Today we’re in Cumbria to meet farmer and entrepreneur Chris Dickinson. Chris is involved with a number of different businesses, with a particular emphasis on the poultry industry but by no means exclusively. For example, one of his businesses is a goat meat business based on his family’s farm. Chris is a board member of the Wagyu Breeders Association; he’s a member of the Yorkshire Future Farmers Association, The Tesco Future Farm Foundation and has been a scholar with the Henry Plumb Foundation.
About Ben
Ben Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk
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A-Plan Rural Insurance
This episode is sponsored by our primary sponsor A Plan Rural.
Show References
Image credit: Chris Dickinson
Timestamps
00:27 Ben introduces the show.
01:25 Chris comes in.
01:50 Chris balances many hats – how does he manage this?
04:22 Chris’s upbringing.
05:00 Newcastle.
06:10 Chris’s enjoyment and interest in poultry.
07:23 Chris’s time at the NFU.
10:09 Chris’s entrepreneurial side – key figures who have inspired him – turkey farmer Derek Kelly especially.
12:43 Sponsor message for A Plan Rural Insurance.
13:28 Chris’s family farm and the context behind it.
16:38 Goats.
20:22 The goat meat market and where Chris’s meat is going.
22:04 Message from RuralPod Media.
22:54 Chris’s wider business hat and his involvement with other businesses.
25:36 Chris’s future and what he wants to do next.
27:36 Broader farming issues – challenges currently.
29:32 Egg crisis
30:45 Optimistic for the future?
33:39 ‘Farmers need to be nicer to each other’.
35:04 New podcast – Three Pronged.
37:00 Ben rounds up.