Farmer Copleys: Pumpkin Pioneers

This week we’re in Yorkshire visiting the UK’s large farm shop of the year 2025 - Farmer Copleys. We’re in the middle of Pumpkin season and the family are welcoming thousands of members of the public to their farm for their famous pumpkin festival. We catch up with Rob Copley in the pumpkin patch, talking about the roots of their farming business and what’s next for their empire of farm diversifications! Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

Following last week’s interview with Country Girls UK founder Tania Coxon, this week we’re taking you along with us to one of their events. We’ve travelled up north to attend part of the Country Girls Trout & Salmon Weekend, where we give fishing a go with some expert help. We catch up with former guest of the podcast Marina Gibson, as well as hear from several Country Girls UK members who talk about the benefits of being part of this  supportive network of women, as well as the importance of challenging stereotypes within the world of country pursuits. Find out more and keep up to date with their latest events here: thecountrygirlsuk.com Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re just south of Sunderland chatting to the founder of The Country Girls UK - Tania Coxon. Tania is a sixth generation farmer on her family’s arable farm and she juggles that with running The Country Girls UK - a women’s country community like never before. We talk about making country pursuits more inclusive and empowering women to give something new a go. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re throwing it back to this year’s Groundswell - the Regenerative Agriculture Festival. Dan chats to young farmers Amy Chapple and Mitch Green who introduce him to the ‘Emergent Generation’ -  a diverse network of young people passionate about regenerative farming. Dan also attends Emergent Generation’s flagship event, their Summer Gathering, where we hear from Rosie, Ed, Lola and Alice. They talk about the challenges that young people face getting into the industry and their hopes for the future. Find out more about Emergent Generation at www.emergentgeneration.co.uk. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re reflecting on the 2025 Farmers Weekly Fittest Farmer Finals, held at Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, the Farmer’s Dog. Dan chats to several of the finalists including the eventual winner of the Women under 40s category - Emily Meakin. Also hear from finalists Liberty Parsons, Paul Harrison, Phoebe Rainy Brown, Suzy Parker and Stewart Priddle. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re at Silverstone for the penultimate race of the 2025 European Le Mans Series. We are of course supporting former guest of the podcast, farmer and racing driver Alex Quinn, and we managed to catch up with him in the garage before the race. We also chat to Alex’s mum Kathryn Quinn and his best mate, Cornish young farmer, Toby Alford. Listen to the end for a race debrief from Alex himself. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re chatting to Northampton Saints rugby player - Archie Benson. Archie grew up on his Gloucestershire family farm where they produce Bensons Juice. From England under 18s, to studying agriculture at Harper Adams University, we go through his journey all the way to Premiership rugby. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re still sat on a picnic blanket with Abi Coombes, but we’re also joined by the podcast OG - Emily Fleur. You’ll know her from Series 1 -  Episode 1, and this week you’ll hear us catch up and hear about her latest business ventures. Keep listening for Abi and Emily’s advice on starting your own business, as well as to hear who next week’s main guest is. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

This week we’re on the farm with Abi Coombes - OnlyFans model, entrepreneur and farmer living in Devon. We talk about how she started her business, air fresheners, her Valais Blacknose sheep and so much more. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk. 

Series 5 is officially up and running and in this episode we reflect on one of the biggest events of the summer - the Rural Youth Europe European Rally. Holly and Dan travelled to Slovenia, meeting young farmers and rural youth across Europe. Listen to the end to hear who is going to be next week’s main episode guest. Thank you to our sponsor Muddy Matches - the original home of countryside dating. Use our discount code ROOTS50 on all 30+ day standard subscriptions purchased on the Muddy Matches website at www.muddymatches.co.uk.