Show Notes
Sean Postlethwaite of Ryton Fields Farm joins us for this episode. Situated in Ryton on Dunsmore on the outskirts of Coventry, Sean runs the family business which grows predominantly potatoes along with milling wheat, winter oilseed rape and maize.
Although Sean grew up on a farm - his parents moved to Ryton Fields Farm in 2000, he wasn’t sure that he’d follow in their footsteps. A career as a chef at one point seemed more appealing, that was until, whilst at college, a work experience opportunity at a local farm and farm shop put Sean firmly on the farming track.
We hear Sean’s thoughts on the importance of diversification in farming and how the farming community is like no other sector when it comes to sharing knowledge. Sean also talks about the support the family received from the farming community and beyond, when disaster struck the farm in 2015.
What advice would Sean give to anyone thinking of getting into farming? Without question an optimistic disposition is essential before a single seed has been drilled. Things can change very quickly, a year in farming is never quite predictable.
Away from farming family comes first, but Sean also finds time to follow a few sports, in particular football, rugby union and formula one. His sporting heroes are David Beckham and Lewis Hamilton. Asked what the soundtrack to his life would be, Sean borrows a song from Oasis, which is all about having a plan and then needing to adapt it. Which, just perhaps, may sound very familiar.
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