The Whole Story
By Becks Smith
Each week we discuss the Goals(SDGs) and talk to someone making progress towards them within agriculture.
We will talk about people’s funny on-farm stories, their views on the opportunities for sustainability in agriculture, and every one of them will leave us with a practical take-home sustainability tip!
Brought to you with support from FMG Insurance.
The Whole StoryOct 23, 2023
28. Amanda Hasselman - Temple Peak Station
In the episode Becks sits down with Amanda Hasselman from Temple Peak Station, a Toitū Certified Carbon Zero Sheep and Beef farm at the head of the Wakatipu Valley. As well as farming alongside her husband Mark, Amanda has been a trustee on the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust for 10 years since its inception, and is part of the Southern Lakes Sanctuary and within both roles is deeply passionate about predator management for the restoration and protection of our native biodiversity.
Having farmed Temple Peak since 1979 through the era of Livestock Incentive Schemes, Tenure Review, a change in breed and now the shift to Regenerative Agriculture and becoming a Toitū Carbon Zero farm they sure have seen some change, challenge and opportunity in their time.
I hope you enjoy this episode and the perspectives of someone who after walking the hills for many years, is "now starting to hear the music of the valley", who sees a real role for farming and conservation to occur in the same space, and is excited about farm succession and the potential within our industry with the continued opportunity to learn.
Episode Resources:
• Campaign for Wool video on Temple Peak Station | Watch here
• Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust | Website
• Southern Lakes Sanctuary | Website
• Book Mention | Aroha - Dr Hinemoa Elder
• Nicole Masters | Soil Resilience Tour - North Island
• Nicole Masters | Soil Resilience Tour - South Island
Within this episode Amanda refers to AF8 - this stands for Alpine Fault 8 which is the alpine fault running down the Southern Alps which is overdue for rupture and will have a catastrophic impact on New Zealand, especially the Glenorchy region as they are sitting directly on the Alpine Fault.
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
27. Alexis Wadworth - Bare Hill Farming
In this episode Becks is joined by Alexis Wadworth, Alexis is farming with her husband Nick and 2 year old daughter Addison down at Bare Hill Farming in Central Southland. Bare Hill is a sheep and beef property running almost 8000 stock units with a significant portion of ineffective land area. In all her spare time Alexis is also Chairwoman of the Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group.
With farming heritage and a banking background Alexis has brought a significant skillset into the farming team, but likewise engineer Nick is pretty handy to have around too. They are passionate about being responsible land stewards and building a sustainable farming business; creating an environment that future generations can thrive in. But not doing this alone, ensuring they are growing alongside their community, valuing partnerships within the business and holding space for their own values and interests alongside their wishes for quality time together as a family.
Nick and Alexis were 2023 finalists in the Balance Farm Environment Awards and worthy recipients of the Norwood Farming Efficiency Award. This episode is a must-listen as Alexis shares with us the unique challenges faced by a property where under half the total land area is effective hectares, their changing stock policies to manage this challenge and learn about the Japanese Lean Management principle of Kaizen which is pivotal to their business.
Episode Resources:
- Alexis Wadworth LinkedIn
- Bare Hill Farming Instagram
- 2023 Ballance Farm Environment Awards - Bare Hill Farming Story
- DJI Drones for Agriculture
- More information about Kaizen
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
THROWBACK - Julia Jones, Chief Hope Officer - Head On NZ
The employer and job title my have changed since this episode was released but the incredible insights, enthusiasm, inspiration and relevance that this woman provides in this podcast most certainly have not!
She has just done the West Coast Recharge Tour with B+LNZ and it has definitely left a few of us feeling a need for our Julia fix! So here it is!
We are on a two-week break with Season Two of the podcast (as Becks has finally got off-farm for a holiday) but it's a timely reminder of how to face adversity and challenges head-on and tackle that all important mindset piece.
Take a listen if you haven't already, or if you just want a reminder, and we look forward to bringing you fresh episodes in a weeks time!
THROWBACK - Episode 1. of The Whole Story Podcast with Bridget Williams from Bead & Proceed
Take a listen to a throwback episode to the FIRST ever episode of The Whole Story Podcast.
We are on a two-week break with Season Two of the podcast (as Becks has finally got off-farm for a holiday) but it's a timely reminder of what the UN Sustainable Development Goals are and how we can weave these into Agriculture!
Take a listen if you havent already, or if you just want a reminder, and we look forward to bringing you fresh episodes in two weeks time!
26. Nick Gill - Greystone Wines & The Food Farm
In this episode Becks is joined by Nick Gill. Nick is the General Manager at NZ's first organic, regenerative, CarbonZero winery, Greystone Wines, and the other half of the powerhouse duo running The Food Farm alongside his wife Angela Clifford.
The Food Farm is their Tūrangawaewae, their place to stand, a place where they connect with the earth and organically grow annual and perennial vegetables, berries and tree crops. They have a young food forest, a traditional orchard and espaliered fruit trees; Wiltshire sheep, Pekin Ducks, Wessex Saddleback pigs, Cob500 meat chickens, Barred Rock and Brown Shaver laying hens, Jersey milking cows and honey bees! They save heirloom seeds, host Wwoofers and and now a yurt for hosting educational and engagement events connecting others with food and empowering people with tools to take into their own home gardens.
Nick is also a family man, he talks a lot in this episode about where he’s come from, his family roots, the connection with food that came from becoming a father and now the importance of farming in the legacy he leaves for his children, and we even get an emotional insight into the response of seeing a sneak preview of his seventeen year old daughter in her formal dress. But he also offers some great practical tips of mindset, diversity and the importance of action.
Episode Resources:
• Nick Gill | LinkedIn
• Greystone Wines | Website
• Greystone Wines Instagram | @greystonewines
• The Food Farm | Website
• The Food Farm Instagram | @thefoodfarmnz
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
25. John Hollows - KEEWAI (Ernslaw One)
In this episode Becks is joined by John Hollows the Aquaculture Manager from Ernslaw One. Now most people from around our parts know Ernslaw One as a forestry company, so what are they doing with an aquaculture manager? Well John is farming kōura, or freshwater crayfish, in areas of forestry that would traditionally be non-productive in the business. These kōura are marketed locally to restaurants within Central Otago under the KEEWAI brand.
John is a freshwater cray fanatic having been cray-mad now for about 20 years and although discouraged from talking kōura at home, we let him loose here and asked all the curly questions about how they’ve built this incredible industry farming these unique little native critters. We dive into where they live, what they eat, how you harvest them and even how useful they might be at disposing of dead bodies.
In all seriousness though this is a fascinating conversation and of utmost interest to me was the biodiversity and water quality benefits that the habitats for kōura and the kōura themselves provide. They are biological markers for water quality but can also generate a revenue off the back of ecological improvements. We also explore some of the indigenous history of the kōura and it’s establishment throughout Central Otago and the concept of sustainable harvest.
Episode Resources:
• John Hollows | LinkedIn
• KEEWAI | Website
• Ernslaw One | Website
• John's E-book | Freshwater Crayfish Farming - A Guide to Getting Started
• Rural Deliver video showcasing the Ernslaw One kōura operation in more depth including showing the hatchery | YouTube video link
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
24. Ben Anderson - Totara Hills Farming
In this episode Becks gets the chance to sit down with Ben Anderson, from the Central Hawkes Bay. An ex-Army Officer with a Risk Management background who grew up on a Sheep and Beef property, Ben is currently a Velvet Producer, Tree Farmer and Dairy Farmer but going through farm systems change as we speak!
Ben is a Nuffield Scholar and his report was titled "The Green and the Black of it - Economic and Environmental Sustainability of the NZ deer industry and the case for change." It is this case for change Becks is particularly interested in, not only as a deer farmer herself, but also as an Agricultural Sustainability Coach working with other farmers to take on sustainability linked opportunities.
Ben is an avid hunter, and you get an idea of where this passion arose from as he recounts some entertaining childhood memories in this yarn. And although risk management is not always the most engaging of topics, Ben has a pragmatic way of chatting about the financial risks involved in farming. Some of his take home tips are extremely relevant at the moment as we face challenging financial times in the agriculture sector, so settle in with an open-mind for an episode where we might challenge a few commonly held beliefs, but hopefully we offer reasoning leave you with a bit of inspiration and optimism.
Episode Resources:
• Ben Anderson | LinkedIn
• Ben's 2021 Nuffield Scholar Report | Website
• Farmer's Weekly Eating the Elephant
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
23. Thomas MacDonald - Spring Sheep Milk Co
In this episode Becks has the pleasure of reconnecting with Thomas MacDonald, Chief Operating Officer of Spring Sheep Milk Co - a sheep milk nutrition company taking the goodness of New Zealand sheep milk to the world. Spring Sheep Milk Co. is supplied by milk from around 20,000 milking sheep across the North Island.
Thomas MacDonald is a third-generation dairy farmer from Gordonton, Waikato, who has found a unique space within the New Zealand Agricultural sector combining our strengths of producing high-quality dairy products with our national expertise of farming sheep. Where best-suited land-use, farm systems expertise, existing infrastructure, sustainable practices and a close connection with consumer combine - that’s where you will find Spring Sheep.
The New Zealand sheep milking industry as a start-up sector is no stranger to fast-pace of change so Thomas’ insights into how to approach change are invaluable. So settle in with a cuppa for this next episode of The Whole Story Podcast, or even better have a listen while you’re out getting some much needed Vitamin D - Spring has sprung!
Episode Resources:
- Spring Sheep Milk Co | Website
- Spring Sheep Instagram | @springsheepnz
- Thomas MacDonald | LinkedIn
- Agresearch Low-Methane Sheep Research | Website
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
22. Lance Gillespie - Pastured Poultry
In this episode Becks catches up with Lance Gillespie from Pastured Poultry in the Manawatu. Lance has a background in dairy farming but has been on a journey discovering biological farming practices, soil health and the opportunity for integrating chickens into a livestock farming system.
Lance is now basically full time importing, selling, assembling and distributing chicken trailers to large-scale farmers and small block holders nationwide, with a little bit of soil-coaching thrown in for good measure.
Settle in to this episode to hear Lance’s thought on sustainability, a bit more about the other half of this powerhouse duo, Katherine and his thoughts on sustainable on farm practices and mindset.
Episode Resources:
• Pastured Poultry Equipment NZ website | https://www.pasturedpoultry.co.nz/
• Pastured Poultry Instagram | @pasturedpoultryequipmentnz
• Links to Regenerative Agriculture Regional Groups | https://www.quorumsense.org.nz/regional-groups-support
• Manawatu Regen Ag(MRA) Discussion Group | https://www.facebook.com/ManawatuRegen
• Katherine Gillespie Growforte website | https://www.growforte.com/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
21. Jo Hay - Springbank Farm
In this episode Becks catches up with Jo Hay, who alongside her husband Ross and their 3 kids farms Sheep & Beef in North Otago.
Jo wears many hats in the agricultural sector including Director on the North Otago Irrigation Company, Beef+LambNZ Central South Island Farmer Councillor, Steering Committee member for North Otago Sustainable Land Management (NOSLaM) and most recently donning the hat of Director on the board of Meat the Need…But to Jo nothing beats that feeling of stepping back out onto the farm!
Jo’s viewpoint on Sustainability is really refreshing and the conversation about change mindset and our ability to find opportunity in challenge is so important along with the weaving of multiple Sustainable Development Goals throughout the farming business and her agri-sector contributions.
In this episode Jo refers to the Māori whakatauki “Mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei” For us and Our Children After Us which is of Ngai Tahu origin.
Episode Resources:
• Jo Hay Instagram | @themusingewe
• Jo Hay LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-hay-1340ab1a6
• North Otago Irrigation Company | https://www.noic.co.nz/
• North Otago Sustainable Land Management (NOSLaM) | https://www.noslam.nz/
• Meat the Need | https://meattheneed.org/
• Lip Gloss & Gumboots Facebook | Lip Gloss and Gumboots
• B+LNZ Farmer Councils | https://beeflambnz.com/about/contact-us/farmer-councils
• Farm Assurance Plus | https://www.nzfap.com/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
20. Andrew Darling - Adar Farming
In this episode Becks catches up with Andrew Darling, an arable farmer who farms with his wife Amy and their three boys just South of Timaru, leasing the family farm off Andrew's parents Warren and Joy.
They discuss the importance of soil health and profitability in Sustainable agriculture and the benefits of tech integration on farm through the likes of sensing tractors and nutrient mapping.
Andrew is Federated Farmers Vice-President Arable Chair, a Corteva Climate Positive regional leader and since this episode was recorded they have been awarded the Environmental & Sustainability Award at the 2023 Arable Awards.
So settle in and have a listen to how they "walk the talk" of Sustainability of farm and hear how multiple Sustainable Development Goal are woven through Andrew's farming business.
Episode Resources:
• Andrew LinkedIn | https://nz.linkedin.com/in/andrew-darling-485179ab
• Federated Farmers | https://www.fedfarm.org.nz/
• Foundation for Arable Research | https://www.far.org.nz/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
19. Myfanwy Alexander - Penmark Farms
In this episode we discuss Myfanwy’s path into farming, the low-hanging sustainability fruit that she has put into practice and the crucial role that team management plays in sustainability.
This season has a slightly different flavour, each week Becks will be discussing a different farming system from a variety of industries within of our food and fibre sector. We will then jump in at the end and discuss how multiple sustainable development goals integrate within this farming system. So enjoy our first episode of season two of The Whole Story Podcast!
Episode Resources:
• Myfanwy LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/myfanwy-alexander-3bb0888a
• Myfanwy Instagram | @penmark_farms_nz
• Federated Farmers | www.fedfarm.org.nz/
• Dairy Women’s Network | www.dwn.co.nz/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
18. Emma Rowe - FMG Insurance
17. Andrew Morrison - Beef+Lamb NZ
16. David Norton - Native Biodiversity
In this episode Becks catches up with Emeritus Professor David Norton; a man whom having taught and researched the ecology and conservation of Aotearoa NZ’s native biodiversity for over 35 years, David is “just plain passionate about plants.”
This week’s episode is based around UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 “Life on Land” and David highlights the work he is doing through individual farm consultancy, workshops, public speaking, industry body and independent advocacy.
As an avid mountaineer, tramper and instagrammer; David is passionate about educating and engaging an audience around biodiversity conservation and sustainable farm management. David not only works alongside farmers but also advocates at the highest levels for our native biodiversity, so kick back and enjoy, and get ready to take, not one, but TWO practical actions on farm!
Episode Resources:
• David Norton Instagram | @davidnortonnz
• Pure Advantage Website | https://pureadvantage.org
• QEII National Trust Website | https://qeiinationaltrust.org.nz
• NZ Landcare Trust Catchment Groups Map | https://landcare.org.nz/regions-groups/catchments-map/
• UN SDG Goal 15 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/biodiversity/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
15. Alison Dewes - Tipu whenua
In this episode Becks catches up with Alison Dewes from Tipu whenua, a veterinarian, farmer, mother to 3 children and passionate holistic systems thinker. Alison comes from a background of multi-generational dairy farming and she herself has farmed both here and in Australia. She now works with catchment ecosystems with her veterinary diagnostic hat on and a one-health “Mountains to Sea” approach allowing her to problem-solve at the root cause.
This week’s episode is based around UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 “Life below Water” but this doesn’t really do justice to this goal whose targets more specifically refer to how we conserve and sustainablay use the oceans, seas and marine resources with particular reference to how we avoid negative impacts as a result of land use on these ecosystems.
Alison is fiercly passionate about ecosystem restoration, working with farmers to provide practical solutions and holistic sustainability, and this episode highlights some of the exciting projects she is involved in.
Episode Resources:
• Tipu whenua Website | https://www.tipuwhenua.com
• Wai Kokopu Website | https://www.wai-kokopu.org.nz
• Alison Dewes LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-dewes-9307b235/
• UN SDG Goal 15 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/oceans/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
14. Cam Henderson - He Waka Eke Noa
In this episode Becks catches up with Cam Henderson, a dairy farmer from North Canterbury, director on the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd board and the Federated Farmers representative on the He Waka Eke Noa partnership.
This week’s episode is based around UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 “Climate Action” and Cam highlights the work he is doing and has been a part of already in NZ’s Agricultural sector to enable us to take urgent action to combat climate change and it’s impacts on NZ farmers.
Cam brings a mindset of optimism and opportunity to this conversation; whether it be discussing the importance of balance in our sustainability efforts, his learnings from being one of the 13 in the He Waka Eke Noa partnership or the opportunity for agriculture to change the narrative and instead of dwelling on our role in the climate change problem, take opportunties to be a pivotal part of the solution. So sit back and jump on the ride for our last episode of The Whole Story Podcast for 2022 –because we’re ending the year with a banger!
We will be taking a break for Christmas and New Years, watch out for our first episode back for 2023 in mid January!
Episode Resources:
• He Waka Eke Noa Website | https://hewakaekenoa.nz
• Cam Henderson’s Nuffield report | https://ruralleaders.co.nz/nuffield-scholars/2019-nuffield-scholar-profile-cameron-henderson/
• Cam Henderson LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-henderson-722a1672/
• UN SDG Goal 13 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/climate-change/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
13. Tony Wilson - Agrecovery
In this episode Becks catches up with Tony Wilson, General Manager of Agrecovery. Tony is a lifelong-learner, currently doing his 7th qualification, a Masters at Massey University on the Sustainable Development Goals; but he manages to balance out the heavy-lifting his grey matter is doing as he is also a keen mountain-biker and surfer!
This week’s episode is based around UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production and Tony highlights the work Agrecovery is doing as a not-for-profit charitable trust providing practical and seamless solutions for NZ farmers.
Tony and I could have talked for days on our thoughts around sustainability, the complexities of it and the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals but we wanted to drive home practical messages. We talk about how and what farmers can recycle with Agrecovery, we talk about what solutions are coming next and importantly the shift in mindset required to view farm waste as a resource that if cared for can be repurposed.
Episode Resources:
• Agrecovery Website | https://agrecovery.co.nz
• Agrecovery Instagram | @agrecovery
• Agrecovery Facebook | @AgrecoveryRuralRecycling
• Agrecovery Twitter | @ruralrecycleNZ
• Tony Wilson LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-wilson-0b237a4
• Green-farms Product Stewardship Scheme Co-Design Report | https://agrecovery.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/GREEN-FARMS-Product-Stewardship-Scheme-Co-design-Report-Final-July-2022.pdf
• UN SDG Goal 12 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
12. Gill Naylor - Rural Women New Zealand
In this episode Becks sits down in-person with Gill Naylor the National President of Rural Women New Zealand. Gill has had a career of taking deep breaths and stepping up when opportunities arise. With a background of farming for over 30 years with her husband Dave in Becks, Central Otago she worked her way up the through the committee and voluntary role network to find her way to her current role as National President.
This episode is based around the UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities and highlights the work that Rural Women New Zealand does as an integral part of rural New Zealand supporting viable rural communities and being their “voice at the table”.
Sitting down for a coffee with Gill was a wonderful experience and seeing her passion and pride for the mahi that Rural Women New Zealand does and the values that the organisation stands for was really humbling. So have a listen and I hope that you learn a little something more about Rural Women New Zealand and enjoy some insight into the humble leader at it’s helm.
Episode Resources:
• Rural Women New Zealand Website | https://ruralwomennz.nz
• Rural Women New Zealand Instagram | @ruralwomen_nz
• Rural Women New Zealand Facebook | @ruralwomennz
• Rural Women New Zealand Twitter | @RuralWomenNZ
• Gill Naylor LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/gill-naylor-9239276a
• Black Heels and Tractor Wheels RWNZ Podcast | https://linktr.ee/ruralwomennz
• UN SDG Goal 11 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
11. Carl Storey - Hōhepa Hawkes Bay
In this episode Becks catches up with Carl Storey, Farm and Land Enterprises Manager from Hōhepa Hawkes Bay. Carl is a man with a lifetime of experience in the agricultural sector who has travelled and brought some niche cheese-making skills home to Aotearoa, NZ. The work he does with Hōhepa has gifted him some beautiful insights into the world around inclusivity and the joy he has found by being involved shines through in this episode.
This episode is based around the UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 – Reduced Inequalities and and highlights the inspirational community that Hōhepa has created; opening doors for those with disabilities to promote empowerment and inclusion opportunities within agriculture.
As Carl sums it up, the opportunity is for us to learn from them; to learn to take the world at face value, to experience joy at living a meaningful life and to experience a world without barriers of “difference”. This is a touching episode and also provides some very real solutions to labour workforce challenges we are currently experiencing through our sector.
Episode Resources:
• Hōhepa Website | https://www.hohepa.com
• Hōhepa Instagram | @hohepahawkesbayhttps://www.facebook.com/HawkesBay.Hohepa/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Hōhepa Facebook | @HawkesBay.Hohepa
• Farmer Time New Zealand | https://www.farmertime.co.nz
• Dairy NZ School Farm Visit | https://www.dairynz.co.nz/about-us/education/school-farm-visits/
• Open Farms | https://www.openfarms.co.nz
• UN SDG Goal 10 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
10. Julia Jones - NZX
In this episode Becks has the incredible opportunity to chat to Julia Jones, head of analytics at NZX where she has arrived after spending almost 15 years in the rural banking sector before moving to KPMG in consulting. It is this experience that makes her the perfect guest to speak on this weeks episodes.
This episode is based around the UN Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Industry, Infrastructure and Innovation and we touch on the successes and opportunties for all three of these in our conversation.
Julia’s LinkedIn tagline is inspiring, driving change and keeping it real and she sure does that, make sure you have a listen to enjoy her hilarious stories about experiences in the real farming world and see if you can list the many opportunities she presents for us in the agricultural sector in NZ.
Episode Resources:
• LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliajonesnz/
• Twitter | https://twitter.com/juliajones110
• Landshark Learns to Run Fast(a children’s book written by Julia about her pony Landshark ) | https://www.landsharknz.com
• Landshark’s Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/landsharknz/
• UN SDG Goal 9 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/infrastructure-industrialization/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
9. Pita Alexander - Chartered Accountant
In this episode Becks sits down with the legendary Pita Alexander, chartered accountant and founder of Alexanders, a leading Christchurch-based agribusiness accountancy and advisory firm. Pita has been in the agribusiness accountancy game for over 35 years and has seen many boom and bust cycles in agriculture.
This episode is based around the UN Sustainable Development Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; and with Pita’s wealth of experience his thoughts on the importance of good financial management to the sustainability story are not to be ignored.
Pita is an avid reader, a global traveler and a hard-worker from humble beginnings, he is still clocking a 7-day week, passionate about what he does and the people he serves.
Episode Resources:
• Alexander’s website | http://www.alexanders.net.nz
• UN SDG Goal 8 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/economic-growth/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
8. Mike Casey - Forest Lodge Orchard
In this episode Becks chats with Mike Casey, Cromwell’s new kid on the block when it comes to horticulture. With a background in tech, not farming, Mike is definitely making his own mark on the industry by starting the worlds first 100% electric, zero fossil fuel cherry orchard and selling their cherries through the consumer brand that he co-founded called NZ0. Mike reached out to me over social media and I had the pleasure of heading over to check out the orchard.
This Episode is based around UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy and we tackle the real conversation around how we can make meaningful impact of agricultural emissions footprint by reducing fossil fuel emissions and also the benefits of electrification to the bottom line
Mike is a numbers man and not shy about sharing data, so this episode is full of specific examples and financial figures in the hope that by sharing his experience others will be more open and confident to change.
Episode Resources:
• Forest Lodge Orchard website | https://www.forestlodge.nz
• Forest Lodge Instagram | @forestlodgeorchard
• NZ0 website | https://www.nz0.com/
• NZ0 Instagram | @newzealandzero
• Mike Casey LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesimoncasey
• UN SDG Goal 7 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/energy/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
7. Keri Johnston - IrrigationNZ
In this episode Becks chats to Keri Johnston, chair of the IrrigationNZ board, farming wife and mother, natural resources engineer and founding director and principle of Irricon Resource Solutions. Keri’s professional passion for land and water shines strongly through our conversation and her career to date.
This Episode is based around UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation which is focused on ensuring water availability and sustainable management of water sanitation for all which aligns perfectly with the holistic and integrated water management approach that Keri is taking along with both IrrigationNZ and Irricon Resource Solutions.
This is a timely conversation around our opportunity to do what is right over what is easy, to demonstrate bravery in our leadership and discuss the mindset shift required to approach the rate and degree of challenge currently facing our sector. Keri is a compassionate leader walking the talk of bringing a vision to life with the beautiful underlying intention of giving back to a sector that has given so much to her.
Episode Resources:
• IrrigationNZ website | https://www.irrigationnz.co.nz
• Irricon Resource Solutions website | https://irricon.co.nz
• Keri Johnston LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/keri-johnston/
• UN SDG Goal 6 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
6. Lindy Nelson - Empowering Women in Agriculture
In this episode Becks chats to Lindy Nelson, founder of the Agri-Women’s Development Trust, critical farming partner alongside her husband David, host of the “Amplifying Us” podcast and current chair of Safer Farms.
This Episode is based around UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 - Gender Equality and as true champion for women who is passionate about amplifying the connection between food, farming, women's leadership and food insecurity this conversation hits at the heart.
This is an emotional conversation for me; and I am left in tears as we discuss farm safety. Lindy has been instrumental to inspiring my leadership journey and I know she will inspire you all with her conversation. Her take home sustainability tip is simple, achievable and something that applies to all of us, so stick around to the end to make sure you don’t miss out!
Episode Resources:
• Agri-Women’s Development Trust Website | https://www.awdt.org.nz
• Amplifying Us Podcast | https://open.spotify.com/show/0Vv7T52GzyDkYhD5pQIozI?si=c8d8b9772dcc422a
• Safer Farms Website | https://saferfarms.org.nz
• Local Iwi Information | https://www.tkm.govt.nz/browse/
• UN SDG Goal 5 Website to view targets, fact & figures and further information | https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
5. Annabelle Subtil - Growing Future Farmers
4. Kane Brisco - FarmFit
In this episode Becks chats to Kane Brisco, farmer from the ‘naki, founder of FarmFit, and newly published author of “Tools for the Top Paddock”.
This Episode is based around UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 - Good Health & Wellbeing and discusses how important mental and physical health are to sustainability.
In a good honest kiwi yarn Kane shares with us his journey to agriculture and to founding FarmFit, his passion for being able to look after yourself and others and the importance of people in the term sustainability.
Episode Resources:
• FarmFit Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/FarmFitNZ/
• FarmFit Instagram | @farmfit_nz
• FarmFit Online Shop (where you can buy Kane’s book & other merchandise) | https://farmfitnzshop.com
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
3. Wayne Langford - Meat the Need
In this episode Becks chats to Wayne Langford; YOLO Farmer, vice-president of Federated Farmers and co-founder of Meat the Need This Episode is based around UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 - Zero Hunger and how Meat the Need was created to allow NZ farmers to feed NZ families and bring focus to the need within our own country.
Wayne & Becks discuss the importance of strong leadership with perhaps some insight from sport’s coaching, laughter and gratitude as crucial elements to daily life and just how little it would take for us all to contribute and no one in NZ would need to go hungry.
Episode Resources:
• Meat the Need Website | https://meattheneed.org/
• Meat the Need Facebook & Instagram| @meattheneednz
• YOLO Farmer Facebook | @YOLOFarmerNZ
How can you donate to Meat the Need:
• If you’re a Silver Ferns Farms supplier then talk to your rep or fill in the form on the Meat The Need website
• Anyone else, whether you own livestock or not, head over to the Meat the Need website and donate virtual sheep or cattle
• Want to donate Milk instead? Milk can be donated through Feed Out, details also on the website.
• Or reach out to Becks at The Whole Story and she will make it happen!
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/n0__b0dy____/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
2. Prue Kane - WAI Wānaka & Jobs for Nature
In this episode Becks chats to Prue Kane, programme director for Jobs for Nature at WAI Wānaka.
This Episode is based around UN Sustainable Development Goal 1 - No Poverty and discusses how the Jobs for Nature programme at WAI Wānaka created economic resiliency in a community that faced very challenging times during the COVID-19 pandemic and is connecting people from diverse backgrounds with agriculture.
Prue shares with us some of her practical agricultural challenges that she has overcome to find her feet in her career and offers such wonderful insight into the collaborative approach taken by WAI Wānaka and the impact they are driving towards this goal.
Episode Resources:
• WAI Wānaka | https://waiwanaka.nz
• Jobs for Nature at WAI Wānaka | https://waiwanaka.nz/projects/jobs-for-nature/
Calculating your GHG Emission Number:
• Beef + Lamb NZ GHG Calculator | https://beeflambnz.com/ghg-calculator-info
• Dairy NZ Know your Numbers | https://www.dairynz.co.nz/environment/review-and-plan/know-your-numbers/
• Or reach out to Becks at The Whole Story and we can work out your number together.
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
1. Bridget Williams - Bead & Proceed
In this episode Becks chats to Bridget Williams, the founder of social enterprise, Bead & Proceed, which exists to educate people about the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inspire action towards them through creativity.
Bridget offers a unique perspective on sustainability and the passion and energy she brings to the conversation is infectious! Bridget‘s work with the SDGs and her guest appearance on a podcast was part of the inspiration behind the formation of The Whole Story, so who else would make the perfect first guest to launch The Whole Story Podcast and set the scene for the following 17 episodes in this series.
Episode Resources:
• Bead & Proceed Website | https://beadandproceed.com
• Bridget Williams LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-williams-76156670/
• Bead & Proceed Facebook & Instagram | @beadandproceed
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
Trailer
The Whole Story Podcast
Hosted by Becks Smith, a farmer, vet, social entrepreneur and mother to three young girls based in Ranfurly, Central Otago, this is a podcast inspiring holistic sustainability in agriculture in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each week we will highlight a specific one of the Goals(SDGs) and talk to someone making progress towards this within agriculture.
This podcast is just one of the channels through which The Whole Story, a B Corp Certified social enterprise founded in 2020 achieves it’s mission of inspiring, facilitating and articulating holistic sustainability in agriculture.
In the podcast we talk about people’s funny on-farm stories, their views on the opportunities for sustainability in agriculture, and every one of them will leave us with a practical take-home sustainability tip!
Make sure you subscribe/follow us to ensure you get the latest episodes as soon as they’re released!
The Whole Story Resources:
• Podcast Website | www.thewholestory.co.nz/podcasts
• Website | www.thewholestory.co.nz
• Instagram | @thewholestorynz
• Facebook | @thewholestorynz
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud or Instagram