E. 2: Joey Clarkson in conversation with Al McNab of The Old Ways Farm
In episode two of Peas in a Podcast, host Joey Clarkson sits down with Alasdair McNab, the passionate first-generation farmer behind The Old Ways; a small mixed farming business in West Dorset practising regenerative agriculture to produce high quality eggs and pork.
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.
