regenagri podcast
By regenagri
regenagri podcastFeb 09, 2022
Regenerating soft commodity supply chains
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 35, Rose Riley is in conversation with Ana Nicod, head of climate change strategy at global commodity merchant, ECOM Agroindustrial, and Boris Spassky, co-founder of GreenPods, France’s largest regenerative almond farm project.
Together, they discuss how the leading merchant, ECOM Agroindustrial, is working with its coffee, cocoa and cotton supply chains to substantiate regenerative agriculture claims and how the GreenPods farm project is working to regenerate the almond supply chain from the ground up.
From carbon accounting and credible verification to building climate resilience and restoring farm biodiversity, this is an episode not to be missed.
To learn more about ECOM Agroindustrial and GreenPods, visit the links below.
ECOM Agroindustrial
Website https://www.ecomtrading.com/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecom-trading/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ECOMAgroindustrial
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ecom.trading/ X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/ecom_trading
GreenPods
Website https://en.greenpods.ag/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/greenpods/
Building regenerative supply chain resilience
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In this insightful episode, Rose Riley is in conversation with Charlie Angelakos, vice-president of global external affairs and sustainability at McCain Foods, and Cannon Michael, president and CEO at Bowles Farming Company in California.
Together they delve into how building resilience in farming operations with regenerative practices is essential to ensure the sustainability and longevity of global food and textile systems, while striving to restore the environment and reverse climate change.
Charlie and Cannon share their strategies and experiences as their businesses transcend along regenerative journeys, such as managing hugely diverse crop rotations, learning to adapt practices while working in different climates around the world, implementing trial and error and mitigating risk.
They also discuss the importance of considering the human and community aspects of the regenerative approach, along with how crucial it is to have data integrity and claim credibility as the regenerative agriculture movement continues to evolve at pace.
To learn more about McCain Foods and Bowles Farming Company, visit the links below.
McCain Foods
Website https://www.mccain.com/
Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-hot-potato-podcast/id1707659701
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/mccainfoods/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mccainglobal
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mccainglobal/
X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/mccainglobal
Bowles Farming Company
Website https://bfarm.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BowlesFarming/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bowlesfarming/
X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/bowlesfarming
Role of data and digital technology in regenerative agriculture
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In this episode, Rose Riley speaks to Rebecca Geraghty, chief commercial officer at UK-based agri-food data marketplace, Agrimetrics, and Michele Bandecchi, CEO and founder of soil intelligence business, Smart Cloud Farming, about the role of data and digital technology in the transition to regenerative agriculture.
Rebecca and Michele discuss how sector innovations are helping farmers optimise sustainable farm management, while driving businesses in the supply chain to meet their environmental targets.
Agrimetrics aims to accelerate new innovations in agri-food and environmental sectors by hosting and governing data – including the regenagri platform. Simply put, Rebecca says: “Having better data helps make better decisions.”
Smart Cloud Farming aims to bring agronomy and AI together, to align soil intelligence and sustainable farming. Michele says: “You cannot improve what you cannot measure.”
Both Rebecca and Michele believe data and technology serves as a communications tool but the challenge lies in the way it is collated and presented to key stakeholders – interoperability of data is key.
To learn more about Agrimetrics and Smart Cloud Farming, visit the links below.
Agrimetrics
Website https://www.agrimetrics.co.uk/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/agrimetrics/
X (formerly Twitter) https://twitter.com/Agrimetrics
Smart Cloud Farming
Website https://www.smartcloudfarming.com/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/smartcloudfarming/
Holistic approach to regenerative coffee production
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In this episode, Rose Riley speaks to David Brussa, director of total quality and sustainability at illycaffè, which has just become the first coffee brand to achieve regenagri certification.
David shares illycaffè’s heritage, which instills quality and sustainability hand-in-hand, and the company’s regenerative agriculture mission.
Working closely with Brazilian coffee growers and the Federation of Cerrado Mineiro producers for 30 years, illycaffè has brought its supply chain together to produce the newly regenagri certified Arabica Selection Brazil Cerrado Mineiro coffee.
David explains how a holistic approach, farming with nature and reducing inputs, has helped coffee growers of Cerrado Mineiro increase yields and reduce pests, as well as improve the health of the community while working the land.
He also adds that regenerative agriculture is a journey of learning and to improve you must continuously test and trial practices and measure results.
To learn more about illycaffè and follow its biodiversity mission, visit the links below.
illycaffè
Website https://www.illy.com/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/illycaffe/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/illyuk/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/illy_coffee/
Using pollinator data to inform regenerative practices and improve biodiversity
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In this episode, Rose Riley speaks to Michaël van Cutsem, co-founder of Beeodiversity, about using pollinator data to inform regenerative practices, improve biodiversity and reduce environmental impact.
Michaël explains that we all benefit from biodiversity and bee pollination is fundamental to create and restore ecosystems. However, bees are in severe decline globally, at a rate of 30% per year, from a lack of biodiversity, risk of disease and an increase in pollutants.
Being natural drones, bees can tell us a lot about local environments. Using pioneering techniques and data analysis, pollen collected from strategically placed beehives provides a wealth of information about plant species diversity and pollutants in a targeted area.
Michaël shares how this data has been used to encourage regenerative farming practices and changes in corporate operations that benefit the environment, as well as human health, while also addressing the issue of bee decline.
To learn more about our Beeodiversity and to follow their biodiversity mission, visit the links below.
Website https://beeodiversity.com/en/
LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/company/beeodiversity/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BeeOdiversity/
YouTube @beeodiversity2982
Coaching supply chains in transitioning to regenerative agriculture
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
To explore the subject of coaching supply chains in transitioning to regenerative agriculture in the podcast’s 30th episode, Rose Riley welcomes Matthew Ryan, regeneration ] lead at Nestlé UK & Ireland, and Patrick Barker, partner at EJ Barker & Sons at Lodge Farm in Suffolk, East of England. Regenerative agriculture is a core pillar and fundamental part of global food and beverage company, Nestlé’s net zero commitments. Nestlé is striving to have 20% of its key ingredients sourced through regenerative methods by 2025, and 50% 2030.
Matthew explains how, to achieve these goals, Nestlé is championing collaborative initiatives, such as the Land Enterprise Network (LENs) and First Milk, to encourage regenerative principles at farm level and throughout the supply chain, to help build environmental and economic resilience.
Working closely with Nestlé as part of LENs, Patrick manages Lodge Farm alongside his cousin Brian Barker, an arable farm enterprise of 545 hectares, with a diverse 12-year rotation of feed winter wheat, herbage grass seed and break crops of spring barley, beans, oilseed rape or linseed.
Regenerative farming principles are at the heart of the farm’s ethos, building soil health and restoring nature, while running a successful business and knowledge sharing with other farmers.
The Barkers have just finished a nine-year Monitor and Strategic farm journey with the AHDB (Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board) in the UK, running field-scale trials on cost-benefit analyses of lower fungicide inputs, water quality benefits from cover cropping and biodiversity improvements from flowering strips.
To learn more about our guests and follow their regenerative journeys and perspectives, visit the links below.
Nestlé UK & Ireland
Website https://www.nestle.co.uk/en-gb/sustainability/regeneration
Twitter @NestleUKI
LinkedIn Nestlé
Facebook Nestlé UK & Ireland
Instagram @nestleuki
Landscape Enterprise Networks (LENs) https://landscapeenterprisenetworks.com/
EJ Barker & Sons, Lodge Farm
Website https://ahdb.org.uk/farm-excellence/strategic_cereal_farm_east
Twitter @The_Barker_Boys
BBC Wild Iles https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0fd45w7/wild-isles-saving-our-wild-isles
Direct from source – a more traceable and transparent cotton supply chain
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 29, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Fabiana Furlan, head of commercial, finance and sustainability at Scheffer, along with Alberto Candiani, owner and president of Candiani Denim, to explore the unusual connection formed between the two businesses from both ends of what is typically a fragmented textile supply chain.
Scheffer’s Brazilian farming production units produce the regenerative cotton that is supplied to Candiani Denim, based in Italy, for use in its clothing manufacturing processes to create sustainable denim products. Interested to learn more about regenerative agriculture and its principles and seeking more environmentally friendly sourced materials, Alberto sought this collaboration with Scheffer and their aligned values have seen the connection flourish.
Fabiana and Alberto discuss why their shared ethics, such as transparency and traceability, and integrity and credibility, are so important to them, within regenerative agriculture and the wider textile supply chain, and how regenerative practices offer futureproof solutions to ensure environmental stability and scalable business growth.
To learn more about our guests and follow their regenerative journeys and perspectives, visit the links below.
Scheffer
Website https://www.scheffer.agr.br/#
Twitter @gruposcheffer
LinkedIn Scheffer oficial
Facebook Scheffer
Instagram @schefferoficial
Candiani Denim
Website https://www.candianidenim.com/
LinkedIn Candiani SpA
Facebook Candiani Denim
Instagram @candianidenim
Biodiverse benefits of regenerative farming
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 28, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Michael Kavanagh, first-generation regenerative farmer and co-founder of the Green Farm Collective, and Andrew Christie, agronomist and agri-technologist at the James Hutton Institute, to discuss the biodiverse benefits of regenerative farming.
This episode explores Michael’s regenerative journey on his mixed arable and sheep 700ha farm in Shropshire, UK, over the last eight years and what inspired him and other likeminded award-winning regenerative farmers to create the Green Farm Collective.
Andrew also shares findings from large-scale regenerative trials in Scotland, with a diverse range of arable crops, that have just completed a second six-year rotation and how the cost-benefit analysis is showing that regenerative farming can deliver public goods as well as close the yield gap over time.
To learn more about our guests and follow their regenerative journeys and perspectives, visit the links below.
Green Farm Collective
Website https://www.greenfarmcollective.com/
Twitter @TheGreenFarmCo1 / @Churchfarmkav
Facebook Green Farm Collective
Instagram @thegreenfarmcollective
James Hutton Institute
Website https://www.hutton.ac.uk/
Twitter @JamesHuttonInst
Facebook James Hutton Institute
Instagram @jameshuttoninst
LinkedIn James Hutton Institute
Regen realities: Perceptions around regenerative dairy and egg production
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 27, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Mark Brooking Sustainability Director at British-owned dairy co-operative, First Milk, and John Brunnquell, CEO and President of US-based Egg Innovations, to discuss the transition to regenerative practices within dairy and egg supply chains.
This episode explores public perceptions and education around regenerative agriculture, market demand, investment from government and private sources for companies and farmers, measuring and evidencing the co-benefits of regenerative farming practices, and whether regenerative produce carries a premium among retailers and consumers.
To learn more about our guests and follow their regenerative journeys, visit the links below.
Facebook: @Frirst Milk
Twitter: @first_milk
LinkedIn: @First Milk
Facebook: @Egg Innovations
Twitter: @EggInnovations
LinkedIn: @Egg Innovations
Community benefits of regenerative agriculture
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 26, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Meshark Sikuku, regional Farm Systems and Sustainability Coordinator at Ripple Effect to discuss the community benefits of regenerative agriculture. Meshark has more than 15 years' experience working in agriculture with NGOs, helping communities to build sustainable farm systems for improving food security, nutrition and livelihoods.
Formerly known as Send a Cow, Ripple Effect was established in 1988 by a small group of West Country farmers. Its headquarters are in the UK, with a hub in Nairobi, where Meshark is based. The organisation works with smallholder farmers and communities across six countries in East Africa, bringing farmers together to learn new skills and share knowledge so they can improve their livelihoods and build sustainable agri-businesses.
In this episode, Meshark describes how the method of farming promoted by Ripple Effect’s peer farmer trainers is rooted in regenerative principles to protect natural environments and build resilience to climate change. This is important for making the land more productive, enabling framers to increase yields, generate more income and, in turn, to form co-operatives or diversify their farm businesses for accessing new markets and achieving greater control over their future.
Meshark shares success stories from his work in Kenya and Uganda, and also explains the importance of gender and social development training to ensure no one is left behind and that the community benefits of regenerative farming can be enjoyed by all.
To learn more about Ripple Effect visit rippleeffect.org. You can also follow them on social media @RippleEffectNGO.
Can regeneratively-produced food claim to be more nutritious and tastier?
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 25, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, is joined by David Montgomery, Professor of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington and co-author, with Anne Biklé, of the book ‘What Your Food Ate’. Through his work, David has compared the soil health and nutritional density of crops from regenerative farms to their non-regenerative neighbours. His new book delves into a wealth of scientific and historical evidence to uncover the connection between farming practices, soil health and human health and how the way we farm influences what gets into our food.
David is therefore perfectly placed to help us learn more in today’s episode about how food production can impact nutritional content and flavour, and we’ll be asking whether regeneratively-produced food can really claim to be more nutritious and tastier.
David’s book, ‘What Your Food Ate’ can be found via most online bookstores. Visit dig2grow.com to find out more.
Building financial and natural capital with regen ag
The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 24, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, is joined by Rachel Kolbe Semhoun, head of sustainability at Invivo Group in France, and Mellany Klompe, founder of the Soil Heroes Foundation, based in the Netherlands.
The episode explores the value streams that can come from regenerative agriculture – including climate resilience and risk reduction, attraction of new talent to the sector and working out the monetary value of natural capital built via regenerative agriculture.
Profitable transition to no-till systems
The regenagri podcast is where leading industry experts explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 23, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Dwayne Beck, who managed the Dakota Lakes Research Farm for 32 years. Since its opening, the entire facility at Dakota Lakes has been managed using continuous low-disturbance no-till and diverse rotations.
We’re also joined by Blake Vince, who farms 1,200 acres in Ontario, Canada, practicing low-disturbance no-till with diverse rotations and livestock integration.
In the podcast we explore why some farmers continue to use conventional tillage practices, despite the impacts on soil, as well as the typical drivers towards no-till systems and the costs to the farmer and savings associated with a no-till approach. We also look at how a no-till approach to farming can improve movement of water through soil and increase organic matter.
Regenerative wine production
The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 22, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, speaks to Kelly Mulville, the vineyard director at Paicines Ranch in California.
In this episode, we hear how Kelly has designed the vineyard from scratch, with the goal to produce high quality wine and food, while supporting ecosystem health and biodiversity.
He shares how he is implementing his vision of a vineyard which requires very few inputs or human labour, produces good yields of high quality grapes, produces animal protein, improves soil health, sequesters carbon, increases diversity and makes a good financial return.
Integrating livestock into an arable system
The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 21, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Sophie Alexander, from Hemsworth Farm in Dorset, England. After taking her farm over in 2011, Sophie has introduced a dairy herd to what had previously been a predominantly arable enterprise.
In this episode, we explore how livestock were introduced to the farm, how the impact of having cows grazing benefits the arable side of the business and overcoming some of the initial challenges with introducing livestock.
Sophie also shares how the dairy herd have become a vital component for driving the farm’s ‘ecological engine,’ resulting in healthy soils and increased biodiversity. The dairy side of the business also improved the farm’s financial resilience as it brings a consistent cash flow, complimenting the arable activities, in which there is a long wait between investing in establishing a crop and seeing any financial return from it.
How counting carbon fits with regenerative agriculture
The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 20, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Charlie Curtis, training and consulting manager at Cool Farm Alliance and Richard Gueterbock, agri-food and bioenergy adviser and co-editor of the RASE report - ‘Farm of the Future: Journey to Net Zero’.
The episode explores the methods farmers looking to achieve net zero carbon emissions might consider, and the opportunities available to anyone seeking to calculate carbon emissions and sequestration on-farm for the first time.
They also discuss how the wider supply chain must ensure that environmental changes requested of farmers are also profitable for farm businesses – or as Charlie puts it – “There’s no point in selling a BLT sandwich if you can no longer source the, B the L or the T!”
How to create a regenerative cotton supply chain
The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 19, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Liz Hershfield, head of sustainability at J Crew and Madewell, and Brent Crossland, founder of 5Loc Cotton.
The episode explores the development of regenerative cotton supply chains, connecting the crop in the field to the fashion on the hangers.
Both J Crew and Madewell have set a goal to use 100% sustainably-sourced cotton by 2025, and Liz shares how regeneratively grown cotton is key to meeting this target.
Brent helps brands trace the cotton used in their fabrics back to the seed and gathers the data to evidence sustainable practices at every step.
They discuss the influence of consumers and the role of certification in development of a regenerative cotton supply chain.
How can regenerative food systems create resilience in the face of the climate crisis?
The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 18, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes farm manager Nathan Nelson, from Deepdale Farm in Norfolk and Hodmedod’s co-founder, Josiah Meldrum.
They explore how the climate crisis is already impacting the reality of food production, with Nathan sharing his first-hand experience of droughts and extreme rainfall on his farm; challenging how regenerative food systems can build financial resilience now, and in the future.
What does the public think about regenerative farming?
The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.
In episode 17, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes journalist and author Anna Jones to the podcast.
Anna’s book, Divide, was launched in March 2022. It calls on people from both urban and rural communities to make the effort to learn and respect the social, cultural and political differences between town and country.
In this episode, Rose and Anna discuss how regenerative agriculture is perceived and understood by farming and urban communities. They take on the huge question of whose responsibility it is to ensure consumers have an awareness of how the food they eat impacts the environment. To round it off, Anna shares some tips for regenerative farmers looking to communicate what they’re doing and why, to people from different walks of life.
Regenerative ready meals
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In episode 16, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, welcomes Dominie Fearn, founder of the sustainable ready meal supplier, Wild Hare, to the podcast.
Wild Hare’s latest range, which includes regenagri certified beef, has just been launched to Ocado, making it available for home delivery through a nationwide supermarket – a huge step for regeneratively farmed food to break into the convenience market.
Dominie shares insight into how Wild Hare reached this point, including thoughts on the role of certification, retailers’ requirements and what the future may hold for regeneratively farmed convenience food.
Small changes, big differences – exploring the role of cover crops in regenerative farming systems
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In episode 15, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, speaks to Ian Gould from Oakbank, a consultancy which works closely with farmers and landowners to make the best use of agri-environment schemes to improve wildlife habitats.
They are also joined by Toby Simpson, a regenerative arable farmer in Cambridgeshire, who has worked in partnership with his Dad over the last few years to transition their farm from ‘scratch’ tillage to no tillage. He has been awarded a 2022 Nuffield scholarship to look at cover and catch cropping opportunities for UK arable farmers.
They consider the benefits of cover and catch crops to soil health and pest management and explore how to measure the impact of cover cropping on soil health and carbon capture.
How can sustainability be made the norm?
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In episode 14, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, speaks to Dr Shatadru Chattopadhayay from Solidaridad, an international civil society organisation with expertise in supply chain sustainability and resilience.
They explore how sustainability can be made the norm at every stage of supply chains. For Shatadru, this includes enabling farmers and workers to earn a sufficient income, produce in balance with nature, and shape their own future. It must also involve strengthening links between producers and markets and stimulating demand for products which are good for the planet.
How can technology support the transition to regenerative food systems?
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In episode 13, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, welcomes Rob Ward, founder and CEO at Forward Food.
With experience in farming, ag-tech and retail businesses, Rob views the food and farming sectors from multiple perspectives. Throughout the episode, he and Harry discuss how tech solutions can support a transition to regenerative food systems and pave the way to a profitable, subsidy-free farming sector.
UN conventions – how can they impact the future of farming?
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In episode 12, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, welcomes James Lomax from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
James’ work focuses on regenerative and net-positive agriculture, sustainable land-use finance mechanisms and coordinating UNEP’s internal work on food systems and agriculture.
With COP26 in progress at the time of recording, there is no better time to explore how UN conventions bring about tangible impacts. James also reflects on the UN biodiversity conference, COP15, which took place in October, and how farming has a crucial role to play in finding solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises.
Rewilding – regenerative farming’s unexpected ally?
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In episode 11, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, looks into how regenerative farming and rewilding can work together to unlock natural capital.
He is joined by Ivan de Klee, regenerative land management consultant and conservationist on Knepp Estate in West Sussex. Ivan has previously worked in Kenya, India, Australia and South Sudan, so brings insight into how farms all over the world can work with natural processes.
At Knepp, Ivan leads on all rewilding and natural capital opportunities on the 3,500 acre estate. He is also leading on the Weald to Waves nature corridor from Ashdown Forest to the Climping Gap. He also facilitates the Upper Adur Farmers group, which is made up a cluster of farms in the Low Weald who are adopting more regenerative and wildlife friendly farming systems.
Using certification to open the door to international markets
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In the tenth episode, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, delves into the problems faced by small-scale producers when accessing international markets.
He is joined by Bobbie Garbutt, who brings two perspectives to the conversation. Bobbie’s family grow nutmeg and cocoa on L’Esterre Estate in Granada, using regenerative farming methods. The farm was the second on the island to achieve organic certified status, which enables them to receive a higher price for their exported produce.
Bobbie is also a sales associate at Ethiopian agribusiness, Greenpath Food, which supplies regeneratively grown fresh produce from small-scale East African farms to businesses across the world. She shares how certification has supported the route to market for Greenpath Food producers, and the impact it has had.
Farming for dung beetles
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In the ninth episode, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, delves into how dung beetles support integrated parasite management.
He is joined by Claire Whittle, from LLM Farm Vets, part of the VetPartners group, and James Allen, who farms in the Cotswolds, grazing on the Bruern Estate. Both Claire and James are members of the dung beetles for farmers group, which raises awareness of the benefits of dung beetles on farmland and how farmers can help them to increase their numbers.
On top of her day job as a vet, Claire has been awarded a Nuffield scholarship to research the extent to which regenerative agriculture practices can improve the health and welfare of livestock. She is grappling with the dynamics between offering the best advice for her clients’ animals and what’s best for the environment.
James shares how being a first-generation farmer has helped him, as he is not constrained by how things have ‘always been done’. He uses conservation grazing practices to support wildflower meadows and soil health.
We also delve into some welfare issues including how to balance the need for freedom of choice with mob grazing methods and the benefits of on farm slaughter.
Incorporating regenerative grazing
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In the eighth episode, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, explores how regenerative grazing practices can be incorporated into farm systems.
He is joined by Neil Harley, from British farms, Weavelands and Cheswell Grange, and Glen Burrows, co-founder of the Ethical Butcher. Neil shares some of the benefits he has seen since adopting regenerative grazing practices for his beef herd.
He supplies the Ethical Butcher with regenagri certified beef, which is used in the extremely popular GROUND burger kit. Glen shares the story behind his business, including how regeneratively produced meat benefits the health of both people and the planet.
Transitioning to green finance
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In the seventh episode, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, delves into transitioning to green finance.
He is joined by Paul Pizzala, chief information officer at New Foundation Farms, a regenerative agrifood enterprise on a mission to produce food and fibre in a way that supports soils, communities and human health.
Paul’s career started out in the city working in private client investment management. Following the global financial crisis in 2008, his career took an exciting twist when he enrolled on a permaculture course and became interested in systems thinking, leading him to where he is today.
Alongside Harry and Paul is Tim Coates, who farms 1,450 acres in Oxfordshire. He is also a co-founder and chief customer officer at Oxbury Bank, a dedicated agricultural bank which supports farmers in a sustainable way.
Harry, Paul and Tim explore how farmers looking to transition to a more regenerative approach can link with funding. They also look to a future in which there will be an accessible income stream delivered by the impact of regenerative farming practices on the land, which is as well as, not in place of, income from food production.
Championing British wool
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In episode six, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, focuses on regenerative textiles, primarily the production of British wool.
Joining Harry is Ruth Rands, founder and CEO of HERD, which creates sustainable knitwear from Bluefaced Leicester wool, sourced in the North West of England.
Ruth is passionate about turning the tide on synthetic mass-made woollen clothing and instead using high-quality English heritage wool produced locally with non-toxic dyes, thus reducing the carbon footprint associated with garment manufacture.
Alongside Harry and Ruth is Soil Association and Pasture for Life certified organic farmer, Leigh Weston, otherwise known as social media sensation ‘Hill Top Farm Girl’.
With her partner, Neil Heseltine, she manages a flock of Bluefaced Leicester, Wensleydale and Swaledale sheep as well as a herd of breeding pedigree Belted Galloway cattle on their upland farm in the Yorkshire Dales.
Leigh explains how downsizing livestock numbers has benefited the business and farmland over time, economically and ecologically. Plus, she describes how versatile the sheep breeds they rear are for breeding stock and producing meat and wool.
Transitioning to regenerative agriculture
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In this episode, we explore the ambitious regenerative farming strategy being implemented across 3,600 acres at Bradford Estates in Shropshire in the UK.
Newly appointed farm manager, the first since 1982, Oliver Scott, joins Harry Farnsworth to discuss owner Alexander Newport’s 100-year vision and plans for a more sustainable farming future at Bradford.
And Hutchinsons’ head of agroecology, Ed Brown, shares his experience of embarking on a soil regeneration journey through cover-cropping, reducing inputs and incorporating machinery and livestock within rotations, while maintaining yields and crop quality.
Incorporating agroforestry into regenerative systems
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In this episode, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, hosts a conversation about incorporating agroforestry into regenerative systems and how it can benefit the farmed environment.
Joining Harry is Ben Raskin, head of horticulture at the Soil Association. With 25 years’ experience and contributing to numerous publications, such as The Agroforestry Handbook, Ben offers practical advice to farmers looking bring more trees into their rotations.
Adding an international perspective, Tirion Keatinge, European agroforestry project developer at Pretaterra, explains what’s worked well, and not so well, in agroforestry projects around the world.
And for those interested in embarking on the agroforestry journey, Ben and Tirion suggest where to look for more information, including:
· Agroforestry UK Facebook group
How to approach regenerative farming
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.
In this, our third episode, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, hosts a discussion on the highs and lows of transitioning from conventional practices, farm diversification and the economics of farming regeneratively.
Joining Harry is Ian Steele, from Treflach Farm in Shropshire, who practices holistic methods on his care farm, with a diverse, mixed rotation, plus its own butchery and bakery on-site.
Ian explains what made him move towards regenerating the land and the steps he’s taken to improve water quality and biodiversity on-farm.
With Knight Frank’s head of agri-consultancy, Tom Heathcote, sharing his experiences of working with farm businesses on their regenerative journeys, they uncover what funding is available to farmers and the importance of monitoring and analysing data in the transitioning process.
Soil - the future of food?
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture with industry stakeholders.
In this second episode, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, delves into the importance of soil health with two leading ‘boots on the ground’ experts.
Independent plant and soil health educator, Joel Williams, of Integrated Soils, shares his expert opinion, 20 years in the making. He shares his knowledge and passion for the management of soil microbial ecology, plant nutrition and integrated approaches to sustainable food production.
Joel and Harry are also joined by Ed Horton, a farmer based in the heart of the Cotswolds, who is pioneering regenerative approaches at Poulton Fields Farm, utilising the perfect combination of traditional and modern techniques to maximise quality yields.
Biodiversity led farming
The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture with industry stakeholders.
In this first episode Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, discusses biodiversity in conversation with two leading experts.
Ian Boyd, an OF&G and Pasture for Life organic farmer, who produces Hereford cattle for his family business, Cotswold Beef, draws on his own experiences to explain why it’s vital to farm in a way that works with nature and allows space for flora and fauna to thrive.
And Jenny Phelps MBE, a senior farm conservation advisor at the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), outlines the importance of support and education in encouraging the transition to more regenerative approaches within farm enterprises.
Together, they also examine the need to ensure decisions relating to agricultural policy and in the wider supply chain help restore our natural ecosystems and enhance the farmed environment, whilst making it economically viable to do so.