Wilson & Ashley

• Episode 14: Is Farming in Crisis? What We Learned About Politics and Future Policy from the Conservatives

  Put your thoughts into the mixIs there any hope for farmers when it comes to political decision-making? We're fresh back from the Conservative Party Conference, invited by Victoria Atkins, Conservative MP and Shadow Environment Secretary, where it really did feel like farming took centre stage.In this episode, we talk more about Victoria's declaration of the "food and farming emergency” that we're facing and what this really means for farmers, family businesses, and consumers. From scrapping the Family Farm Tax to putting food production back at the heart of policy, are we seeing genuine support for rural communities, or just political posturing?Then, we turn to The Guardian’s recent piece on changes to Skilled Worker Visas threatening the future of UK farm labour. With many farms unable to recruit locally, could tightening visa rules cripple production — or is it time to rethink training, pay, and working conditions?Featuring insights from Amy (@thedairydaughter), and your listener questions on how Westminster misunderstands farming, this episode brings politics and real farming life together in typical Wilson & Ashley style.Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation. Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing

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• Episode 13: Do Schools Fail Our Kids? Education, Farming & the Future

  Put your thoughts into the mixSchooling. It’s something we’ve both talked about a lot beyond the podcast—mainly because our own experiences couldn’t have been more different. In this episode, we tackle the big question of: to school or not to school?Prompted by a viral Stacey Dooley reel and plenty of conversations in our own new Podcast Community on Facebook, we explore the rise of home schooling in the UK, the realities of state vs. private education, and how farming children fit into the picture.From resilience and life skills, to whether schools prepare kids for the real world—or whether that’s down to parents—we share our thoughts, your comments, and some surprising stats. We also get into whether rural kids are at a disadvantage, and why having farming families in school can shape more than just the rural community.So whether you’re a parent weighing up the options, a farmer who’s been there, or just curious about how education fits into life on and off the farm, this episode’s for you.Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation. Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing

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• Episode 12: Oversharing, Oversimplifying & Anonymity Out of Control

  Put your thoughts into the mixIn this episode, we're talking about the Love Island star, Farmer Will, and his new business venture.  It promises a behind-the-scenes look at British farming, exclusive workshops, and early access to new products. We explore whether this approach bridges the gap between farmers and consumers or oversimplifies the realities of farming life. We reflect on privilege and accessibility, asking: who really gets to have an opinion on how food is grown and sold? We also look at how Farmer Will compares to other initiatives, including Riverford, and discuss the complexities of transparency, sourcing, and pricing in modern British food boxes.In the second section, we tackle cyberbullying in farming communities. What does it actually look like online, and why do anonymous platforms bring out harsher behaviour? We explore the online disinhibition effect, the role of group admins, and the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with accountability in the digital worlds. Plus, we share real messages and experiences from farmers navigating these tricky online dynamics.Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation. Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing

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• Episode 11: Catastrophic Wildfires and a Landmark for Farmers’ Mental Health

  Put your thoughts into the mixThis week, we're talking about the first ever and compeltely unique Borderline Challenge, being undertaken by Cumbrian brother-and-sister duo Hugh and Alex Addision. It's all in aid of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and with a £10,000 fundraising target already smashed, their incredible journey not only pushes physical limits but also shines a spotlight on the growing mental health crisis in farming communities.https://www.justgiving.com/page/the-borderline-challengeRABI - https://rabi.org.uk/ or call 0800 188 4444 24 hours a dayWe also tackle the wildfire raging across Langdale Moor in the North York Moors — 2,000 acres destroyed, critical habitats lost, and questions over why these fires are becoming more frequent. From controlled burning to the role of farmers on the frontlines, and from politics to public support, we ask: what does this mean for our countryside and for the people who live and work in it?Join our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation. Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing

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• Episode 10: Child Labour Claims & Clarkson’s TB Lockdown

  Put your thoughts into the mixThis week on the podcast, we’re tackling two big talking points in farming — one heated debate, and one devastating disease.First up: children on farms. After Farmers Weekly ran a piece comparing farm kids to Victorian chimney sweeps, the backlash was fierce. We're asking are the clickbait headlines distracting from farming’s real health and safety issues? Do farm kids grow up safer and more risk-aware, or should children be kept away from farm work altogether? And is comparing supervised help to slave labour just a step too far?Then, in part two: bovine TB hits Clarkson’s Farm. It’s an old story for farmers, but the Clarkson name has thrust TB into the mainstream. We break down what TB actually is, why farms go into ‘lockdown’, and the devastating financial and emotional toll it takes — with average costs topping £20,000 per farm and some losing hundreds of thousands.We look at the testing system (and its failings), the need for better science, and the ongoing battle over badger culling. With more than 13,000 cattle slaughtered in 2024 — the highest on record — TB remains farming’s most painful, costly and controversial challenge.Two topics, plenty of opinions, and the usual Wilson & Ashley honesty.Thank you to our contributors on this week's episode:Abi CoombesAndrew MeredithCharles GoadbySteve EvansGareth Wyn JonesMaria WarneSophie BellHannah Jacksonhttps://www.fwi.co.uk/business/farm-safety-stars-free-e-learning-course-helps-protect-children-on-farms?fw_source=home_businessJoin our Listener Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1110531760649475/ If you’ve got a story, a strong opinion, or an idea for an episode… Slide into the DMs or drop us a voice note — we want to include your thoughts in our conversation. Subscribe now and let’s get into it! @wilsonandashley @rebeccawilsonfarming @charlotteashleyfarm Powered by Ridgeline Clothing

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