Football and the environment often feel like worlds apart. Private jets, fast cars, and meat-heavy diets seem at odds with sustainable practices. But can the much loved game truly go green?

Join us for a topical conversation as we tackle this hot topic with two amazing guests:

• Marc Pugh: Former Premier League footballer turned nutritionist, sharing insights on balancing performance with healthy, sustainable eating.

• Katie Cross: Campaigner for Pledgeball, a movement tackling the environmental impact of football.

We'll dive deep into:

• Sustainable nutrition: Does reducing meat actually benefit the planet? How can footballers fuel their bodies responsibly?

• Green Football Weekend: We'll analyze major platforms like Sky's efforts to promote eco-conscious practices in the sport.

• Bridging the gap: Can you be a fan of football while advocating for environmental change?

• Tackling tough questions: We'll ask Marc and Katie directly: how can players reconcile their jet-setting lifestyles with eco-consciousness?

This episode is packed with insights, discussions, and a healthy dose of challenge.

Whether you're a concerned fan, a football enthusiast, or simply curious about sustainable living, join us as we explore the complex intersection of football and the planet.

What is #MindYourHead week? Who can you reach out to for support? What is therapy really like?

With 95% of young farmers saying that mental health is one of the biggest hidden problems today- in a study conducted by the Farm Safety Foundation- it’s no wonder awareness around the topic is needed.

Mind Your Head week is a campaign that aims to raise awareness around mental health and offers support for those in need.

This year, we’ve teamed up with Yellow Wellies to bring you a special episode to end the last day of the campaign.

This time, the shoe is on the other foot as Becca is joined by Steph from the charity to interview Lizzie about her OCD and anxiety.

Plus, we’re joined by Sam Oatey from Oatey Media who opens up about his own struggles with mental health and the pressures of growing up in a farming family.

Listen to this episode and we encourage you to answer the question:

How do you feel today out of ten?

If you need support, please do reach out to Yellow Wellies UK.

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.


Disclaimer: Becca and Lizzie are not medical professionals and therefore, advice should be sought from a medical professional.

This episode contains themes of mental health, OCD, anxiety, depression and suicide.

How are you feeling out of ten? Where can you access support? Why did Adam Henson set up a podcast dedicated to mental health?

This week’s guest needs no introduction as we welcome BBC’s Countryfile presenter , Adam Henson to talk about his new podcast, Keeping on Track.

With Becca lambing live during the interview, we chat with Adam about the inspiration behind his latest venture, the struggles the farming community face and the signs to look out for.

Plus, we discuss what other influencers in the industry are doing such as Olly Harrison and Kaleb Cooper and ask Adam his views on the current Farming Minister.

If you need support, please do reach out to charities such as Yellow Wellies, DPJ Foundation, RABI  and YANA.

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.

What does 2024 look like? Why did Karl swap career from chef to farmer? Where does the “pretend farmer” name come from?

In our first episode of the New Year, we welcome Karl Franklin, aka the Pretend Farmer, to talk about his unusual journey to farming.

Talking all about his flock, his debate with a plant based campaigner live on TV and his plans for the year, we learn more about the similarities and differences between being a chef and farmer.

Plus, we hear Karl’s predictions for agriculture in 2024.

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.

How did Lel gain over 145k followers on TikTok ? What's her top tips for starting your own farming social media? Why does she feel like such an imposter in the industry?

In this episode, we welcome Farmer Lel to talk all about her sheep!

With over 145,000 TikTok followers, Lel actively shares her life and experiences on farm and encourages her viewers to ask questions and learn more about their food.

Speaking about her Taid (grandfather) as her inspiration, we find out more about how Lel is building her own flock, why she chose the Lleyn and Berrichon breeds and why she couldn't be wuthout her sheepdog Cwin.

Plus, we find out her answer to Hannah Jackson, last week's guest, question.

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.

How is Charlie achieving his farming dream? What has been his biggest challenge?  What can we be doing more of to improve representation in agriculture?

In a really inspiring episode, we speak with Charlie Kifford, about farming with Cerebral Palsy.

Letting nothing get in the way of his passion, he tells us about his successes at Plumpton College, the value in friendships and support networks and just how he is representing people with disabilities in a historically stereotyped industry.

This episode is a real reminder that no matter your background, you can achieve what you set out to do.

As always, thanks to our sponsor Howden Rural.

Did Rozz find common ground with Thomas through their love for the countryside ? Which other MAFS UK star would she love to join her on farm? What future TV show would she want to be on?

In the second part of our Married at First Sight UK episode, we continue the conversation with flower farmer, Rozz Darlington, about her time on the TV show.

In part 1, we talked about her farming business and why she decided to apply for the show and in this next episode, we find out more about the behind the scenes of the programme.

Discussing who she made good friends with, how she felt about the dinner party drama and what it's been like dealing with online trolls, Rozz really opens up about swapping her life on farm to joining a reality show in London.

Plus, she answers Farmer Will's unseen question and tells us if she is #ClubCountry or #TeamTown.

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden

Why did Rozz decide to apply for Married at First Sight UK? What's it like moving from flower farming to reality TV?  Is marrying a stranger really the best way to find love in the rural community?

In this two part episode, we welcome another well-known reality star, as we speak with Rozz Darlington, flower farmer and participant on this year's Married at First Sight UK.

Back in 2021, we previously worked with Rozz to create Christmas Wreaths and learn more about her business and now, two years later, we chat about how she met her husband for the first time at the alter.

Discussing her family farm, floristry business and applying for the show, we once again ask the question if reality TV can help to bridge the gap between farming and the public.

Plus, Lizzie gets the chance to talk about her love for Paul Brunson, relationship expert on MAFS, and we find out more about the pressures of settling down before the age of 30.

We loved this one! Listen to Part 1 now!

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden

What was it like being a farmer in the Love Island villa? How does UK and Australia agriculture  differ? Can reality TV really bridge the gap between the country and city?

To kick off our SECOND series, we welcome Love Island star Farmer Will to talk about the launch of his new book and find out more about his experience since leaving the reality show.

Gaining almost 2 million Tik Tok followers, Will discusses the imapct of social media, the importance of mental health and how crucuial educating the next generation is.

Plus, we were also lucky enough to have partner and fellow Love Islander , Jessie Wynter,  join the conversation to tell us how farming in the UK came as a shock in comparison to her rural  home life in Australia.

Finally, we introduce our new challenge- are our guests #ClubCountry or #TeamTown- and who will reign champion at the end of the series?

As always, thank you to our sponsor Howden.

How can crypto currency offer a diversification for farmers? Are robots the solution to the future of farming? Why is SAYFC so important to the next generation?

To celebrate the Future Farming Expo, we welcome an array of guests to give a flavour of what you can expect at this year's event.

First, we welcome Josh Riddett, Founder of Easy Crypto Hunter, to discuss if crypto currency can benefit the farming community. With over 60 farms already benefiting from this diversification, we find out if the world of bitcoin is too good to be true.

Our second guest is Dr Fernando Auat Cheein, from Edinburgh Centre of Robotics, as we learn more about the role robots have to play in the future of farming operations.

Finally, we chat with fellow podcaster and friend, Wallace Currie, lecturer and host of the Rural2Kitchen pod, about his experiences with SAYFC and how joining can make a difference to future generations.

Listen to this episode to get a taste of the talks at the Future Farming Expo 2023.

Future Farming Expo will be on Tuesday 10 October 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Wednesday 11 October 9:00 am - 4:30pm at the P&J Live, Aberdeen

Thanks to our sponsor A Plan Rural Insurance

IT'S OUR BIGGEST GUEST TO DATE!

Join us as we speak with country music star Luke Bryan about his annual Farm Tour which takes place at six family farms across the USA and how as part of the "Take Care, Now” campaign with Bayer,  the #HeresToTheFarmer initiative is helping American rural  communities in need.

To begin, we chat with Bayer's Director of External Communications, Brian Leake, about the staggering stats around the campaign; how 90 percent of counties with the highest food insecurity rates are rural and these rural communities represent nearly two-thirds of primary care health professional shortage areas in the country. 

We further discuss how Bayer will help provide one million meals to people experiencing hunger through the Feeding America network of food banks and why having a global figure at the helm continues to drive the initiative. 

For the second part of the episode, we welcome Luke Bryan onto the podcast and lean more about his his farming background inspired his annual Farm Tour and how the cause is something close to his heart.

We further find out Luke's go to songs in the tractor cab and consider the parallels between US and UK agricultural communities. 

Huge thank you to Bayer US for inviting us and to Luke for taking the time to speak with us.

As always, thank you to our sponsor A Plan Rural.

What can you do with Sunday Roast leftovers? When is the best time of year to eat lamb? What’s a top tip to get cooking in the kitchen?

Join us for the second part of our special episode, celebrating the upcoming Festival of Food and Drink, where we answer those questions.

Speaking with TV Presenter and Chef, Matt Tebbutt- much loved for his cooking on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen- we find out what he’s looking to cook at this year’s event.

Talking all things seasonal produce, recipe ideas, and cooking for a live audience, this episode is sure to make you hungry!

Plus, find out if Matt and Becca divide  opinions when discussing rearing sheep indoors vs outdoors.

Yep- Lizzie’s dad is proud of this one!

Join the Festival of Food and Drink  this September.

With thanks to our sponsor A Plan Rural.

This week, we have the first part to our special episode celebrating the upcoming Festival of Food and Drink (16th and 17th September).

Talking all things diversification, we’re joined by two of this year’s exhibitors to find out what they produce and how exactly they do it.

First, we speak with Jon Hammond, from Hammond produce, who’s oozing with enthusiasm for the beauty of rapeseed oil. 

From growing the yellow fields we see in Spring to dipping sourdough into their garlic infused oil, Jon paints a picture of why you should consider swapping your cupboard essential.

After, we chat with Cynthia King, born New Yorker who now runs Locksley Distilling in Sheffield , UK. 

Proud to source their botanicals from organic suppliers and keen to do what they can for the planet, the founders continue to find new innovative ways to be sustainable- all whilst creating a variety of flavoured gin (including the use of oyster shells)!

Plus, we’ll be announcing our celebrity guest for part 2!

Make sure you don’t listen to this episode on an empty stomach- you may find yourself feeling peckish.

Join the Festival of Food and Drink  this September.

With thanks to our sponsor A Plan Rural.

How many years do you need to study to be a vet? How can you find work experience? What qualifications do you need?

On our latest episode, we chat with farm vet, Sophie Harding

Sharing her journey with over 13,000 followers, Sophie shows the highs and lows of being a vet on farm. From castrating sheep to performing surgery on chickens, we find out more about the challenges farmers face and why a reputable vet is so important.

Plus, we chat all things harvest,  New Zealand and potentially have our best challenge response ever...!

With thanks to our sponsor: A Plan Rural

What is the Countryside Code? How did the new campaign by Natural England and Aardman animations start? Why is Shaun the Sheep important to connecting with all ages?

For this week's episode, we take a look at the new campaign by Natural England and Aardman aniamtions.

Welcoming Johnny Janiszewski, campaign manager for Natural England and Rachael Peacock, Senior brand manager at Aardman, we find out more about the importance of looking after the countryside.

In the first part of the podcast, Johnny discusses why Shaun the Sheep was chosen, what it means to 'respect, protect  and enjoy', and how social media has had a huge impact on reaching a wider audience.

In the latter half, Rachael steps us through the process of stop-frame animation, how the campaign was brought to life and takes us behind the scenes of the studio.`

I'm sure you'll agree- it's a baarrrilliant episode!

With thanks to our sponsor: A Plan Rural

If you had the chance, what would you ask the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Mark Spencer?

Recently, the Minister has supported Len’s Light relay as it passed through Parliament Square, London. 

We took the chance to catch up with Minister Mark Spencer and chat about the importance of initiatives like this for raising awareness of mental health in agriculture. 

Plus, we called upon farmers on the ground and people within the industry to put their questions about agriculture to the Minister directly. 

Brought to you with the support of @aplanrural 

How does an art student become a tomato grower? Are our British tomatoes used in ketchup ? What are top tips for growing your own?

For our thirteenth episode, we speak to Chaz Rudd about her family smallholding and how she now combines her love for one of the nations favourite fruits with her creativity.

Plus, we answer this week's listener question and hear Lizzie try her hand at comedy.

With thanks to our exclusive sponsor A Plan Rural Insurance.

When is the Royal Three Counties Show? What is the NEW 'Future of Farming zone'? How do county shows help to bridge the gap?

For a very special, one-off episode, we've partnered with the Royal Three Counties Show ahead of their event next week, to speak with two fantastic guests.

Talking all about the show, we welcome Rachael Chamberlayne, council member for the Three Counties Agricultural Society and learn more about what farmers and the public can look forward to at this year's event.

Plus, we chat to Becky Miles, CEO of Dairy Futures, to find out what she will be discussing at the NEW 'Future of Farming Zone' and how succession planning is vital to any farm business.

Show dates: 16th -18th June 2023

What is Open Farm Sunday?  How can you get involved? When will Nina open her farm gates?

Recording with Nina at Curlew Fields Dairies, we chat all things cows, milk and entrepreneurship. Starting her own successful milk vending machine and cafe business ,Nina also actively takes part in welcoming the public to the family farm as part of Open Farm Sunday.

With over 2,000 guests attending last year, this weekend is set to bring lots of questions, education and fresh mikshakes! 

Cheers, to bridging the gap!

Thanks to our sponsor : A Plan Rural Insurance

How do you train a sheepdog? What was it like to win BBC’s One Man and His Dog? How important is it to educate younger children? 

In our eighth episode, we catch up with Erin McNaught to talk about her life as a fourth gen farmer.

Plus, we answer our listener question of the week and challenge Erin to the weekly Becca and Lizzie challenge.

The episodes are brought to you with the support of a A Plan Rural Insurance.