Did you know that the average shop bought bouquet of flowers has travelled over 4000 miles?

In this podcast episode we welcome Jo Thompson from Gloucestershire based Wye Valley Flowers to discuss the importance of buying seasonal, sustainably grown British flowers and the challenges that operating this type of business can bring; from the weather to pests.

With a rocky start to the business due to the pandemic (Wye Valley Flowers planned to launch for Mothers Day 2020), Jo explains how they made the best of a bad situation and how it actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This is a great story of overcoming difficulties, and of starting up a business with sustainability at it's heart.

This podcast was recorded in July 2022 and was Jemma's last podcast for the Rural Business Podcast.

Find out more about Wye Valley Flowers: https://wyevalleyflowers.com/

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In episode 5 of our British Food & Farming Series, panel regulars Phil, Gareth and Stephen, are joined by Hertfordshire farmer and previous NFU Deputy President, Stuart Roberts to discuss the future of farming and food production.

The panel cover a whole range of issues reflecting the challenges and opportunities that face our farming and food systems as we move into the future, including:

• the imbalance of risk and reward in our current food supply chains
• concerns about trade deals
• the vital importance of water and how this needs to be addressed
• where policies should head in the future
• food & farming champions

This is a lengthy episode, but well worth a listen to consider the path ahead for farmers, consumers and policy makers.

You can find out much more about our regular panelists, Gareth Wyn Jones and Stephen Whyte, and our podcast chair, Phil Jarvis, on our website: www.ruralbusinessgroup.co.uk

The opinions and views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Rural Business Group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's bonus podcast features a really inspirational young person!

Jessica Langton has achieved so much already - including completing a university degree while working on the family dairy farm and also finding time for a job as a reproductive management specialist. She's also been crowned a winner at the Farmers Weekly Awards and British Farming Awards!

Jemma and Jessica chat about her accomplishments so far, her hopes for the future of the industry and also about her experience with the Sustainable Farming Incentive which Jessica's family farm has been involved with as a trial participant.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 4 of our British Food & Farming Series, panel regulars Phil and Stephen, are joined by two guests; Ally Houston, founder of Paleo Canteen and Scoundrel, and Joe Stanley, Head of Training and Partnerships at the GWCT’s Allerton Project.

The panel dive into dietary choices and what eating 'well' actually means, how education around food and food production needs to change, and how the extremes are polarising the the discussion around dietary choices and the climate crisis.

You can find out much more about our regular panelists, Gareth Wyn Jones and Stephen Whyte, and our podcast chair, Phil Jarvis, on our website: www.ruralbusinessgroup.co.uk

The opinions and views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Rural Business Group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 3 of our British Food & Farming Podcast series, the panel tackle the debate of how to improve sustainability and biodiversity across our food and farming systems. They discuss the need for collaboration and for industry led solutions, alongside the fine balance between providing food for the population and addressing the urgent climate crisis. Gareth also shares the recent changes that have been made in his locality to promote biodiversity.

You can find out much more about our regular panelists, Gareth Wyn Jones and Stephen Whyte, and our podcast chair, Phil Jarvis, on our website: www.ruralbusinessgroup.co.uk

The opinions and views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Rural Business Group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the second episode of our British Food & Farming Series - an exclusive, limited podcast series brought to you by the Rural Business Group.

This week our regular panelists, Gareth Wyn Jones and Stephen Whyte, are joined by food journalist Dan Saladino to discuss the sustainability (or not) of our current global food system and what needs to change to move towards a more sustainable and self sufficient way of growing food.

Dan Saladino is a renowned food journalist who has worked at the BBC for twenty-five years. For more than a decade he has traveled the world recording stories of foods at risk of extinction—from cheeses made in the foothills of a remote Balkan mountain range to unique varieties of rice grown in southern China. His work has been recognised by the James Beard Foundation, the Guild of Food Writers, and the Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards.

You can find out much more about our regular panelists, Gareth Wyn Jones and Stephen Whyte, and our podcast chair, Phil Jarvis, here: https://www.ruralbusinessgroup.co.uk/british-food-farming-podcast-its-not-a-case-of-this-or-that/

The opinions and views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Rural Business Group.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this exclusive, limited series brought to you by the Rural Business Group, the Nation’s Favourite Farmer, Gareth Wyn Jones is joined by supply chain specialist, Stephen Whyte as they aim to explore some of the most pressing challenges facing food production in light of the climate crisis and changing consumer preferences in food and drink consumption.

The series will focus on the Future of Farming, debunking some of the misconceptions and myths which currently proliferate mainstream media, somewhat unfairly influencing public perception of farming and farmers.

In the first episode, Gareth and Stephen are joined by chair Phil to discuss the impact of the war in Ukraine - both on consumers and farmers across the world. They discuss our global supply chains and the issues within, food security and what changes need to happen. In trueness to this being a rural podcast - Gareth has to leave part way through to lamb a ewe!

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In todays episode of the Rural Business Podcast, we are joined by Jemma Clifford and Beth Heath from Shropshire Festival.

Shropshire Festivals organise events across Shropshire and the UK. Today Jemma and Beth will be discussing produce hampers, events and most importantly medicine for the soul.

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In todays episode Jemma Clifford is delighted to be joined by Lorraine Robinson from the Roost Luxury Cabins. Talking about UK tourism, staycations and biodiversity, conservations much more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for another special podcast with Jules Hudson, on this occasion Jules caught up with 3 of our Triumph Over Adversity award winners on the O2 Rural Business Group Stage at Countryfile LIVE.

We really hope you enjoy listening to these incredibly inspiring stories of triumphing in the face of adversity.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.