Rural Business Focus

Part 2 of Ben's trip to Kenya for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists annual Congress 2025

Ben travels to Kenya for the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists' annual congress. In this episode he introduces IFAJ and his fellow 'young leaders', discovering their perspectives on agriculture and agricultural communications in their countries.

Ben Eagle speaks to dairy farmer Jack Bradley who moved from the UK to Iceland.

In the first episode of Meet the Farmers: The Big Debate hosts Ally Hunter Blair and Sophie Gregory discuss avian influenza, pumpkin patches, storms in New Zealand, snails in London and the big debate topic...sustainability.

In this episode of Meet the Farmers, Ben speaks with Charlotte Ashley, dairy farmer and 'countryside content creator' based in Cumbria. Charlotte shares her journey from a non-farming background to becoming a dairy farmer. She discusses the challenges and learning curves of transitioning to dairy farming, the importance of social media in bridging the rural-urban divide, and her opinions on the term 'influencer'. The conversation also touches on the current challenges in the dairy industry and Charlotte's aspirations for the future of her farm.

Ben announces the launch of a brand new ongoing series on Meet the Farmers and its new hosts!

Michael Kavanagh shares his family’s heartbreaking story of losing their 2-year-old daughter, Eleanor, to sudden viral pneumonia in January 2025. In her memory, he and his wife Di are undertaking incredible endurance challenges to raise awareness and funds through The Eleanor Challenge. Please donate if you can.

In this episode of Meet the Farmers, host Ben Eagle speaks with Ian Pullen, a beef farmer from Wotton Under Edge, Gloucestershire. Ian shares his journey into farming, the challenges he faces with TB in cattle, and how he has successfully integrated YouTube into his farming business. He discusses the importance of diversification, the direct sales model for his beef, and the future of farming amidst changing policies and market demands. Ian emphasizes the need for farmers to adapt and find new income streams while maintaining a connection with their customers.

In this episode of Meet the Farmers, Ben Eagle sits down with Thomas Gent, a fourth-generation farmer and founder of Gentle Farming, to discuss his journey into regenerative agriculture and the innovations shaping the future of farming. They dive into topics like soil health, natural capital, agri-tech, and the challenges and opportunities within the farming industry today.

In this episode we meet Bronagh Dempster, a passionate new entrant into the farming world from Northern Ireland. Discover her inspiring journey from a fascination with dairy cows to forging her path in the industry, and even doing a Nuffield Next Gen Scholarship. Bronagh shares her experiences, challenges, and insights on the evolving dairy sector, offering valuable advice for aspiring farmers and industry enthusiasts.