Eco Ewe

As welfare bodies warn of the risks extreme heat poses to horses, livestock and dogs, should major agricultural shows take a more precautionary approach?

With some equestrian events cancelled on welfare grounds and agricultural organisations issuing advice on protecting animals during high temperatures, attention has turned to events that are continuing as planned such as The Royal Norfolk Show.

The discussion is not only about conditions at the event itself, but also the welfare implications of transporting livestock and horses in hot weather, and whether bringing dogs to large outdoor events during extreme temperatures is appropriate.
Organisers say welfare measures are in place and that animal welfare remains their highest priority.

However, others question whether precaution should come before tradition, attendance figures and the economic importance of major shows.

Where should the line be drawn?

Should organisers:
Continue events with enhanced welfare measures?
Restrict or discourage dogs from attending?
Limit livestock and equine participation during extreme heat?
Or postpone/cancel events when temperatures reach certain thresholds?

I’d like to hear from farmers, exhibitors, equestrians, vets, dog owners and visitors.

What do you think: can these events be run safely in extreme heat, or should welfare concerns always come first?

EDP24 BBC Norfolk Royal Norfolk Show

A manuscript is a curious thing.

It begins as a handful of thoughts, scattered like seed on uncertain ground. Then, almost without noticing, the seasons pass. Words root. Ideas unfurl. What was once imagined begins to breathe.

Today, I sent mine out into the world.

And now I find myself standing in that quiet space between sowing and harvest, where all that remains is trust.

Whatever comes next, I am grateful for the meadow that grew these pages, and for the path that led them here.

5m Books

From Lamma to Clarksons Farm 🚜

As the Founder of Soil.ED, I joined Kaleb Cooper and fellow agricultural leaders on a Farmers Guardian panel at LAMMA 2025 to discuss careers in agriculture and the future of farming.

We’re proud to see the discussion features in Clarksons Farm, Season 5, Episode 3.

Every opportunity to champion food, farming and soil education helps us to inspire the next generation to understand the world beneath their feet.

For those who have joined me recently, a little glimpse of what has been occupying so many early mornings, late evenings and quiet moments between seasons.

Over the past year, I have been writing a book inspired by a farming year in Norfolk, a journey through land, livestock, weather, family, loss, resilience, folklore and regeneration.

What began as an exploration of regenerative farming has evolved into something much deeper: a reflection on our relationship with the natural world and the lessons it offers about belonging, stewardship and renewal.

The manuscript is now entering its final stages of development, with the seasonal structure complete and the story taking its final shape.

There is still work to do, but for the first time I can see the finished book on the horizon.
I look forward to sharing more with you soon.
🌿
Coming soon.

Some conversations stay with you long after the interview ends.
My feature with Rebecca Wilson for Farming Monthly was one of them.

As part of my ongoing series celebrating the UN Year of Women in Agriculture, I wanted to move beyond the polished narrative we so often hear around “resilience” and “breaking barriers” — and instead ask what it actually takes to survive, lead and be taken seriously in modern farming.

Rebecca answered with remarkable honesty.

She spoke about the hidden exhaustion behind resilience, the pressure younger farmers are expected to absorb, the way credibility in agriculture is still often tied to “fitting the mould,” and why farming continues to glorify self-sacrifice while quietly overlooking the emotional toll carried by so many within the industry.

One line particularly stayed with me:

“Adaptability is important, but resilience cannot become an excuse for industries or governments to withdraw support.”

This feature isn’t just about women in farming.
It’s about the future of farming itself — who gets heard, who gets trusted, and what sustainability really means for the people behind the industry.

Thank you Rebecca for your openness, intelligence and honesty throughout this conversation.

Read the full feature here:
Farming Monthly May 2026 Issue

I’ve created the ideal late-spring menu:
Garden lunch in the sunshine ☀️

Foraged wild garlic, cheese & Marmite scones
Woodland soup and sourdough
Chocolate loaf cake for tea
Lilac syrup steeping nearby
Very cottagecore. Very restorative. Very British May. 🌸🍞🥣🍰

Sunshine, fresh air, and lunch straight from the garden ☀️🌿

Homemade organic quiche, butter-drizzled Jersey new potatoes, and a vibrant green salad filled with homegrown nasturtiums, lovage, chives, and sweet garden peas, all enjoyed outside in the sunshine.

Not only delicious, but packed with goodness too: protein and calcium from the quiche, fibre and vitamin C from the potatoes and peas, and antioxidant-rich herbs and edible flowers fresh from the garden. A plate full of seasonal ingredients that nourish as much as they delight. 💚🥔🥗

HealthyEating GrowYourOwn SimplePleasures SummerLunch WellnessFromWithin

✨ Polly the Goatherdess: A Life Woven from Land, Fibre and Purpose

Delighted to share this feature celebrating Polly’s extraordinary work in North Aberdeenshire, where science, fashion, farming, and fibre come together in a deeply grounded way of living and creating.

From London Fashion School to a smallholding of angora goats, Polly’s journey is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful work begins when we step back and reconnect with where materials truly come from.

Her “goatherdess to garment” philosophy is simple, but powerful: start with the animal, the fibre, and the land, and let everything else follow.

In a world driven by speed and scale, Polly’s work is rooted in something different:
slow seasons, heritage breeds, and the belief that sustainability isn’t a trend, it’s a way of living.

She draws inspiration from women of the Hebrides, crofting traditions, and the quiet resilience of those who have always worked closely with land and livestock. That legacy continues through every fibre she works with.

This feature sits within my Women in Agriculture series, aligned with the UN focus on women’s role in shaping sustainable food and land systems, highlighting the people whose work often goes unseen, but whose impact runs deep.

Polly’s story is not about scaling up.
It’s about slowing down, paying attention, and creating with purpose.

🐑 Land. Fibre. Heritage. Connection.

Full feature now published. Link in stories.

🌾 Celebrating Women In Agriculture - Abby Allen

As part of our year celebrating women in agriculture, today we are shining a light on - a powerful example of passion, resilience and a fresh perspective in farming.

Abby represents a new generation entering agriculture with curiosity, courage and a commitment to doing things differently. From building connections with the land prioritising wellbeing alongside productivity, her journey reflects the evolving face of farming.

Stories like Abby’s matter. They inspire others, open doors for new entrants, and remind us that the future of agriculture is diverse, collaborative and full of opportunity.

Here’s to celebrating the women shaping the future of food and farming. 🌱

Link in stories to read the full interview.

Following on from my last post, I’ve had some really lovely messages, thank you 💛

I thought it might be helpful to share a little more about the kind of partnerships I’m looking to build as things continue to grow.

Over the coming months, I’ll be speaking at events, contributing to media conversations, and continuing the work we’re doing through 🌱

I’m particularly interested in working with brands that align with:

– Sustainability and the future of food systems
– British farming and the countryside
– Quality, considered clothing for real, everyday wear

For me, it’s always about authenticity and working with brands that feel like a natural extension of the work I’m already doing.

If it feels like the right fit, I’d love to connect 🌻