farmers are always complaining about it being too wet, too windy, too cold...but why does it matter? With dry, cracked fields and brown fields becoming the norm across the UK, we want to explore the reality of farming through the extremes. Inspired by a recent post f...

Put your thoughts into the mix We’ve absolutely loved hearing from our listeners in previous episodes—so this week, we’re handing over the mic (sort of) and sharing your takes on the biggest myths you’ve heard about farming. From dinner table debates to downright daft questions, it’s all in here. But should we be judging consumers for not knowing, or should we, as farmers, take more responsibility...

Put your thoughts into the mix Episode 2: Chlorinated Chicken, Trade Deals, Charlotte & Rebecca Take London, Does the Women in Agriculture Movement Really Matter and is There a North-South Divide? Unfiltered. Unexpected. Unapologetically honest….some might say blunt. Again. We're back — this time fresh from a trip to the capital for the National Women in Agriculture Awards, with one of ou...

Put your thoughts into the mix Episode 1: The Rural Town Divide, Social Media, Charlotte’s screen time, farming life & the next generation Unfiltered. Unexpected. Unapologetically honest….some might say blunt.  Welcome to the very first episode of The Wilson & Ashley Podcast hosted by Charlotte Ashley and Rebecca Wilson. We’d like to think that we are strong, no-nonsense farming women with...