Down on the Farm (Part Two)

Does planting new hedgerows help farmers, and how? Is having a connection with nature important to a farm’s success?

And, where’s Jan? Paul is left to fly solo after a car breakdown means Jan cannot make it to Orton, and the farm of Jim Beary.

Luckily, Lake District Farmers Head of Purpose and Sustainability Phil Scott can help out as the trio discuss life at Gaythorn Hall, a farm in the far east of Cumbria that falls within the boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

From his home among the flocks of sheep and herds of cows – as well as smaller numbers of pigs and chickens – Jim tells us about his past experiences in farming – including a ‘horrifying’ time on an arable farm as a crop sprayer – and his determination to do things less intensively and more sustainably to create high-quality food.

We learn about the benefits of working with LDF, how to adapt to circumstances and the environment, how Jim has learned from his mistakes, soil resilience, and more sustainable feed types.

You can see Jim’s Instagram account at @farmer_beary

Listen to Jan and Paul’s first farm visit here: https://pod.co/transforming-tomorrow/down-on-the-farm-part-one