Shed Talks LIVE has always been about creating a space where farmers can speak freely, learn from one another and leave feeling energised.
This year will be no different and we’d love you to be part of it.
Balancing the books: ideas that work for resilient farm businesses
Rising costs, shifting support schemes and increasing volatility are putting pressure on farming businesses across the country.
Many farmers are looking at practical ways to build resilience and bring in additional income alongside their core farming activities.
Shed Talks LIVE brings farmers together to share honest experiences of what’s worked, what hasn’t and the lessons learned along the way.
The focus is on practical conversation, real farming businesses and ideas that others may find useful in their own circumstances.
Meet the speakers
Joining Jane Lewis of Mile Elm Milk and farmer and NFU member Geoff Homer will be:
Mike Greenwood-Wilkins
NFU Combinable Crops Board appointee (South)
At home, he works alongside his Mum, Dad and sister, where they farm around 2,000 acres, primarily arable, a mix of in-house and contract farmed.
They also run a range of native rare breed livestock: British White cattle, Oxford Sandy & Black pigs and Wiltshire Horn sheep, plus non-native Boer goats.
Mike is also manager of CP Farming ltd, a 4,000 acre mixed estate in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
Previously, he studied Agriculture & Business Management at The Royal Agricultural University and also spent an additional year there as chair of the Students' Union.
His main passion in agriculture is a transition to more environmentally conscious farming, whilst maintaining food production.
Having taken great inspiration from the regenerative movement, he is reducing tillage, increasing cover cropping and incorporating livestock and herbal leys.
He is looking to understand impacts on soil carbon from varying cropping and establishment techniques to optimise rotations to maximise and retain soil carbon. He is also increasing low input cropping, growing miscanthus and exploring agroforestry.
He strongly supports the NFU’s net zero target, but to achieve this he believes that in the need to focus on neutralising farming's internal emission and in-setting within our supply chains before selling our good work out of the industry.
Emily Mee
NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board co-optee
The business manages 75 hectares of blueberries across the East region supplying significant tonnage to multiple retailers.
After qualifying as a chartered accountant with PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), where she worked in financial audit, Emily returned to the family farm full time.
She now plays a key role in the business, leading the development of a range of artisan blueberry food and drink products, while also managing the seasonal workforce and the arable storage operation.
Emily was recently recognised as the 2025 Women in Agriculture Rising Star of the Year for her farm innovation.
James Small
NFU Livestock Board national appointee
James' farm has two main farming enterprises: a 1,500 head sheep flock managed on an extensive system lambing outdoors in May, and a closed herd of 80 spring calving cows using Pedigree Aberdeen Angus genetics.
Complementary to the farming operations is a glamping business of both tents and luxury wooden lodges operating from April to October, and a dog exercising paddock.
Providing filming locations has also been a part of the mix, from major productions to car adverts being filmed on the farm.
James has been active within the NFU representing members for several years, whilst simultaneously encouraging others into representation within branches, counties, and boards.
James enjoys providing farm tours for the glamping guests where he can talk about what the farm, food production and farming in general.
This has often led to some interesting conversations and challenges, but it’s good to be challenged as it makes you question your perceptions and perhaps opens new opportunities.