To grow food or to protect nature? It often seems as if one can only be done at the expense of the other. In this podcast, farmer & ex-MP Neil Parish seeks to f...
Nature friendly dairy farming with Cumbria’s James Robinson
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 hereVisit his website here: strickleydairy.co.ukLearn about the Nature Friendly Farming Network: nffn.org.ukThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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40:00
Hedgelaying at the UK’s first-of-its-kind Hedgefest
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 hereVisit Chris and Lindsay’s online farm shop here: lydiardturkeys.co.ukThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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27:46
Ex-farming minister & MP the Rt Hon George Eustice looks back on his time in government
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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42:19
NFU President Tom Bradshaw on resolving the inheritance tax row
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 hereThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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26:06
Harnessing what beavers can offer British farms
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 websiteLearn more about The Beaver Trust on their websiteThis podcast is produced by jakelloyd.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To grow food or to protect nature? It often seems as if one can only be done at the expense of the other. In this podcast, farmer & ex-MP Neil Parish seeks to find out if, in fact, we can do both.Our relationship with food is on the brink of a massive shift. Global instability disrupting food security, UK farmers are being incentivised to promote biodiversity rather than grow food. And climate change is starting to transform what we grow, what we eat and how we live. As a Somerset farmer, Neil Parish is facing up to all these changes. And as an EU & UK parliamentarian, for 20 years he helped design the policies that shape our food system. Now, he has unfinished business. In this podcast, local, national & global experts join Neil to tackle crucial questions about the past, present and future relationship between food and the environment.Produced by: jakelloyd.co.ukSocial media by millyfyfe.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland