On Jimmy's Farm

Did you know around 50% of all medicinal drugs are derived from plants? James Wong is a gardener, ethnobotanist, broadcaster and proud owner of 500 houseplants. He's On Jimmy's Farm for a chat about all things green. Hear all about terrariums, houseplants… and why supermarket veggies get more nutritious even after they’ve been harvested. James also opens up about his journey into botany. You can follow James here. You can find out more about Jimmy’s upcoming book for the 20th anniversary of the farm here. On Jimmy’ Farm: A Podcast by History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To cope with the grief after losing her nan to cancer in 2017, Emma Bailey did something she’d never considered before. She started gardening. As a city-dweller with limited gardening experience, Emma was surprised at how growing her own fruit and vegetables made her feel. Emma started sharing some of her allotment fails and successes online, and quickly attracted a loyal following. She chats to Jimmy about gardening tips, tricks and techniques, flamboyant sheds, and her on-going battle with slugs and snails! You can follow Emma here. On Jimmy’s Farm: A Podcast By History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever thought about having a complete change in lifestyle, trading in the busy city hustle for more traditional way of life on a farm? The Radwans did exactly that, and opened the UK's first holistic halal farm. This week Jimmy is joined by Ruby and Lutfi Radwan, founders of Willowbrook Farm.They discuss their transition into farm life, building their home from materials from the land, their approach to farming, the challenges, and explain what halal really represents. You can find out more about Willowbrook Farm here. On Jimmy’s Farm: A Podcast by History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of us have reevaluated the importance of green spaces after pandemic lockdowns. Author and and broadcaster Danny Wallace moved from London to rural Suffolk, just ten minutes up the road from Jimmy, in early 2020. Danny tells Jimmy about how he adapted to country life, the benefits and the set-backs...and the unexpected. Crabbing, village neighbours, bespectacled dogs, and discussions of the importance of open spaces and clean air - should we all up sticks and move to the country? You can find out more about Danny's book here. On Jimmy's Farm: A Podcast by History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a traditional family farm gets passed down to a born YouTuber? Tom Pemberton. For six generations, the Pemberton family have farmed at Birks Farm in the picturesque town of Lytham, Lancashire. In 2016 Tom (the farmer’s son) uploaded his first video to Youtube about a raw milk dispenser. To his surprise, thousands watched. Now Tom shares warts and all farming stories with fans around the world. This week Jimmy and Tom shoot the breeze about farming, and the unfair or outdated criticism the industry often receives. They discuss how helping people understand how their food is made is as important for farmers today as the farming itself. You can subscribe to Tom’s channel here. On Jimmy's Farm: A Podcast By History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The English Countryside. An ever changing environment, or a static, preserved landscape in the service of humanity since the dawn of agriculture? On the latest episode we’ll find out about the historical challenges of conserving and preserving the natural environment. This week Jimmy is joined by Matthew Kelly, who in his new book ‘The Women Who Saved the English Countryside' he traces the history of landscape preservation through the lives of four remarkable women in the past 150 years; Beatrix Potter, Octavia Hill, Pauline Dower, and Sylvia Sayer. Jimmy and Matthew also touch on current challenges including access to rural places to all, the continuity of land use by all public, and the challenges of the new generation of activists from BLM, to Right to Roam activists who draw inspiration from the Kinder Scout trespass of 1930s. On Jimmy's Farm: A Podcast By History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can nature help us deal with grief? In today's day and age, it can feel like we're detached from the natural world around us - but how do we find the way, and time, to reconnect with it? This week Jimmy is joined by Charlie Corbett to talk about his book '12 Birds to Save Your Life'. After the unexpected loss of his mother, Charlie realised he'd become a stranger to the natural world surrounding him. Looking outwards from his own grief, Charlie found solace in an unexpected place - birds. Charlie and Jimmy talk about the importance of interacting with nature for your mental health, the excitement of learning about newfound hobbies, and most importantly - what their favourite bird is. You can find out more about Charlie's book here. On Jimmy's Farm: A Podcast By History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Environmental activist and model Lily Cole is On Jimmy’s Farm to discuss how we can protect the planet we love, and the healing power of nature. Lily started her career as an international model when she was a teenager, but she found herself on a slightly different journey into climate change activism after finding the confidence to refuse to wear fur on the catwalk. Hear about some of the eco-activists and pioneers she’s spoken to along the way, and why she thinks despite all the gloomy statistics, there is reason to be optimistic. It’s Mental Health Awareness week, and Lily also shares some of her personal anecdotes about how she’s incorporated nature into her life for her physical and mental wellbeing. You can find out more about Lily’s book, Who Cares Wins here, and listen to her podcast here. On Jimmy’s Farm: A Podcast by History Hit. Photo credit: Justine Stoddart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Mental Health Awareness Week this month, and Jimmy will be joined by a selection of guests who will tell us how nature can have an impact our bodies and our minds. First up, it’s gardener and psychiatrist Sue Stuart-Smith, author of the bestselling book, The Well Gardened Mind. Gardening has been shown to not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Sue talks about her research on gardening’s healing effects, and shares some of her case studies with prison inmates, soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder engaged in horticultural programs, and patients who are grieving and have depression. You can find out more about Sue’s book here, and her Serge Hill garden project here. On Jimmy’s Farm: A podcast by History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kale, Cod-liver oil, Goji-berries, Chia seeds...the list of so-called superfoods continues to grow. But how healthy are these wonder ingredients, and could they just be super-hyped? Jimmy is joined by his Food Unwrapped co-host, Kate Quilton, on his farm today to talk about 'healthy' food and diet misconceptions. They also chat about Kate's journey towards a more holistic approach to health, from her diet to cold water dipping, to breastfeeding her son. The UK has the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the world, and Kate talks about her experience, and how there is still a social stigma against breastfeeding in public. You can follow Kate here and here. On Jimmy's Farm: A Podcast By History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From ghost towns to nuclear exclusion zones, what happens when nature reclaims derelict spaces? Award-winning writer Cal Flyn is On Jimmy’s Farm this week to chat about her journey around the world’s abandoned places, areas where nature has been allowed to take over again. Hear about the surprising ecological discoveries in different places such as Chernobyl, a ghost town in Detroit, and an uninhibited Scottish island…which has subsequently been taken over by feral cattle. Cal won the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year award for her book, Islands of Abandonment: Life in the Post-Human Landscape. You can read more about it here. On Jimmy’s Farm: A Podcast By History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saturday Kitchen's Matt Tebbutt and Olly Smith are On Jimmy's Farm today to talk food and drink trends over the last few years. Fermentation, rosé, Prosecco, pea shoots and avocados all come up during the chat. Matt and Olly also share some of the live TV fails they've experienced on Saturday Kitchen, including a wine-tasting feature with no wine. You can find out more about Matt's new cooking book here, and Olly's new cocktail book here. On Jimmy' Farm: A Podcast by History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you are listening to this in the UK, the spot where you are standing was almost certainly once forest. Ben Rawlence joins Jimmy to talk about the Arctic treeline, and how climate change is causing our forests to creep north, and what it means for our own survival. We always hear about planting more trees, but we don't hear so much about the importance of where we plant them. Scientists are only just beginning to understand the astonishing significance of these northern forests for all life on Earth, and Ben tells Jimmy what he's found in his research around the world. You can read more about about Ben's book, The Treeline: The Last Forest and the Future of Life on Earth, here. On Jimmy's Farm: A Podcast from History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer left their friends, family and jobs in England to travel north to Scotland to find a small piece of land they could call their own. They had no money, no plan and no experience in farming. They had in mind keeping a few chickens, a kitchen garden and renting out some camping space, but instead, they fell in love with Lynbreck Croft – 150 acres of wild Scottish Highlands filled with opportunity and beauty, shrouded by the Cairngorms mountains. They talk to Jimmy about their journey and the true story of Lynbreck Croft – a regenerative Scottish croft rooted in local food and community. Hear what happens when you follow your dreams of living on the land; and how two people became farmers with no experience – and how they learned to make a living from it, their way. Find out how they learn how to work with Highland cattle, become part of the crofting community and begin to truly understand how they can farm in harmony with nature to produce wonderful food for themselves and the people around them. Lynn and Sandra have just written a bestselling book, This Wild Faming Life, you can find out more about it, and their story here. On Jimmy's Farm: A Podcast from History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With more and more city-dwellers deciding to up sticks and move to the countryside, author Sally Coulthard joins Jimmy on the farm to discuss what to expect when making the big move. Sally, who writes a column for Country Living, moved from London to a rural farm in Yorkshire fifteen years ago, swapping the urban lifestyle for fresh air, a gentler pace of life and....chickens. Hear why nearly half of all people who move to the country end up returning to the city, practical advice for those considering the move, and the unexpected perks of living closer to nature. You can find out about Sally and her books here. Join the History Hit Book Club starting 1st April. A community passionate about history, who want to further their historical education.The April/May read is Scoff: A History of Food and Class in Britain by Pen Vogler. Membership includes a £5 voucher, a live Q&A between our very own Alice Loxton and Pen Vogler, free access to other History Hit events and more! Join now in time for April 1st. On Jimmy's Farm: A Podcast from History Hit Image credit: Andrew Montgomery/Country Living Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bez from the Happy Mondays: dancer, rockstar and...beekeeper?! Bez, who has kept bees for more than seven years, shares some hilarious anecdotes about his beekeeping journey, and the lessons he's learnt along the way. Jimmy also speaks with chair of the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA), Anne Rowberry, about the importance of the UK bee population. It's estimated it would cost farmers £1.8 billion a year to pollinate our crops without them, and around 90% of wild plants and 75% of leading global crops depend on animal pollination. But Anne also shares how bees are a lot more important to our existence than just their economic value. You can find out more about beekeeping here. On Jimmy's Farm: A Podcast From History Hit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angela Jones, also known as 'The Wild Woman of the Wye', often spends up to six hours in the river. She joins Jimmy on the farm to talk about wild swimming; the health benefits, risks, and impact on the environment. Open water swimming boomed during the pandemic, with searches for the term “wild swimming” increasing by 94%, according the Outdoor Swimming magazine’s annual report. Many swimmers talk about the positive impact on their mental and physical health. Cold water immersion reduces inflammation and stress hormones, and one study found that it can boost dopamine levels by 530%. Angela has swam in the Wye for decades, and often sleeps on the riverbank with just a sleeping bag. She's an advocate for swimming without a trace; being able to enjoy the health benefits and nature while simultaneously considering ecosystems. Hear how to avoid inadvertently damaging wildlife, and how wild swimming can improve your health and wellbeing. Find out more about Angela's outdoor swimming business here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Podcaster, presenter and bestselling author, Jake Humphrey, is On Jimmy’s Farm today. Jake talks to Jimmy about how the natural world has an impact on his mindset and mental wellbeing. He explains lessons he’s learnt from interviewing people like Bear Grylls and Kelly Holmes on his podcast, High Performance, and shares how he tries to live a greener life. Jake also chats about his sustainable eyewear business, Coral, which creates glasses from recycled plastic and fishing nets rescued from oceans. Find out more about Jake’s new book, High Performance: Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best, here. Read more about Coral here. On Jimmy’s Farm: A Podcast from History Hit. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The chairman of the world’s greenest football club, Dale Vince, joins Jimmy on his farm today today. Forest Green Rovers is powered by renewable energy, serves vegan food to players, and was the first ever football club to receive UN certified carbon-neutral status. The stadium, in Gloucestershire, has solar panels on its roof, and collects and recycles rainwater for the pitch. Dale talks to Jimmy about sportwashing in football, an industry which attracts airline, betting, fast-food and oil money. He also tells us details about his plans to build the lowest carbon footprint stadium - and how being green has been good for business as well as player performance. Hear also about Dale’s latest venture outside of football - carbon negative diamonds (even better for the environment than carbon neutral). You can find out more about the Forest Green Rovers here. On Jimmy’s Farm: A Podcast From History Hit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You wouldn't think Jimmy, a livestock farmer, and bestselling vegan authors, Henry Firth and Ian Theasby (aka the BOSH! guys), would have much in common when it comes to their opinions on diet. But after having an open, judgement-free conversation... it turns out they have many similar thoughts and values about planet-friendly agriculture and eating. The guys from BOSH!, who reach over 26 million people a month with their plant-based recipes, join Jimmy on his farm to discuss some of the biggest misconceptions about veganism, covering everything from sustainability to affordability. They chat about the sudden rise in popularity of plant-based diets, big corporations jumping on the 'vegan bandwagon', and why it’s important to avoid black-and-white thinking about food. Henry and Ian’s new book, BOSH! on a Budget, is out now. On Jimmy’s Farm: A Podcast From History Hit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.