Last year Hector Meanwell was named the UK’s ‘Young Farmer Of The Year’ by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs. In this episode, Neil visits the 25 year old on his 400-acre Lake District farm to find out why he’s been called ‘dynamite’ for the industry. They discuss food production and nature restoration on his farm, why he’s helping young people from deprived backgrounds engage in farming, the role that Young Farmers’ Clubs have played in his life, and the role YFC could play in the future of farming and politics.

Listen and you’ll hear them discuss: the make-up of his 400-acre farm (0m48s); being named Young Farmer Of The Year (4m11s); what he learned about food and farming from trips to Nepal and Kenya (5m27s); the role Young Farmers’ Clubs could play in politics (6m06); helping younger generations understand and appreciate farming and food production (09m15s); his feelings about recent government decisions (12m43s); the work he does with deprived young people (17m33s).

This conversation was recorded on 13 March 2025. 

Follow the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs on Instagram here

Learn about the work of the Country Trust on their website here

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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The morning after the government announced the end of its Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme, Neil visited Cumbrian organic dairy farmer JAMES ROBINSON whose passion is nature friendly farming. His 300-acre Strickley Farm has been in the family since 1875, and it's been free from artificial fertilisers or pesticides for the last twenty years. In this episode he walks Neil around the farm to explain how his style of farming has evolved in this special landscape. 

Listen and you’ll hear: the history and layout of Strickley Farm (0m55s); James and Neil wade in the beck that runs through the farm (5m20s); James explains why he ‘re-wiggled’ this watercourse (8m37); hear how and why James created wetland areas on the farm (11m08); his role with the Nature Friendly Farming Network (14m50s); his journey of going organic (15m51); responding to the government’s decision to end its sustainable farming scheme (17m40s); the turning point in his approach to farming (20m55); his pond (24m30); meeting his shorthorn cattle (27m07).

This conversation was recorded on 13 March 2025.

Follow James on Instagram here

Visit his website here: strickleydairy.co.uk

Learn about the Nature Friendly Farming Network: nffn.org.uk

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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How can farmers best care for the UK's 400,000 miles of hedgerow? In this episode Neil attends Wiltshire's 'Hedgefest' to find out from self-confessed hedgerow ‘geek’ MEGAN GIMBER from the People’s Trust for Endangered Species why now is a great time for more farmers to take up the historical process of hedgelaying. He then meets farming couple and Hedgefest hosts CHRIS and LINDSAY RUMMING to explore their farm.

Listen and you’ll hear: how hedgelaying works and why it’s useful (0m40s); why a variety of species is so important to a good hedge (4m15s); what excites Megan about hedges (6m50s); the unique, historical importance of Devon’s hedges (8m50s); other ways to manage hedges (11m30s); what Megan’s job involves (13m40s); Neil meets the farmers hosting Hedgefest (17m15s); and Neil’s true feelings about sheep (26m36s)!

This conversation was recorded in October 2024.

Follow Megan on X here

Visit Chris and Lindsay’s online farm shop here: lydiardturkeys.co.uk

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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On a visit to the south-west last year, former agriculture minister GEORGE EUSTICE stopped by Neil’s farmhouse for a candid look back at the time the two shared in parliament. Covering Brexit, trade deals, creating new agricultural policies, and trying to curtail the power of supermarkets, in this episode you’ll get a fascinating insight into government decisions during a turbulent time, from a man who was at the heart of it all.

Listen and you’ll hear: about George’s farming background (0m40s); why he was pro-Brexit (5m49s); the environmental schemes he helped design for farmers (11m30s); food prices and the power of supermarkets (15m55s); negotiations, compromise and trade deals (21m10s); carbon credits and green finance (26m10s); the future of food production and security in the UK (31m30s).

This conversation was recorded before the inheritance tax row began.

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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Both Neil and NFU President Tom Bradshaw were speaking at a recent agricultural conference, and after one event Neil spoke with Tom to hear the approach he is taking towards the Keir Starmer’s government, his disappointment at what’s happened but optimism for a satisfactory resolution, and his thoughts on what happens next.

Also in this episode, you’ll hear Neil speak with two of the thousands of protestors that were at Westminster in November: Conservative MP for Bridgwater Ashley Fox, and Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead Rachel Gilmour.

Listen and you’ll hear: Ashley Fox (1m09s); Rachel Gilmour (5m18s); Tom Bradshaw on his optimism for a resolution (7m50s); Tom’s disappointment at what feels like the breaking of a longstanding contract between government and farming (10m27s); where the NFU might go next.

Follow Tom Bradshaw on X here

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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Neil visits a Somerset farm in which a colony of beavers have made their home. Joining him is JAN STANNARD who’s Heal Rewilding charity owns the farm, and EVA BISHOP from The Beaver Trust. In this episode the three of them talk about the evolving relationship between this ‘keystone’ species and farming practices.

Listen and you’ll hear: the concerns some farmers have about beavers (2m50s); how beavers lead to increased biodiversity (6m19s); the positive role beavers play in water management (11m45s); techniques for managing the impact beavers have on farms (17m37s); conservation as a way to diversify farm income (20m52s); what farmers should do if they’d like beavers on their land (27m02s); the role of the Beaver Trust in facilitating this (31m42s).

Learn more about Heal Rewilding on their website

Learn more about The Beaver Trust on their website

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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PROFESSOR DAVID ROSE is an expert in sustainable agricultural change, with a focus on how farmers can be supported to adopt and implement new technology that will improve outcomes for nature and for their business. In this episode he gives Neil a tour of the Harper Adams campus in Shropshire. 

Listen and you’ll hear: the best way of supporting farmers to adapt to change (1m45s); how technology could enable more ecological farming (9m04s); why government regulation struggles to keep pace with technological development (12m35s); using robots in the milking parlour (14m29s); how technology impacts the human-animal relationship (17m30s). 

Follow Professor Rose on Twitter/X here

Visit Harper Adams University website here

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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BEN GOLDSMITH is a financier, environmentalist, rewilding enthusiast and farm owner, who first met Neil when he was advising DEFRA on its food policy. In this episode, Neil visits Ben to catch up where they left off. They discuss the past, present and future relationship between farming and the environment, Ben outlines his vision for better land management and food security in the UK, and they even catch a glimpse of some wildcats.

Listen and you’ll hear: Ben’s role in helping create current government policy (0m27s); reintroducing species to the UK (10m23s); protecting the most productive farmland for food production (18m31s); why nature should also be seen as ‘infrastructure’ (21m20s); a tour of Ben’s farm (28m18s). 

Listen to Ben’s ‘Rewilding The World’ podcast

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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JOE STANLEY is head of sustainable farming at The Allerton Project, a 320 hectare farm in Leicestershire, which researches the effects of different farming methods on wildlife and the environment. In this episode, Neil tours the farm with Joe to find out about their latest research and to hear why Joe is optimistic about the future of British agriculture.

In this episode: why DEFRA’s top team visit this project (2m25s); how farmers could get a fairer price from supermarkets (10m15s); a tour of their agroforestry trials (18m02s); striking the balance between tree-planting and food production (34m55s).

Visit the Allerton Project website

This podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk

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In this episode Neil and neighbouring farmer WILLIAM BARNARD chart the ups and downs of farming for food and nature in Somerset’s unique tidal landscape known as the Pawlett Hams. Top of mind for both of them: the threat now posed to their centuries-old way of managing this landscape by the energy company EDF, and its plans to create a saltmarsh by the site of nearby Hinkley Point nuclear plant, which is currently under construction.

In this episode they discuss: the wildlife in the hams (2m50s); the role of cattle in the ecosystem (7m30s); EDF’s plans for the saltmarsh (8m44s); William’s reflections on the plans (18m25); and the uneasy relationship between their farming methods and corporate structures (24m05s).

Visit the ‘Protect Pawlett Hams’ campaign website here

Read the EDF statement in full here

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