We Can Do Both

AMELIA and JASON GREENWAY only began farming in 2018, but were named Tenant Farmers of the Year at the Southwest Farming Awards in 2023. Neil recently visited them at their farm on the Killerton Estate in Devon, where they breed pedigree highland cattle, alongside rare breed pigs. They spoke about the ups and downs of tenant farming and they talked about how they look after their sensitive landscape and its soils.Listen and you’ll hear: Amelia on the farm and her journey into farming (0m55s); Amelia on how they farm highland cattle (8m41s); their partnership with the National Trust (16m41s); Amelia on why they chose rare breed pigs (26m04s); Jason joins Neil to describe his journey from high-input farming to nature-friendly farming (33m03).Visit Jason & Amelia’s website hereThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On his recent visit to the Devon County Show, Neil took along his sound recorder to get a flavour of what’s on the minds of farmers right now. In this episode you’ll hear his conversations with President of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs JOHN LEE OBE, as well as a specialist in recruiting, training and mentoring farming apprentices PETER REED, and the South West Regional Director of the Country Land and Business Association ANN MAIDMENT. In these conversations he encounters a surprising take on the inheritance tax row, a mixed reaction to the recent US trade deal, and optimism among the next generation of young farmers.Listen and you’ll hear: highlights from Neil’s visit (1m10s); Peter on the trends he’s seeing amongst young people at the start of their farming career (3m00s); Ann on how the members of her organisation are feeling about farming at the moment (8m52s); and John reflecting with Neil on the ways in which the future of farming will look different to the past (12m05s).These conversations were recorded across two days of the show which ran from the 15-17th May 2025. Follow the Devon County Show on Instagram hereLearn more about Ann Maidment’s work at the CLA on their website hereLearn about the work of Peter Reed hereLearn more about John Lee OBE hereThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last year Hector Meanwell was named the UK’s ‘Young Farmer Of The Year’ by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs. In this episode, Neil visits the 25 year old on his 400-acre Lake District farm to find out why he’s been called ‘dynamite’ for the industry. They discuss food production and nature restoration on his farm, why he’s helping young people from deprived backgrounds engage in farming, the role that Young Farmers’ Clubs have played in his life, and the role YFC could play in the future of farming and politics.Listen and you’ll hear them discuss: the make-up of his 400-acre farm (0m48s); being named Young Farmer Of The Year (4m11s); what he learned about food and farming from trips to Nepal and Kenya (5m27s); the role Young Farmers’ Clubs could play in politics (6m06); helping younger generations understand and appreciate farming and food production (09m15s); his feelings about recent government decisions (12m43s); the work he does with deprived young people (17m33s).This conversation was recorded on 13 March 2025. Follow the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs on Instagram hereLearn about the work of the Country Trust on their website hereThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.ukClick here to receive an email when a new episode is published. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Robinson, an organic dairy farmer from Cumbria, passionately discusses his 300-acre Strickley Farm, a family-owned land since 1875. He shares his journey towards organic farming, free from artificial fertilizers for over 20 years. The conversation highlights his innovative methods, like re-wiggling local waterways and creating wetland areas to support biodiversity. James also addresses the impact of government decisions on sustainable farming and describes his work with the Nature Friendly Farming Network, promoting harmony between agriculture and nature.

How can farmers best care for the UK's 400,000 miles of hedgerow? In this episode Neil attends Wiltshire's 'Hedgefest' to find out from self-confessed hedgerow ‘geek’ MEGAN GIMBER from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species why now is a great time for more farmers to take up the historical process of hedgelaying. He then meets farming couple and Hedgefest hosts CHRIS and LINDSAY RUMMING to explore their farm.Listen and you’ll hear: how hedgelaying works and why it’s useful (0m40s); why a variety of species is so important to a good hedge (4m15s); what excites Megan about hedges (6m50s); the unique, historical importance of Devon’s hedges (8m50s); other ways to manage hedges (11m30s); what Megan’s job involves (13m40s); Neil meets the farmers hosting Hedgefest (17m15s); and Neil’s true feelings about sheep (26m36s)!This conversation was recorded in October 2024.Follow Megan on X hereVisit Chris and Lindsay’s online farm shop here: lydiardturkeys.co.ukThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.ukClick here to receive an email when a new episode is published. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George Eustice, former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, shares insights from his political journey rooted in farming. He discusses his pro-Brexit stance and the impact of trade deals on agriculture. The conversation delves into environmental funding and innovative methane capture techniques that promise sustainability in farming. Eustice highlights the importance of domestic food production for UK security and the challenges of supermarket power, offering a candid look at the future of the agricultural sector.

Both Neil and NFU President Tom Bradshaw were speaking at a recent agricultural conference, and after one event Neil spoke with Tom to hear the approach he is taking towards the Keir Starmer’s government, his disappointment at what’s happened but optimism for a satisfactory resolution, and his thoughts on what happens next.Also in this episode, you’ll hear Neil speak with two of the thousands of protestors that were at Westminster in November: Conservative MP for Bridgwater Ashley Fox, and Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead Rachel Gilmour.Listen and you’ll hear: Ashley Fox (1m09s); Rachel Gilmour (5m18s); Tom Bradshaw on his optimism for a resolution (7m50s); Tom’s disappointment at what feels like the breaking of a longstanding contract between government and farming (10m27s); where the NFU might go next.Follow Tom Bradshaw on X hereThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neil visits a Somerset farm in which a colony of beavers have made their home. Joining him is JAN STANNARD who’s Heal Rewilding charity owns the farm, and EVA BISHOP from The Beaver Trust. In this episode the three of them talk about the evolving relationship between this ‘keystone’ species and farming practices.Listen and you’ll hear: the concerns some farmers have about beavers (2m50s); how beavers lead to increased biodiversity (6m19s); the positive role beavers play in water management (11m45s); techniques for managing the impact beavers have on farms (17m37s); conservation as a way to diversify farm income (20m52s); what farmers should do if they’d like beavers on their land (27m02s); the role of the Beaver Trust in facilitating this (31m42s).Learn more about Heal Rewilding on their websiteLearn more about The Beaver Trust on their websiteThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PROFESSOR DAVID ROSE is an expert in sustainable agricultural change, with a focus on how farmers can be supported to adopt and implement new technology that will improve outcomes for nature and for their business. In this episode he gives Neil a tour of the Harper Adams campus in Shropshire. Listen and you’ll hear: the best way of supporting farmers to adapt to change (1m45s); how technology could enable more ecological farming (9m04s); why government regulation struggles to keep pace with technological development (12m35s); using robots in the milking parlour (14m29s); how technology impacts the human-animal relationship (17m30s). Follow Professor Rose on Twitter/X hereVisit Harper Adams University website hereThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Goldsmith, a financier and rewilding advocate, discusses critical issues in UK food security and environmental stewardship. He shares insights about the delicate relationship between farming and conservation, emphasizing land management that supports biodiversity. Topics include reintroducing species like wildcats, the need for sustainable agricultural practices, and the innovative integration of technology in livestock management. Ben also highlights personal stories of resilience through rewilding, showcasing how nature can heal communities.