Al shares his remarkable journey from the moorlands of West Yorkshire, where a teenage move to the wild countryside first sparked his love of the land. Through a degree in agribusiness at Harper Adams University, a seven-year stint running one of Bridport's most beloved pubs, to finally taking the leap into farming in 2023, it's a story about following a lifelong passion.

Now farming alongside friends Dave and Ellie Martin in North Perrott, Al keeps 3,000 pasture-raised laying hens and around 50 woodland pigs, selling direct to local retailers and hospitality businesses including Modbury Farm Shop. He talks candidly about the challenges facing small-scale farmers, the hidden cost of cheap food, and why he believes spreading smaller flocks of hens across more farms could transform both animal welfare and soil health across the UK.

A frank, fascinating and deeply thoughtful conversation about what it really takes to farm with integrity — and why it matters more than ever.

Find out more abou Al and The Old Ways Farm at -  https://www.instagram.com/theoldways.farm/

Find out more about Jurassic Coast Media at -  https://jurassiccoastmedia.com.

Find out more about Bridport Food Matters at - https://www.bridportfoodmatters.net/

Peas in a Podcast is brought to you by Bridport Food Matters and Jurassic Coast Media. This limited 8 part series was recorded live at the 2026 Bridport Food Festival. If you're interested in helping us fund future conversations through the sponsorship of new episodes: please reach out to bfm.comms@gmail.com with the subject heading "Let's get talking!" for more information. 

🎵: Epidemic Sounds - "I'm the Only One For You" by Mercy Street. 

Lucinda shares the remarkable and unexpected story of how she and her husband Tim came to take over Modbury Farm Shop - not through business plans or bank loans, but through trust, intuition, and a deep conviction that good soil is the foundation of everything. Rooted in her philosophy of Lensomy -  an ancient Sanskrit word meaning unconditional love — Lucinda talks about what it means to do work that truly lights you up, and why that energy filters through everything from the produce on the shelves to the community events in the yard.

From monthly alfresco Sundays celebrating local producers, to home deliveries stretching from Portland to Lyme Regis, Lucinda and Tim have quietly built something remarkable, a living, breathing community hub where seasonal, honest Dorset food takes centre stage. Lucinda also shares her vision for taking back the power of the pound, and her global Lensomy Circle, where for just £1 a month, people can access her teachings while contributing to a growing fund dedicated to saving our soil.

This is a conversation about food, community, purpose, and love for each other and nature. 

Find Modbury Farm Shop in the Bride Valley and go to their website  https://www.modburyfarmshop.co.uk

Find out more about Jurassic Coast Media at -  https://jurassiccoastmedia.com.

Find out more about Bridport Food Matters at - https://www.bridportfoodmatters.net/

Peas in a Podcast is brought to you by Bridport Food Matters and Jurassic Coast Media. This limited 8 part series was recorded live at the 2026 Bridport Food Festival. If you're interested in helping us fund future conversations through the sponsorship of new episodes: please reach out to bfm.comms@gmail.com with the subject heading "Let's get talking!" for more information. 

🎵: Epidemic Sounds - "I'm the Only One For You" by Mercy Street.