Welcome to Shed Talks

In this episode of Shed Talks, hosts Jacks Weaver and Mike Greenwood-Wilkins sit down with Bal Padda, a first-generation Punjabi farmer from Worcestershire whose self-funded documentary ‘A Punjabi Farm Innit – A story of strawberries, faith and farming’ has captured imaginations far beyond his own community.

You can watch the trailer for the documentary here

Bal reflects on his father’s journey from the Punjab, often described as India’s breadbasket, to the Vale of Evesham. He explains how their family’s strawberry business became the backdrop for a film that challenges assumptions, celebrates diversity, and shows the power of farmers telling their own stories. Inspired by the workers on his farm, Bal shares how the filmmaking process reshaped his understanding of identity, representation, and modern British farming.

In Westminster, Scott Pepe and Neeve McGinty provide a briefing on two major developments. The Budget vote, where Labour MPs voiced opposition to the family farm tax. The discussion outlines what is next for the #StopTheFamilyFarmTax campaign and why the coming months will be critical for farm business resilience. For more information please head to https://www.nfuonline.com/hot-topics/stop-the-family-farm-tax/

They also cover the livestock worrying bill that has now had its Third Reading in the House of Lords and would give police stronger powers to tackle irresponsible dog owners whose pets attack livestock. For more information please head to: https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/private-members-bill-on-livestock-worrying/

Finally, Joshua Payne (NFU Chief Education Manager) takes us inside NFU Education’s Festive Farming Quest, the biggest Christmas project yet, which has connected more than 82,000 children across 800 schools with British farming. From a live tour of the world’s oldest Christmas pudding factory to lessons on sprouts, camels, sheep, and farm vets.

To watch the Sprout Dance and Festive Farming Quest mentioned in the episode please head to the below links:

Sprout Dance: https://www.youtube.com/live/yPF2bXUeoSQ?si=RnzaLUsrtqUgziwv&t=3673

Festive Farming Quest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw5D5Mz4Lvg&t=5s

Key themes and takeaways:

• Personal storytelling can challenge stereotypes and celebrate diversity in British farming
• The Punjab to Evesham journey highlights global roots and local resilience
• Livestock worrying legislation is close to becoming law, strengthening rural security
• Budget decisions will shape the future of family farm taxation and viability
• NFU Education’s Festive Farming Quest demonstrates the power of scale, technology, and diverse role models in connecting children with food and farming

Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Shed Talks

In this episode of Shed Talks, hosts Naomi Williams-Roberts and Josh Redford shine a spotlight on rural crime and the resilience of farming families. Naomi speaks with Surrey farmer Sally, who has faced repeated incidents of fly tipping, gates being cut, and even an attempted burglary on her farm. Sally shares the emotional toll of confronting offenders, including one frightening moment with her young daughter in the car.

In Westminster, Olivia Phoenix and Ruairi Hodges provide an update on rural crime policy and the countdown to the Budget. They examine the NFU’s long‑running lobbying on livestock worrying, expected to become law later this year, and outline the priorities on the #StopTheFamilyFarmTax campaign. With activity from Police and Crime Commissioners and the Home Office, the segment highlights how political engagement is shaping the future of rural security and farm business resilience.

We also catch up with Berkshire Farm Girl, Eleanor Gilbert, who is documenting her first US harvest run. Travelling 2,200 miles across multiple states with Paplow Harvesting & Trucking, Eleanor offers an unfiltered look at life on the road: early starts, long convoys of combines, relentless heat, and the sheer scale of American grain production. She reflects on the shocks, challenges and lessons learnt from operating in a high‑pressure, large‑scale system, and what she hopes to bring back to her career in UK agriculture.

Key themes and takeaways:

• Rural crime has financial, emotional and welfare impacts on farming families
• Security measures and local networks are vital for resilience
• NFU lobbying is pushing livestock worrying legislation towards law
• Budget decisions will be critical for family farm taxation and viability
• Large‑scale US harvest runs reveal the extremes of global agriculture
• International experience gives young farmers new skills and perspectives

Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Shed Talks

In this episode, Bizza Walters and Luke Cox tackle one of the most important topics in British agriculture, farm safety. It is a subject often overlooked until something goes wrong, but as this episode shows, the smallest actions can have life-saving consequences.

The main feature focuses on real experiences from farmers who know how quickly everyday situations can turn serious. Callum Lindsay, a hill farmer from the Isle of Arran, shares how a quad bike accident in 2023 left him with severe injuries and a long recovery, and why he is now calling for a culture change around ATV safety. Ed Caudwell, an Oxfordshire farmer, reflects on the workshop accident that nearly cost him his life while working in New Zealand and the vital lessons it taught him about training, preparation and risk awareness.

In the Westminster segment, the External Affairs team bring listeners up to speed on what has been happening in Parliament and on farm. They explain what departmental oral questions are, why they matter and how the NFU works with MPs in the lead-up to them. The team also reflect on the Farming Minister’s recent visit to Derbyshire and how visits like this help ministers see the realities of farming first-hand. With just a month to go until the Budget, they share the latest on NFU lobbying and what they are pushing for to support farm businesses across the country.

To close, the Global Ag View takes us to Hanover in Germany, where the world’s largest agricultural machinery show, Agritechnica, is in full swing. Matt Tilt, editor of Farm Contractor and Large Scale Farmer magazine, joins us from the event to share his insights into the latest machinery trends, innovations and technologies set to influence UK farming.

Key themes and takeaways:

• Farm safety is everyone’s responsibility, the smallest actions can save lives
• Take 5 To Stay Alive, simple habits can prevent serious accidents
• Real-life stories from Callum Lindsay and Ed Caudwell show how quickly situations can change
• Building a safety-first culture is vital for the future of farming
• The NFU continues to influence policy through parliamentary engagement, ministerial visits and Budget lobbying
• Agritechnica showcases how global innovation is shaping the next generation of farm machinery
• Behind-the-scenes insights from the world’s biggest agricultural machinery show

Listen now on the NFU App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.