Episodes

  • Dairy v Arable Spring Update with Ally and Sophie

    Dairy v Arable Spring Update with Ally and Sophie
    Apr 10 2026
    In today's episode Ally and Sophie give their Spring update from their farms. They also discuss the food on the Artemis 2 Moon mission, rewilding, organic trade with Japan and much more. What to do for the TELUS giveaway (deadline: 23:59 on 9th May 2026): 1) Subscribe to the show wherever you are listening 2) Comment below (wherever you are listening) with 'TELUS GIVEAWAY' 3) Subscribe to the Meet the Farmers (RuralPod Media) Newsletter (see link below) 4) Email thebigdebate@ruralpodmedia.co.uk and write in your message: TELUS giveaway. Link to giveaway full terms and conditions: https://www.ruralpodmedia.co.uk/meet-the-farmers-podcast-x-telus-agriculture-giveaway/ Link to newsletter sign up - Sign-up to our newsletter – RuralPod Media 🎧 Please subscribe to the show and follow us on social media @MTF_podcast Meet the Farmers: The Big Debate is produced by RuralPod Media. Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found below. With thanks to our podcast partners: Headline Sponsor: Virgin Money Virgin Money is proud to support the launch of The Big Debate with Rural Pod Media, a timely initiative for British agriculture. Virgin Money is a trading name of Nationwide Building Society. To discover more about Virgin Money visit www.virginmoney.com/business/agriculture/ Associate Partner: TELUS Agriculture and Consumer Goods Explore smarter farming tools from TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods: www.Telus.com/BigDebate Associate Partner: Birketts LLP You can find out more about Birketts and their leading agriculture team by heading to their website: www.birketts.co.uk/sector/agriculture/ Podcast Disclaimer By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that RuralPod Media Limited makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy, completeness or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general informational purposes only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, RuralPod Media Limited does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Any third-party materials or content of any third-party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of RuralPod Media Limited. RuralPod Media Limited assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, RuralPod Media Limited makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. The views of the hosts and guests are personal and RuralPod Media Limited or its sponsors, affiliates, employees or contractors, does not take any responsibility for these views. Such views are not the views of RuralPod Media Limited or any of its sponsors, affiliates, employees or contractors. RuralPod Media Limited does not verify the accuracy of the information contained in the podcast, and RuralPod Media Limited takes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the podcast. The information contained on the podcast is provided on an ‘’as is’’ basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. Any action you take based on the information contained in the podcast is strictly at your own risk, and RuralPod Media Limited will not be liable for any losses of damages in connection with the use of the podcast. None of the hosts, guests or contributors to the podcast will be responsible for your use of the information contained therein. The inclusion of third-party advertisements does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, warranty, or recommendation of, and the author makes no representations and/or warranties about, any product or service contained therein. Under no circumstances will RuralPod Media Limited or their affiliates, partners, suppliers, licensors or guests appearing on the podcast be liable any losses (whether direct, indirect or consequential) suffered as a result of your doing (or not doing) anything as a result of listening or viewing (or inability to access) the podcast. Neither RuralPod Media Limited nor any of its hosts or guests appearing on the podcast shall at any time be liable for any content covered causing offence, distress or any other unforeseeable reaction suffered as a result of ...
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    36 mins
  • Going Against the Grain - Henry Astor from Bruern Farms

    Going Against the Grain - Henry Astor from Bruern Farms
    Apr 6 2026

    Today we’re heading to the Cotswolds to meet Henry Astor who runs Bruern Farms. Henry took on the reigns of the family farm from his father in 2017 and decided that creating diversity on the farm was the way to meet the challenges of the post Brexit farming landscape. The farm’s arable enterprise was joined by a herd of English long horns, saddleback pigs, chickens, and a host of building diversifications including turning a grain dryer into studio spaces and grain silos into work spaces. Henry also bought a flour mill, began brewing beer, started a market garden, began growing heritage grains, bought a cold press to make sunflower oil, built a farm shop and café. He also helped to found the North East Cotswold Farm Cluster which has over 125 farms in its membership. Henry also lived and worked in the USA for many years.

    🎧 Subscribe to Meet the Farmers wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on social media @RuralPodMedia for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency.

    Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found at ruralpodmedia.co.uk.

    About Ben and RuralPod Media

    Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk

    If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message.

    Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening.

    Follow us on social media Instagram @mtf_podcast Twitter @mtf_podcast Watch us on Youtube here

    Please join our mailing list here - Sign-up to our newsletter – RuralPod Media
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    43 mins
  • The Story of Petite Peonies - Cambridgeshire farmer David Wheatley

    The Story of Petite Peonies - Cambridgeshire farmer David Wheatley
    Mar 30 2026

    Today host Ben Eagle is joined by Cambridgeshire tenant farmer David Wheatley who has recently taken social media by storm with his Petite Peonies account. They discuss David's farming journey, arable farming, diversification, Christmas trees, peonies and how to make the most of social media as a farmer.

    With thanks to our sponsor TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods.

    Explore smarter farming tools from TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods: telus.com/FarmSmarter

    🎧 Subscribe to Meet the Farmers wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on social media @RuralPodMedia for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency.

    Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found at ruralpodmedia.co.uk.

    About Ben and RuralPod Media

    Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk

    If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message.

    Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening.

    Follow us on social media Instagram @mtf_podcast Twitter @mtf_podcast Watch us on Youtube here

    Please join our mailing list here - Sign-up to our newsletter – RuralPod Media
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    43 mins
  • What's the future for the British Pig Sector? - Big Debate Episode 11

    What's the future for the British Pig Sector? - Big Debate Episode 11
    Mar 27 2026
    Big Debate hosts Ally Hunter Blair and Sophie Gregory turn their attention to the pig sector this week and are joined by mixed farmer Fred Allen, who farms near Newark, and Mark Haighton who is Pork Sector Director for AHDB. They ask about the current state of the sector and what its future might look like? Also on the agenda for this week are news stories including growing underground, cattle rustling and the farmer choir on Britain's Got Talent. 🎧 Subscribe to Meet the Farmers wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on social media @MTF_podcast Sign up to our newsletter at Sign-up to our newsletter – RuralPod Media Meet the Farmers: The Big Debate is produced by RuralPod Media. Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found below. With thanks to our podcast partners: Headline Partner: Virgin Money Virgin Money is proud to support the launch of The Big Debate with Rural Pod Media, a timely initiative for British agriculture. Virgin Money is a trading name of Clydesdale Bank PLC. To discover more about Virgin Money visit Agriculture | Business | Virgin Money UK Associate Partner: TELUS Agriculture and Consumer Goods Explore smarter farming tools from TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods: Farm Business Management | TELUS Agriculture Associate Partner: Birketts LLP You can find out more about Birketts and their leading agriculture team by heading to their website: Agricultural Lawyers | Agricultural Law Solicitors — Birketts Podcast Disclaimer By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that RuralPod Media Limited makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy, completeness or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast. The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general informational purposes only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. Unless specifically stated otherwise, RuralPod Media Limited does not endorse, approve, recommend, or certify any information, product, process, service, or organization presented or mentioned in this Podcast, and information from this Podcast should not be referenced in any way to imply such approval or endorsement. Any third-party materials or content of any third-party site referenced in this Podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions, standards or policies of RuralPod Media Limited. RuralPod Media Limited assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content contained in third party materials or on third party sites referenced in this Podcast or the compliance with applicable laws of such materials and/or links referenced herein. Moreover, RuralPod Media Limited makes no warranty that this Podcast, or the server that makes it available, is free of viruses, worms, or other elements or codes that manifest contaminating or destructive properties. The views of the hosts and guests are personal and RuralPod Media Limited or its sponsors, affiliates, employees or contractors, does not take any responsibility for these views. Such views are not the views of RuralPod Media Limited or any of its sponsors, affiliates, employees or contractors. RuralPod Media Limited does not verify the accuracy of the information contained in the podcast, and RuralPod Media Limited takes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of the podcast. The information contained on the podcast is provided on an ‘’as is’’ basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. Any action you take based on the information contained in the podcast is strictly at your own risk, and RuralPod Media Limited will not be liable for any losses of damages in connection with the use of the podcast. None of the hosts, guests or contributors to the podcast will be responsible for your use of the information contained therein. The inclusion of third-party advertisements does not constitute an endorsement, guarantee, warranty, or recommendation of, and the author makes no representations and/or warranties about, any product or service contained therein. Under no circumstances will RuralPod Media Limited or their affiliates, partners, suppliers, licensors or guests appearing on the podcast be liable any losses (whether direct, indirect or consequential) suffered as a result of your doing (or not doing) anything as a result of listening or viewing (or inability to access) the podcast. Neither RuralPod Media Limited nor any of its hosts or guests appearing on the podcast shall at any time be liable for any content covered causing offence, distress or any other unforeseeable reaction suffered as a result of listening or viewing (or inability to access) the podcast. The contents of this podcast are the copyright of RuralPod Media Limited. Contact Please email us at hello@...
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    58 mins
  • Accelerating Regenerative Agriculture in the Cotswolds

    Accelerating Regenerative Agriculture in the Cotswolds
    Mar 25 2026

    In this special bonus episode we learn about the Regenerative Agriculture Accelerator Programme which is based in the Cotswolds. RAAP is an innovative initiative for farmers and advisors who want to deepen their understanding of regenerative and agroecological principles – and learn how to apply them in practice to produce nutritious food, improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and build farm resilience.

    We hear from farmers and others taking part in the programme and visit the Cotswold Regenerative Agriculture Conference.

    This podcast was supported with a Farming in Protected Landscapes Fund grant from Defra.

    To discover more about the Regenerative Agriculture Accelerator Programme visit Home | Regendeep

    🎧 Subscribe to Meet the Farmers wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on social media @RuralPodMedia for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency.

    Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found at ruralpodmedia.co.uk.

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    31 mins
  • Artificial Intelligence and Agriculture - What's the future?

    Artificial Intelligence and Agriculture - What's the future?
    Mar 23 2026

    Artificial intelligence in agriculture - what's the potential for the future?

    Ben Eagle is joined by Ben Hatton from Telus Agriculture and Consumer Goods and Matt Dobbs from Agsenze to discuss the potential.

    With thanks to our sponsor Telus Agriculture and Consumer Goods.

    Explore smarter farming tools from TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods: telus.com/FarmSmarter

    🎧 Subscribe to Meet the Farmers wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on social media @RuralPodMedia for updates and behind-the-scenes content.

    Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency.

    Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found at ruralpodmedia.co.uk.

    About Ben and RuralPod Media

    Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk

    If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message.

    Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening.

    Follow us on social media Instagram @mtf_podcast Twitter @mtf_podcast Watch us on Youtube here

    Please join our mailing list here - Sign-up to our newsletter – RuralPod Media
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    44 mins
  • Emergent Generation: Young Voices in Farming and Food PART 2

    Emergent Generation: Young Voices in Farming and Food PART 2
    Mar 16 2026

    RuralPod Media and Meet the Farmers have collaborated with Emergent Generation to create a two-part podcast documentary about the future of food and farming to show anything is possible when young people are involved.

    Emergent Generation: Young Voices in Farming and Food details how group members think and feel about the future, how they imagine it can be and what they are doing to realise their vision.

    Emergent Generation (Em Gen) is a network of young people building a food system that nourishes people and planet.

    Part 2 shows how change is happening in the sector. Not waiting for permission to act, the episode visits two farms where young people are already generating the transformation they want. With a clear vision to ensure their aspiration is supported by action, they are also determined to share their experiences believing advocacy is central to their success.

    The podcast was produced collaboratively between RuralPod Media and members of Emergent Generation, with EmGen members receiving podcast training as part of the wider project, including Iory and Madeleine, who present the podcast.

    The project was partly funded through a Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) grant.

    For more information about Emergent Generation and its work, go to https://www.emergentgeneration.co.uk

    Producer: Ben Eagle

    Production support: Dan Grist

    Presenters/Voiceover: Madeleine Maslin and Iory Hughes
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    31 mins
  • Emergent Generation: Young Voices in Farming in Food PART 1

    Emergent Generation: Young Voices in Farming in Food PART 1
    Mar 16 2026

    RuralPod Media and Meet the Farmers have collaborated with Emergent Generation to create a two-part podcast documentary about the future of food and farming to show anything is possible when young people are involved.

    Emergent Generation: Young Voices in Farming and Food details how group members think and feel about the future, how they imagine it can be and what they are doing to realise their vision.

    Emergent Generation (Em Gen) is a network of young people building a food system that nourishes people and planet.

    Part 1 examines the future they want, hearing from several who have left other sectors to follow their passions and join the food and farming industry. They want it to become a well-paid, popular career route, with a viable long-term path – not a “strange curiosity”.

    Their visions are bold and, by admission, sometimes idealistic, but not unrealistic according to those interviewed. Change they say is needed, “it has to happen.”

    The podcast was produced collaboratively between RuralPod Media and members of Emergent Generation, with EmGen members receiving podcast training as part of the wider project, including Iory and Madeleine, who present the podcast.

    The project was partly funded through a Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) grant.

    For more information about Emergent Generation and its work, go to https://www.emergentgeneration.co.uk

    Producer: Ben Eagle

    Production support: Dan Grist

    Presenters/Voiceover: Iory Hughes and Madeleine Maslin
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    19 mins