Mark The Bowler Hat Farmer

Tonight I was joined by Susan in Denmark and Robert in Scotland for a wide-ranging conversation about where farming goes next — from the launch of our Community Hearts programme to the much bigger question of how communities and farmers can work together to rebuild local food systems. We explored Susan’s work in regenerative, biodynamic and biodiversity-led farming, her push for decentralised deci...

Tonight I set out a much bigger vision than food alone: rebuilding community. I shared how a single volunteer post previously brought in around 900 offers of help, and why I now want to relaunch that energy in a far more organised way — from social sharing and litter-picking to community growing, seed saving and local action. For me, the real issue is not simply farming or shortages, but how disco...

This week I opened the show with a catch-up from the garden and polytunnel, talking through the push to get beds composted, winter crops in, and as much as possible prepared before the colder months arrive. Paul then joined me from Bramblebee Farms with a proper on-farm update: housing decisions for livestock, autumn calving, pigs, pasture poultry, hay stocks for winter, and the constant balancing...

Tonight I was joined first by Juliette Bryant for a deep conversation on food sovereignty, soil health, school growing projects, foraging, seed saving and the urgent need to reconnect people with where real food comes from. We explored how nutrient density begins in the soil, why local growing matters, how traditional knowledge around preserving, seasonal eating and medicinal plants has been lost,...

In this episode, I’m joined by Shay Godfrey from Crops Not Shops for a grounded and passionate conversation about what it really takes to build intentional community on the land. We talk through Shay’s move back to Somerset, the new 26-acre site, and the vision for a co-owned project built around food, energy, medicine, education and housing. From my side as a host and grower, I challenge and supp...

In this episode, I’m joined first by Paul Day from Bramblebee Farms for a frank catch-up on life on the farm, from rebuilding chicken tractors and battling rats in the chick sheds to weaning pigs, sorting winter feed, and worrying about what another long, dry spell could mean for hay, grass and cattle going into winter. We also touch on bluetongue, wildfires, the pressure farmers are under, and Pa...

In this episode, I’m joined by Paul from Bramblebee Farm, alongside Simone and later Shamila, for a wide-ranging conversation about food, farming and health. We dig into what deep-rooted plants such as comfrey can teach us about resilience, mineral-rich soils and natural fertility, and we compare shallow-rooted modern systems with more regenerative approaches to grass, grazing and crop production....

Tonight I was joined by Jacqueline and later Steven for a frank conversation about food, farming and the growing need to step outside the supermarket model. Jacqueline shared how a serious health crisis pushed her into growing her own food, rebuilding her diet around local produce, and discovering just how much resilience can come from community gardens, local butchers and simple seasonal eating....

Tonight I was joined by Fabio Zoffi for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of farming, food quality and the kind of decentralised communities many of us believe we now need to build. We explored the shift from yield-at-all-costs agriculture towards food that is nutrient-dense, flavourful and grown in living soils, and Fabio shared how his background in technology and start-ups led him into...

I opened this live show with an apology for the technical chaos and a heartfelt mention for Paul, who was away dealing with the theft of winter feed from his farm. From there, I got into the bigger issue that’s driving so much of my work right now: how we rebuild trust in food. I set out the bones of the new food certification blueprint I believe we need — one rooted in proper seed, living soil an...

I opened this episode with a road-worn catch-up from a busy run through Dudley, Wrexham and on to Rotherham, before Paul joined me with some big news from the farm: the purchase of 31 acres of modern but neglected orchard. We talked about what it means to bring that land back into use, from pruning and clearing space to plans for pick-your-own days, public events and creating a stronger connection...

Tonight I sat down with Matt Adams to explore a question that sits right at the heart of everything we’re trying to do with food and farming: how do we actually recognise truly good food? Matt talked me through his work on measuring food quality through taste testing and Brix readings, and why he believes we need to shift our thinking from yield per acre to health per acre. We dug into his work wi...

In this episode, I’m joined by Lynne Franks and Hans-Günther Kern for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of food, farming and community. Lynne shares her journey from fashion and PR into women’s empowerment, SEED pods and grassroots community building, and we dig into why growing food now has to sit alongside growing confidence, connection and local resilience. We talk about women’s lead...

Paul and I kicked things off with a proper catch-up from the farm, from tractor repairs and homemade ice cream to local cherries, farmers’ markets and the never-ending circus of regulation. Then Nicola and Kelly joined us to give the full lowdown on this year’s Weekend Truth Festival in Wrexham — four days of talks, music, camping, children’s activities and a big focus on community, solutions and...

In this episode, I sat down with Istvan, Joshua and Paul to dig into Lana and ask the practical questions small farmers, farm shops and local retailers will want answered. We explored how Lana is being positioned alongside cash and card payments rather than as a straight replacement, how customers can receive a loyalty-style return on their spending, and how participating sellers can build extra v...

In this candid round‑table, I’m joined by co‑host Paul from Bramblebee Farm and our guest Milly Fyfe, newly awarded an MBE, to dig into the reality of British farming in 2026. We cover why diversification keeps family farms alive (from honesty shops and education centres to markets and on‑farm processing), the constant juggle with planning, EHO and Trading Standards, and how surplus supermarket fo...

In this candid episode, I sit down with Paul to unpack a big step he’s taking to build resilience: securing 31 acres of long‑worked orchards to open up new, community‑centred avenues beyond commodity farming. We talk frankly about the realities behind a mixed, first‑generation family farm and butchery in the Fens—cashflow squeeze, breakdowns, slaughter logistics, rules and inspections—alongside th...

On tonight’s show, Paul gives us the latest from Brambleby Farm — long‑awaited rain at last, a fraught pasteuriser move that ended well, steady calving, and the realities of cleanliness, rotations and costs on a small mixed farm. Our guest, holistic veterinarian Roger Meacock, joins me to explore his journey from conventional practice to non‑pharmaceutical approaches, from using magnets with downe...

In tonight’s conversation, I’m joined by Andy and Francesco to explore how electroculture, geotherapy and good soil biology can radically improve food production. We trace our journey from first meetings and early scepticism to practical installations of power towers, minerals such as basalt, dolomite and quartz, and microbe-rich teas—plus the surprising results we’ve witnessed first-hand: extende...

On tonight’s live catch‑up I’m joined by Paul from Norfolk for a properly down‑to‑earth ramble about real farming in 2026. We start with weather woes (finally, much‑needed East Anglian rain), then dive into Paul’s three‑year journey building a tiny dairy from scratch, why ice cream is the make‑or‑break value‑add, and the joy and jeopardy of doing it all cash‑flow‑first. We swap stories on balky ki...

In this episode, I’m joined by Patricia and farmer Paul for a lively, plain‑spoken look at glyphosate, why so many growers feel trapped into using it, and what it takes to step off that treadmill. From Paul’s first‑hand shift away from routine sprays to working with insect predators, ground cover and dung beetles, to Patricia’s decade of public‑facing advocacy and education, we explore practical,...

Mark (the Bowler Hat Farmer) flies solo from Somerset with guest Dean for a frank, plain‑English discussion about how UK farmers can sell direct, reduce dependence on big processors, and push back against red tape. We unpack the idea of running sales through a Private Members’ Association (PMA), why private contracts can shield small producers from some inspections meant for open‑to‑the‑public tra...

In this on-the-road edition, I sit down with James Caswell and Millie to unpack how a 5,000‑acre arable operation is future‑proofing itself by growing and bagging its own peat‑free compost. We cover the realities of input costs, soil health, and why “thinking outside the system” is no longer optional. James explains the farm’s five‑year herbal leys (clover, grasses, chicory), integrating willow fr...

In this episode, I’m joined by co‑host Paul and arable farmer Phil (Fells Farming) for an unvarnished, from‑the‑yard conversation about the realities of British farming in 2026. We cover breakdowns and long journeys home, water worries and parched fields, compliance headaches, and the ever‑rising costs of fuel, fertiliser and kit. Phil talks candidly about recent farmer actions, why public support...

In this live farm-chat, I’m joined by Craig from Maesllyn Meatboxes, Paul from Bramblebee Farms, and engineer–inventor Alan from Farming Solutions. We dig into the realities of selling meat direct: why face‑to‑face markets often outperform online, how footfall and consistent posting can turn the tide, and smart ways to move stock without filling freezers (hello, quickfire Facebook auctions). Craig...