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.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

401 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes401

Newest first

Jul 14, 2025 · 26 min
Groundswell 2025 - Exploring 'regenerative' beyond the farm gate
In this special Groundswell 2025 episode of Meet the Farmers, Ben Eagle explores what regenerative agriculture means beyond the farm gate. While regen is becoming a buzzword in farming, what does it look like across the wider food system—in supply chains, retail, policy, nutrition, and product development?
Jul 7, 2025 · 44 min
Tim Parton: Resilience, Regeneration, and Rethinking Arable Farming
A conversation with regenerative farming pioneer Tim Parton, exploring his innovative no-till methods, recovery from a life-changing accident, and vision for the future of sustainable agriculture.
Jun 30, 2025 · 41 min
Global Shocks, Local Farms: Wars, Climate, Trade, Politics and Beyond - with Emily Norton and James Bolesworth
In this episode of Meet the Farmers, Ben Eagle is joined by Emily Norton and James Bolesworth to explore how global shocks—from war and climate change to trade shifts and political uncertainty—are impacting UK farms and what farmers can do to stay resilient.
Jun 23, 2025 · 45 min
Farming in Cornwall: Peter Green on Cattle, Podcasting, Family & the Future
In this episode, Ben heads to Cornwall to meet fifth-generation farmer Peter Green, who shares his powerful story of returning to the family farm after personal tragedy and a career in corporate finance. Now running a sustainable, grass-fed beef enterprise and hosting the Farming Focus podcast, Peter reflects on resilience, leadership, and building a purpose-driven future in Cornish agriculture.
Jun 16, 2025 · 25 min
What's it like to be a young farmer in Ireland? - with Sophie Bell
In this episode, Ben Eagle speaks with Sophie Bell, a young farmer from County Cavan, Ireland, who is using social media to share the realities of modern agricultural life. They discuss her journey into farming, the challenges facing Irish agriculture, and how digital platforms are giving farmers a stronger voice.
Jun 9, 2025 · 45 min
The Challenges of Farming Alone (and some dog training tips) - Damian Barson's story
In this episode, Yorkshire new entrant farmer Damian Barson shares his powerful journey from dog trainer to sheep farmer, opening up about the emotional challenges of rural isolation and starting a new life in agriculture in his fifties. We explore the realities of mental health in farming, resilience through hardship and much more including lambing season 2025 for Damian.
Jun 2, 2025 · 21 min
Britain's Fittest Farmer and Farm Fitness - with Will Arden
Ben Eagle talks to Lincolnshire farmer and fitness advocate Will Arden about the importance of physical and mental wellbeing in farming life. As the founder of The Farmyard Gym and head judge of Britain’s Fittest Farmer, Will shares insights on staying healthy, strong, and resilient both on and off the farm.
May 26, 2025 · 37 min
Farming, Fashion and a £254,000 grant - an update from James and Katie Allen
In this episode, Ben Eagle catches up with James and Katie Allen, conservation graziers turned rural innovators, now running a 170-acre farm near Swindon. They share how a £254,000 grant helped them build a sustainable on-farm tannery and classroom, connecting farming with fashion and education.
May 19, 2025 · 27 min
The Women Revolutionizing Regenerative Agriculture - with Stephanie Anderson
We're in the United States this week. Author Stephanie Anderson joins Ben to explore how women are leading the charge in regenerative agriculture. They discuss innovation, equity, climate resilience, the role of storytelling and the impact of the global pandemic on food systems.
May 12, 2025 · 50 min
How do you start a farming or land based business from scratch? Alex and Emily Crawley on starting a conservation grazing business
In this episode, Ben Eagle chats with Alex and Emily Crawley about their journey into conservation grazing, using native breeds to support biodiversity. They explore the challenges of starting a farming career without land and making bold career changes to pursue a life in agriculture.
May 5, 2025 · 29 min
Paludiculture and Wetter Farming - An Opportunity for Agriculture?
Ben is joined by Sarah Johnson and Jenny Bennion from Lancashire Wildlife Trust to discuss paludiculture, better known as 'wetter farming'. What is it? What are the benefits? Is there an opportunity for farmers?
May 2, 2025 · 46 min
Agroforestry Mini Series ep3 - The 'How' of Agroforestry
This episode is all about agroforestry and part of a mini series produced in collaboration with the Forestry Commission. In this episode Tom Kemp from Cornwall joins Ben Eagle and James Ramskir-Gardiner to discuss some of the things to look out for when it comes to agroforestry and how to start.
Apr 30, 2025 · 51 min
Agroforestry Mini Series ep2 - Silvopasture v Silvoarable systems
This episode is all about agroforestry and part of a mini series produced in collaboration with the Forestry Commission. In this episode Sam Morgan from the Essex/Suffolk border joins Ben Eagle and James Ramskir-Gardiner to discuss silvoarable and silvopasture systems.
Apr 28, 2025 · 36 min
Agroforestry Mini Series ep1 - Making the Case for Agroforestry - why do it?
This episode is all about agroforestry and part of a mini series produced in collaboration with the Forestry Commission. In this episode Clare Hill joins Ben Eagle and James Ramskir-Gardiner to make the case for agroforestry - why do it?
Apr 21, 2025 · 25 min
Soil: The World at Our Feet - an Exhibition at Somerset House
Ben is joined by Henrietta Courtauld and Bridget Elworthy to discuss the recent exhibition at Somerset House in London - Soil: The World at Our Feet.
Apr 14, 2025 · 37 min
Cutting Inputs and Output to Increase Profitability - investigating 'The Profitable Farm' with Chris Clark and Brian Scanlon
Ben is joined by Chris Clark and Brian Scanlon to discuss their new book 'The Profitable Farm' which asks how you can increase your farm's profitability?
Apr 7, 2025 · 27 min
Cycling, Swimming and Running 550km and Raising Money for RABI - the Borderline Challenge with Hugh Addison
Hugh Addison, his sister Alex and a few friends are cycling, swimming and running 550km from Sligo in Ireland to Tynemouth in England in aid of RABI and raising awareness of mental health in the farming community. It's called the Borderline Challenge.
Mar 31, 2025 · 24 min
Hydroelectric, sheep and sustainability in Wales - with James Raw
We’re in Wales for this episode and Ben's guest is James Raw - a seventh-generation farmer who runs a hill farm in the heart of the Cambrian mountains. James has implemented a range of practices and projects at his farm, including the creation of two hydro systems and a farming system that focuses on soil health and biodiversity. He was awarded the prestigious Low Impact Award in the annual M&S Select Farm Awards for England and Wales last year. In this episode Ben and James talk about James's farming journey, the changes that he has enacted on the farm and some trends and issues in farming. Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. About Ben and RuralPod Media Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. Follow us on social media Instagram @mtf_podcast Twitter @mtf_podcast Watch us on Youtube here
Mar 24, 2025 · 53 min
A Farm in London - with Tom Davis
Ben speaks to farm manager Tom Davis who runs Mudchute City Farm in the heart of London.
Mar 17, 2025 · 36 min
Borders Farm Life - with Matthew Anderson
Ben speaks to Matthew Anderson who farms sheep and beef in the Scottish Borders.