Agriculture | Talk Farm | S1 E2 | How agricultural shows sustain rural life
The Royal Welsh show has been held in its namesake country since 1904 and is today one of the largest shows in Europe. There's no one better placed, then, to talk about the role of agricultural shows in sustaining rural life than Aled Jones, Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. Aled was also on the board of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth and has previously served as Chief Operating Officer for The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers. Partner and Co-host of Talk Farm, Rory Hutchings, has known Aled for a long time. In this episode, he asks for his perspective on the role agricultural shows have played in bringing rural communities together, strengthening the agricultural economy, and spreading awareness of farming life more widely. They discuss how shows like the Royal Welsh have evolved over the years, and why their appeal remains so strong today. The show has only been called off a handful of times in its 120-year history, for reasons ranging from world wars to foot-and-mouth disease and - more recently - Covid-19. The conversation covers the role of agricultural shows in bringing people together and encouraging resilience during adverse times, equipping the next generation of farmers with the opportunity to connect and grow their skills, and inspiring diversification and improving productivity on farms. In increasingly turbulent times for agriculture and landed estates, Talk Farm sets out to identify the human impacts of legal and political developments, offering industry commentary and practical guidance that cuts through the noise. The show is presented by Rory Hutchings and James Frankland, both Partners in HCR Law's Agriculture and Estates team. If you've got a query about agricultural law, our team is always happy to help. https://www.hcrlaw.com/sector/agriculture-environment-and-estates/