Great British Bake-Off alum Mike Wilkins joins the show to talk about farming and queerness in the UK! He is a fourth -generation farmer, working alongside his family on their farm, Nolands. He has a weekly Instagram series about what he’s been up to on the farm and it’s an absolute joy to watch. In this episode Jessica and Mike chat about the intersections among farming, queerness and mental health. A note that this episode talks about farmers’ contemplating ending their own lives to save their farms.

Mike is an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community within farming, and was an ambassador for the National Farmers Union in 2022. Mike and Jessica also talk about the farm inheritance tax in the UK.

Mike competed in the 15th season of The Great British Bake-Off, and having done so will now be making his own wedding cake. Mike’s baking style is both homely and wholesome. He likes making big, hearty bakes using high-quality local ingredients that can satisfy lots of people at parties and gatherings. He especially loves using seasonal fruits and edible flowers from his garden and farm.

Mike also answers Jessica’s burning question: Is Alison Hammond as delightful as she seems?

Nolands livestock

Nolands arable

Shop Nolands

Alison Hammond’s book

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