Today we’re in the south west and Ben meets sheep farmer and Chief Executive at the Farm Carbon Toolkit, Liz Bowles. Liz has rich experience as an adviser to farmers, farmer-controlled businesses, retailers, food service providers and processors on sustainable farming practices and developing and managing sustainable supply chains and supply chain relationships. For 20 years she worked at ADAS, now the UK’s largest independent provider of agricultural and environmental consultancy, policy advice, research and development. She was also at the Soil Association as Associate Director of Farming and Land Use for nearly 9 years and she’s been an independent consultant since 2012. Liz farms pedigree Shropshire sheep on the slopes of the Exe valley near Tiverton in Devon which has been a passion of hers for many years, but she spends most of her time in her role at the Farm Carbon Toolkit.

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 here. 

About Ben and  RuralPod Media

Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.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

A-Plan Rural Insurance

This episode is sponsored by our primary sponsor A Plan Rural. 

Show References

Image credit: Liz Bowles

Timestamps

00:27 Ben introduces the show.

01:50 Liz comes in.

02:02 Farm Carbon Toolkit - brief introduction. 

05:22 Is UK ag moving fast enough when it comes to tackling climate issues on a farm level?

08:00 There's a need for governments to better support farmers. 

10:42 Shouldn't other sectors be doing more?

12:45 The issue of 'carbon blindness'

13:22 Liz's farm.

15:15 Pedigree Shropshire sheep.

18:55 Sponsor message for A Plan Rural Insurance.

19:42 The genetics of Liz's flock can be traced directly back to her parents' flock.

22:54 Liz living in Zambia. 

26:13 Liz's holistic approach to her mindset.

29:20 Liz's time at the Soil Association. 

31:55 Innovative Farmers.

35:30 International Year of Soils

37:24 RuralPod Media message.

38:14 Challenges - biggest challenge for Liz. We need to survive without fossil fuels and this will challenge how we produce food. 

42:14 Solutions - needs to start with schools and ag colleges. 

45:46 Sponsor message for A Plan Rural Insurance.

46:11 Liz's message to the public. Get involved and meet the farmers. Build relationships with farmers. 

49:06 Liz's message to farmers. 

50:20 Liz's recommendation for a blog, podcast or social media account - Rest is Politics. 

50:59 Ben rounds up.