Meet the Farmers

Ben Eagle, RuralPod Media

Meet the Farmers profiles farmers and gives you an insight into food and farming and the people behind it. Meet the Farmers: The Big Debate covers farming news, current affairs and discussion on the big issues that matter for rural people in Britain and across the world.

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401 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes401

Newest first

February 9 · 29 min
The Salty Shepherd - Steve Penberthy in Cornwall
Ben Eagle speaks with Steve Penberthy, a sheep farmer from West Cornwall, who shares his journey into farming, the challenges he faces, and the importance of public perception in agriculture.
January 30 · 27 min
Big Debate bonus - 'Ask the Legal Expert' - Inheritance Tax, Succession and Land Sales
In this Big Debate bonus episode Ally Hunter Blair puts listeners questions about succession, inheritance tax and land sales to Chris Coupland and Annabelle Rout from Birketts LLP.
January 30 · 49 min
Big Debate Farmers Compare their Farm Businesses - What does the future hold? - Big Debate Episode 7
Big Debate hosts Ally and Sophie discuss various topics related to farming, including their personal journeys in agriculture. They also share insights from their recent trip to Scotland and engage with listener feedback, highlighting the importance of community in the agricultural sector. They discuss various aspects of farming, including the challenges and opportunities faced by young farmers, the differences between tenancy agreements, and the impact of technology on agricultural practices. Th
January 26 · 23 min
Growing a Regenerative Farm On Exmoor National Park - with Sarah and Georgia Weatherlake
In this episode of Meet the Farmers, host Ben Eagle speaks with Sarah and Georgia Weatherlake, who manage a 500-acre farm in Exmoor National Park. Following the passing of her husband, Sarah has taken on the challenge of restoring the farm's grasslands and implementing regenerative farming techniques. The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities of farming within a national park, innovative practices such as deer processing and a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, and the importan
January 19 · 46 min
The Radmore Farm Journey - with Ben Aveling
Ben Eagle is joined by Northamptonshire farmer Ben Aveling to hear about his journey into farming and the diversification challenges along the way.
January 16 · 47 min
The Farm Profitability Review with Baroness Minette Batters - what's next? - Big Debate Episode 6
Baroness Minette Batters discusses her Farm Profitability Review with Ally and Sophie. The report was published in December but what comes next?
January 12 · 23 min
ORFC 2026 - seed saving, community, sustainability and futures
Ben heads to the Oxford Real Farming Conference and learns more about community seed saving.
January 5 · 34 min
A Tale of Two Tenant Farmers
Ben Eagle is joined by Kayleigh Robb and Tim Scott, two tenant farmers who share the same landlord - the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT). Kerriann McLackland, head of estates at CRT, provides insights into the trust's mission and the support it offers to its tenants.
Dec 29, 2025 · 20 min
An Audio Diary from Downlands Estate with James Gilboy
Guest produced by Becca Smith, James Gilboy from Downlands Estate on the Surrey/Hampshire border, gives us an overview of what is going on there.
Dec 22, 2025 · 48 min
Big Farming Quiz of the Year: Reflecting on 2025
Ben is joined by Ally Hunter Blair, Sophie Gregory, Ben Briggs and Bronagh Dempster to look back on 2025 and answer a few quiz questions.
Dec 19, 2025 · 51 min
Are marts still the heart of commerce and community? - Big Debate ep5
Ally and Sophie ask whether traditional livestock markets will still be central to UK farming in 20 years time? They are joined by Dan Luff from sellmylivestock.com and livestock auctioneer Scott Donaldson who is Group Director for H&H Group. They also discuss tractor runs and Christmas traditions.
Dec 18, 2025 · 38 min
Farmers React to the Farm Profitability review - BIG DEBATE Emergency episode
Ally and Sophie are joined by Ben Briggs for an initial reaction to the Farm Profitability Review authored by Baroness Minette Batters and published today by the UK government.
Dec 15, 2025 · 56 min
The Story Behind Trevor and The Sheep Show - with Trevor Wayborn
Ben is joined by Trevor Wayborn from Devon who runs The Sheep Show.
Dec 12, 2025 · 13 min
Big Debate Agri-Economic Report December 2025 - with Virgin Money's Brian Richardson
Ben is joined by Brian Richardson - Head of Agriculture at Virgin Money - for his analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks for agriculture at the moment. Bonus episode for The Big Debate ep4
Dec 12, 2025 · 54 min
Do Scottish Farmers Have a Bright Future? - Meet the Farmers: The Big Debate ep4 - with Cammy Wilson
Sophie and Ally are on holiday this week so Cammy Wilson from Fed by Farmers joins the Big Debate team this week for an episode with a Scottish focus. Do Scottish Farmers Have a Bright Future? They also discuss the long awaited Farm Profitability review, dogs on leads and Christmas cheese. Also featuring Sally Williams and John Sleigh.
Dec 8, 2025 · 42 min
Sheepdogs and Taking on the Farm after school - with Erin McNaught
In this episode of Meet the Farmers, host Ben Eagle speaks with Erin McNaught, a fourth-generation farmer in North Wales. Erin shares her journey of taking over the family farm at a young age, the challenges of farming in a rugged landscape, and the balance between education and agricultural responsibilities. She highlights the importance of family legacy and the support from her grandfather in revitalizing the farm.
Dec 1, 2025 · 51 min
Farmers React to the Budget - The Big Debate ep3
Ally and Sophie are joined by Yorkshire farmer Paul Temple and Editor of Farmers Guardian Olivia Midgley to discuss the budget. Plus Ben is joined by Chris Coupland from Birketts for some detail on the budget.
Dec 1, 2025 · 49 min
From Livestock Farming to the Radio - with Sam Walton
Ben is joined this week by Sam Walton, Livestock Manager at Cotswold Farm Park.
Nov 24, 2025 · 37 min
Do farmers need a new fitness culture?
Ben is joined by personal trainer Paul Norton who is on a mission to improve farmer fitness.
Nov 17, 2025 · 50 min
Meet Rich the Funky Farmer - Pioneering Farming Youtuber
Ben meets Gloucestershire dairy farmer and pioneering farming youtuber Richard Cornock known to many as 'The Funky Farmer'.