The Farmers Guardian Podcast

Debunking agriculture's greatest myths with charity Farming Help

<p>British farmers work to some of the highest standards in the world. But media reports and activists can paint farmers in a negative light, holding them accountable for global issues and at times representing them unfairly.</p><p>New research by the Farming Community Network has shown how a lack of public understanding and appreciation for farming can contribute to mental ill-health.</p><p>This session will debunk some of the popular myths that surround farming, giving farmers the opportunity to highlight the many ways there protecting the environment and the enormous work that goes into providing high-quality animal welfare. It will also showcase how agriculture is an industry that welcomes people from different backgrounds, including those taking their first steps into this challenging, but immensely rewarding way of life. This talked is chaired by Farming Community Network&apos;s Alex Phillimore, Addington Fund&apos;s Annie Winn and the guest speakers are Andrew Ward, Anna Longthorpe and Will Roobottom</p><p>Farming Help</p><p><a rel='noreferrer noopener' target='_blank' href='https://www.farminghelp.co.uk/'>https://www.farminghelp.co.uk/</a></p><p>Farming Community Network</p><p><a rel='noreferrer noopener' target='_blank' href='https://fcn.org.uk/'>https://fcn.org.uk/</a></p><p>Addington Fund</p><p><a rel='noreferrer noopener' target='_blank' href='https://www.addingtonfund.org.uk/'>https://www.addingtonfund.org.uk/</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Over the Farm Gate presents: At home with...Family farm blogger Beth Withers AKA Tractors and Tweed

<p>In this month&apos;s At Home With episode, Farmers Guardian features editor Emily Ashworth speaks with Beth Withers - or as everyone may know here, the force behind popular Instagram blog Tractors and Tweed. With three young children, Beth documents what daily life is like running a farm and bringing up three young boys. Here Here she talks all things motherhood, life on farm and the the delicate balance of it all. </p><p>Watch the video on youtube: <a rel='noreferrer noopener' target='_blank' href='https://youtu.be/ahRrElX5Yws'>https://youtu.be/ahRrElX5Yws</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

ELM changes: Farming Minister Mark Spencer lays out Defra’s plans

<p>Alex Black spoke to Farming Minister Mark Spencer about the latest changes to the Environmental Land Management scheme and his role being the voice of the farmer within Defra</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

#FarmingCAN be a pillar of support

<p>Hannah Park and Emily Ashworth shine a light on some of the fantastic support networks and initiatives in the rural sector which are available to people should they need it with. Join them as they welcome guests Alex Phillimore at the Farming Community Network, a charity at the heart of the rural community providing support in many forms and Sheena Horna, one of the founders of #Run1000 – an initiative set up three years ago to inspire people to get moving and experience the benefits this can have on mental wellbeing in January while raising money for worthy rural charities. </p><p>Farming Community Network</p><p><a rel='noreferrer noopener' target='_blank' href='https://fcn.org.uk/'>https://fcn.org.uk/</a></p><p>#Run1000</p><p><a rel='noreferrer noopener' target='_blank' href='https://www.run1000.org/'>https://www.run1000.org/</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Inside the LAMMA Show

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A look back at 2022

<p>Alex Black remembers the key events of 2022 with NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw and takes a look at the farmland market and the trends for the year ahead with Savills&apos; Charlie Paton.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Over the Farm Gate presents: At home with Doodling Lucy; All things art, rural life and British farming

<p>The next episode in our &apos;At Home With&apos; series is all about art, country life, women and business with Lucy Gray AKA Doodling Lucy. With over 15,000 followers on Instagram, Lucy has seen her rural based art business blossom, especially after deciding to dedicate herself to it throughout Lockdown. But this is much more than just art, because Lucy is using her platform to highlight mental health, sustainability and champion farming and the rural community. </p><p>You can see what Lucy gets up to on her instagram @doodlinglucy5 or visit her website to find out more <a rel='noreferrer noopener' target='_blank' href='https://doodlinglucy.com/'>https://doodlinglucy.com/</a></p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Nuffield Farming Conference special

<p>FG editor Ben Briggs reflects on November’s Nuffield Farming Conference, which FG was media partners for. He speaks to former Nuffield scholars, current scholars and organisers of the amazing event in Cardiff and ask them what Nuffield means to them, why people should apply and what makes a good presentation.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Wild and free – the farms opening their gates to city kids

<p>For some children, the chance to run wild and free in a big grassy field, is a far-off dream they might never experience. Disadvantaged urban living is leaving many children around the UK with a poverty of experience, particularly when it comes to nature. One charity and its farmers are trying to change that though. Jez Fredenburgh speaks to Mary Hext at The Country Trust, which takes thousands of children a year to visit farms, and Michael Gent, a host farmer in Northamptonshire, about why sharing the countryside with the children is so rewarding. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Christmas in the countryside: festive traditions, family and cooking the perfect turkey

<p>Christmas is coming and in this Over the Farm Gate episode, Farmers Guardian&apos;s features editor, Emily Ashworth, gets a whole rounded look at the festivities going on in the rural community this season. First up is Matt Slack, a fifth-generation butcher from Doncaster. He has taken the business into a new, modern world by taking to Tik Tok and has over 100,000 followers. But what are people buying this Christmas? And what is the best way to cook a turkey? We also hear from farming and family blogger Beth Withers. She has three young children, so what is Christmas on farm like for them? </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Experimenting with regen – one arable farmer&#39;s story

<p>Suffolk arable farmer, Andrew Maddever and his family, have been running a pretty conventional system until fairly recently, through their 2,000ha operation and contracting business. But a trip to a regenerative farm in Argentina a few years ago got Andrew thinking. Since then he&apos;s been using parts of his land to experiment with no till, catch crops, and cover crops, as he edges his way to a more regenerative/ agro-ecological way of farming. Key for him is doing this gradually, to protect his and his clients&apos; finances. He talks candidly to Jez Fredenburgh about the challenges and wins, what his neighbours think, not being a typically &apos;neat&apos; farmer anymore, and the buzz of seeing his soils come back to life.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Dairy market moves: What is in store for 2023?

<p>Dairy analyst Chris Walkland and dairy farmer and NFU dairy board chair Michael Oakes discuss the latest moves in the farm gate milk price and where prices might go in the new year.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Regen farming &amp; profitability

<p>Does &apos;farming green&apos; mean your business will be in the red or black financially? Jez Fredenburgh catches up with Gary Markham, director of Land Family Business, for a whistlestop chat about this. Gary has been advising farming families on their finances for decades, and has most recently run a 4-year benchmarking exercise comparing thousands of acres of conventional v regenerative farmland. Listen in as Gary covers everything from consistency of profitability, to family wellbeing, yields, and collaboration opportunities. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Over the Farm Gate presents: At home with the Nicholson family (Cannon Hall farm)

<p>In the second episode of At Home With, Farmers Guardian&apos;s features editor Emily Ashworth speaks with Richard Nicholson and his dad Roger about their family farm Cannon Hall. Cannon Hall is one of the most well-known farms in the country, especially after appearing on channel 5&apos;s highly popular &apos;On The Farm&apos; series. Her we talk all things family, farming, food and, of course, Christmas. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Fertiliser and livestock: What&#39;s going on in the market?

<p>Alex Black discusses the latest moves in the livestock and fertiliser markets and how we got here with Scott Donaldson at H&amp;H and Jo Gilbertson at AIC</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

New entrant and British Farming Awards silver winner talks about starting farming business

<p>How do carve out a career for yourself in farming? How can the industry attract more talent? How do you get your foot on the farming ladder? New entrant Paul White from Lancashire talks to Features Editor Emily Ashworth about his successful journey into agriculture, and roping in his sidekick, Conor Walsh, who is from a non-farming background, in to help him. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Why on-farm diversification interest is booming

<p>In this special edition of Over the Farm Gate, Farmers Guardian editor Ben Briggs reports from the Farm Business Innovation event at the NEC, Birmingham. Speaking to exhibitors and speakers, he finds out why interest in on-farm diversification is booming at a time of wider energy market and financial turmoil.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Remembrance Day history special: A Lancashire Land Girl&#39;s story and one woman&#39;s mission to preserve the legacy of Cumbria&#39;s farmers

<p>This week&apos;s Over The Farm Gate focuses on the industry&apos;s rich history, and Emily Ashworth speaks with two incredible women. First you will hear part of Marjorie Walker&apos;s story, from her time in the Women&apos;s Land Army in Lancashire. And lastly, the story of farming photographer Amy Bateman who has recently released her brand-new photography book, Forty Farms, based on farms in Cumbria. What is the importance of farms in this historic area? How will life change for these farms going forwards? Do people know how integral farmers are the preservation of this iconic area? Amy met some incredible people on her journey and only fell more in love with where she lives in the process. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Storm Arwen - One year on

<p>In this episode, one year on, we look back on the damage and devastation caused by Storm Arwen in the North East of England, how repairs are going and advice about the best ways to prepare for any future storms.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Over the Farm Gate presents: At home with Amanda Owen

<p>In this brand-new monthly podcast, Farmers Guardian&apos;s Features Editor, Emily Ashworth, brings you the At Home With series. This month she chats to one of the country&apos;s most well-loved shepherdesses, Amanda Owen AKA The Yorkshire Shepherdess, about her latest book, Celebrating the Seasons, and talks all things food motherhood. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Behind the scenes at the British Farming Awards

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Unleashing the power of grasslands

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#FarmingCan special: Top questions kids asked farmers and bringing food production to life in the classroom

<p>From educational farming organisations to teachers in schools, as a sector we continually find new ways to inspire those outside the industry. In this episode, we speak to a secondary school teacher who is passionate about widening the conversation in her food science lessons to cover where food comes from and how it is produced. We also find out what it is children most asked of farmers from the Country Trust&apos;s Jill Attenborough, an organisation committed to getting children outside, into the countryside and onto farms.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Regen farmers – mixing things up with George Ford &amp; Jake Freestone

<p>This week Jez Fredenburgh talks to two more farmers about their regenerative journey and how they have gradually developed more mixed farm businesses based around natural processes – family farmer George Ford from North Somerset and farm manager Jake Freestone from Gloucestershire. George has transitioned his family’s intensive pig unit to a much more mixed business including a beef suckler herd, pasture-reared chickens, and soon-to-be pasture-reared Xmas turkeys. As manager of Overbury estates, Jake first started practicing min till over a decade ago, and has become well known for his work on soil health including long rotations, and companion cropping. He has more recently re-introduced livestock to the estate. They talk about what started their transition to more nature-based farming, how their businesses have changed as a result, and what they wished they’d known when they started. The chat also veers onto what Jake and George make of the current political climate in Westminster and what they’d like to see if PM Liz Truss ever had an epiphany about the need to support a transition to more agro-ecological farming practices.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Conservative conference special: What is the new Defra team’s vision for farming

<p>In this week’s episode of Over The Farmgate, head of news Abi Kay reports on the highlights of Conservative Party conference, and talks to Farming Minister Mark Spencer about the direction Defra is taking now it is under new management.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

A 300 year legacy: farming and forestry at Blenheim Palace

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How to manage complexity and biodiversity on your farm?

<p>If you’ve been listening to our Farming With Nature series (or reading about it in the mag) you’ll have heard us talk about seeing the farm as an ecosystem. In this episode we dig deeper into this concept and how to manage the complexity and diversity that this brings. Jez Fredenburgh talks to Caroline Grindrod, a former conservationist and previous tenant farmer in the Dales and Lakes, who has spent years exploring how to integrate farming and nature through systems. Caroline has trained in holistic management with the Savory Institute and is the founder of Roots of Nature, where she works with farmers as a regenerative farming consultant and coach. </p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Agricultural shows: Do they have a future?

<p>In this week&apos;s episode of Over The Farmgate, we are looking at agricultural shows. After two pandemic years, some smaller shows have folded, and others are in a precarious financial position. Those which remain have the daunting task of having to appeal to their traditional rural audience and an urban population, increasingly disconnected from farming. We explore what the future for shows is in the modern world.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Queen of the countryside: Remembering Elizabeth II’s reign

<p>In this special episode of Over The Farmgate, features editor Emily Ashworth and livestock reporter Hannah Park reflect on how The Queen supported agriculture during her 70 years on the throne. We also hear from members of the farming community who were lucky enough to meet her.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>

Native breeds – why matching livestock to land is so important

<p>In this week’s episode of Over The Farmgate, we hand back over to Jez Fredenburgh to explore whether farmers struggling in volatile times can turn to native breeds to lower their costs and improve the environment, while preserving a vital piece of the UK’s cultural heritage.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2206410/fan_mail/new">Message us</a></p>