Learning to Listen: A New Indie Farmer Film from Montague Farm

Over the years I've spent a lot of time visiting farms across the country, documenting the stories of independent farmers and the landscapes they look after. One of the things I enjoy most is uncovering the quieter stories — the farms that aren't always shouting the loudest, but are doing thoughtful and inspiring things.

Today I'm pleased to share my latest short film, Learning to Listen, made in collaboration with NFU Mutual and filmed at Montague Farm in East Sussex.

At first glance, you could mistake Montague Farm for a fairly traditional livestock farm. But spend a little time with farmers Martin and Romney Hole and a different picture begins to emerge. Their approach is rooted in careful observation — paying attention to the land, the wildlife and the livestock, and allowing those observations to guide management decisions.

The film explores how the family has adapted over time, balancing food production with a growing commitment to biodiversity, habitat restoration and long-term stewardship. It is also a story about family farming, with two generations working together and bringing their own perspectives to the future of the farm.

Farming is often portrayed as a battle against nature, but spending time at Montague Farm reminded me that some of the most successful farmers are those who learn to work with natural processes rather than against them.

I hope the film offers a glimpse into the challenges and opportunities facing modern family farms, while celebrating the people quietly working to leave the land in better condition for future generations.

Watch the film below.

Learning to Listen was filmed and edited by Nigel Akehurst for Indie Farmer, with support from NFU Mutual.

Special thanks to Martin, Romney and the Hole family for welcoming me onto the farm and sharing their story.

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