Rock & Roll Farming

It's not every day that you get to interview your broadcasting hero, but that's what I did this week!  Charlotte Smith talks about her long and varied career working in radio and TV, including BBC Farming Today and Countryfile, as well as encounters with Brian Clough, Princess Anne, serious illness, and sexual discrimination.      CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING FARMING AND FOOD-RE...

Jan McCourt has led quite the life. From travelling around the World as an investment banker in the 80s and 90s, to building www.northfieldfarm.com  from the ground up, with a near-fatal encounter with a tractor along the way.  This week's episode is a long one, but one of the most interesting interviews I've done for Rock and Roll Farming. Enjoy!   CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING...

In association with NFU Mutual, I talked to Ruth Poulten from NFU Mutual, Jan Welch from RSABI, Mark Thomas from the Farming Community Network and Jason Alexandra from the Samaritans about how the farming community has been affected over the last few months and what's being done by charities to help.  

Stella Owen talks all about the 2nd 'She Who Dares Farms' Conference, how it all initially came about, and how she hopes to inspire and bring together women in farming.  To book a place on the online conference on Tuesday 21st July, visit www.nfu-cymru.org.uk     CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING FARMING AND FOOD-RELATED PODCASTS, BLOGS & VLOGS.    Podcast Sponsor:  NFU Cymru - for m...

Wouldn't it be cool to grow and malt your own barley for beer or whisky on your farm? Alison Milne and her family are doing exactly that.  Listen to find out all about how they decided to get into malting, the process itself, and how she hopes they can help other farmers take back some control of their markets.      CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING FARMING AND FOOD-RELATED PODCASTS,...

Film Director Peter Byck talks to me all about his brilliant series of short films, Carbon Cowboys, his experiences making them, and why regenerative agricultural practices can save the World.  carboncowboys.org    CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING FARMING AND FOOD-RELATED PODCASTS, BLOGS & VLOGS.    Podcast Sponsor:  NFU Cymru - for more information please visit  www.nfu-cymru.org.u...

What do you do when you develop a taste for spicy food, but can't find any locally?  Start your own chilli business of course!  Sheena Horner did just this with Galloway Chillies. Find out how it happened, how she got to that point, and why it's important to develop networks of friends and contacts in agriculture.      CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING FARMING AND FOOD-RELATED PODCAS...

It feels like the World is on fire at the moment, and everyone has an opinion to share on the #BlackLivesMatter marches going on around the World.  For this episode I spoke to livestock vets Navaratnam Partheeban @navaratnampart1 & Claire Whittle @DrDoWhittle about their experiences with racism and prejudice within the farming community, and what we can all do about it.  Please listen, and if you...

Ben Eagle & I have a LOT in common.  We both produce & host our own farming podcast for a start.  Listen to find out all the rest!    CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING FARMING AND FOOD-RELATED PODCASTS, BLOGS & VLOGS.    Podcast Sponsor:  NFU Cymru - for more information please visit  www.nfu-cymru.org.uk    

Listen as I talk to Jeremy Gibbs about his company Forces Farming, that aims to help ex-service men and women find employment in the agricultural industry.  We also talk about his time working for John Deere in Germany, and have a discussion about mental health.  www.forcesfarming.co.uk   CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING FARMING AND FOOD-RELATED PODCASTS, BLOGS & VLOGS.    Podcast S...

DESCRIPTION: Will records an interview with Evita Van Gestel from NFU Mutual Risk Management Services, to understand what the health and safety challenges are for farmers as a result of Coronavirus and find out about NFU Mutual's new, free health and safety service  

Tonight I was delighted to be joined by the environmental campaigner, George Monbiot.  We talked about a wide range of subjects, ranging from his early love for nature, some of the programmes he made in his early career exposing injustices around the World, reading about his own death, and his views on land reform and re-wilding in the UK.  All this, and much more. 

Listen as Nick Grayson talks about taking over the family farm at the age of 23 after his Father was diagnosed with stomach cancer and given just 6 weeks to live. We discuss succession, the importance of being prepared, and how he's created a successful business direct selling his produce to the public    CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING FARMING AND FOOD-RELATED PODCASTS, BLOGS & VL...

Tonight I spoke to David Hill, the brains and driving force behind The Online Agricultural Show, taking place on 2nd May 2019.  We talk all about the show, what it's taken to get it off the ground, what's happening on the day, and whether it's going to be an annual event! The show is supporting these great charities, please consider donating if you can: www.rabi.org.uk   www.rsabi.org.uk www.fcn.o...

James Rhys is a Welsh valleys boy living in Scotland, and has a cracking hybrid accent of the two.  Listen as we talk about his journey from music and sports journalism into contract shepherding, have an open discussion about our experiences with depression, and hear all about his exciting new coffee business - farmboybrews.co.uk - and how he's supporting mental health charities.  What a guy.    C...

Adam Driver has a thirst for knowledge, and regularly speaks his mind on the big issues facing farmers.  Listen as we discuss his journey from studying philosophy in London, to committed regenerative agriculture advocate.  And I promise that I don't make *too many* Star Wars references.    CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING FARMING AND FOOD-RELATED PODCASTS, BLOGS & VLOGS.    Podcast...

Listen as I talk to the inspirational Lydia Slack about how she struggled to come to terms with her sexuality, the difficulties of coming out to a farming family, and how she's helping others in similar situations by speaking about her experiences.      CHECK OUT eatfarmnow.com FOR LOADS MORE AMAZING FARMING AND FOOD-RELATED PODCASTS, BLOGS & VLOGS.  Podcast Sponsor:  NFU Cymru - for more informat...

Rock & Roll Farming is back baby!!! And who else could I start off again with but farmer and President of the National Farmers Union, Minette Batters.  Listen as we talk about how the current Coronavirus pandemic is causing chaos for business throughout the food chain and what the NFU are doing right now, as well as a great discussion around leadership and what it takes to be in charge of such a h...

Find out how a farming family turned their fortunes around by diversifying into the wedding industry. Will talks to sister and brother Naomi and Andrew about the difficult decisions they needed to take and then how they've been able to grow the business. www.quantocklakes.com  https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/news-and-stories/ahead-of-the-field-podcasts/

Will heads to East Sussex to learn how an historic sheep farm survived foot and mouth by diversifying into growing vines and making award-winning wine. He goes through the whole viticulture process and also finds out how the new business co-exists in harmony with sheep herd, as well as harnessing the power of the local community.

Will is at Intelligent Growth Solutions in Scotland to understand how vertical farming works and how it can create a perfectly controlled environment for growing. He also visits CowAlert to see the latest in livestock tagging technology, and talks more widely to the experts about how agri-tech is shaping the future of farming.   www.nfumutual.co.uk www.intelligentgrowthsolutions.com www.icerobotic...

This month Abi & Will talk to Dylan Morgan of NFU Cymru, and Nick Fenwick of FUW to talk all things Welsh farming and Brexit!   fginsight.com  rockandrollfarming.com 

With winter approaching, advice on what farmers can do to prepare for extreme weather and limit the damage – Will records this bonus episode with David Harrison – one of NFU Mutual's experts on rural affairs.

Nicky and John Bevan have developed two luxury treehouses for paying guests. Will hears the story of how they had the idea and the hard work that went into them, and restoring the old parsonage and tithe barn, as well as the challenges of running a small farm and building up the Hereford herd.  

In today's episode, Abi & I spoke to economists Sean Rickard and Derrick Wilkinson about the Farmers for a People's Vote report that's suggested that 50% of farms could go bust in a no-deal brexit scenario.    www.fginsight.com