It’s the end of 2025 and we are looking back on a big year for the podcast. A year where we travelled around the country, from Cornwall to Northumberland, talking to inspiring people with roots in the countryside. In this series we had a racing driving farmer, OnlyFans model, country singer, premiership rugby player and so many more. We also travelled to Silverstone, Jeremy Clarkson’s Pub for the Fittest Farmer competition, went fishing with Marina Gibson and even met young farmers from across Europe in Slovenia. In this episode we reflect on the year and look ahead to big plans for 2026! 

This week we’re in Birmingham celebrating the very best Young Farmers at the NFYFC Achiever Awards. We hear from all of this year’s winners, as well as judges Charlotte Ashley, Ben Eagle, David Exwood and more. From the Heart of YFC to Entrepreneur of the Year, Holly and Dan debrief on the evening, looking back on one of the biggest nights of the YFC calendar. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re at Cheltenham Town Hall chatting to Liam Price aka Luke Combs UK. Alongside his band, Liam travels the world singing to thousands of fans. He has since been endorsed by Luke Combs himself and was even invited to open his bar in Nashville. We sit down with Liam just before his set in Cheltenham to find out more about the man behind the world’s leading Luke Combs tribute. 

Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week, Dan and Holly chat to Preloved Country Clothing founder Emily Swinnerton, who aims to make sustainable, affordable country clothing accessible to everyone. She talks about the roots of her business during lockdown, visiting country shows across the country and the challenges of running a business. 

Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re in Yorkshire visiting the UK’s large farm shop of the year 2025 - Farmer Copleys. We’re in the middle of Pumpkin season and the family are welcoming thousands of members of the public to their farm for their famous pumpkin festival. We catch up with Rob Copley in the pumpkin patch, talking about the roots of their farming business and what’s next for their empire of farm diversifications! 

Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

Following last week’s interview with Country Girls UK founder Tania Coxon, this week we’re taking you along with us to one of their events. We’ve travelled up north to attend part of the Country Girls Trout & Salmon Weekend, where we give fishing a go with some expert help. 

We catch up with former guest of the podcast Marina Gibson, as well as hear from several Country Girls UK members who talk about the benefits of being part of this  supportive network of women, as well as the importance of challenging stereotypes within the world of country pursuits. Find out more and keep up to date with their latest events here: thecountrygirlsuk.com 

Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re just south of Sunderland chatting to the founder of The Country Girls UK - Tania Coxon. Tania is a sixth generation farmer on her family’s arable farm and she juggles that with running The Country Girls UK - a women’s country community like never before. We talk about making country pursuits more inclusive and empowering women to give something new a go. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re throwing it back to this year’s Groundswell - the Regenerative Agriculture Festival. Dan chats to young farmers Amy Chapple and Mitch Green who introduce him to the ‘Emergent Generation’ -  a diverse network of young people passionate about regenerative farming. 

Dan also attends Emergent Generation’s flagship event, their Summer Gathering, where we hear from Rosie, Ed, Lola and Alice. They talk about the challenges that young people face getting into the industry and their hopes for the future. Find out more about Emergent Generation at www.emergentgeneration.co.uk. 

Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re reflecting on the 2025 Farmers Weekly Fittest Farmer Finals, held at Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, the Farmer’s Dog. Dan chats to several of the finalists including the eventual winner of the Women under 40s category - Emily Meakin. Also hear from finalists Liberty Parsons, Paul Harrison, Phoebe Rainy Brown, Suzy Parker and Stewart Priddle. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re at Silverstone for the penultimate race of the 2025 European Le Mans Series. We are of course supporting former guest of the podcast, farmer and racing driver Alex Quinn, and we managed to catch up with him in the garage before the race. We also chat to Alex’s mum Kathryn Quinn and his best mate, Cornish young farmer, Toby Alford. Listen to the end for a race debrief from Alex himself. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk.