Helen Chesshire is passionate about trees and how they can have a beneficial impact in farming systems. 

Listen as we talk about how The Woodland Trust has changed over the years, the ways they can help farmers get more trees on their farms, and why everyone with an interest in farming and the environment should attend this year's Agroforestry Show (more information below).

[email protected] 

Agroforestry Show 

Join us at Woodoaks Farm, Herts, on 10-11 September 2025, for two incredible days dedicated to the future of farming, forestry, and sustainable land management.

Full Show Programme can be found here https://www.agroforestryshow.com/2025-schedule

Tickets on sale now https://www.agroforestryshow.com/ For listeners of the podcast we would like to offer a Friends of the WT 10% discount code on 1 and 2-day tickets - Use Discount CodeWT2025 when booking.

What’s in store? 

• Inspiring speakers across 4 stages offering in-depth discussions; this includes sessions on whole farm tree planning and woodland condition assessments as well as all aspects of agroforestry
• Live demonstrations and practical training

• Farm walks showcasing agroforestry in action and farm woodland management
• Hands-on workshops and expert-led sessions
• Agroforestry Design clinic, book your one to one session with an agroforestry adviser
• Unmissable networking opportunities; local food, music and onsite micro-brewery

Included within the cost of your ticket we are delighted to be offering farmers the opportunity to sign up for a free 1:1 agroforestry design clinic whilst at the show in the Advice Hub.  The pre booking link is now live here https://outlook.office.com/book/AgroforestryDesignClinicsatGroundswell20241@SoilAssociation.onmicrosoft.com/s/tAYS0IMRIUeK__qIUVpnkw2?ismsaljsauthenabled or sign up while at the show on the board outside the Advice Hub

Welcome to “We Need to Talk About Farming” – a new spin-off series from myself Will Evans and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission.

There's a lot of noise in farming right now. For many, the future feels uncertain. This series is about having better conversations about the biggest issues facing agriculture. In each episode, we'll take on a topic that's making headlines and dividing social media and WhatsApp groups. We'll go beyond the buzzwords, cut through the cliches, and work out what really matters.

In this episode, we're talking about food security, with Professor Tim Lang and Jonty Brunyee. From the war in Ukraine and the Middle East to President Trump’s threat of tariffs, global politics feel more volatile than ever. Climate change and extreme weather are making agriculture more risky and disrupting food chains across the planet. How should Britain feed itself in an unstable world? How prepared is the country for shocks to its food supply? How can we build the resilience we need?

https://ffcc.co.uk/we-need-to-talk-about-farming

Tom Pearson is a man who makes a difference. Listen as we talk about his family farm in Cambridgeshire, his experiences working as a medical doctor in many different countries, and his Nuffield scholorship that explores the unique roles that farmers and growers can play in delivering nutrition-based health interventions.

All this, and much, much more!

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Polly Davies never thought she'd be a farmer. 

Listen as we hear about her journey back to the family farm from working in construction in London, her extremely diverse organic farming business, the challenges of direct selling produce, women in farming and wider industry, and much, much more. 

www.sladefarmorganics.com 

[email protected]

Welcome to “We Need to Talk About Farming” – a new spin-off series from myself Will Evans and the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission.

There's a lot of noise in farming right now. For many, the future feels uncertain. This series is about having better conversations about the biggest issues facing agriculture. In each episode, we'll take on a topic that's making headlines and dividing social media and WhatsApp groups. We'll go beyond the buzzwords, cut through the cliches, and work out what really matters.

Look out for fortnightly episodes coming very soon!

By his own admittance, Tom Edmondson has been on quite the journey. 

Listen as we talk about how changing to regenerative farming has transformed his business, his soils, the biodiversity on his farm, and his mental health. All this, and much more. 

*Warning: Also includes sourdough bread chat 

https://cranleybarnfarms.co.uk

[email protected] 

Adam Bedford's reputuation as the nicest bloke in agriculture is well deserved. 

Listen as we talk about how he got into farming via an Uncle and a milk round, writing for Farmer's Weekly, his time working at the National Farmer's Union, including a stint in Brussels, his present role as Collaborative Projects Director at Fera Science (and what that means!), going viral with Jean Next Door™️, and the awesome Fieldwork Book Club. 

All this and much, much more. 

[email protected] 

Dan Smith's one of my favourite people in farming. 

Listen as we talk about his early life moving all around the country with his farm manager father, we compare notes on how formal education wasn't for us, his time working on a chrity farm with children and young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, the importance of putting yourself out of your comfort zone, our mutual dislike of 'isms', his future farming and family plans, and his Nuffield travels. 

All this, and much, much more! 

[email protected] 

Nikki Yoxall challenges conventional thinking. 

Listen as we talk about how her and her husband James became first generation farmers, her strong environmental values, the pros and cons of farming social media, how they've grown their Grampian Graziers business by collaborating with landowners, the value of peer to peer learning and networks, Pasture for Life, and how the agricultural industry can be better at communicating with our customers. 

We covered a lot of ground in this one! 

[email protected] 

Andy Venables is one of the good guys. 

Listen as we talk dairy farming, starting an award-winning digital marketing agency, dealing with testicular cancer, and much, much more. 

www.hillsgreen.co.uk

Get in touch: [email protected]