R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In
By Wallace Currie
Brought to you from Rural2Kitchen. The podcast where agricultural minds open up.
Sponsored primarily by A-Plan Rural Insurance as well as the Scottish Farmer
Follow us on all platforms here - linktr.ee/rural2kitchen
To get in touch email rural2kitchen@gmail.com
Sponsored primarily by A-Plan Rural Insurance as well as the Scottish Farmer
Follow us on all platforms here - linktr.ee/rural2kitchen
To get in touch email rural2kitchen@gmail.com
R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All InJun 11, 2021
00:00
48:57
R2Kast 172 - Sophie Gregory 2 (update) on organics, ARLA, Nuffield and the future!
The first ever for the R2Kast
We’ve had people like Claire Taylor, Alec Pirie and Christine Cuthbertson who have appeared on two episodes (one as an individual and one on the group series) or even Jane Strawhorn who has appeared in an individual episode, group podcast and even and extra for our group who went to Africa!
Today’s guest finds herself as the only one to appear on two episodes both times as an individual!
Sophie Gregory came into farming from accountancy and has properly grabbed the bull by the horns! Running her own organic farm alongside her partner, being on the arla board or her new Nuffield application success she has done a phenomenal amount! Great guest for the one to open the potential for repeat episodes on the R2kast!
Check out episode 108 before this one to hear her whole story!
Enjoy!
We’ve had people like Claire Taylor, Alec Pirie and Christine Cuthbertson who have appeared on two episodes (one as an individual and one on the group series) or even Jane Strawhorn who has appeared in an individual episode, group podcast and even and extra for our group who went to Africa!
Today’s guest finds herself as the only one to appear on two episodes both times as an individual!
Sophie Gregory came into farming from accountancy and has properly grabbed the bull by the horns! Running her own organic farm alongside her partner, being on the arla board or her new Nuffield application success she has done a phenomenal amount! Great guest for the one to open the potential for repeat episodes on the R2kast!
Check out episode 108 before this one to hear her whole story!
Enjoy!
Jan 29, 202401:10:24
R2Kast 171 - Laura Awdry on deer farming, calf rearing, a market for dairy beef and Nuffield
Deer, calves and…flowers?!
Today’s guest, Laura Awdry grew up on a deer farm in New Zealand. She then decided to travel to the UK for a couple years before meeting her now husband and they found themselves expecting!
Throwing herself into the deep end at her partner, Sam’s farm she started her calf rearing business with a hundred calves in a rented shed from her father in law which in his words he ‘thought he’d have it back in a year’…16 years on Laura rears 600.
Along with Sam and the kids they have now started a Duchy tenancy only moving in this year with a pretty impressive system on the go aiming at cutting costs.
Laura is carrying her Nuffield out looking at sustainability and profitability of the dairy beef sector!
Enjoy!
Today’s guest, Laura Awdry grew up on a deer farm in New Zealand. She then decided to travel to the UK for a couple years before meeting her now husband and they found themselves expecting!
Throwing herself into the deep end at her partner, Sam’s farm she started her calf rearing business with a hundred calves in a rented shed from her father in law which in his words he ‘thought he’d have it back in a year’…16 years on Laura rears 600.
Along with Sam and the kids they have now started a Duchy tenancy only moving in this year with a pretty impressive system on the go aiming at cutting costs.
Laura is carrying her Nuffield out looking at sustainability and profitability of the dairy beef sector!
Enjoy!
Jan 26, 202401:00:01
R2Kast 169 - Tom Scrope on changing careers, starting Soil Benchmarking, philosophy and Nuffield!
Philosophy, accountancy and soil!
Today’s guest has fitted a LOT in!
Coming from a small farm in Yorkshire, Tom Scrope went to uni to study philosophy (I had a wee chat about this with no idea about what was going on) before starting working in accountancy!
At a soil convention Tom came across an academic called Ben and they started a business together, Soil Benchmark! A very interesting data driven business which looks at soil profiling and mapping the country and creating a knowledge transfer area. A lot of this above my head but I found it very interesting!
He’s taken this to Nuffield and plans on looking at knowledge transfer models implemented in all soil affecting/affecting industries!
Great episode with pretty bloody clever guy!
Enjoy!
Today’s guest has fitted a LOT in!
Coming from a small farm in Yorkshire, Tom Scrope went to uni to study philosophy (I had a wee chat about this with no idea about what was going on) before starting working in accountancy!
At a soil convention Tom came across an academic called Ben and they started a business together, Soil Benchmark! A very interesting data driven business which looks at soil profiling and mapping the country and creating a knowledge transfer area. A lot of this above my head but I found it very interesting!
He’s taken this to Nuffield and plans on looking at knowledge transfer models implemented in all soil affecting/affecting industries!
Great episode with pretty bloody clever guy!
Enjoy!
Jan 19, 202455:44
R2Kast 168 - Jamie Stokes on National Trust and Crown farms, his home arable farm, cars and Nuffield
Queens, DB5’s and Wheat!
Our guest today grew up on an arable farm and knew it was always for him but has went around the houses before ending up at home!
Jamie stoles studied agriculture because operating as a mediator and consultant between farmers and researchers for the national trust and then the crown estate!
After a while doing this he took over the management of the family 1000ha arable unit with his two cousins!
His addiction to all things cars is the main bane of his bank account’s life but he’s since taken on a Nuffield scholarship looking at vertical farming integration into UK agriculture on a large scale!
Just some good craic this really!
Enjoy!
Our guest today grew up on an arable farm and knew it was always for him but has went around the houses before ending up at home!
Jamie stoles studied agriculture because operating as a mediator and consultant between farmers and researchers for the national trust and then the crown estate!
After a while doing this he took over the management of the family 1000ha arable unit with his two cousins!
His addiction to all things cars is the main bane of his bank account’s life but he’s since taken on a Nuffield scholarship looking at vertical farming integration into UK agriculture on a large scale!
Just some good craic this really!
Enjoy!
Jan 15, 202401:16:55
R2Kast 167 - Cormac White on veterinary, Egypt, small ruminant dairy and Nuffield
Belfast, Cairo and goats in Somerset
Todays guest Cormac White stubbornly decided at about 4 being a vet was his career, and it happened. Some fun at uni before travelling with his career followed!
He found himself after graduating heading to New Zealand and Egypt to practise. Seeing some pretty horrendous things that’s he ‘hopes’ he won’t see again! Eye opening experiences with wonderful people was his explanation of Egypt!
After this he headed back to the UK where he met his now partner and how practises as a farm vet with a focus on small ruminants which led him to consultation on these animals.
Seeing a gap in the market he has taken on a Nuffield scholarship to look at the potential for small ruminant dairy here in the UK with plans to head to Europe, New Zealand and most interestingly, Mongolia!
Great chat with a really good guy!
Enjoy!
Todays guest Cormac White stubbornly decided at about 4 being a vet was his career, and it happened. Some fun at uni before travelling with his career followed!
He found himself after graduating heading to New Zealand and Egypt to practise. Seeing some pretty horrendous things that’s he ‘hopes’ he won’t see again! Eye opening experiences with wonderful people was his explanation of Egypt!
After this he headed back to the UK where he met his now partner and how practises as a farm vet with a focus on small ruminants which led him to consultation on these animals.
Seeing a gap in the market he has taken on a Nuffield scholarship to look at the potential for small ruminant dairy here in the UK with plans to head to Europe, New Zealand and most interestingly, Mongolia!
Great chat with a really good guy!
Enjoy!
Jan 12, 202444:26
R2Kast 166 - Gunnar Garfors on going to every country twice, 10 world records and more.
That’s just plane crazy!
Every year I love a look at the Guinness Book of World Records and have done since I was a kid, whether it was Ashrita Furman with what I remember to be over 600 records himself, Robert Wadlow and Sultan Kösen as the tallest people ever and currently respectively or even the weird and wonderful such as the most watermelons smashed by the head by Roberto Rodriguez! It could have been a record conceptualised out of complete stupidity and absurdity or the absolutely peak of human ability…I just loved it all! Today we welcome a guest with 10!
Gunnar Garfors has done 22 US States in 24 hours, 5 contented in 24 hours 19 countries in 24 hours and many more but one sticks out, Gunnar is the first person to go to every country (a feat completed by roughly 200 people)…TWICE (a feat now completed by less people than have been to the moon, THREE.
This podcast is two geography nerds geeking out on the planet with one who has fallen in love with travel in recent months and the other surely THE expert…with Ed bumbling along for the ride!
His current task is writing about living on the equator, Antarctic and Arctic circles! That’ll be up there with Kate Rawles book for me!
Amazing story, a very entertaining hour and an insane connection made!
Enjoy!
Every year I love a look at the Guinness Book of World Records and have done since I was a kid, whether it was Ashrita Furman with what I remember to be over 600 records himself, Robert Wadlow and Sultan Kösen as the tallest people ever and currently respectively or even the weird and wonderful such as the most watermelons smashed by the head by Roberto Rodriguez! It could have been a record conceptualised out of complete stupidity and absurdity or the absolutely peak of human ability…I just loved it all! Today we welcome a guest with 10!
Gunnar Garfors has done 22 US States in 24 hours, 5 contented in 24 hours 19 countries in 24 hours and many more but one sticks out, Gunnar is the first person to go to every country (a feat completed by roughly 200 people)…TWICE (a feat now completed by less people than have been to the moon, THREE.
This podcast is two geography nerds geeking out on the planet with one who has fallen in love with travel in recent months and the other surely THE expert…with Ed bumbling along for the ride!
His current task is writing about living on the equator, Antarctic and Arctic circles! That’ll be up there with Kate Rawles book for me!
Amazing story, a very entertaining hour and an insane connection made!
Enjoy!
Jan 10, 202401:10:59
R2Kast 165 - Amy Stoner on Supply Chains, Australia and Nuffield!
Supply chains the most important link?
Series 4 begins with a fantastic guest and another of our 2024 Nuffield cohort! Thanks for the support last year and let’s top it again this year!
Today we have Amy Stoner who always wanted to work in food in some capacity starting as a teenager she made an interactive business allowing kids to cater their own parties!
After school it was Food Nutrition and Wellbeing and Food Industry Management at BSc and MSc respectively.
Them with the training of a friend to drive up and down a field in the UK it was driving a chaser bin in Australia next before travelling and working with her partner around Australia! They then decided to travel south east Asia for a while before the dreaded ‘stay home and stay safe’ so back to Oz and working on a farm until they flew back to the UK!
Amy now works in raw materials for Samworth Brothers working with salad products for sandwiches to go!
This led her to Nuffield scholarship which will see her investigate ‘UK Food Security: A forward thinking approach to ensure resilient fresh produce supply chains!
Another belter form an inspirational young lady!
Enjoy!
Series 4 begins with a fantastic guest and another of our 2024 Nuffield cohort! Thanks for the support last year and let’s top it again this year!
Today we have Amy Stoner who always wanted to work in food in some capacity starting as a teenager she made an interactive business allowing kids to cater their own parties!
After school it was Food Nutrition and Wellbeing and Food Industry Management at BSc and MSc respectively.
Them with the training of a friend to drive up and down a field in the UK it was driving a chaser bin in Australia next before travelling and working with her partner around Australia! They then decided to travel south east Asia for a while before the dreaded ‘stay home and stay safe’ so back to Oz and working on a farm until they flew back to the UK!
Amy now works in raw materials for Samworth Brothers working with salad products for sandwiches to go!
This led her to Nuffield scholarship which will see her investigate ‘UK Food Security: A forward thinking approach to ensure resilient fresh produce supply chains!
Another belter form an inspirational young lady!
Enjoy!
Jan 08, 202455:51
R2Kast 2023 Christmas Special on Wallace’s year - Lecturing, R2Kast, Travelling, Nuffield and more!
R2Kast Christmas special!
The roles were reversed for this one where Ed interviewed Wallace about everything that’s been going on in the last few months which is a lot! We spoke about the podcast and what else I’ve been to from charity fundraisers to travelling across 3 continents.
We go into a lot of depth about my life changing trip to Africa and my short trip to Ukraine. Not least before touching on my Nuffield scholarship where we are just getting started!
A fun one to end the year and hope it shows that there’s lots more to come in the new year when season 4 comes!
A massive thank you for all the support across an insane year of podcasting with over 90 episodes being listened to in SEVENTY countries! Mad year! Onto the next!
Hope you had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to a brilliant new year!
Enjoy!
The roles were reversed for this one where Ed interviewed Wallace about everything that’s been going on in the last few months which is a lot! We spoke about the podcast and what else I’ve been to from charity fundraisers to travelling across 3 continents.
We go into a lot of depth about my life changing trip to Africa and my short trip to Ukraine. Not least before touching on my Nuffield scholarship where we are just getting started!
A fun one to end the year and hope it shows that there’s lots more to come in the new year when season 4 comes!
A massive thank you for all the support across an insane year of podcasting with over 90 episodes being listened to in SEVENTY countries! Mad year! Onto the next!
Hope you had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to a brilliant new year!
Enjoy!
Dec 26, 202301:31:29
R2Kast 164 - Ifan Roberts on dairy, doubling a herd, buying almost 400 cows and Nuffield at 28!
From the lowest point at 19 to owning almost 400 cows at 28.
Today’s guest, Ifan Roberts came from a farming family, his grandparents and parents operated small dairy farms in wales and he always knew it was for him but just in a much larger scale!
After two years of college and around this time his parents divorce which he explains as the lowest point in his life he came out of college hungry.
He knew that hunger was for big numbered dairy but didn’t know how. After getting a job on a dairy farm in Leicester of 550 he was getting his start!
After a couple years there and a manager leaving he was pushed into that position and in recent years has moved that herd to 1100, almost 400 of which he owns!
On that farm, the man who offered the job was now vice president of Nuffield, which is how I know ifan! He will soon be starting his Nuffield scholarship on inspiring dairy entrepreneurs…I mean who better?!?
Enjoy!
Today’s guest, Ifan Roberts came from a farming family, his grandparents and parents operated small dairy farms in wales and he always knew it was for him but just in a much larger scale!
After two years of college and around this time his parents divorce which he explains as the lowest point in his life he came out of college hungry.
He knew that hunger was for big numbered dairy but didn’t know how. After getting a job on a dairy farm in Leicester of 550 he was getting his start!
After a couple years there and a manager leaving he was pushed into that position and in recent years has moved that herd to 1100, almost 400 of which he owns!
On that farm, the man who offered the job was now vice president of Nuffield, which is how I know ifan! He will soon be starting his Nuffield scholarship on inspiring dairy entrepreneurs…I mean who better?!?
Enjoy!
Dec 22, 202353:38
R2Kast 163 - All In with Kate Rawles on cycling top to bottom of South America on a bike she made!
Wanna go a cycle?…for 13 months?!
A couple of months ago, as a lot of you will know I went to Ukraine with Pick Ups for Peace and spent about 15 hours in a car with a man called Bill! We got on like a house on fire and really got to know each other! We spoke about the podcast and he said his sister would be a good guest…trust me! He was right!
Kate Rawles comes on to share her story today which starts with career confusion that took her to the states to study some of her PhD but really what mattered was being near mountains. Places to cycle became a theme for Kate’s life with cycles such as the Rhone valley which she describes as small, Texas to Alaska and her life defining journey of the top of South America to the bottom!
That’s quite a feat, eh? Did I mention she stopped off, deep diving into communities and trying to help with environment and humanitarianism at heart!
Oh and did I mention she built the bike out of Bamboo!
Want to hear more after the episode, check out her book, The Life Cycle, 8000 miles in a bamboo bike and her website, Outdoor Philosophy!
I say it every time but I know you will!
Enjoy!
A couple of months ago, as a lot of you will know I went to Ukraine with Pick Ups for Peace and spent about 15 hours in a car with a man called Bill! We got on like a house on fire and really got to know each other! We spoke about the podcast and he said his sister would be a good guest…trust me! He was right!
Kate Rawles comes on to share her story today which starts with career confusion that took her to the states to study some of her PhD but really what mattered was being near mountains. Places to cycle became a theme for Kate’s life with cycles such as the Rhone valley which she describes as small, Texas to Alaska and her life defining journey of the top of South America to the bottom!
That’s quite a feat, eh? Did I mention she stopped off, deep diving into communities and trying to help with environment and humanitarianism at heart!
Oh and did I mention she built the bike out of Bamboo!
Want to hear more after the episode, check out her book, The Life Cycle, 8000 miles in a bamboo bike and her website, Outdoor Philosophy!
I say it every time but I know you will!
Enjoy!
Dec 20, 202301:34:48
R2Kast 162 - Hattie McFadzean on a career in Myanmar, sustainability in dairy and Nuffield.
Myanmar you listening?
Today’s guest, Hattie McFadzean studied a few modules at uni that guided her into a slightly different path! Having come from a family where both parents were from farming but not farming in Hattie or her brothers lifetime Hattie found a new interest in farming but with focus on sustainability and the climate.
In what can only be described as some pretty impressive procrastination as she wrote her dissertation Hattie applied for a job working in Vietnam before being transferred to Burma where she spent two years.
Just before the 2020 Burmese coup and a mere 3 days before lockdown Hattie came home which she mentioned was a lucky move!
When she came back she now works with Promar as part of their sustainability team and is carrying out her Nuffield scholarship on how dairy farming can place itself better sustainably!
Enjoy!
Today’s guest, Hattie McFadzean studied a few modules at uni that guided her into a slightly different path! Having come from a family where both parents were from farming but not farming in Hattie or her brothers lifetime Hattie found a new interest in farming but with focus on sustainability and the climate.
In what can only be described as some pretty impressive procrastination as she wrote her dissertation Hattie applied for a job working in Vietnam before being transferred to Burma where she spent two years.
Just before the 2020 Burmese coup and a mere 3 days before lockdown Hattie came home which she mentioned was a lucky move!
When she came back she now works with Promar as part of their sustainability team and is carrying out her Nuffield scholarship on how dairy farming can place itself better sustainably!
Enjoy!
Dec 18, 202356:39
R2Kast 161 - Liz Haines on running a dairy, AHDB, her Nuffield on neurodiversity and… life boats!
The greatest word ever developed!
That’s a pretty strong title I get but I completely mean it!
People with autism, ADHD and Dyslexia amongst others in the past would have been called disabled and now the term neurodiversity has been coined I think it can only ever be a positive change for that demographic!
Todays guest, Liz Haines is not only in my Nuffield cohort but also runs a farm, holds a position in the AHDB and much more!
Last year liz was diagnosed with ADHD and a lot of things started to make sense.
Liz is studying her Nuffield scholarship with a particular focus on neurodiversity in agriculture and I can’t wait to read it!
Enjoy!
That’s a pretty strong title I get but I completely mean it!
People with autism, ADHD and Dyslexia amongst others in the past would have been called disabled and now the term neurodiversity has been coined I think it can only ever be a positive change for that demographic!
Todays guest, Liz Haines is not only in my Nuffield cohort but also runs a farm, holds a position in the AHDB and much more!
Last year liz was diagnosed with ADHD and a lot of things started to make sense.
Liz is studying her Nuffield scholarship with a particular focus on neurodiversity in agriculture and I can’t wait to read it!
Enjoy!
Dec 15, 202350:08
R2Kast 160 - Andrew Simpson on career confusion, the police, farming in the US and agronomy.
Not all those who wander are lost, even those in Wheat, OSR and…Oak trees?
One of my favourite things about the podcast is when you get the chance to open up about the career. You normally have heard about most of it but there’s always more to learn!
Oak was one of my closest friends for 3 years back in my first three years of my undergraduate! Many a beer was drank, late night studying and much more!
He’s travelled the world, driven semis, been in the police and now operates as an agronomist!
I very much enjoyed and I’m sure you will too!
Enjoy!
One of my favourite things about the podcast is when you get the chance to open up about the career. You normally have heard about most of it but there’s always more to learn!
Oak was one of my closest friends for 3 years back in my first three years of my undergraduate! Many a beer was drank, late night studying and much more!
He’s travelled the world, driven semis, been in the police and now operates as an agronomist!
I very much enjoyed and I’m sure you will too!
Enjoy!
Dec 11, 202301:18:20
R2Kast 159 - Chris Jenks on drama school, acting on TV as his own production company!
What would you rather, Gillian Anderson filmed you before you even knew, you gave Daniel Radcliffe abdominal thrusts…or both and you get paid for both experiences?!
That’s today’s guests story!
Chris Jenks was the year above me at school and was always the one that was good at whatever he turned his hands to, school, fitness and in particular drama!
That year was known for its thespian ways and chris is not the only one in that small high school year group to make it in this competitive sector but todays episode is about Chris!
A mainstay in the beloved sex education, a police DC in Karen Pirie soon to be for a second season and also playing alongside his self professed hero as a kid, Daniel Radcliffe!
A mental story, from a lovely guy that’s only 27!!
Enjoy!
That’s today’s guests story!
Chris Jenks was the year above me at school and was always the one that was good at whatever he turned his hands to, school, fitness and in particular drama!
That year was known for its thespian ways and chris is not the only one in that small high school year group to make it in this competitive sector but todays episode is about Chris!
A mainstay in the beloved sex education, a police DC in Karen Pirie soon to be for a second season and also playing alongside his self professed hero as a kid, Daniel Radcliffe!
A mental story, from a lovely guy that’s only 27!!
Enjoy!
Dec 08, 202301:28:06
R2Kast 158 - Annie Williams on her PhD, her current job and her Nuffield scholarship all on minerals
What’s your favourite mineral?
A question I didn’t expect to be answering on today’s episode!
Our guest today is Dr Annie Williams! Normally I bring people on the podcast who have dabbled in a few things, now Annie has but it’s clear to see that she has one passion and she completely embodies ‘mineral nerd’.
A job in the topic, followed by a PhD in the field and now carrying out her Nuffield scholarship on the topic! Annie sleeps, breathes and I assume eats minerals!
This is an episode for people who like to delve into one topic!
Enjoy!
A question I didn’t expect to be answering on today’s episode!
Our guest today is Dr Annie Williams! Normally I bring people on the podcast who have dabbled in a few things, now Annie has but it’s clear to see that she has one passion and she completely embodies ‘mineral nerd’.
A job in the topic, followed by a PhD in the field and now carrying out her Nuffield scholarship on the topic! Annie sleeps, breathes and I assume eats minerals!
This is an episode for people who like to delve into one topic!
Enjoy!
Dec 05, 202301:04:23
R2Kast 157 - Dan Jones on a £1 tenancy, biodiversity, sheep and Nuffield!
10 years for £1?
Todays guest is one who’s’ story I’ve always been aware of but not him directly!
7 years ago you may of heard of the Great Orme tenancy being made public for the ripe old sum of £1/year! Thousands of applications, one successful family and a bloody good story into the bargain!
Dans life seems to be shepherding with nature at heart! The passion is clear and his interest in not only a sustainable business enterprise is inspiring! He’s not over fussed on the carbon side of things compared to that of biodiversity, one I feel we’ve been lacking for some time!
And his plans for Nuffield are bloody exciting!
You’ll love this, I did!
Enjoy!
Todays guest is one who’s’ story I’ve always been aware of but not him directly!
7 years ago you may of heard of the Great Orme tenancy being made public for the ripe old sum of £1/year! Thousands of applications, one successful family and a bloody good story into the bargain!
Dans life seems to be shepherding with nature at heart! The passion is clear and his interest in not only a sustainable business enterprise is inspiring! He’s not over fussed on the carbon side of things compared to that of biodiversity, one I feel we’ve been lacking for some time!
And his plans for Nuffield are bloody exciting!
You’ll love this, I did!
Enjoy!
Dec 01, 202301:13:60
R2Kast 156 - Natalie Hepburn on her PhD, farming, diversification and Nuffield!
Soap, moisturiser and…milk??
After pursuing a career in academia to achieve her PhD in biochemistry today’s guest took a change of course!
Natalie Hepburn and her partner decided to adopt and Natalie took a step back from full time work! Atkinson this point she realised she could diversify on their small farm and utilise what they had!
Most farm diversifications look at utilising people by bring them to you but Natalie’s plan was take a product to them! She looked at various goat based product and is now following a Nuffield scholarship to see how to market farm produce better! Great chat!
Enjoy!
After pursuing a career in academia to achieve her PhD in biochemistry today’s guest took a change of course!
Natalie Hepburn and her partner decided to adopt and Natalie took a step back from full time work! Atkinson this point she realised she could diversify on their small farm and utilise what they had!
Most farm diversifications look at utilising people by bring them to you but Natalie’s plan was take a product to them! She looked at various goat based product and is now following a Nuffield scholarship to see how to market farm produce better! Great chat!
Enjoy!
Nov 27, 202354:11
R2Kast 155 - Harry Winslet on ditching being a doctor for working on a dual continental veg grower!
Getting grubby or get in the scrubs?
Todays guest openly says his path was always laid out to follow in his fathers footsteps as a doctor! He speaks about spending most of his younger days after school waiting in wards and corridors in hospitals and it was just where he felt comfortable!
A few changes for Harry Winslet and he found a fescues for food production with a particular focus on veg.
5 years ago he took on a role with G’s Fresh! G’s is a company I’ve been aware of for sometime and in my head envisioned a small place producing high quality lettuce…the high quality part is correct but it’s a 16000 hectare juggernaut spanning two continents and well in excess of 10 countries!
Harry developed a keen interest in the utilisation of peat and will be looking into peat use the world over as part of his Nuffield Scholarship! I for one can’t wait to follow the work he does in the coming months!
Enjoy!
Todays guest openly says his path was always laid out to follow in his fathers footsteps as a doctor! He speaks about spending most of his younger days after school waiting in wards and corridors in hospitals and it was just where he felt comfortable!
A few changes for Harry Winslet and he found a fescues for food production with a particular focus on veg.
5 years ago he took on a role with G’s Fresh! G’s is a company I’ve been aware of for sometime and in my head envisioned a small place producing high quality lettuce…the high quality part is correct but it’s a 16000 hectare juggernaut spanning two continents and well in excess of 10 countries!
Harry developed a keen interest in the utilisation of peat and will be looking into peat use the world over as part of his Nuffield Scholarship! I for one can’t wait to follow the work he does in the coming months!
Enjoy!
Nov 24, 202351:42
R2Kast 154 - Lucy George on taking over the parents farm, tea and kombucha production!
Fancy a cuppa?!?
Todays guest, Lucy George is welcomed to talk about the transition from leaving a stable job to take on her parents farm and shift it from a relatively conventional horticultural unit in the direction of tea.
Where I think of yea being grown is Kuwait, China, India and of course South Wales! Lucy was game for the challenge and has created a well oiled, diversified business that not only produces tea plants but also kombucha!
This is properly one of these episodes I feel like I know nothing filming but very interesting!
Lucy speaks about her plans to chase a more sustainable tea providing model for the UK by travelling to various places the world over with Nuffield.
Enjoy!
Todays guest, Lucy George is welcomed to talk about the transition from leaving a stable job to take on her parents farm and shift it from a relatively conventional horticultural unit in the direction of tea.
Where I think of yea being grown is Kuwait, China, India and of course South Wales! Lucy was game for the challenge and has created a well oiled, diversified business that not only produces tea plants but also kombucha!
This is properly one of these episodes I feel like I know nothing filming but very interesting!
Lucy speaks about her plans to chase a more sustainable tea providing model for the UK by travelling to various places the world over with Nuffield.
Enjoy!
Nov 20, 202301:04:15
R2Kast 153 - Huw Evans on how lads from London bought a farm based on regeneration and permaculture
RAVES AND FARMING?!?
This is a proper fun one! I love ever podcast I film but this is just a little different!
Today we welcome Huw Evans on! Huw from London at 25 along with 2 other 25 year olds decide it was time for a change. With only a dissertation based on agriculture and a keen enjoyment walking around that type of environment as a youngster behind him the three of them put what money they have as well as selling assets to buy a farm in Abergavenny in Monmouthshire.
Next they embarked on their journey to create a regenerative farm. With the podcast I have a lot of people seeking this system but very few acknowledge the financial challenges it will bring, Huw and the team did acknowledge that. That self awareness has allowed them to create a separate business to create a financial stability elsewhere to allow the farm business to flourish on its way to profit ability.
That separate business? RAVES. They have weekly rave music on varying in genres as well as hosting weddings and other bespoke events in their picturesque location and buildings.
You’ll love this!
Enjoy!
This is a proper fun one! I love ever podcast I film but this is just a little different!
Today we welcome Huw Evans on! Huw from London at 25 along with 2 other 25 year olds decide it was time for a change. With only a dissertation based on agriculture and a keen enjoyment walking around that type of environment as a youngster behind him the three of them put what money they have as well as selling assets to buy a farm in Abergavenny in Monmouthshire.
Next they embarked on their journey to create a regenerative farm. With the podcast I have a lot of people seeking this system but very few acknowledge the financial challenges it will bring, Huw and the team did acknowledge that. That self awareness has allowed them to create a separate business to create a financial stability elsewhere to allow the farm business to flourish on its way to profit ability.
That separate business? RAVES. They have weekly rave music on varying in genres as well as hosting weddings and other bespoke events in their picturesque location and buildings.
You’ll love this!
Enjoy!
Nov 17, 202301:10:53
R2Kast 152 - Jock Gibson on Edinvale Farm, MacBeth Butchers and Nuffield
Today we welcome another addition of the 2024 Nuffield Scholarship cohort!…I start it by saying welcome back to R2Kast 142…it’s 152!
Jock Gibson came from a farm but found himself away from the business before certain events caused him to jump back in.
There’s more than just a farm however! Edinvale operates as the home farm utilising grass and forage with minimal extra inputs and MacBeth’s butchers works to try and minimise sending off stock elsewhere to be sold. It’s cuts out the middle process and means they can sell added value to their own customers.
Jock saw a potential to explore the aforementioned grass and forage system and will travel around the world with Nuffield to do so!
Enjoy!
Jock Gibson came from a farm but found himself away from the business before certain events caused him to jump back in.
There’s more than just a farm however! Edinvale operates as the home farm utilising grass and forage with minimal extra inputs and MacBeth’s butchers works to try and minimise sending off stock elsewhere to be sold. It’s cuts out the middle process and means they can sell added value to their own customers.
Jock saw a potential to explore the aforementioned grass and forage system and will travel around the world with Nuffield to do so!
Enjoy!
Nov 13, 202301:06:23
R2Kast 151 - David Tavernor on insects as a foodstuff, buying for supermarkets and his Nuffield
When I went for my Nuffield interview I was waiting to go in and spoke VERY briefly to a gentleman with a splendiferous moustache!
I was instantly hooked in what he does, we arranged a podcast and pretty rapidly I realised, “Christ it’ll be awkward if one of us isn’t successful!”
However, 7 weeks down the line, we both were! Our guest today is David Tavernor! David has worked in buying for various supermarkets and now owns his own insect farming business, Fly2Feed!
He speaks about the potential of insects as a protein source for people directly and for livestock feed as well as a fertiliser.
His Nuffield scholarship will explore insects as a livestock feed the world over and hopefully be able to implement it back home as well as with his own business!
Enjoy!
I was instantly hooked in what he does, we arranged a podcast and pretty rapidly I realised, “Christ it’ll be awkward if one of us isn’t successful!”
However, 7 weeks down the line, we both were! Our guest today is David Tavernor! David has worked in buying for various supermarkets and now owns his own insect farming business, Fly2Feed!
He speaks about the potential of insects as a protein source for people directly and for livestock feed as well as a fertiliser.
His Nuffield scholarship will explore insects as a livestock feed the world over and hopefully be able to implement it back home as well as with his own business!
Enjoy!
Nov 10, 202301:27:16
R2Kast ONE FIFTY! - Rose Davies on being an Olympian and the drive involved to do so!
A special one for a special number!
Next on the pod we have Rose Davies who is an Olympic runner from Newcastle, Australia!
Ed met Rose a few weeks ago when she came to Dumfries to see her friends from back in Australia that are currently staying with him to play rugby here.
On this All in episode we go into detail on all things running from qualifying for the olympics to travelling the world with running!
An incredible story where you can really feel the passion and love for running that rose has and how that’s got her to where she is now!
Enjoy!
Next on the pod we have Rose Davies who is an Olympic runner from Newcastle, Australia!
Ed met Rose a few weeks ago when she came to Dumfries to see her friends from back in Australia that are currently staying with him to play rugby here.
On this All in episode we go into detail on all things running from qualifying for the olympics to travelling the world with running!
An incredible story where you can really feel the passion and love for running that rose has and how that’s got her to where she is now!
Enjoy!
Nov 06, 202301:04:17
R2Kast 149 - Jack Young on Agriscot, Overton Farm, Young Farmers and more!
Today we welcome someone who is used to success!
Jack Young who is a major part of the family business Overton farm, a farm, butchery and coffee shop growing in popularity for some time expedited during covid!
Jack is a Carluke YF member and has had a lot of success in the organisation, national champion in tug of war times 2, various other awards and recently was award Mr West Young Farmer of the year alongside Miss Young farmer, Abby Forsyth!
On top of this last year he won the agri scot business award!
So yeah, a lot on the go! A great episode!
Enjoy!!
Jack Young who is a major part of the family business Overton farm, a farm, butchery and coffee shop growing in popularity for some time expedited during covid!
Jack is a Carluke YF member and has had a lot of success in the organisation, national champion in tug of war times 2, various other awards and recently was award Mr West Young Farmer of the year alongside Miss Young farmer, Abby Forsyth!
On top of this last year he won the agri scot business award!
So yeah, a lot on the go! A great episode!
Enjoy!!
Nov 04, 202352:03
R2Kast 148 - Saba Erum Amir talks her way into farming, her PhD and her Nuffield Scholarship plan!
Fun day for me this! This episode marks the first of hopefully 23 over the next few months aimed at showcasing this years class of Nuffield Scholars! If you’d like one with me as a guest we’ll get Ed in to interview me!
Today for number one we have Saba Erum Amir! Saba moved here late 2000s from India and completed a BSc and MSc in Biotechnology! After this moved onto study a PhD in Poultry Gut Health with a focus on Prebiotics!
After that working as a knowledge exchange fellow at Aberystwyth university lead her to read and write around the agricultural sector more than before and developed a keen interest in the dairy sector!
Saba will look into the importance of cow calf contact in dairy. Saba sees cow with calf systems as the future of dairy! Listen in to hear if I agree! Great topic and one I look forward to following!
More Nuffield scholars to come!
Enjoy!
Today for number one we have Saba Erum Amir! Saba moved here late 2000s from India and completed a BSc and MSc in Biotechnology! After this moved onto study a PhD in Poultry Gut Health with a focus on Prebiotics!
After that working as a knowledge exchange fellow at Aberystwyth university lead her to read and write around the agricultural sector more than before and developed a keen interest in the dairy sector!
Saba will look into the importance of cow calf contact in dairy. Saba sees cow with calf systems as the future of dairy! Listen in to hear if I agree! Great topic and one I look forward to following!
More Nuffield scholars to come!
Enjoy!
Oct 30, 202326:28
R2Kast 147 - Hilary Reid talks women’s representation in the game of snooker & boundaries she faced
For episode 147 I was super keen to get a snooker player on!
Not knowing anyone to fulfil this I wasn’t sure whether I would manage it. Then when we had Bethany on the pod I told her about the idea and she told us her friends grandmother was one of the first ever female snooker players on the scene!
An amazing conversation where we discussed the challenges Hilary faced, not being allowed to play in some places for just being a woman!
A fantastic story where Hilary really does show her love for the sport still to this day!
Another great listen! Enjoy!
Not knowing anyone to fulfil this I wasn’t sure whether I would manage it. Then when we had Bethany on the pod I told her about the idea and she told us her friends grandmother was one of the first ever female snooker players on the scene!
An amazing conversation where we discussed the challenges Hilary faced, not being allowed to play in some places for just being a woman!
A fantastic story where Hilary really does show her love for the sport still to this day!
Another great listen! Enjoy!
Oct 27, 202353:09
R2Kast 146 - David Mitchell speaks Young Farmers Young Stocks man programme and more!
Today marks the day I’ve released more episodes of the R2Kast in this calendar year than in total before it! It’s almost been going 3 years…If you’re in farming in Scotland you most likely know this guest.
Let me try that again.
If you’re in farming…young farmers in Scotland you most likely…definitely know this guest.
Our guest today, David Mitchell and I went to uni together for our HND. What’s interesting about that is we had completely different experiences in that course, mine mostly positive and David’s mostly the opposite which is extremely useful to hear in my now profession.
David is a WORKER, their enterprise portfolio is one to be commended on the home farm and away from that he has found major success in young farmers from an office hearing perspective and also has his name on the illustrious wall, alongside Andrew Neilson as joint winners of the stocks person of the year!
A great chat where David helps explain how that process works…which was poorly placed as I required no training as an ex-Lower Nithsdale male members 3rd place stock judging participant!
Great chat with a proper agvocate…
Enjoy!
Let me try that again.
If you’re in farming…young farmers in Scotland you most likely…definitely know this guest.
Our guest today, David Mitchell and I went to uni together for our HND. What’s interesting about that is we had completely different experiences in that course, mine mostly positive and David’s mostly the opposite which is extremely useful to hear in my now profession.
David is a WORKER, their enterprise portfolio is one to be commended on the home farm and away from that he has found major success in young farmers from an office hearing perspective and also has his name on the illustrious wall, alongside Andrew Neilson as joint winners of the stocks person of the year!
A great chat where David helps explain how that process works…which was poorly placed as I required no training as an ex-Lower Nithsdale male members 3rd place stock judging participant!
Great chat with a proper agvocate…
Enjoy!
Oct 23, 202355:14
R2Kast 145 - Katy Tunstall on getting into farming, Hebridean sheep, parsnips..I think! And more!
Since R2Kast 113 (32 ago - which is only 4 months btw) I haven’t uploaded video, now the reason for this is MAINLY that dealing with the best part of 10 hours of video a month is a lot, I had iPads, iPhones and my Mac all uploading at once. However I should have made an exception today!! 📱 💻
Todays guest is Katy Tunstall and throughout, as you’ll hear her gorgeous kitten Parnsip was running around and checking everything out! ❤️ 🐈
As much as I loved parsnip it was also an excellent episode and probably one really based on the complete mantra of this podcast. Back in June 2020 someone asked how do you get into farming and that’s essentially where this product came from…Katy is the person to answer this question! ⁉️
Katy with a lawyer father and a gym owning mother finds her self making her way with sheep which has reached the stage of a full time shepherd job which unfortunately had to be cut short but she still had her own with her partner and plays an active role in the Hebridean sheep society! 🐑
There’s a lot more to her story that I know you’ll love when you tune in! 🗣️
Enjoy!
Todays guest is Katy Tunstall and throughout, as you’ll hear her gorgeous kitten Parnsip was running around and checking everything out! ❤️ 🐈
As much as I loved parsnip it was also an excellent episode and probably one really based on the complete mantra of this podcast. Back in June 2020 someone asked how do you get into farming and that’s essentially where this product came from…Katy is the person to answer this question! ⁉️
Katy with a lawyer father and a gym owning mother finds her self making her way with sheep which has reached the stage of a full time shepherd job which unfortunately had to be cut short but she still had her own with her partner and plays an active role in the Hebridean sheep society! 🐑
There’s a lot more to her story that I know you’ll love when you tune in! 🗣️
Enjoy!
Oct 21, 202301:01:57
R2Kast 144 - Nerys Lewis on the home farm, her new job and her insane involvement in Young Farmers
Today we welcome a friend. A friend I’ve only met once but by god it was some weekend!
Lower Nithsdale headed down to South Wales in early July for an exchange with Wentwood Young Farmers. That’s when I met Nerys and there was some drama, I got concussed, the group took rafts down the river and much more!
Nerys is so much more than that though! She is actively involved in Wales YF, deep involvement with rural youth Europe and European rally!
A great story of what young farmers can offer you in Wales!
Enjoy!
Lower Nithsdale headed down to South Wales in early July for an exchange with Wentwood Young Farmers. That’s when I met Nerys and there was some drama, I got concussed, the group took rafts down the river and much more!
Nerys is so much more than that though! She is actively involved in Wales YF, deep involvement with rural youth Europe and European rally!
A great story of what young farmers can offer you in Wales!
Enjoy!
Oct 16, 202301:03:09
R2Kast 143 - Richard and Roger of Cannon Hall Farm on farm tours, TV and more!
Today we welcome superstars. Roger and Richard Nicholson of the much loved Cannon Hall Farm come on to talk about the transition from a difficult start for Roger to employing around 250 staff. TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY.
Roger was brought up on a farm which had to be sold by ways of compulsory purchase. The full farm sold for £7100…no 0’s on the end there, 7100. They then moved on to another place, Cannon Hall. Unfortunate events meant that, with assistance in paperwork from his mother and some Orr her help from neighbours, Roger took over the place at 16.
*Cough cough* years on and they now operate one of the most successful diversified enterprises in the country with vast arrays of income streams from farming, hospitality, retail to farm tours, social media and television.
Also…how cool is this? They have a zoo licence!!!
A really great success story as the fourth registered farm park in the UK.
Enjoy!
Roger was brought up on a farm which had to be sold by ways of compulsory purchase. The full farm sold for £7100…no 0’s on the end there, 7100. They then moved on to another place, Cannon Hall. Unfortunate events meant that, with assistance in paperwork from his mother and some Orr her help from neighbours, Roger took over the place at 16.
*Cough cough* years on and they now operate one of the most successful diversified enterprises in the country with vast arrays of income streams from farming, hospitality, retail to farm tours, social media and television.
Also…how cool is this? They have a zoo licence!!!
A really great success story as the fourth registered farm park in the UK.
Enjoy!
Oct 13, 202301:06:46
R2Kast 142 - Claire Whittle on getting into veterinary later, the coolest name and…DUNG BEETLES!
Todays guest, who has the best Instagram name there is Claire Whittle…or Dr_Dowhittle is a perfect inditement of what is wrong with the acceptance system of vet schools. Claire has managed to break the mould and proved that being that 7 A and advanced higher student at school isn’t the only type of person to make a good vet.
Claire’s story starts in retail and now finds her self in her own words trying to get her self out of a job and I genuinely believe she means it!
Claire mentions at one point ‘you know those moments that live to define your life and change the way you see the world’…and honestly this podcast was that for me.
She’s a Nuffield scholar, a vet, someone recovering from cancer (which we never even got to on camera) and this podcast is SOLELY about regeneration with a 90% focus on dung beetles!
You will love this, I promise!
Enjoy!
Claire’s story starts in retail and now finds her self in her own words trying to get her self out of a job and I genuinely believe she means it!
Claire mentions at one point ‘you know those moments that live to define your life and change the way you see the world’…and honestly this podcast was that for me.
She’s a Nuffield scholar, a vet, someone recovering from cancer (which we never even got to on camera) and this podcast is SOLELY about regeneration with a 90% focus on dung beetles!
You will love this, I promise!
Enjoy!
Oct 09, 202301:14:28
R2Kast 141 - Bethany Welsh on an award winning career, fitness and struggles at Everest Base Camp!
This podcast has three main sections, a painfully successful start to a career in a male dominated industry, a fitness journey and…a literal near death experience!
Bethany who I met at a haunted castle experience 4 years ago seems to be forward for awards consistently and always is knocking down barriers to progress in what is the biggest construction company in the country, Balfour Beatty!
She also has set her sights on bodybuilding and was really getting there with stage performances looming, Covid caused an issue at first and then a major challenge came her way!
At the start of the year a friend of Bethany’s won a like, tag and share competition on Instagram to head to Base Camp of Everest…I’m entering the wrong ones clearly!!
With three months training they headed off and we’re doing fine until Gorakshep (the last town before Base Camp). Try to remember that Gorakshep is still 5100m up! At this stage Bethany started to have some major issues…you’ll have to tune in to find out what!
An insane story with someone who hasn’t ruled out an attempt at Everest itself one day! What a gal!
Enjoy!
Bethany who I met at a haunted castle experience 4 years ago seems to be forward for awards consistently and always is knocking down barriers to progress in what is the biggest construction company in the country, Balfour Beatty!
She also has set her sights on bodybuilding and was really getting there with stage performances looming, Covid caused an issue at first and then a major challenge came her way!
At the start of the year a friend of Bethany’s won a like, tag and share competition on Instagram to head to Base Camp of Everest…I’m entering the wrong ones clearly!!
With three months training they headed off and we’re doing fine until Gorakshep (the last town before Base Camp). Try to remember that Gorakshep is still 5100m up! At this stage Bethany started to have some major issues…you’ll have to tune in to find out what!
An insane story with someone who hasn’t ruled out an attempt at Everest itself one day! What a gal!
Enjoy!
Oct 06, 202301:33:11
R2Kast 140 - John Austin on dairy farming, Christmas trees and young farmers!
Much like Friday today I welcome on another friend, this one much newer in John Austin!
John, from a dairy farm tenancy in Dumfries talks about the volatility of the milk price, discussing pure vs cross bred cattle for milk and his life away from the farm.
He speaks about his November and December taken up by Christmas tree harvest as well as his time in young farmers from Lower Nithsdale chair to D&G chair and convert to Croatia!
Fun chat with a great guy!
Enjoy!
Oct 02, 202301:03:15
R2Kast 139 - Louise Paterson on the home farm, young farmers, her day job and holiday houses
Today we welcome on a friend. It’s always fun to talk to someone you know well and still find out more about them! Todays guest I’ve known since 2014 when I went to Ayr to start out my academic career!
Louise Paterson from ex-QMS Monitor farm, Hartbush in Amisfield near Dumfries has a fair old story to tell!
Whether it’s the exemplar farm she comes from and works on, her new job as a land agent, her young farmers career which has seen her secretary, treasurer, 80th year secretary and much more of Lower Nithsdale as well as not holding the post of Dumfries and Galloway District chair!
Another great episode!
Enjoy!
Louise Paterson from ex-QMS Monitor farm, Hartbush in Amisfield near Dumfries has a fair old story to tell!
Whether it’s the exemplar farm she comes from and works on, her new job as a land agent, her young farmers career which has seen her secretary, treasurer, 80th year secretary and much more of Lower Nithsdale as well as not holding the post of Dumfries and Galloway District chair!
Another great episode!
Enjoy!
Sep 29, 202301:24:51
R2Kast 138 - Izzy Rainey on starting a farming and art business side by side and much more at 31!
Two hours ago I had sent a total of 7 messages to todays guest and now we’re making sure that we stay in touch after a good bit of craic!
Izzi Rainey who studied textiles with a focus on print at Glasgow school of art always had a hankering for cows. You can see her love for cattle throughout as her face lights up with similarity to that of the queen when cows appear at her fancy party thing she had!
Izzi lives and breathes art and cows and has created a business out of both of them!
On the art side, alongside her friend Lara has created a business almost 10 years old supplying upwards of 50 shops with goods and on the farm side has taken a very sweet token retirement gift from her father of 3 heifers to a notable sum of 75 split between Lincoln red and highlander aiming for beef boxes in the local area!
Cher them out @batesmoorfarm on Instagram!
As always!
Enjoy!
Izzi Rainey who studied textiles with a focus on print at Glasgow school of art always had a hankering for cows. You can see her love for cattle throughout as her face lights up with similarity to that of the queen when cows appear at her fancy party thing she had!
Izzi lives and breathes art and cows and has created a business out of both of them!
On the art side, alongside her friend Lara has created a business almost 10 years old supplying upwards of 50 shops with goods and on the farm side has taken a very sweet token retirement gift from her father of 3 heifers to a notable sum of 75 split between Lincoln red and highlander aiming for beef boxes in the local area!
Cher them out @batesmoorfarm on Instagram!
As always!
Enjoy!
Sep 25, 202301:09:56
R2Kast 137 - Martin Holmen in Norwegian TV and radio presenting, 4H and more!
In the UK we have Greg James, in Norway they have Martin Holmen!
Martin and I met in Tanzania and the best way for those of you that know me to describe Martin is this, we were told we were on the same energy level and in truth I think he might even top me!
An inspiring story of a kid from Norway becoming a nationally known TV and radio personality who had to run after this podcast to finish his script to introduce the world renowned Oslo Philharmonic!
On top of this Martin is the national chair for Norwegian 4H hence our meeting in Tanzania at the global summit!
I don’t want to ruin a really important part of this podcast so please listen for the full story but Martin goes quite in depth about the struggles and fears he had heading to a country that is very unaccepting of the LGBTQI+ community as a gay man!
Great episode with every emotion!
Enjoy!
Martin and I met in Tanzania and the best way for those of you that know me to describe Martin is this, we were told we were on the same energy level and in truth I think he might even top me!
An inspiring story of a kid from Norway becoming a nationally known TV and radio personality who had to run after this podcast to finish his script to introduce the world renowned Oslo Philharmonic!
On top of this Martin is the national chair for Norwegian 4H hence our meeting in Tanzania at the global summit!
I don’t want to ruin a really important part of this podcast so please listen for the full story but Martin goes quite in depth about the struggles and fears he had heading to a country that is very unaccepting of the LGBTQI+ community as a gay man!
Great episode with every emotion!
Enjoy!
Sep 22, 202345:24
R2Kast 136 - Grant Barr farming at home, young farmers at a national level and comedy!
Diversifications come in various forms, today we welcome a man who farms full time and is working his way up in the world of comedy!
Grant Barr from as mixed a farm as you can get, beef, sheep, dairy and arable…the full shabang recently found himself performing at the fringe but there’s a lot more to his story!
Having been involved in young farmers for some time Grant also finds himself chairing the national committee of competitions and events overseeing in his words a group of people that make his job very easy! A fun fact is grant has been a national SAYFC champion…to find out what in you’ll have to listen!
Just a fun episode with a couple lads enjoying a bit of craic!
Like I did be sure to..
Enjoy!
Grant Barr from as mixed a farm as you can get, beef, sheep, dairy and arable…the full shabang recently found himself performing at the fringe but there’s a lot more to his story!
Having been involved in young farmers for some time Grant also finds himself chairing the national committee of competitions and events overseeing in his words a group of people that make his job very easy! A fun fact is grant has been a national SAYFC champion…to find out what in you’ll have to listen!
Just a fun episode with a couple lads enjoying a bit of craic!
Like I did be sure to..
Enjoy!
Sep 18, 202301:12:26
R2Kast 135 - Ben Best talks Dalscone Farm, the worlds biggest farming Facebook live hub!
Over 15 thousand likes in the last week, over 0.2 million followers and a devout following on Facebook live!
Figures of a pretty notable account, is it in the states, is it in Australia? No it’s about 2 miles from my flat in Dumfries!
Ben best comes on to talk about his families utter juggernaut of a social media presence, Dalscone Farm. They stream for half an hour a day in the farm to the whole planet and have a never ending 24:7 stream in twitch allowing their viewers to follow the stories of their animals.
Ben speaks about his dedication to education as well and the importance of promoting the sector!
A great episode with another analytical geek which I loved!
Enjoy!
Figures of a pretty notable account, is it in the states, is it in Australia? No it’s about 2 miles from my flat in Dumfries!
Ben best comes on to talk about his families utter juggernaut of a social media presence, Dalscone Farm. They stream for half an hour a day in the farm to the whole planet and have a never ending 24:7 stream in twitch allowing their viewers to follow the stories of their animals.
Ben speaks about his dedication to education as well and the importance of promoting the sector!
A great episode with another analytical geek which I loved!
Enjoy!
Sep 15, 202301:23:28
R2Kast 134 - Jane, Katie, Linsey, Paul and Wallace talk about their trip to Tanzania and Rwanda
Today I get to share the best episode of the R2Kast to date. That in no way belittles anyone who has been on before, this truly has everything!
For those who follow me on social media you will have seen my travels with 4 other members of SAYFC to Tanzania and Rwanda for a global 4H summit and signing of a partnership between SAYFC and RAYF respectively!
I could say what you’ll expect to hear in this podcast but there’s no point, I advise you to get a cup, a biscuit…or listen when you have time to proper take it in. I won’t say the topics but I’ll say what’s involved, a group that felt like a family for a fortnight reminiscing about the extremes of emotion they went through together, happiness, sadness to the point of confusion and so many ‘you had to be there’ stories!
As always, enjoy!
For those who follow me on social media you will have seen my travels with 4 other members of SAYFC to Tanzania and Rwanda for a global 4H summit and signing of a partnership between SAYFC and RAYF respectively!
I could say what you’ll expect to hear in this podcast but there’s no point, I advise you to get a cup, a biscuit…or listen when you have time to proper take it in. I won’t say the topics but I’ll say what’s involved, a group that felt like a family for a fortnight reminiscing about the extremes of emotion they went through together, happiness, sadness to the point of confusion and so many ‘you had to be there’ stories!
As always, enjoy!
Sep 11, 202302:50:25
R2Kast 133 - Isla Soutter on studying, travelling, award nominations and her new graduate role!
Todays guest is a family friend of ours and seeing her grow as a person since the little girl I remember had been nothing short of inspiring!
Isla found herself wanting to follow in her dads cattle showing footsteps, which she has but on top of that has created a career for herself in the sector at the age of 22!
She ventured to Harper Adams and fell in love with it! Her third year placement was carried out with McDonald’s and what an experience she had.
She had also travelled to Australia and New Zealand and currently finds herself in the running or the national agriculture student of the year award!
Good luck with the award next month isla and enjoy your new graduation position with ABP!
Enjoy!
Isla found herself wanting to follow in her dads cattle showing footsteps, which she has but on top of that has created a career for herself in the sector at the age of 22!
She ventured to Harper Adams and fell in love with it! Her third year placement was carried out with McDonald’s and what an experience she had.
She had also travelled to Australia and New Zealand and currently finds herself in the running or the national agriculture student of the year award!
Good luck with the award next month isla and enjoy your new graduation position with ABP!
Enjoy!
Sep 08, 202357:19
R2Kast 132 - Lower Nith YFC talk fundraising, what’s going on and what’s next in the 80th year!
8 years ago this week the McMaster family based on the Southend of the Isle of Arran held their inaugural stock judging, a bit of fun aimed at showcasing their Texel flock prior to tup sales.
This also marked the first official event that Arran Young Farmers. This was a club that I made a point of starting along with a few others from the island, acted as chair, and a few other jobs to get it going and unfortunately over time the club stopped operating after what was a good few years. Due to Arran being home for me I assumed that was it for me and YF…little did I know I’d find home again!
After speaking at a couple of events for the local club Lower Nithsdale I knew it was time to go back and I feel like part of the family straight away!
Today we start a series that could literally take years to complete! I would like to have every SAYFC club in the podcast, so if you’d like your club to be involved, get in touch!
There was only one place I was starting though, in this episode, Ross, Joanne, Evan, Tasha, Aileen Molly and for that matter myself speak about what this wonderful club has to offer, what we’re up to (including a fundraiser currently well in excess of 10k) and what’s next given next year is the 80th year!
It’s a belter and I look forward to welcoming your club on!
Enjoy!
This also marked the first official event that Arran Young Farmers. This was a club that I made a point of starting along with a few others from the island, acted as chair, and a few other jobs to get it going and unfortunately over time the club stopped operating after what was a good few years. Due to Arran being home for me I assumed that was it for me and YF…little did I know I’d find home again!
After speaking at a couple of events for the local club Lower Nithsdale I knew it was time to go back and I feel like part of the family straight away!
Today we start a series that could literally take years to complete! I would like to have every SAYFC club in the podcast, so if you’d like your club to be involved, get in touch!
There was only one place I was starting though, in this episode, Ross, Joanne, Evan, Tasha, Aileen Molly and for that matter myself speak about what this wonderful club has to offer, what we’re up to (including a fundraiser currently well in excess of 10k) and what’s next given next year is the 80th year!
It’s a belter and I look forward to welcoming your club on!
Enjoy!
Sep 04, 202301:07:30
R2Kast 131 - John McCulloch on SAYFC, awards, his new career as an auctioneer and much more!
I am lucky enough that in the two things in my life that take up the most time, lecturing and podcasting I get to spend time with some amazing minds, I’m surrounded by passion and find myself in an eternal state of pride for the current food system as well as healthy optimism for its future!
Today we welcome yet another one of those people that make you think HOW have you fitted this in and that person is John McCulloch!
As I moved to the Dumfriesshire area this was a name I always heard, he seemed to be at everything that was anything and as my involvement increases that is more a more right!
An ex-Three S’s member, current Stewartry member, acted as their chair 3 times, the current Dumfries and Galloway district vice chair and on top of that finds himself leading up the Agri and Rural Affairs committee as their chair at national level.
That’s just some of his SAYFC involvement! Out of that John is a prize winner for his efforts of promoting agriculture, has been a stockperson and now finds himself starting out as a trainee auctioneer with Wallet’s Marts!
Amongst showing and many other commitments John us now pretty well established in our sector!
I mentioned age at the start, Johns age? 24. Mental.
Enjoy!
Today we welcome yet another one of those people that make you think HOW have you fitted this in and that person is John McCulloch!
As I moved to the Dumfriesshire area this was a name I always heard, he seemed to be at everything that was anything and as my involvement increases that is more a more right!
An ex-Three S’s member, current Stewartry member, acted as their chair 3 times, the current Dumfries and Galloway district vice chair and on top of that finds himself leading up the Agri and Rural Affairs committee as their chair at national level.
That’s just some of his SAYFC involvement! Out of that John is a prize winner for his efforts of promoting agriculture, has been a stockperson and now finds himself starting out as a trainee auctioneer with Wallet’s Marts!
Amongst showing and many other commitments John us now pretty well established in our sector!
I mentioned age at the start, Johns age? 24. Mental.
Enjoy!
Sep 01, 202301:04:06
R2Kast 130 - Heidi Wilson on vet school, bereavement, CrossFit and so much more!
I get so many inspirational people on this podcast but Heidi was one of those ones you sit back and think HOW HAVE YOU FITTED THIS IN at such a young age!
Heidi was very clever at school and that has continued onto vet school! She openly talks about her struggles with eating disorders and I can’t express how positive an episode this is!
We speak veterinary training, recovery, strength, fitness, close bereavement which she has put to amazing use as well as working with Tom Pemberton!
It’s a great story I don’t want to ruin!
Enjoy!!
Heidi was very clever at school and that has continued onto vet school! She openly talks about her struggles with eating disorders and I can’t express how positive an episode this is!
We speak veterinary training, recovery, strength, fitness, close bereavement which she has put to amazing use as well as working with Tom Pemberton!
It’s a great story I don’t want to ruin!
Enjoy!!
Aug 28, 202301:18:39
R2Kast 129 - Holly, Lauren and Sheena of NFU Scotland talk regional managing and defunding farmers
Today we welcome 3 NFU Scotland regional managers, Holly, Lauren and Sheena operating out of Ayrshire, Argyll and the Islands and Forth and Clyde respectively.
NFU operate as our primary union and lobbying organisation for the rural sector in this country. The regional managers act as the main point of contact for members in that area. As well as this the main opinion gatherers to lobby for a better future.
We cover these three ladies’ pasts, currents and futures.
Thank you to A-Plan Rural and The Scottish Farmer for their continued support.
Enjoy!
NFU operate as our primary union and lobbying organisation for the rural sector in this country. The regional managers act as the main point of contact for members in that area. As well as this the main opinion gatherers to lobby for a better future.
We cover these three ladies’ pasts, currents and futures.
Thank you to A-Plan Rural and The Scottish Farmer for their continued support.
Enjoy!
Aug 25, 202301:00:54
R2Kast 128 - Charlie Beaty speaks on Instagram, travelling and promoting agriculture in this country
Charlie, who used to be branded as the globe trotting farm girl now Charlie Farms has travelled the world with agriculture and now farms at home on a mixed unit that at the time of recording was having challenges to get harvest started!
Charlie is one of those people you listen to and think ‘she’ll give anything a go!’ whether that is her placement year which led to further work across the globe (hence the original name), in YF she has sailed through the ranks and acts as her regions chair, or even just the employment of progressive techniques at home!
A great episode talking mules, flights, gin and…true crime!
Enjoy!
Charlie is one of those people you listen to and think ‘she’ll give anything a go!’ whether that is her placement year which led to further work across the globe (hence the original name), in YF she has sailed through the ranks and acts as her regions chair, or even just the employment of progressive techniques at home!
A great episode talking mules, flights, gin and…true crime!
Enjoy!
Aug 21, 202301:31:50
R2Kast 127 - Gemma Wark on Genus, embryo transfer in America, her new position with QMS and her home herd
Gemma along with her colleague at Genus talked to our 3rd year students studying Livestock Management Systems as part of their agriculture degree with SRUC. Straight away I knew she would be getting an invite to the podcast!
Gemma left the UK for a period of time after her degree heading for the US and used her dissertation knowledge on embryo transfer on a unit that used the technology. I would say that it's clear Gemma was hooked!
For the last 5 years Gemmas has been with Genus as part of their beef team and will soon be moving onto QMS!
Along with her partner Hamish, they have a farm as well!
One of those stories with someone that is clearly passionate and I don't want to ruin too much a Gemma is an amazing story teller!
Enjoy!
Aug 18, 202301:01:50
R2Kast 126 - Josh Heyneke of Parc Carreg talks about getting into farming, being the only organic duck egg producer, turmoil and now worm farming.
Josh, and his partner Abigail were sick of the London rat race and after seeing a billboard on a bus on the daily commute decided it was time for a change.
One, an artist and the other a mobile application developer they set their sights on Spain, Portugal or Josh's homeland South Africa. Due to circumstance that you will hear in the episode the decision was made to head for Wales where they now operate an enterprise as well as being parents to their wee one, Ada!
The first attempt was organic duck production which had reached a point where a deal was about to be made that would send the business to the next level, then disaster struck...you'll have to listen to find out what!
However the change led them to their new venture, worm farming to sell worms and also worm casts...again to find out what that is you will have to check!
Amazingly honest episode and massive kudos and respect to Josh for that!
Enjoy!
Aug 14, 202301:24:22
R2Kast 125 - Holly Atkinson of Cups on Cows talks palaeontology, veterinary and rearing 200 dairy heifers.
Holly, not from a farming background as a youngster had a fascination with fossils and saw a future in the sector however younger teenage years saw her direction change and the goal was set as being a vet. She chased the dream and caught it after years of weekend, holiday and uni dedication she was qualified.
Holly worked at a few practises and loved the role, almost too much really taking the job home with her, a nice evening read for Holly would be a nice disease case to research. Focussing both on large animal and small she got a comprehensive coverage of business acumen and various species.
During her time as a vet one farmer in particular, Adam asked her on a date, a boundary Holly questioned breaking at first, fast forward to today and they have 2 kids and run an organic 700 cow Friesian x Jersey herd where Holly is in charge of heifer replacements from calves.
She now posts on instagram to promote the sector and show what happens on the ground on farm as Cups.On.Cows!
Enjoy!
Aug 04, 202301:08:00
R2Kast 124 - Will Evans talks agricultural communication, being Oxford Farming Conference chair and Ryan Reynolds
From very near Wrexham, Will Evans laid the foundations for people like myself who have found themselves in the agricultural podcasting game. Having the struggles of having to record a Skype call to a landline it's fair to say he had it much harder than we have these days.
Will keeps himself busy running the home farm alongside his wife and father, being chair of the OFC, writes for Farmer's Weekly and much more...oh and did I mention that he has 4 girls to look after as well!...4 future employees? Will's wife Sarah has started a very successful diversification in the form of home grown veg boxes being sold direct and indirect in the local area.
Will was also one of the people on the pitch at that famous pitch invasion vs Notts County a few months back with Wrexham! Some story!
This is a discussion with a man I could learn a lot from as could you! I know I'll be doing what I can to be at the OFC next year.
Enjoy
Jul 31, 202301:12:56
R2Kast 123 - Matt Styles talks his unorthodox route into farming, entrepreneurship and mental health
Matt, otherwise known as thehonestfarmer_ was originally from a farm and found himself following the route of working in drama. One day, in the middle of summer in a script read in a black room he decided that was no longer for him and a change was needed. I did make sure to ask him if he felt the same way stuck in a filed in December but you'll have to listen to find the answer.
Matt, went to Easton College and felt like farming was his future, fast forward a few years to now where Matt is 29 works essentially full time on an arable farm, contract keeps stock over winter on said farm, runs his own flock and shears in his 'spare' time.
He talks of his journey to be at one with his own mental health over the years, the struggles and the realisation of the power of actually talking about it.
This, much like episode 99 with Neil Basset is a chat between two guys and we both proper open up and that to me is precious!
Enjoy!
Matt, went to Easton College and felt like farming was his future, fast forward a few years to now where Matt is 29 works essentially full time on an arable farm, contract keeps stock over winter on said farm, runs his own flock and shears in his 'spare' time.
He talks of his journey to be at one with his own mental health over the years, the struggles and the realisation of the power of actually talking about it.
This, much like episode 99 with Neil Basset is a chat between two guys and we both proper open up and that to me is precious!
Enjoy!
Jul 28, 202301:33:01