Meet the Farmers

In this episode of Meet the Farmers, Ben speaks with Charlotte Ashley, dairy farmer and 'countryside content creator' based in Cumbria. Charlotte shares her journey from a non-farming background to becoming a dairy farmer. She discusses the challenges and learning curves of transitioning to dairy farming, the importance of social media in bridging the rural-urban divide, and her opinions on the term 'influencer'. The conversation also touches on the current challenges in the dairy industry and Charlotte's aspirations for the future of her farm.

Ben announces the launch of a brand new ongoing series on Meet the Farmers and its new hosts!

Michael Kavanagh shares his family’s heartbreaking story of losing their 2-year-old daughter, Eleanor, to sudden viral pneumonia in January 2025. In her memory, he and his wife Di are undertaking incredible endurance challenges to raise awareness and funds through The Eleanor Challenge. Please donate if you can.

In this episode of Meet the Farmers, host Ben Eagle speaks with Ian Pullen, a beef farmer from Wotton Under Edge, Gloucestershire. Ian shares his journey into farming, the challenges he faces with TB in cattle, and how he has successfully integrated YouTube into his farming business. He discusses the importance of diversification, the direct sales model for his beef, and the future of farming amidst changing policies and market demands. Ian emphasizes the need for farmers to adapt and find new income streams while maintaining a connection with their customers.

In this episode of Meet the Farmers, Ben Eagle sits down with Thomas Gent, a fourth-generation farmer and founder of Gentle Farming, to discuss his journey into regenerative agriculture and the innovations shaping the future of farming. They dive into topics like soil health, natural capital, agri-tech, and the challenges and opportunities within the farming industry today.

In this episode we meet Bronagh Dempster, a passionate new entrant into the farming world from Northern Ireland. Discover her inspiring journey from a fascination with dairy cows to forging her path in the industry, and even doing a Nuffield Next Gen Scholarship. Bronagh shares her experiences, challenges, and insights on the evolving dairy sector, offering valuable advice for aspiring farmers and industry enthusiasts.

Six arable farmer former guests of the show send in their harvest reports for 2025.

In this episode of Meet the Farmers, host Ben Eagle talks with Miranda Webster of Webster's Rural about recruitment challenges and opportunities in the professional and farm manager side of the agricultural and rural sectors, from post-Brexit shifts to the role of AI in hiring. They explore how rural businesses can attract and retain talent while balancing modern tools with the human side of recruitment.

In this episode of Meet the Farmers, Ben chats with Tara, a third-generation sheep and mixed crop farmer from western Victoria, Australia. They discuss her family’s farming journey, livestock and land management practices, the realities of Australian agriculture, and how she uses social media to share her story and connect with consumers.

In this episode of Meet the Farmers, Ben Eagle speaks with beef and sheep farmer James Warwick from north Cornwall about how he moved to Cornwall from Cambridgeshire to live with his grandparents and learn to farm. He now farms South Devon cattle and 350–400 ewes. James shares his passion for farming, financial challenges of farming and the mental strain it can sometimes bring.