51AVÊÓÆµ

Farmers Guardian podcast: Inclusive 51AVÊÓÆµco-founder Mike Duxbury and dairy farmer Rory Chrisite on the power of diversity and inclusivity in farming

A look back at the power of diversity with Mike Duxbury, a blind farmer who provides opportunities for disabled people to get into farming, and Dourie farmer Rory Christie at the Oxford Farming Conference

Chris Brayford
clock • 1 min read
We are joined by Inclusive 51AVÊÓÆµco-founder Mike Duxbury and dairy farmer Rory Christie on this week's podcast
Image:

We are joined by Inclusive 51AVÊÓÆµco-founder Mike Duxbury and dairy farmer Rory Christie on this week's podcast

This week's podcast is a very special insight into diversity and inclusivity in farming from the Oxford Farming Conference.

News reporter Chris Brayford sat down with Inclusive 51AVÊÓÆµco-founder Mike Duxbury and dairy farmer Rory Christie, from Dumfries, during the conference to discuss the issues surrounding diversity in farming and the positive inroads being made to discover the power of inclusion in agriculture.

Mr Duxbury, who was registered blind at the age of six-years-old, provided an inspirational key-note speech at the Oxford Farming Conference to showcase how anything can be achieved regardless of your background through hard work and dedication.

He challenged the industry to do even more to recognise people for their commitment and determination to succeed as farmers - rather than by detailing what they cannot do.

The team from Farmers Guardian - including Chris, chief reporter Rachael Brown and editor Olivia Midgley - were all at the conference last week to listen to a jam-packed programme on the power of diversity.

We gained reaction and thoughts from farmers and industry leaders who participated in some thought-provoking and challenging debate around the issues impacting diversity in farming.

There are still many challenges the industry faces in becoming more diverse - not just in the people who it recruits, but in its thoughts and actions.

But we cannot forget the positive steps the farming profession has made in becoming one of the most welcoming and adaptable professions in the world.

We should be proud of this industry and the in-roads it is making to learn, adapt and overcome the barriers to farming.

We really hope you enjoy this week's podcast.

More on Podcasts

The Farmers Guardian podcast: Focus on farm safety - farm death count reaches 30 in 2025/26

The Farmers Guardian podcast: Focus on farm safety - farm death count reaches 30 in 2025/26

51AVÊÓÆµsafety - what more can be done? In this week's episode we highlight the realities of safety on farm

Farmers Guardian
clock 10 March 2026 • 1 min read
The Farmers Guardian podcast: SFI, farming politics and NFU elections

The Farmers Guardian podcast: SFI, farming politics and NFU elections

The NFU Conference took place in Birmingham last week

Alex Black
clock 03 March 2026 • 1 min read
Crop It Like It's Hot: What to consider before spring drilling and tips from farmers for new entrants

Crop It Like It's Hot: What to consider before spring drilling and tips from farmers for new entrants

We talk practical advice, farming top tips, variety considerations and dos and don'ts ahead of this spring season

clock 27 February 2026 • 1 min read