R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

Well today we welcome Madeleine to the R2Kast 🎙️ A brilliant chat with someone who found her way into farming later than most and proves there is no single route into the sector. 🌾We talked about her upbringing around agricultural workers, a career working with children with additional needs, and the moment a simple lambing job during lockdown changed everything. From turning up in DMs and an old shirt to falling in love with lambing and farm life, her journey was honest and refreshing. 🍎One of my favourite parts was hearing about her work today on a rare breeds farm, combining livestock, education and community engagement, alongside studying regenerative agriculture. Her passion for learning, asking questions and making space for others coming in behind her really shone through. 🌍Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well today to kick off the sixth series of the podcast we welcome Anna to the R2Kast 🎙️ Someone juggling life on the family farm with law, policy work and a serious passion for improving how young people are heard across food and farming. 🌾We spoke about her journey from an arable and beef farm in Fife to studying law, living across Europe through Erasmus, and working in global policy and technology spaces before feeling the pull back home. Her honesty about missing the farm and realising food security was missing from major policy conversations really stood out. 🍎One of my favourite parts was hearing about her work bringing young voices into policy spaces, from national food strategies to building something new through the UK Youth Food and Farming Forum. Her belief that young people should be meaningfully involved, not tokenised, came through strongly and made for a powerful conversation. 🌍Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well today we welcome Claudia to the R2Kast 🎙️ Someone who has lived and breathed chickens since she was six years old, turning her sister’s unwanted hens into a full blown breeding hobby, a little business and eventually an educational platform followed by thousands. 🌾We talked about how she became overstocked at eight years old, selling chicks from rabbit hutches, learning through trial and error, reading Practical Poultry and building a client base before most kids knew their times tables. Her stories of juggling colours, managing the pecking order and keeping hundreds of birds as pets were brilliant. 🍎One of my favourite parts was hearing how that childhood obsession turned into the work she does today, from breeding Pekins in every shade of the rainbow to helping people across the UK look after their hens properly. Her knowledge on housing, red mite, dust baths, feeding, flock introductions and avian influenza was unreal, and her passion for welfare came through the whole way. 🌍Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well today we welcome George to the R2Kast 🎙️ Someone who has spent nearly 30 years leading the Tenant Farmers Association and has seen more policy cycles, governments and tenancy changes than most of us could list. 🌾We talked about his journey from Belfast to agricultural economics, joining the old Ministry of Agriculture, and eventually stepping into the TFA at a time when the whole tenancy landscape was shifting. His stories about navigating succession rules, short term agreements, landlord relationships and the fight to protect tenant rights were fascinating. 🍎One of my favourite parts was hearing about his faith and how deeply it shapes the way he leads. From rural church work to the Farming Community Network, he spoke about supporting people not just technically but pastorally, and how that “head and heart” balance is at the centre of everything he does for the sector. 🌍Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thank you for supporting for 400 episodes! What a ride it’s been! Here’s to 500 🎉Well today we welcome Cameron to the R2Kast 🎙️ A young arable farmer who somehow found himself swapping the grain store for the Big Brother house and ended up becoming one of the standout voices of the whole series. 🌾We talked about life on the family farm, his unusual school where you could be learning maths one minute and milking cows the next, and how a news interview at a farming protest planted the first spark that maybe he belonged on camera. A few months later he filled out an application on a whim and suddenly he was in lockdown, phone gone, heading into the house. 🍎One of my favourite parts was hearing about the friendships he built in there and the moment he opened up about inheritance tax. That clip travelled far beyond the show and struck a chord with thousands of farmers who felt seen and heard at a time when the sector needed it. Cameron spoke about what that reaction meant and how powerful it felt to use a mainstream platform to give farming a voice. 🌍Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well today we welcome Leah to the R2Kast 🎙️ Someone whose story moves quickly, from Welsh speaking smallholding life to dropping out of uni on her birthday and walking straight into agricultural marketing. 🌾We chatted about how she messaged Andy at Hillsgreen on a whim, turned a week of work experience into 15 months, and found out she preferred real world creativity over lectures. Her honesty about wanting pace, purpose and practical learning made a lot of sense. 🍎One of my favourite parts was hearing about her role with the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society. From the madness of running social media at the winter fair, to launching a content creator internship so the show can finally be covered properly, to helping steer one of the biggest events in UK agriculture. Her passion for Wales and pride in the show really shone through. 🌍Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well today we welcome Katelyn to the R2Kast 🎙️ Someone whose early career has moved quickly, from Harper Adams to placements, into food marketing, and now into a role working with sustainable ingredients made from broccoli stems. 🌾We spoke about how she nearly studied law before a last minute spark pushed her into agri food marketing. Her time at Harper was full of funny moments, including turning up to crop class in sparkly wellies and confidently identifying a blade of grass as green. During her placement year she found herself learning everything from finance to branding to factory life, all while navigating the chaos of large team meetings and the curse of confusing acronyms. 🍎One of my favourite parts was hearing about her current work helping turn broccoli stems into fibre ingredients, reducing waste and adding nutritional value in a really clever way. Her passion for people came through constantly, from supporting international visitors to juggling marketing, communications and everything else you’d expect in a fast moving startup environment. 🌍Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well today we welcome Bill to the R2Kast 🎙️ Someone many folk in Scottish farming will know well. We started with his journey from Belfast to St Andrews, studying medicine before realising it wasn’t the right path, and how that eventually led him into agriculture through rugby clubs, mentors and a real love of working on the land. 🌾We spoke about his thirty years at Rosemains, running a mixed arable estate, the changes he’s overseen, the monitor farm years, and the diversification that’s brought new life into the place. His honesty about learning on the job and the value of great mentorship was brilliant. 🍎One of my favourite parts was hearing about his curling career. Representing Ireland, beating Canada in a world final and winning the 2012 World Senior Championships. The pride, the teamwork and the story behind it really shone through. 🌍We rounded off with RHS governance, being chair during COVID, the emotion of the showcase year, his MBE, and the advice he gives to anyone coming into farming today. Bill has lived a life full of graft, passion and service to the industry.Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well today we welcome Ally to the R2Kast 🎙️ Someone many of you will know from the telly, from farming, or now from podcasting as the co host of Meet the Farmers The Big Debate. We kicked off chatting about how that show began, how he ended up working alongside Sophie and Ben, and the challenge of debating topics when everyone secretly agrees. 🌾We got into the farm at Weir End, how he took over the tenancy, the move into diversification, his ongoing hunt for the perfect legume crop and the reality of trying peas, beans and soya with very mixed results. His honesty about the highs and frustrations of arable farming made for a brilliant conversation. 🍎One of my favourite parts was hearing about his TV days and the chaos, comedy and madness behind the scenes. From Discovery filming the whole place, to his dad unexpectedly stealing the show, to dealing with online criticism and learning when not to reply. It really showed how grounded he is and how much he values people and community. 🌍Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well today we welcome me again, this time to look back over the last two years and what they’ve really been like 🎙️ From Rwanda and Tanzania, to Ukraine, America, Japan, New Zealand, China and everywhere in between, it’s been a wild mix of travel, learning, worry, joy and a lot of growing up. 🌾I spoke about the early trips with SAYFC, meeting people who changed the way I see the world, and then heading to Ukraine to deliver a pickup in a war zone and realising how lucky we are at home. From there it rolled straight into America with SRUC, the FFA convention and seeing youth development on a huge scale. 🍎One of my favourite parts to talk through was the Nuffield journey itself. The highs, the tough bits, the health scares in Brazil, the people who kept me going, and the way it all came together on stage in Aberdeen last week. It was a reminder that these things test you, stretch you and shape you, but they also introduce you to a family you didn’t know you needed. 🌍We wrapped up with where life is now, the new job, the changes at home, my hopes for the next five years and why being yourself has taken me further than anything else.A proper down to earth chat about people, food, and the stories that connect them all.Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well today we welcome Daniel to the R2Kast 🎙️ A brilliant chat with someone who has lived a life full of stories long before becoming a medical student. From being born on a farm to cycling thousands of miles through places like Syria, Sudan and Pakistan, his tales of hospitality, fear, humour and pure naivety were unreal. 🌾We spoke about the moments that shaped him most, from strangers handing him fruit in the middle of nowhere to months spent helping in refugee camps across France and Greece. His passion for people and that sense of humanity came through in everything he said. 🍎One of my favourite parts was when Daniel explained why he moved into remote and rural medicine on the ScotGEM course, and how rural placements in Orkney and Inverness have helped him see health, community and change in a whole new way. It really showed the mix of resilience and compassion that drives him. 🌍We wrapped up talking nature, wellbeing and why looking after yourself is far more important than people admit. A chat full of honesty, laughs and moments that stay with you.Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Well today we welcome me to talk all things China on the people in food and farming series of the R2Kast 🎙️ A slightly different one this time as I dove into my own story, chatting about six weeks living and teaching in Qingdao and what life was really like on the other side of the world. 🌾We got into how the opportunity came about, from a chance conversation at RAU to a whirlwind of visas, last minute passport chaos and hopping across continents to land in a country where nothing was familiar and everything was new. I spoke about the early wobble of being totally disconnected from home, the kindness of strangers like the student who fixed my WiFi, and those first few days when fear and excitement were sitting right beside each other. 🍎One of my favourite parts to reflect on was the teaching itself, and how humour, photos, the odd Mandarin word and a fair bit of physical comedy helped bridge language barriers. The students were phenomenal, the workload intense, and the whole education system made me stop and think deeply about what we expect from young people and what it costs to create excellence. 🌍We wrapped up by talking about travel, friendships, food (yes including insects and chicken head), moments of culture shock, how safe the country really felt, and what China has taught me about people, resilience and stepping into the unknown. I left feeling grateful, curious and genuinely changed by the experience.A proper down to earth chat about people, food, and the stories that connect them all.Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the All In series of the R2Kast I was joined by Nicholas Duffy 🎙️ The series where we share the stories of people with no ties to food or farming but who still have something powerful to say about life, ambition and what drives them 🌍Nick, who goes by the pen name Nicholas the Poodle, is an author, traveller and teacher from Massachusetts now living and working in Qingdao, China. We spoke about how the name came about, the meaning behind it, and how it’s helped him grow as a writer 📚We chatted about his books, five of them so far, that range from young adult fiction to poetry and how he wants to write stories that people actually want to read, not ones they feel they have to. He’s got a real creative energy about him and it’s clear he loves what he does ✏️We also spoke about teaching English across the world and how that’s taken him from Laos to Chile, California and now China. It was great hearing his take on what living here’s really like, the respect and patience in the culture, and how he’s learning Mandarin bit by bit 🇨🇳One of my favourite parts was when Nick talked about the way writing connects people, not just through words but through how we listen and understand each other. It’s that same energy I see in teaching too and it made for a really honest and thoughtful chat 🌱A proper conversation about life, learning and seeing the world with open eyesEnjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Annie Landless onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Annie works on a 600 acre organic mixed farm in the Cotswolds where she manages everything from veg boxes to beef cattle and pigs. Her passion for regenerative systems shines through as she talks about herbal lays, mob grazing, and the importance of soil health. 🌱🐄🐝We explore Annie’s journey from a family farm with a reputation for organic beef to her current role at Harnhill. She shares how bread and sourdough brought her back into farming and how her interest in good food links directly with the way she now grows grain for local mills and bakers. 🍞🌾Annie also reveals her love for beekeeping, a skill passed down from her aunt, and how she finds peace in the company of thousands of buzzing bees. We dive into how she balances farming with communications and marketing, and even touch on her McGregor roots with a family story that may link her to the outlaw Rob Roy. 🐝🍯🏴It is a conversation full of heritage, humour, and hope for a future shaped by regenerative thinking and community connections.Enjoy! 😊#AnnieLandless #OrganicFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #MixedFarming #MobGrazing #PastureForLife #MarketGarden #VegBoxes #CotswoldsFarming #Beekeeping #Sourdough #LocalFoodSystems #FarmToFork #HerbalLays #SouthwestGrainNetwork #CommunityFarming #SustainableFood #FamilyFarms #BeefLady #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is Alex Gray! 🎙️ A lecturer in agriculture, countryside management, and horticulture, Alex is passionate about breaking down the silos in rural education. 🌳📚We talk about his background in ecology and farming, and how those two worlds—often seen as opposites—can come together through regenerative agriculture and agroforestry. Alex shares how he is rolling out new systems at Brooksby College that get agriculture students, ecologists, and horticulture students working on the same land. 🌱👨‍🏫Our conversation explores the need for holistic land stewardship education, how New Zealand provides inspiration, and why young people should learn about ecosystems before specialising. It is a powerful discussion about the future of rural learning and how we prepare the next generation. 🌍✨Enjoy! 😊#AlexGray #Agroforestry #RegenerativeAgriculture #RuralEducation #EcologyAndFarming #LandStewardship #BrooksbyCollege #SustainableFarming #HolisticLearning #AgriEducation #AgriFuture #SoilHealth #AgriStudents #RuralSkills #EducationInnovation #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I welcome Bryce Cunningham onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ An organic dairy farmer from Ayrshire, Bryce is flying the flag for Ayrshire cows and sustainable systems. 🐄🥛At Mossgiel Organic Farm, Bryce has built a cow-with-calf system that keeps mothers and calves together for up to eight months. He also runs a dairy business delivering across Scotland, works with other organic farms, and has even added a bakery and coffee shop with no ultra-processed ingredients. 🍞☕We talk about history too—how Robert Burns once farmed on the same land and how Ayrshire cows connect past and present. From heritage to modern challenges, Bryce shares his belief in doing things differently while building a future for the family farm. 🌱✨Enjoy! 😊#BryceCunningham #MossgielFarm #OrganicDairy #CowWithCalf #AyrshireCows #SustainableFarming #OrganicMilk #ScottishFarming #LocalFood #FarmInnovation #HeritageFarming #FoodTransparency #NoUltraProcessed #FarmCooperative #FarmingFuture #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Tom Newbury onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A new entrant farmer, butcher, and tree surgeon, Tom embodies the many routes into agriculture. 🌳🥩Tom shares how a childhood love of farming never left him, even though his family had no farming background. From early days “helping” on local smallholdings to finding his way through butchery and beyond, his path shows the grit and passion needed to carve out a future in food and farming. 💪🌾We talk about his journey into land, the challenges of getting started, and how resilience and adaptability shape every step. It is the very spirit of what R2Kast was built on—stories of how people find their way into this sector. 🌍✨Enjoy! 😊#TomNewbury #NewEntrantFarmer #Butchery #TreeSurgery #RoutesIntoFarming #FirstGenFarmer #UKFarming #AgriLife #AgriResilience #YoungFarmers #FoodAndFarming #AgriJourney #SustainableFarming #FarmDreams #FarmingPassion #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is Tom Martin! 🎙️ Known for vibrant shirts and even brighter ideas, Tom joins me to talk about his decade in farming and the unexpected paths that led him here. 👕🌾Farming is Tom’s fourth career, and he reflects on how much has changed in just ten years. Practices once seen as “howling at the moon” are now mainstream, and he asks what today’s wild ideas will look normal a decade from now. 🌙➡️☀️We talk about identity in farming, how a farm can reflect the personality of the farmer, and why curiosity matters. Along the way there is humour, honesty, and plenty of chat about shirts. 👔✨It is a conversation about embracing change, enjoying the journey, and celebrating individuality in agriculture. 🌱Enjoy! 😊#TomMartin #FarmingJourney #RegenerativeAgriculture #AgriShirts #FutureFarming #FarmIdentity #AgriChange #FarmingInnovation #RuralStories #AgriLife #FarmersOfUK #FarmingPassion #SustainableFuture #AgriCommunity #AgriCulture #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I sit down with Iain Riddell! 🎙️ After nearly 45 years with SRUC, Iain reflects on a career that saw him advise farmers through countless reforms, challenges, and opportunities. 👨‍🌾📖We talk about how consultancy has evolved—from free advisory services in the early days to today’s scheme-driven pressures—and the constant truth that farming is never without challenge. Iain shares stories of Elgin, Stonehaven, and St Boswell’s, and how Scottish agriculture has changed through decades of policy shifts. 🇬🇧🌾Now semi-retired, Iain has turned his attention to hemp, exploring new uses and opportunities in a crop that just keeps surprising him. 🌿It is a conversation about continuity, change, and the deep relationships that make agriculture so rewarding. 🌱✨Enjoy! 😊#IainRiddell #SRUC #FarmAdvisory #AgriculturalConsultancy #ScottishFarming #CommonAgriculturalPolicy #FarmingHistory #FarmSupport #RegenerativeCrops #HempFarming #RuralScotland #AgriPolicy #SustainableFarming #AgriInnovation #FarmingJourney #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I welcome Tim May onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A fourth-generation farmer from Hampshire, Tim has transformed Kingsclere Estate into something far beyond a traditional farm. 🌾We hear how his Nuffield Scholarship inspired him to shift from 100 percent arable into a mixed regenerative system, bringing livestock back and building a network of partners rather than employees. Tim shares his vision of farming as a platform for multiple businesses—from roaming dairies and hens to rental units and food ventures. 🐄🐓Our conversation dives into PitchUp, his innovative way of inviting entrepreneurs onto the farm to co-create circular economies. Tim speaks with honesty about change, family legacy, and the challenge of redefining what a farm can be. 🌍It is a story of reinvention, resilience, and bold thinking about the future of food and land use. 🌱✨Enjoy! 😊#TimMay #KingsclereEstate #PitchUp #RegenerativeFarming #MixedFarming #CircularEconomy #FarmInnovation #NuffieldScholar #FarmDiversification #FarmerLedChange #AgriBusiness #SoilHealth #RuralInnovation #FarmingFuture #PartnershipFarming #FoodSecurity #UKFarming #AgriTech #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Lee-Anne Oliver onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A farm vet based near Hexham, Lee-Anne has built her own practise while balancing the pressures and joys of working with livestock and rural communities. 🐄🐑We hear how she graduated in 2007, worked across farm animal practice, and eventually took the leap to run her own business. Lee-Anne speaks honestly about the realities of being a farm vet, from calving cows at two in the morning to supporting families as much as animals. She reflects on generational change, community bonds, and why resilience is as much about people as it is about medicine. 💉👩‍⚕️Our conversation also covers the challenges in the veterinary profession today, from graduate support and corporate buyouts to work-life balance and the emotional weight of caring for clients. Lee-Anne shares why she still loves her role, how seasons shape her outlook, and why the future of large animal practice needs the right mix of passion and protection. 🌦️❤️A heartfelt, powerful chat about the human side of veterinary work in agriculture.Enjoy! 😊#LeeAnneOliver #FarmVet #VeterinaryLife #LivestockCare #CattleAndSheep #VetPractise #RuralCommunity #AgProfessionals #VetChallenges #WorkLifeBalance #FarmingFamilies #VetSupport #AgSector #FarmAnimalHealth #GenerationalChange #VetLeadership #ResilientCommunities #VetStories #R2Kast #PeopleInAg #SeasonalLife #VetResilience #RuralVet #FarmVetLife #AgPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I welcome Glen Barclay onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A journalist with The Scottish Farmer and vice chair of SAYFC communications, Glen has a story that blends timber contracting, football sidelines, and rural journalism in a way few could imagine. 🌲⚽We hear how growing up in a timber family gave him a grounding in rural life before he found himself sitting on the bench as a substitute goalkeeper with a notebook, writing match reports. That passion for words eventually took him to Australia, where he worked with the Central Coast Mariners during the time Usain Bolt tried his hand at football. 📰🌏Glen shares how Covid left him stranded abroad, how journalism became his calling, and why stripping opinion out of agricultural reporting is one of the toughest parts of his work. He also reflects on history, from Russian revolutions to family forestry, and how those roots keep him connected to the land. 🌳📖A brilliant chat with someone who is shaping agricultural media while still keeping a love of sport and heritage at his core.Enjoy! 😊#GlenBarclay #ScottishFarmer #YoungFarmers #JournalismInAg #TimberRoots #FootballStories #CentralCoastMariners #UsainBoltFootball #CovidJourneys #RuralLife #FamilyFarming #StorytellingInAg #MediaAndFarming #HistoryLover #SoilToSport #AustralianAdventure #PodcastLife #R2Kast #ScotAgStories #YouthInAg #CommsAndMarketing #AgJournalism #FarmingCommunity #CulturalJourneys #PeopleInAg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Niels Corfield onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A consultant, educator, and soil enthusiast, Niels has become one of the leading voices in regenerative agriculture across the UK. 🌱🌍We hear how he grew up in a scientific household, moved through IT and tech work, then found his way back to land through plant nurseries and adult education. That shift led him to become a trainer in soil health, running field sessions where farmers literally put spades in the ground to understand structure, rooting depth, and infiltration. 🪱🌿Niels speaks with me about beating the weather, why dry soils are harder to manage than wet ones, and how monitoring on more than 250 farms has given him clear patterns to share with the industry. He explains what healthy soil really looks like and why practical, hands-on learning is the best way to engage farmers of all kinds. 🌦️🚜An inspiring conversation for anyone interested in resilience, climate, and the future of food.Enjoy! 😊#NielsCorfield #SoilHealth #RegenerativeAgriculture #BeatingTheWeather #SpadeTest #SoilStructure #FarmingResilience #ClimateAdaptation #PastureFed #Agroecology #FieldEducation #SoilMonitoring #FarmingClusters #OrganicMatter #SustainableFood #WeatherAndFarming #HealthyLand #AgTraining #R2Kast #FutureOfFarming #AgStories #LandSkills #SoilLife #RegenerativePractices #PeopleInAg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is a special one as I bring the full Scottish Rally team onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Jillian, Joanne, Angela, Kelly and I came together to share our experience of this summer’s Rural Youth Europe rally in Slovenia. 🇸🇮🌍We talk about what Rally actually is, the theme of planting ideas and cultivating the future, and how rural youth can shape policy and create opportunities across Europe. From committee work to travel stories, the five of us reflect on learning, laughter, and the challenges that come with such an international gathering. 🌱🤝Jillian and Joanne share their Munro-climbing fundraiser for SAYFC’s Big Build, Angela talks about leaving nursing in Aberdeen for a one-way ticket to Australia, and Kelly reflects on the juggle of teaching primary sevens while leading in Young Farmers. The stories show how much adventure, commitment, and passion is in Scotland’s youth movement. 🏔️✈️This was a chance to relive Slovenia, from cultural exchange to building friendships that will last a lifetime.Enjoy! 😊#ScottishRallyTeam #RuralYouthEurope #Slovenia2025 #YoungFarmers #YouthLeadership #InternationalExchange #SAYFC #BigBuildChallenge #MunroBagging #PrimaryTeaching #NursingAbroad #ForestManager #ArchitectureInAg #PolicyYouthVoice #RuralIdentity #TravelAndLearning #EuropeanConnections #AgYouthMovement #R2Kast #GlobalYouth #PlantingIdeas #CultivatingTheFuture #FriendshipsForLife #AgStories #CommunityInAction Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Rodrigo Navarro onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Rodrigo’s story takes us from a South African restaurant in London where he worked as a head chef, all the way to Hampshire where he now runs an organic pastured egg business. 🍳🌿Rodrigo shares how he and his wife decided to leave the city behind and chase a dream of rural living, influenced by their family histories in Chile and Ireland. What began with cooking meat over fire has transformed into caring for 600 hens in mobile sheds that follow organic dairy cows across herbal leys, creating a near circular system of farming. 🐓🐄We dive into his chef background, the South African braai, his passion for bold flavours, and the enormous shift to regenerative poultry farming. Rodrigo explains the challenges of access to land, why organic standards matter, and how timing chicken movements with dairy herds can create healthier soils and better eggs. 🌱🥚It is a fascinating conversation about food, farming, heritage, and bravery in changing paths. Rodrigo’s passion for doing things the right way and his belief in sustainability shines through, showing us how food and farming are deeply connected. 🌍🍷Enjoy! 😊#RodrigoNavarro #OrganicPoultry #PastureRaised #ChefToFarmer #SustainableFarming #OrganicEggs #RegenerativeAgriculture #KingsclereEstates #SouthAfricanFood #BraaiCulture #BoldFlavours #RuralDream #FromCityToCountryside #HeritageFarming #SoilHealth #CircularFarming #FoodAndFarmingStories #R2Kast #FarmToFork #ChileanRoots #IrishHeritage #CommunityFarming #OrganicLiving #HealthyLandHealthyFood #PasturedEggs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Tom Ware onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A 22 year old farmer from Nottinghamshire, Tom has carved a unique path across contracting, drone photography, gin making, and social media, while also becoming a strong voice for mental health in agriculture. 🚜📸We talk about his adventures in Australia, from 60,000 acre farms and endless combine hours to the simplicity of just posting on Facebook and landing a job. Tom shares the beauty and challenge of farming at that scale, and how those experiences shaped his outlook back home. 🌏🌾At home, Tom’s story takes another turn as he speaks about the heartbreaking loss of two close friends, Len and Harvey, in separate tragic circumstances. Out of that grief, Tom created Just Talk Agri, a platform for farmers to share honestly about mental health. His words on resilience, loss, and the importance of talking are powerful and deeply moving. 💚🙏We also cover drones, gin making, sheep work, and the variety that makes farming life so unpredictable and rewarding. This episode is raw, open, and inspiring, exactly what conversations in agriculture need to be. 🌅✨Enjoy! 😊#TomWare #JustTalkAgri #MentalHealthInFarming #BritishFarmingAwards #ContractFarming #DronePhotography #AustralianHarvest #FarmLife #SheepFarming #AgriContent #YoungFarmers #MentalHealthAwareness #NottinghamshireFarming #FarmingCommunity #Resilience #GriefAndHope #LossAndRecovery #AgMentalHealth #TalkAboutIt #AgricultureLife #FarmStories #GinMaking #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Michaela Scott onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ At only 19, Michaela is already shaping the political conversation in Scotland. A student of Criminology and Politics at Stirling, she is passionate about ensuring young people in rural areas have a real say in decisions that shape their lives. 🗳️🌱We dive into how criminology and politics overlap, from injustices in the justice system to policy making, and how Michaela has used this mix to strengthen her voice. She shares openly about speaking in the Scottish Parliament, shadowing MSPs, and even turning down an offer to run for election while still at uni because she values gaining experience first. 💬🏛️Michaela speaks with energy about youth voices, education, and the need for politics to be explained in ways that everyone can understand. Her story is a reminder that confidence grows from opportunities, and that young leaders can step into rooms that once felt unreachable. 🌍✨An inspiring conversation with someone who is just getting started on a journey that could shape Scottish politics in years to come.Enjoy! 😊#MichaelaScott #YouthVoice #ScottishPolitics #CriminologyAndPolitics #RuralYouth #ScottishParliament #FutureLeaders #StudentVoices #PolicyMatters #YouthEmpowerment #ScotlandPolitics #PoliticalEngagement #YoungLeaders #RuralRepresentation #EducationMatters #FutureOfPolitics #YoungVoicesHeard #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the R2Kast I sit down with one of the true pioneers of regenerative agriculture, Gabe Brown! 🎙️ From four years of crop failure and 1.5 million dollars in debt to becoming a global leader in soil health, Gabe’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. 🌱We talk about his switch to no till, integrating livestock, and embracing biodiversity to rebuild his land and his business. Gabe explains why profit comes from working with nature, not fighting it, and how food grown in healthy soil can truly become medicine. 🍎💪From being introduced by Prince William at Groundswell to starring in Kiss the Ground and Common Ground, Gabe has carried the message of regeneration around the world. His passion for teaching farmers and consumers alike shines through every word. 🌍✨A story of resilience, mindset, and hope for the future of farming.Enjoy! 😊#GabeBrown #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #DirtToSoil #CommonGroundFilm #KissTheGround #Groundswell #NoTill #CoverCrops #HealthySoilHealthyFood #SoilToHumanHealth #FoodAsMedicine #FarmResilience #Agroecology #CarbonFarming #BiodiversityMatters #LivestockIntegration #SoilIsOurCommonGround #GlobalAgLeaders #SustainableFarming #NatureBasedSolutions #HealthyFarmsHealthyPeople #UnderstandingAg #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Ketrin Kastehein onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Ketrin is the chairperson of Rural Youth Europe and brings a fascinating perspective from Estonia where youth work is not just a passion but a recognised profession. 🇪🇪✨We hear how she grew up between city and rural life, at once a capital girl and a countryside girl, before finding her place through dance, rhythmic gymnastics, and youth activism. From joining 4H at eight years old to studying a degree in youth work, her story shows the power of grassroots youth groups to shape leaders. 💃🌿Ketrin shares her experiences with the International Farm Youth Exchange programme in the United States, where she lived with farming families and saw American rural culture first-hand. She reflects on how 4H across the world offers young people the chance to learn life skills, connect internationally, and grow in confidence. 🌍🤝We explore her journey onto the Rural Youth Europe board, the challenges and opportunities of leading an umbrella organisation that has been around for almost 70 years, and how she balances tradition with modern needs. She also speaks about her current role as a school youth worker, blending formal and non-formal education so that students gain confidence, citizenship skills, and a sense of belonging. 🎓💡This episode is full of insight into cultural identity, leadership, and the future of rural youth. An inspiring story of someone who has turned local opportunities into a global impact. 🌱🌟Enjoy! 😊#KetrinKastehein #RuralYouthEurope #YouthWork #4H #InternationalFarmYouthExchange #IFYE #YouthDevelopment #Estonia #RuralYouth #GlobalCitizenship #SoftSkills #NonFormalEducation #LeadershipJourney #YouthEmpowerment #SchoolYouthWork #CommunityBuilding #ActiveCitizenship #CulturalExchange #FutureLeaders #GlobalYouth #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #RuralLeadership #YouthOpportunities #InspiringStories #EducationForAll Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Sally Crowe onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Sally is well known to many from This Farming Life and has built a life she truly calls living the dream up in Caithness. 🐑 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 We hear how her journey has taken her across the world, from the shearing sheds of Western Australia to the global stage of the Golden Shears in New Zealand. Sally tells me about the buzz of being part of the Scottish shearing team, the skill behind wool handling, and the intricacies of presenting a fleece to perfection. ✂️🌏Our conversation also takes in life on the croft, travelling abroad, and the joy of building a lifestyle where she can focus on health and happiness. Sally’s humour, honesty, and passion for her craft shine through. An inspiring listen that captures the spirit of crofting, competition, and community. 🌱✨Enjoy! 😊#SallyCrowe #ThisFarmingLife #Crofting #Caithness #WoolHandling #ShearingLife #GoldenShears #ScottishShearingTeam #RuralScotland #CroftLife #ShearingSheds #WesternAustralia #NewZealandShearing #FleecePreparation #FarmingCommunity #SheepFarming #WoolTrade #R2Kast #GlobalFarming #FarmStories #WomenInFarming #AgricultureLife #FarmingPodcast #LivingTheDream #ScottishAgriculture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Tracey and Tom Davey onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Tracey is from the same village on Arran as me and over the past year has gone through a huge transformation, both physically and mentally. From realising she was unhappy at 90 kilos to now preparing for her first bodybuilding show, her story is one of resilience and change. 💪✨Tracey opens up about the moment that pushed her to act, sparked by a school photo with her daughter, and how she has since lost over 30 kilos, found confidence, and discovered a passion for bodybuilding she never expected. Tom, her husband, has been alongside her not only as her partner but also as her coach, guiding her through nutrition, training, and the mental battles that come with competition prep. 🏋️‍♀️🥗We talk about the reality of balancing this with life as parents of two young girls, from 5am gym sessions to making time around work and childcare. The girls themselves are now joining in with their own weights and play gym sessions, showing how much of a family journey this has become. 💑🔥This chat is about more than bodybuilding. It is about mindset, family, and the power of deciding to make change. It shows how health journeys can inspire those around you and proves that parents really can carve out time to invest in themselves. Truly inspiring. 🌟Enjoy! 😊#TraceyDavey #TomDavey #BodybuildingJourney #FitnessTransformation #FamilyAndFitness #HealthyMum #MumLifeStrong #WeightLossJourney #FigureAthlete #PrepLife #GymMotivation #DisciplineEqualsFreedom #FitnessFamily #StrengthAndResilience #PlayGym #ArranStories #HealthyLifestyle #RelationshipGoals #CoachingAndMarriage #MindsetMatters #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome James Nixey onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ James is the National Chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, leading one of the UK’s largest rural youth movements. 🌱👩‍🌾👨‍🌾 He is also the Club Leader for Princes Risborough YFC, a club he first joined back in 2008, and his journey from there has carried him all the way to the national stage. ⭐James and I reflect on our shared time in Slovenia at the European Rural Youth Parliament, where rural youth from 22 countries came together to learn, share, and shape a better future. 🇸🇮🌍 We talk about the atmosphere of those events, the friendships made, and why Slovenia might just be Europe’s best kept secret. 🏞️Beyond youth work, James shares his personal story of being an electrician who never farmed himself but grew up rooted in agriculture. His reflections on leadership, resilience, and the role of young farmers in connecting communities make for a powerful conversation. ⚡🌾A brilliant chat that shows how farming values extend beyond the farm gate. 💡✨Enjoy! 😊#JamesNixey #NFYFC #YoungFarmers #RuralYouth #PrincesRisboroughYFC #Slovenia #LakeBled #YouthLeadership #RuralFuture #ElectricianLife #FarmingCommunity #EuropeanRuralYouth #AgricultureYouth #LeadershipJourney #UKFarming #YoungFarmersClubs #RuralDevelopment #NFYFCChair #R2Kast #FarmingPodcast #FarmStories #CommunityLeadership #RuralNetworks #AgricultureInTheUK #ResilientYouth #FutureOfFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome David Tennant onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ David is the Head of the Royal Highland Show, and his journey is a brilliant example of how someone not from a farming background can come to lead one of the most iconic events in agriculture. 🦌🎪We hear how David first encountered the Highland Show and the impact it had on him, before stepping into the role where he now oversees everything from livestock lines to innovation halls. He talks openly about the challenges of delivering a world-class event and how the Show continues to balance its proud traditions with the demands of a modern audience. 🐑🚜David speaks with me about the international influence of the Highland, welcoming visitors from across the globe, and why it is far more than just four days in June. For him it is about Scottish identity, connection, and showcasing farming and food at their very best. 🌍💬We also dive into his vision for the future — embracing sustainability, technology, and ensuring the next generation of young people see the Show as their stage to shine. His reflections on leadership, community, and the responsibility of carrying an event with more than two centuries of history are inspiring and full of honesty. ✨A fascinating insight into the man leading Scotland’s greatest agricultural celebration.Enjoy! 😊#DavidTennant #RoyalHighlandShow #ScottishAgriculture #HighlandShow #RHShow #FarmingPride #AgriCulture #FutureOfFarming #RuralScotland #YoungFarmers #HighlandShow2025 #AgInnovation #LivestockExcellence #AgriVoices #R2Kast #FarmersOfScotland #FarmingHeritage #AgLeadership #FoodAndFarming #HighlandShowMemories #FarmingCommunity #ShowGroundStories #CelebratingFarming #ScotlandTheBrave Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I welcome Peter Eccles onto the R2Kast 🎙️ Peter is a farmer entrepreneur and former Farmers Weekly Farm Manager of the Year who runs a 200 acre family farm near Tranent where Herefords meet a gym called the Fitness Farmyard 🐂💪We talk about how Peter built a pedigree herd of docile forage efficient Herefords launched meat boxes during COVID and combined this with his diversification into farm based fitness classes. From flipping tyres in the yard to welcoming PTs and locals into a rustic training space Peter has turned farming into a real community hub 🌾🏋️‍♂️Peter opens up about challenges including a devastating fire that destroyed 100 tonnes of straw and how living between farm and town brings both risks and opportunities. He reflects on exploring organic conversion his consultancy work with estates moving into regenerative systems and the importance of adapting farm assets for the future 🌱📈We also chat about his past life as a rugby player for Heriots and Melrose and how the transition from competitive sport to farming has shaped his views on resilience teamwork and community. It is a story of grit adaptability and finding balance between tradition and innovation 🔥🏉Enjoy 😊#PeterEccles #Herefords #FarmDiversification #FitnessFarmyard #FarmGym #SustainableFarming #RegenerativeAg #OrganicFarming #FarmResilience #FarmLife #MeatBoxes #CommunityFarming #RugbyAndFarming #FarmManagerOfTheYear #AgInnovation #FutureOfFarming #FamilyFarm #FarmEntrepreneurship #CattleFarming #ScottishFarming #FarmBusiness #FarmingStories #FarmWellbeing #PeopleInAg #R2Kast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I welcome Jess Stokes onto the R2Kast 🎙️ Jess is an insect scientist with a PhD in veterinary parasitology who has spent years studying midges Schmallenberg virus and the unpredictable way new diseases emerge 🦟🔬We chat about how growing up in rural Gloucestershire during the foot and mouth outbreak sparked her fascination with disease spread. That journey took her through Swansea Bristol and Liverpool before leading her into high containment labs at the Pirbright Institute. Jess shares how every time she studies a virus it seems to vanish earning her the reputation of being a curse in entomology 🌍🧪Together we dive into the mysteries of Schmallenberg and blue tongue virus appearing in Europe, the role of birds and trade in spreading disease, and how climate shifts are changing insect behaviour. Jess also talks about stepping beyond academia into consultancy, trap design, forecasting, and her work with the Royal Entomological Society on insect welfare and insects as food and feed 🐝🌱It is a fascinating conversation that mixes science with humour from sick blackbirds to the unpredictability of midges and shows how curiosity can shape a career in unexpected ways ✨Enjoy 😊#JessStokes #Entomology #MidgeResearch #VectorBorneDiseases #SchmallenbergVirus #BluetongueVirus #InsectScience #RoyalEntomologicalSociety #InsectsAsFood #ClimateAndDisease #Epidemiology #Parasitology #VeterinaryScience #GlobalHealth #InsectWelfare #DiseaseSpread #ScientificCuriosity #UKScience #AgResearch #Biosecurity #OneHealth #VectorControl #AcademicToIndustry #R2Kast #PeopleInAg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎙️ Featuring: Hannah Fraser, James Thompson, David Coop, Dan Smith, Rob Ward, and Hannah ThorogoodBack at NuffFest, this second Food for Health panel dives deeper into the crucial question of how farming systems—and especially soil health—shape the nutritional composition of our food. 🌱🥕👩‍⚕️ Dr Hannah Fraser shares her perspective as both a doctor and farmer, arguing for better medical education on nutrition and stronger recognition of how soil health impacts food quality.🛒 James Thompson draws on his retail background to reveal the challenges of consumer demand, supermarket incentives, and how buzzwords like “organic” and “regenerative” often miss the bigger nutritional picture.🌾 David Cooke highlights the breeding world, noting the absence of incentives for farmers to prioritise nutrient density in crops—and why change must come from consumer pull.🌍 Dan Smith reflects on his work with disadvantaged teenagers on therapeutic farms, showing how culture, access, and lived experience shape food choices and health outcomes.💡 Rob Ward brings the agri-tech and investment angle, stressing the role of microbes, gut health, and AI in transforming farming into high-resolution systems that connect soil to stomach.🐄 Hannah Thorogood discusses her work with Pasture for Life, explaining how pasture-based livestock systems not only benefit the environment but also produce nutritionally richer meat and dairy.The panel also tackles food labelling, ultra-processed diets, cultural barriers to healthy eating, and how education from schools to supermarkets could reset the nation’s relationship with nutrition. From “eat two carrots” to multi-million-pound plant breeding, it’s a conversation that challenges, inspires, and demands action.Enjoy! 😊#NuffieldScholar #TalesOfANuffieldScholar #FoodForHealth #SoilHealth #NutritionMatters #RegenerativeFarming #AgriTech #PublicHealth #DietAndHealth #FoodEducation #NutrientDensity #PastureForLife #FarmToFork #SoilToStomach #MedicalNutrition #ChildHealth #RetailFood #SupermarketImpact #AgInnovation #SustainableFarming #GutHealth #UltraProcessed #FoodPolicy #FarmImpact #AgriVoices #FutureOfFarming #R2Kast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Shabawn Farrall to the R2Kast! 🎙️A year ago to the day this episode goes out, I headed to Cheshire for what turned into a two-hour interview at Hills Green Marketing — with no idea where Cheshire even was. One of the people I met that day was Shabawn, and over the past 14 months she’s become a good friend.Her journey is a masterclass in following opportunities wherever they lead. From her first day in a livestock market as a teenager, to supporting farmers through the foot and mouth crisis, to retraining as a florist and running her own wedding business, to now heading up people and influencers at Hills Green — she’s embraced each new chapter with curiosity and energy. 💐🚜We talk about chance conversations that changed everything (including the side-of-a-football-pitch chat that brought her to Hills Green, and the car park conversation with Tom Pemberton that sparked a UK-first influencer marketing division). There’s also plenty on culture-building, hiring lessons, weddings, Covid’s reset on priorities, and why people will always be at the centre of her work. ❤️🌾Enjoy! 😊#ShabawnFarrell #HillsGreen #AgInfluencers #AgMarketing #PeopleInAg #InfluencerMarketing #RuralBusiness #AgCommunity #FarmersOfInstagram #AgNetworking #MarketingToFarmers #AgInspiration #WomenInAg #AgLeadership #RuralInnovation #AgricultureUK #FarmLife #AgStorytelling #FoodAndFarming #FutureOfFarming #AgriCulture #FarmingWithPeople #CollaborationInAg #AgCareers #AgJourney #FromFloristToFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Kit Franklin to the R2Kast! 🎙️From Harper Adams student to the world’s first autonomous farmer, Kit’s story blends big ideas with bigger fields. As co-creator of the Hands Free Hectare and Hands Free Farm projects, he’s shown that automation in agriculture isn’t decades away – it’s already here. 🤖🌾A lecturer, public speaker, and president-elect of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, Kit is passionate about bringing young people into ag engineering and building networks that last. We talk about his Brash Ag podcast, the importance of collaboration, and how professional accreditation can open doors.There’s also a look at funding, farm tech adoption, and why good board work is more than just sitting round a table. 🚜💡Enjoy! 😊#KitFranklin #AgEngineering #HandsFreeFarm #AgTech #PrecisionAg #AutomationInFarming #RuralInnovation #YoungEngineers #NuffieldNetwork #BrashAg #AgPodcast #FutureFarming #FoodSecurity #SustainableAg #FarmInnovation #AgLeadership #FarmRobotics #AgNetworking #EngineeringTheFuture #FarmingWithTech #InspiringAg #AgricultureCommunity #UKFarming #AgInspiration #FutureOfFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Sharon May to the R2Kast! 🎙️From sports injuries to the deep work of counselling, Sharon’s journey is one of following the thread of what truly matters. After retraining while raising a young family (not something she recommends lightly!), she’s built a thriving network of therapists from her organic mixed farm. 🌾💬A Nuffield scholar’s wife and a farmer herself, Sharon talks openly about moving from physical to mental health, the values that guide her, and the challenges of running a practice that meets people where they are. We explore her love of people, the ‘why’ behind our goals, and how authenticity can be the anchor in times of change. 🧠❤️We also hear about harvest time, Highland Games, and the occasional bramble-picking shift for visitors…Enjoy! 😊#SharonMay #Counselling #MentalHealthInAg #FarmLifeBalance #ValuesDriven #OrganicFarming #NuffieldConnections #TherapistLife #RuralWellbeing #FarmersMentalHealth #Leadership #FarmBusiness #AgricultureCommunity #AgResilience #InspiringStories #RegenerativeAg #MixedFarming #FarmLifeUK #AgInspiration #FamilyAndFarming #FarmTherapist #WomenInAg #WellbeingMatters #AgLife #FutureOfFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I welcome two Australian Nuffield Scholars to the R2Kast 🎙️ Thanh Truong better known as the Fruit Nerd and aquaculture expert Connor Wass joined me at my kitchen table on Arran to talk all things food farming and the oceans that connect them 🍑🐟 Filmed on Arran after a weekend showing them my home the chat was full of warmth insight and a fair bit of funThanh shared his journey from growing up in his family’s business Aus Asia Produce one of Australia’s largest fruit and veg exporters to becoming a TV host author and social media storyteller with a mission to get people engaged with fruit and veg From analysing shopper behaviour in supermarkets to creating viral mango videos he explained why flavour and memories can inspire deeper connections to what we eat 🍓🥭Connor took me inside the world of salmon farming from feed conversion ratios to the realities of on land versus sea farming and reflected on his path through nutrition technology and global aquaculture With candour and humour he spoke about industry challenges public perception and his own custodianship of the ocean 🌊🐠Together we explored consumer trends sustainability and the power of storytelling in bridging the gap between producers and the public This is a conversation that moved from supermarket aisles to salmon pens from mission driven careers to gin on the beach A warm insightful and inspiring chat about the many fruits of land and sea 🌍✨Enjoy! 😊#ThanhTruong #FruitNerd #ConnorWass #NuffieldScholar #Aquaculture #SalmonFarming #SeafoodLovers #FruitAndVeg #FoodStorytelling #ConsumerBehaviour #Sustainability #SupermarketInsights #Horticulture #OceanCustodianship #SeafoodInnovation #SocialMediaForGood #FlavourFirst #GlobalFarming #EngageNotEducate #FoodMemories #RegenerativeFoodSystems #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #R2Kast #Podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🎙️ Featuring: Tom Pearson, David Walker, Chris Manley, Kate Arthur, and Mark WarnerThis episode is a bit different – recorded live from the first ever NuffFest, a summer gathering of Nuffield scholars with a focus on a crucial question: is your food healing or harming you? 🥦🧠Led by Wallace and David Rose, the session explores how farming practices directly impact nutrition and public health. From childhood obesity to chronic disease, the panel dives into why a stronger bridge between agriculture and medicine is urgently needed.🩺 Dr Tom Pearson – a GP and farmer – shares insights from his Nuffield journey into how farmers can positively impact community health.👨‍⚕️ Professor David Walker reflects on decades in paediatrics and the vital role of nutrition in cancer recovery and child development.💬 Chris Manley speaks on mental health and the transformational impact of his Walk With Me campaign.🥩 Kate Arthur brings her experience as a dietitian and AHDB’s human nutrition lead, spotlighting the importance of balanced messaging around red meat and dairy.🌱 Mark Warner tells a personal story of health transformation following a cancer diagnosis, highlighting how regenerative farming and holistic living reshaped his life.Together they discuss the gaps in medical training, the rise of misinformation, the elitism of access to nutritional education, and the immense opportunity farming has to lead public health progress. From cold showers to childhood food education, it’s a conversation full of thought, feeling and forward thinking.Enjoy! 😊#NuffieldScholar #TalesOfANuffieldScholar #FoodForHealth #PublicHealth #NutritionMatters #RegenerativeFarming #ChildhoodNutrition #AgriHealth #WalkWithMe #MedicalNutrition #EatWell #BalancedDiet #FarmToFork #FarmBasedHealing #ChrisManley #KateArthur #TomPearson #DavidWalker #MarkWarner #NuffFest #UKFarming #AHDB #MentalHealthMatters #RedMeatInDiet #FoodEducation #NuffieldVoices #R2Kast #AgriVoices #SoilToStomach #FutureOfFarming #FarmHealthRevolution #NutritionAndFarming #FarmImpact #HealingThroughFood Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Peter Craven onto the R2Kast! 🎙️From Lincolnshire spuds to Natural England strategy, Peter’s story is one of stepping up, stepping back, and then stepping in to shape real change. 🥔➡️🌿A Nuffield scholar, policy influencer and potato expert, Peter shares how one course jolted him awake to the huge shifts facing UK farming. Since then, he’s gone from perfect Instagram potatoes to shaping policy for farming with nature at its heart. 🧠🌱We chat leadership, missed smells of the soil (yes, really!), and the importance of not staying still when the world is changing fast.Enjoy! 😊#PeterCraven #NuffieldScholar #NaturalEngland #FarmingWithNature #FarmTransition #SustainableAg #PotatoGrower #AgPolicy #NatureRecovery #AgLeadership #UKFarming #FarmChangeMakers #LincolnshireFarming #FarmToPolicy #PeopleInAg #SmellOfTheSoil #FoodSystems #FarmLifeShift #YoungLeaders #FutureOfFarming #InspiringAg #Agribusiness #ClimateAction #NatureConservation #AgInspiration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is someone I’ve followed for years – the incredible Laura Young! 🌍🎙️From leading the charge to ban disposable vapes across the UK 🚭 to studying climate resilience as part of her PhD, Laura’s life is packed with purpose. She’s part scientist, part activist, and all-in when it comes to protecting people and planet. 💥📚We talk flooding, fire risks, fashion footprints, and how campaigning isn’t just shouting – it’s educating, empowering, and staying persistent. Oh, and Troon’s now her home, so she gets to stare at Arran every day – lucky thing! 🏖️🏔️An absolute force for good and one of the most engaging environmentalists around.Enjoy! 😊#LauraYoung #LessWasteLaura #Environmentalist #ClimateResilience #CommunityEngagement #DisposableVapesBan #PhDStudent #ActivismMatters #EnvironmentalScience #PlasticPollution #SustainableLiving #WomenInSTEM #GreenCampaigns #TroonLife #LitterAwareness #PublicHealth #ClimateChangeScotland #PolicyImpact #RecyclingRevolution #YoungChangemakers #SustainableScotland #NatureMatters #EnvironmentalEducation #AgPodcast #PeopleInAg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Mairi Gougeon to the R2Kast! 🎙️From local politics in Brechin to becoming Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi’s journey has been anything but typical! Starting out straight from uni into council work (accidentally elected! 😂), her political roots go deep – her first campaign stint was at just 14 years old! 💪We chat about that surreal moment of walking into Holyrood, why representation matters, and how her belief in independence and community empowerment drives her work. Mairi brings honesty, humour, and a real human touch to a world that’s often seen as distant and complex. 👩‍⚖️🌾Politics… but with coffee, cake and craic on a sunny day in Arran. You can’t say fairer than that! ☀️☕Enjoy! 😊#MairiGougeon #ScottishPolitics #RuralAffairs #CabinetSecretary #Holyrood #YoungPoliticians #FromBrechinToParliament #LandReform #IslandLife #WomenInPolitics #AgPolicy #SNP #ScottishIndependence #YouthVoice #CommunityLeadership #IslandPolicy #PoliticalJourneys #RuralVoices #SRUCAlumni #PurposeDriven #AgInScotland #WomenInLeadership #PublicService #AuthenticLeadership #PolicyMatters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Ruth Vichos onto the R2Kast! 🎙️From Shetland to SRUC to TV screens across Scotland, Ruth is a horticulture lecturer with a heart for education and a passion for plants! Now a senior lecturer, Ruth didn’t begin in horticulture (it actually started with nursing!) but soon found her calling in plant science after a family nudge. Her journey includes food security research in Tanzania, working with Guernsey-based charities, and now presenting on Beechgrove Garden. 🌍🌱She shares how careers advice can sometimes miss the mark and why more students need to know plant science is an option. We chat identity, purpose, and how a rural upbringing laid the roots for a blooming career. 💡🌸Oh, and this was her first podcast… but you’d never know it!Enjoy! 😊#RuthVichos #Horticulture #BeechgroveGarden #SRUC #PlantScience #WomenInAg #ShetlandRoots #FoodSecurity #CropDiversification #EducationMatters #RuralScotland #IslandLife #STEMCareers #AgCareers #GreenFutures #AgLecturer #PeopleInAg #TVPresenter #ScienceInFarming #SRUCLecturer #AgPodcast #WomenInScience #AgriculturalEducation #CareerPaths #AgInspiration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Rob Ward — entrepreneur, innovator, and agri-tech visionary.Rob’s story begins on a tenanted family farm in Shropshire where early lessons in strawberries and supermarket selling taught him resilience and strategy. From handing out pick-your-own baskets to selling tech globally, Rob’s journey is a masterclass in reinvention. 🍓📈He shares how family values shaped his business ethic, what it took to buy their farm from Prudential, and how shifting from direct selling to supermarket contracts changed everything. We also hear his thoughts on the Eastern European labour migration that transformed the UK horticulture scene. 🌍💼Now a key figure in ag-tech acceleration, Rob reflects on highs, lows, and the art of not just keeping up with change but driving it. A powerhouse of experience, vision, and humility.Enjoy! 😊The views in this podcast are those of those involved and not that of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.#RobWard #NuffieldScholar #AgriTech #UKHorticulture #FarmToSupermarket #InnovationInAg #StrawberryFarming #EntrepreneurialFarming #FarmSuccession #TenantToOwner #LabourMigration #EasternEuropeInAg #SupermarketContracts #PeopleInAgTech #R2Kast #TalesofaNuffieldScholar #FarmBusiness #AgTransition #AgriculturalLeadership #FarmingInnovation #NuffieldStories #FarmOwnership #BritishAg #AgFunding #AgInspiration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Derrick Josi onto the R2Kast! 🎙️Better known online as The Honest Farmer, Derrick brings 1 million+ followers into the realities of US dairy life — and he’s not holding back! From Oregon’s lush Tillamook to a 450-acre Jersey dairy, Derrick shares his family legacy (started in 1918) and how the farm evolved from 60 cows to nearly 1000. He chats co-op models, cheese markets, mental health, family dynamics, and the not-so-glamorous side of influencer life. 🧀📉We dive into the generational shift in work mentality (130 hours a week isn’t the flex it used to be) and how vacations are becoming a priority again. Derrick’s storytelling is real, relatable, and raw — just like his content. 🛠️💬Enjoy! 😊#DerrickJosi #TheHonestFarmer #DairyFarming #USAg #Tillamook #FarmInfluencer #FamilyFarming #GenerationalShift #JerseyCows #CheeseProduction #AgMentalHealth #CooperativeFarming #AgTech #SocialMediaInAg #RealAgStories #FarmLegacy #AmericanDairy #PeopleInAg #AgStorytelling #DigitalFarming #AgContentCreator #OnlineAgCommunity #FarmLifeUnfiltered #AgTransitions #AgLeadership Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Rhona Forbes onto the R2Kast! 🎙️From biology teacher to TikTok star, Rhona is bringing fresh energy to the Scottish Young Farmers scene! Based in Edinburgh, she’s not only part of Ed Jack (Edinburgh JAC) but the brains behind what might just be the most entertaining young farmers account in Scotland. Rhona tells us how she’s used social media to break stereotypes, boost membership, and make young farming look cool (and chaotic!) 🎬✨We also dive into her journey into teaching, navigating professionalism while keeping the “blue hair” identity alive (and why the pupils want it back) 🎨📚A hilarious and honest chat about modern agriculture, identity, and the unexpected power of a ring light and a good mic setup. 😂💡Enjoy! 😊#RhonaForbes #YoungFarmers #TikTokAg #EdinburghJAC #WomenInAg #AgEducation #AgCommunications #TeacherLife #SocialMediaInAg #StereotypesInFarming #BlueHairChronicles #ModernFarming #RuralScotland #ScottishAg #BehindTheScenes #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #AgInspiration #FarmingYouth #AgAdvocacy #AgInfluencer #EdJack #AgOutreach #AgTikTok #AgPassion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Elspeth Hay onto the R2Kast! 🎙️From Maine to Cape Cod, Elspeth’s journey took a nutty turn when she discovered you can eat acorns… and never looked back! Originally a food and environment journalist, Elspeth now champions the cultural and nutritional value of tree nuts, especially acorns. Her fascination led to a new book and a whole radio show dedicated to local food stories on the Cape. 🧠🎙️We talk ancient human-forest relationships, the joy of hyperlocal food, and how falling down an oak-scented rabbit hole can reshape your entire career. Her passion is infectious and her curiosity inspiring. 🌳🔍A beautiful reminder that food stories are everywhere — even in the forest floor.Enjoy! 😊#ElspethHay #TreeNuts #AcornsAreFood #CapeCod #LocalFood #FoodAndEnvironment #WomenInAg #Foraging #NutritiousNature #WildFood #RuralMedia #AgJournalism #FoodCulture #ForestToTable #CulturalAg #RadioStories #AgInfluence #SustainableFoodSystems #TreeNutBook #FoodStories #AgCuriosity #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #AgInspiration #AcornNerd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Helen Brookes onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ With roots in rural Essex, Helen blends a childhood on chicken farms with a career in science and leadership — now playing a key role at the UK Agri-Tech Centre. 🐄🔬Helen’s journey spans animal science at Rittle College to cutting her teeth in sheep genetics with Innovis and developing sector-wide change through AHDB. She opens up about why pure research wasn’t for her and how she found purpose in making science work for people. 🧬🌿We explore her passion for livestock, from cattle to poultry, and her talent for building bridges across sectors. Helen shares how she’s developed her ‘half-pint’ skillset — enough to kickstart collaboration, even if not an expert in every niche. 🧩🤝From AHDB to CL to UK Agri-Tech Centre, Helen’s career reflects a drive to unite research, tech, and practice in agriculture. Her humility, knowledge, and love for systems-thinking shine through in a conversation that’s both inspiring and practical. 🌍💼Enjoy! 😊Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.#HelenBrookes #UKAgriTechCentre #LivestockScience #AnimalWelfare #RittleCollege #AgriTechLeadership #SheepGenetics #Innovis #AHDB #AgricultureInnovation #WomenInAg #HalfPintSkills #ScienceInFarming #AgriCollaboration #UKAgriculture #DairyBeefPoultry #PeopleInAgTech #FoodAndFarming #R2Kast #HowdenRural #PeopleInFoodAndFarming Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.