In this episode of 15 Minutes With, CLA Midlands Regional Director Sophie Dwerryhouse sits down with Dan Smith — a self-described "farmer-ish" from Monmouthshire who's been making waves across the sector.

Dan shares how the Company of Rural Leaders (CRL) programme gave him the confidence to push beyond his comfort zone, leading to a life-changing Nuffield Farming Scholarship. His study, Generation Regeneration, took him to Brazil, Canada, and New Zealand — and fundamentally shifted how he approaches farming, food systems, and leadership.

From his evolving views on regenerative agriculture to his new role as a director of the Oxford Farming Conference, Dan makes the case for profitability without apology, the power of networks, and why agroforestry might be the one idea the UK should adopt.

In this episode:

• How CRL kickstarted Dan's leadership journey
• Applying for a Nuffield Scholarship with "not an ounce of belief"
• What three months travelling the world taught him about UK farming
• Why he now has a "love-hate relationship" with regenerative farming
• His role at the Oxford Farming Conference and having a seat at the table
• Why farmers shouldn't be embarrassed about making a profit