Ben Eagle

Why we should talk more about mental health in farming

This article is all about mental health in the farming community. Please help in breaking the stigma by tweeting in support of farmers who suffer from mental health, using the hashtag #FarmerMentalHealth and perhaps consider making a donation to The Farming Community Network through their JustGiving Page. Alternatively, donate to Papyrus through their Just Giving Page. ThankContinueContinue reading “Why we should talk more about mental health in farming”

Book Review: ‘Common Ground’ by Rob Cowen

Common Ground is an exploration of place that is in some ways endemic to the ‘new nature writing’ of our age, and yet it is also riddled with originality, pronounced detail and a freshness to its vibe that only journalist Rob Cowen could produce. It tells the story of his new life in Yorkshire, havingContinueContinue reading “Book Review: ‘Common Ground’ by Rob Cowen”

How do you prune an apple tree?

On our Essex farm stands an orchard (with cider apple varieties), put in by my uncle nearly 20 years ago. For most of the last few years (with the exception of this year as I have been at the opposite end of the country) I have ‘attempted’ to make cider, with a range of success. AmbitionContinueContinue reading “How do you prune an apple tree?”

Sunday in Somerset

This afternoon I was fortunate to spend some time with prolific author Stephen Moss and fellow AFON committee member Matt Williams, exploring an area of Somerset I had not previously thought of visiting: immediately south of Burnham on Sea. ”What’s different?” Stephen asked Matt and I as we set out along the grassy wall. HisContinueContinue reading “Sunday in Somerset”

‘Post Truth Politics’ and the rise of the Right in the European Countryside

The events of recent months, especially in the light of yesterday’s result across the pond, are a sure sign that we a living in an epoch of ‘post truth politics’. Emotion and the power of story telling seems to run the roost above the plight of policy makers, who are desperately trying to push theirContinueContinue reading “‘Post Truth Politics’ and the rise of the Right in the European Countryside”