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Naomi and Jacks are joined by two guests to speak about how British farming can be made resilient and what must change.
The central question for debate during this episode is: “As British farming is vital to food security, rural communities and the environment, how do we make it resilient, and what must change?”
Naomi and Jacks talk to Joe Stanley about sustainability for future farming and Esther Rudge about embracing resilience.
In the Westminster section, the team in London discuss a busy summer of NFU engagement.
Back British Farming Day
Back British Farming Day (9 September) is an important moment in the agricultural calendar and a chance for the NFU to make the case for UK food production to consumers and politicians.
This episode lands as the NFU releases its Ready To Grow economics report which sets out a number of priority areas farmers need addressing to become more resilient against the volatilities of food production.
With the weather patterns over the past three years, water access and climate adaptability is a key focus of the report and is explored throughout the episode.
Hear from your Westminster team
NFU Head of External Affairs Scott Pepe and NFU External Affairs Manager Ruairi Hodges discuss the extremely busy and high-impact summer of campaigning, with farm visits with members of Defra’s top team and engagement with parliamentary staff.
Scott said that many in Westminster “haven’t really had a break from the NFU over August which is exactly how we like it”.
Sustainability in farming
Joe Stanley, who farms a mixed arable and beef enterprise in Leicestershire’s Charnwood Forest, talks about regenerative practices, improved drainage, agroforestry and water storage.
He spent more than a decade building practical farming knowledge on the family farm before joining the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust’s Allerton Project as Head of Sustainable Farming. The Allerton Project is a 320-hectare demonstration farm dedicated to building more resilient and profitable farming systems in greater harmony with the natural environment. It is currently leading research into soil health, carbon sequestration and water management.
Joe discusses what he calls the need to “reimagine farming for a warming world”, highlighting the fact that three of the worst six harvests on record have occurred since 2020 as evidence that climate volatility is no longer a future risk.
Hungry for more? Delve into some of the topics covered in the latest Shed Talks
Government drought package is ‘important step’ to building water and food resilience
‘Positive and straight-talking’ relationship continues in NFU meetings with top Defra team
NFU highlights bluetongue pressures during ministerial visit
NFU calls for food targets to reverse decline in British food production
Back British Farming Day | Celebrating backing British farming
Bold action is needed to back British farming, NFU tells MPs
Back British Farming Day 2026 – get involved
Bringing the farm to Birmingham for NFU’s Back British Farming Day celebration
Building resilience into farming businesses
Fourth-generation farmer, NFU’s Livestock Board appointee and County Chair Esther Rudge shares how she has embraced diversification and change to be resilient in the face of adversity.
Esther Rudge farms at Ballingham Court in the Wye Valley, Herefordshire; it has been in her family for more than 100 years. With her husband Henry and their son, Monty, Esther runs the 350-acre mixed enterprise where they farm Hereford beef cattle, sheep, root crops and renewables. The family are involved in both the local community as well as the national farming community.
The farm has diversified significantly by adding an anaerobic digester and solar. It has also been heavily involved in the stewardship schemes for more than 20 years, with 4km of hedgerow and 4 hectares of woodland planted across the farm.
Esther has received wide recognition and appreciation for her work, receiving the Farmers Weekly award for Mixed Farm of the Year, as well as Wye Valley AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Farm of the Year (three times), and National Hereford Suckler Herd of the Year (2015).
Her core message on resilience focuses on how farming businesses can withstand climate challenges and adapt, but only if they are given a level playing field that allows them to compete and succeed across all parts of their business. She also values the social and community element of family farming.
Podcast in pictures
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Meet the speakers:
Jacks Weaver
Regional Policy Manager (South)
She helps drive the NFU’s policy work forward on behalf of members’ businesses, leading campaigning, policy, lobbying and external engagement strategy in the region, as well as supporting and advising members and colleagues on key policy matters.
Jacks previously worked in rural surveying and farm business management.
She lives on a family farm in South Gloucestershire, and has a passion for agriculture, and rural businesses.
Naomi Williams-Roberts
NFU Student & Young Farmer Alumni | NFU Cymru
Hailing from South East Wales, a self-proclaimed late comer, it wasn’t obvious she was ‘allowed’ to join the industry, however after joining YFC her feet are firmly under the table. Establishing her farm in 2018 with her husband, Josh, Naomi hopes to help others realise their farming dreams can come true!
Scott Pepe
NFU Head of External Affairs
He is also responsible for raising the NFU’s campaigning and lobbying profile in Westminster and is the NFU’s speechwriter.
Scott first joined the NFU in 2017. Before that, he worked in Parliament. He worked for the Deputy Chief Whip before going on to run an MP’s office. He has also been an adviser to Treasury Ministers and HMRC.
Ruairi Hodges
NFU External Affairs Manager
Alongside elected officeholders, Ruairi meets with MPs and Ministers to pursue the interests of the NFU’s members. He has a particular focus on international trade, rural crime, education and local government.
Ruairi joined the NFU in May 2025. Prior to this he worked in Parliament for over seven years for MPs representing seats in Perthshire, Derbyshire, Teesside and North Lincolnshire.