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

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 [email protected] to contact us about any issues.

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. 

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

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

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

In this episode, Sophie Gregory and Ally Hunter Blair explore the complexities of seasonal farm employment in the UK, featuring insights from Sacha Wooldridge, an immigration lawyer at Birketts LLP. They discuss licensing, visa caps, the employer pays principle, and any potential upcoming legal changes affecting seasonal and casual employment.

🎧 Subscribe to Meet the Farmers wherever you get your podcasts, 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 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: Telus.com/BigDebate

Associate Partner: Birketts 

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 

Disclaimer 

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that RuralPod Media Limited and its contributors make 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 and its contributors assume 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 and its contributors 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 [email protected] to contact us about any issues.

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.”

Part 2 shows how change is happening. 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

As conflict continues across the Middle East Sophie and Ally ask what it means for agriculture, especially as fuel prices rise? Aside from the humanitarian impact of the conflict there has been significant impact to the flow of materials. From oil to raw materials for fertiliser the agricultural supply chain has been significantly disrupted which will have consequences for farmers.

Also in this episode Ally is joined by Chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Emily Norton, to discuss her thoughts on its future, and Ally questions the value for money to levy payers. 

🎧 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 [email protected] to contact us about any issues.

In this episode, Tom Morphew shares his inspiring journey from a young gardener to the founder of Full Circle Farms and the Garden Army CIC. He discusses his unique approach to regenerative farming, the challenges he faced in his entrepreneurial journey, and his commitment to creating a sustainable and community-focused farming model. Tom emphasizes the importance of mental health and community engagement in his work, aiming to provide opportunities for healing and purpose through agriculture.

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