My Rural Tribe
By Sian Mercer
I love to speak with farmers to find out about their farm, who and what inspires them and what it takes to be a farmer. To hear that passion for what they do, farmers really are my hero!
Take a listen to learn more about the people that feed the nation, care for the landscapes and work with the seasons, who's love for what they do really makes them who they are, sprinkle in some hope and the love of green and the chance to chat, you will learn 'What makes a farmer?'
My Rural TribeMay 11, 2020
Precision Grazing - Meet the farmer - Neil Davies
Precision Grazing Podcasts - meet the farmers and managers taking a pasture first approach to their business building productivity, profitability and resilience whilst improving their environment and achieving a positive work/life balance.
In this episode we meet Neil Davies, sheep and beef farmer from Llangammach Wells, Powys. Neil made positive changes to his business with the help of Precision Grazing to make the most his land and put the sheep enterprise and for-front of the farm business.
Take a listen to learn more about their Precision Grazing journey and how the team can help you and your farm business.
To learn more about how the Precision Grazing team can help your business visit www.precisiongrazing.comand book your online appointment for a chat.
Precision Grazing - Meet the Farmer - Tom Burge
Precision Grazing Podcasts - meet the farmers and managers taking a pasture first approach to their business building productivity, profitability and resilience whilst improving their environment and achieving a positive work/life balance.
In this episode we meet Tom Burge sheep farmer from Exmoor. After visiting New Zealand Tom knew he wanted to make changes to the farm, and this resulted in him working with Precision Grazing to make the sheep enterprise a profitable one, while building soil organic matter and improving the quality and amount of grass grown.
Take a listen to learn more about their Precision Grazing journey and how the team can help you and your farm business.
To learn more about how the Precision Grazing team can help your business visit www.precisiongrazing.comand book your online appointment for a chat.
Precision Grazing - Meet the farmer - Mike & Sam Roberts
Precision Grazing Podcasts - meet the farmers and managers taking a pasture first approach to their business building productivity, profitability and resilience whilst improving their environment and achieving a positive work/life balance.
In this episode we meet father and son team Mike and Sam Roberts beef farmers from near Wadebridge. Mike and Sam made changes to the business after realising what they were doing was not working.
We changed because we had to, but when we had to we wanted to.
Thanks to working with Precision Grazing they now have vision of where they want to go, how to get there and are now making money.
Take a listen to learn more about their Precision Grazing journey and how the team can help you and your farm business.
To learn more about how the Precision Grazing team can help your business visit www.precisiongrazing.comand book your online appointment for a chat.
Precision Grazing - Meet the farmer - Chris Berry
Precision Grazing Podcasts - meet the farmers and managers taking a pasture first approach to their business building productivity, profitability and resilience whilst improving their environment and achieving a positive work/life balance.
In this episode we meet Chris Berry sheep and beef farmer from near Exeter. Chris has created a low risk farm system with good financial security which enables him to spend time with his young family. Take a listen to learn more about Chris’s Precision Grazing journey and how the team can help you and your farm business.
To learn more about how the Precision Grazing team can help your business visit www.precisiongrazing.comand book your online appointment for a chat.
Precision Grazing - Meet the farmer - Will Evans
Precision Grazing Podcasts - meet the farmers and managers taking a pasture first approach to their business building productivity, profitability and resilience whilst improving their environment and achieving a positive work/life balance.
In this episode we meet Will Evans 4th generation farmer from Machynlleth who has changed his farm business thanks to Precision Grazing and works to the mantra of 'Keep it Simple'. Take a listen to learn more about Chris’s Precision Grazing journey and how the team can help you and your farm business.
To learn more about how the Precision Grazing team can help your business visit www.precisiongrazing.comand book your online appointment for a chat.
Precision Grazing - Meet the farmer - Philip Hughes
Precision Grazing Podcasts - meet the farmers and managers taking a pasture first approach to their business building productivity, profitability and resilience whilst improving their environment and achieving a positive work/life balance.
In this episode we meet Philip Hughes, who returned to the family business, near Corwen, 10 years ago. A change if subsidy regime and making tax digital made Philip soon realise the way he was farming needed to change. Working with Precision Grazing has seen positive changes to the farm and business. Take a listen to learn more about Philips journey and how Precision Grazing can help you and your business.
To learn more about how the Precision Grazing team can help your business visit www.precisiongrazing.com and book your online appointment for a chat.
Episode 11 - James Robinson from Strickley Farm
It was real pleasure to be speak with James and hear all about his farm, family and herd of Shorthorn cattle, who's family line goes back the 5 generations the Robinsons have been at Strickley! 15 years as organic dairy farmers the family farming the same land is ancestors have, laying the same hedges and mending the stone walls, this corner of Cumbria has remained relatively unscathed from modern farming, but mainly due to its awkward landscape, which has been its saving grace! If you want to geek out on hedges, this is the listen for you! Passion & pride are at the forefront of this conversation, I hope you enjoy!
Episode 10 - Susan & Shay - @Seaviewfarms
I loved talking with Susan and Shay about their #regenerativeagriculture journey. They are so passionate about they are doing, regenerating the environment while producing nutrient rich food. An unhealthy obsession with the dung beetle and the love of electric fencing are some of the things we talk about. Most research and books about regenerative agriculture are North American based, Susan is keen to so their own research on the farm, to show Uk farmers that it really does work! Susan and Shay are just starting out on their journey and realise they have the flexibility to take risks, and this is a privilege!
I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as i did!
@seaviewfarms
Books- Greg Judy
Episode 9: Charlie Beaty - @globetrottingfarmgirl
It was a pleasure talking to Charlie aka @globetrottingfarmgirl, as we sat under a tree in a field Meridan, literally middle earth, where she farms with her Dad and Uncle Tom, sheep, beef and arable. Charlie has done so much in such a short time, having grown up on the farm she was 'actively encouraged' to help with the jobs, especially the child friendly sized sheep and steer the Landrover set in low gear (I love being a farm kid!), to going to Harper Adams to study, a placement year with Claas dealership as a demo driver, then off to Oz and NZ on a gap year, saying YES to opportunities! saying YES to getting involved from YFC to NSA bursaries and YES to education! YES to social media and the communitiy and friendship it opens up! YES to new ideas and ways of thinking... The next step... Regenerative farming; after reading Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown, 3 times herself and getting Dad and Uncle Tom to also read it and get on board. Charlie IS one to watch... find her on Instagram for her daily farming life!
Episod 8 - Sam Kenyon @GlanLlyn_farmher
It was lovely to spend time talking to Sam on her sunny farm in Denbighshire in North Wales. Sam, who met her husband, Alex whilst backpacking around Australia and Thailand came back to the farm a few years ago. Both had been diving instructors in Thailand and had seen the destruction and pollution being created by humans. On coming back to Wales, to take over the running of the family farm, Sam has taken on the gauntlet of 'If we want to be SEE the change, we need to BE the change'.
Sam is building up her flock of sheep, and her herd of goats to work with the farm, not against it. Living alongside a river that floods annually, she is reclaiming tenanted land back along the river and returning it to meadow land, to ease erosion and take advantage of the nutritious silt that is left behind. Being curious, asking questions, working on other farms and taking advantage of training by Farming Connect has been invaluable.
Sam's passion for what she has achieved and will achieve is inspiring! Enjoy hearing her talk about Glan Llyn.
@glanllyn_farmher
Episode 7 - Helen Owens - The Wernbach Shepherdess
It was a joy to speak with Helen the @wernbachshepherdess, especially in these strange times of Covid-19, of week 4 of Lock-In.
I follow Helen on instagram and love seeing life from her smallholding in Flintshire. Helen and her husband started their own flock of South Down sheep, for no other reason that they look cute, but have soon realised what a great terminal sire they are! With help from breeders, friends , neighbouring farmers and Farming Connect, they have received help and advice as well as the old 'get stuck in and have a go'. We spoke about the joy each season and Helens slight obsession with her flocks sex life come September! Being open about her post-natal depression and how having to get on and out to look after the livestock with a new born baby has given her confidence in herself.
And in the great words of Chaka Khan 'I'm every woman' will now follow me as I strut around in my waterproofs! Hurrah!
Episode 6 - Olly Harrison
I met Olly last year at a school in Derby, I was taking photos, he was helping educate the kids about arable farming along with the NFU Education team. The other week I saw him on LinkedIn as he gave an interview from the safety of his tractor cab, where he has been Isolating as he plants the spring crops. We chat about why being Dyslexic is a gift, how sunflowers change lives and how the weather is really the only route to profitability! Olly is not a man to sit still, either tone out on the farm or looking for the next diversification opportunity!
Wheres Olly? On all the socials - @agricontract or @OllyHarrison to keep up to date with his farming story!
Episode 5 - Lucy Owens - making the most of your food!
It was a pleasure to speak with Lucy and hear about her life growing up on the farm and how it is an industry so close to her heart. Lucy farms alongside her husband, works for local businesses and has her own clothing brand - i Care Clothing - with slogans for farming, community and feral children! Profits go to a farming or countryside charity every quarter, which is a great philosophy to give back. Lucy is also passionate about showing how you can make your food go further, starting with the humble sunday roast, she makes another 3 days worth of meals for her family of 5. Follow Lucy on instagram @thismumcares . Enjoy.
Episode 4 - Heather Wildman
My Rural Tribe host Sian Mercer, had the pleasure to speak with Heather Widman, Saviour Associates - about all things farming, from growing up on the farm, skills needed to be a a rep driving up the farm lane, to the importance of shouting about how good our British farmers are AND the need to take holiday! Heather talks about why the S word (succession) should be spoken about - and it all starts with a conversation. I hope you enjoy!
Episode 3 - Ruari Martin - The man with the hat . . . @RuariMart
Ruari Martin wears the most amazing hat, but boy does he put across some good points. Having grown up surrounded by the countryside and farmers in very rural Hexham, where a 8 mile walk to do his maths GCSE was taken in his stride, to realising that following your passion meant working in paradise every day - and for Ruari that is farming. From gaining practical experience from the low lands to the uplands, Ruari is now (fancy title!) farm manager at Myerscough College, where he can combine his love for the practical along with science and technology. Embracing learning and getting off farm to have conversations and make the magic happen....
Follow Ruari on Twitter - @RuariMart
Episode 2 -Claire Stead - @claires_farmlife
In this episode I speak with Claire Stead, who I follow on instagram @claires_farmlife - I really enjoy seeing Claire's life on the farm, it makes me envious and want to be out on that quad bike, but as you'll find out it isn't all sunsets and cute lambs! Claire came home to the farm after 7 years working in an office, because some things are just in your heart, to be a farmer is to be part of the earth and of nature, and that calling is there.
Instagram has opened up a new community for Claire, in an industry that can be lonely, sharing your life and learning from others not only in the UK but around the world creates its very own unique place - which is so positive for farmers and the non-farmers who can learn 'what makes a farmer'.
Enjoy the podcast, I know I certainly enjoyed speaking with Claire!
Episode 1 - My Rural Tribe talks to Abi Reader
My Rural Tribe was honoured to speak to Abi Reader. Behind every great person there is a great community. Abi is a dairy farmer, spokesperson, representative and educator. Farm life is busy but add in the other commitements and Abi is one busy lady. Having a great team behind her, from mum, farm staff and those external but equally important to a farm business, mean the show goes on.
By taking a chance and saying yes to opportunities Abi's world opened up, from being interviewed on national TV, becoming dairy Chair for the NFU Cymru to collecting her MBE from Prince Charles. Having a vision and people behind you to help push you forward is how Abi has achieved the success she has.
Listen now to find out more.
My Rural Tribe talks to Kirk from Duggy Stone Radio!
I spoke to Kirk of DuggyStone about his past as a butcher and how it has influenced his later careers.