Feb 28, 2018
Tonight I'm heading over to Haddon in Cambridgeshire to talk to arable farmer & the man behind FaceTime a Farmer, Tom Martin.
We talk about the family farm, and the various crops they're growing, and also what Tom, as a self-confessed soil nerd is doing to improve the conditions there. We also discuss what he means by describing himself as a 'conservation farmer.'
We go into his decision to go to Uni at 18 to study Natural Sciences, and afterwards Business Management, and how that led to various jobs including as an analyst for strategic consultancy, and later to working for Universal Pictures in London.
We then discuss what prompted him to return to the farm in his mid-30s, and how that worked in practical terms. We also talk abut some of the changes he's made, and how good communication with his Parents has helped with this.
We talk about tom's passion for sharing what happens 'behind the farm gate', and why he thinks this is important, as well as his involvement in a range of organisations from CLA, NFU, LEAF to the East of England Agricultural Society. We also discuss public speaking, how he became good at it, and how he's now coaching others with it.
We also discuss at length the amazing initiative FACETIME A FARMER, what it is, how it came about, and how farmers, teachers, and schools can get involved, and how it has the potential to revolutionise the way children learn about food production all around the World.
All this and much, much more. Tom's a lovely guy, a fantastic communicator, and incredibly passionate about UK agriculture, and it was a genuine pleasure to talk to him tonight.
Check it out folks..
This episode is kindly sponsored by NFU Cymru. For more information please visit www.nfu-cymru.org.uk or www.rockandrollfarming.com