Think Outside The Fence

In this episode, we sit down with Albertan custom grazer, speaker, and self-described "nerd translator" Steve Kenyon of Greener Pastures Ranching. Operating on leased land just outside Edmonton, Steve completely flips the script on traditional farming economics. He breaks down the financials of why buying highly inflated land is a losing game for cash flow, how he uses a "bank accou...

In the conventional farming world, success is often measured by how hard you work and how many head of stock you carry. But what happens when that "scarcity mindset" leaves you exhausted and staring at a field of struggling sheep? In this episode, we sit down with Nic and Paul Renison to discuss their transition to a new North Star: Farming in Abundance. They share the story of how they...

In this episode, we cross the border to the United States to sit down with two powerhouses behind a movement that is rattling the cages of the global food system. RS "Ruffshot" June, the Creative Strategist for the Beef Initiative , and Shannon Ebersol (Ranch Mama), a veteran regenerative rancher, join us to discuss why the current agricultural model is "captured" and how they...

"The greatest asset on any farm is the people. It is not the machinery, it's not the livestock, it is the people." In this special episode, co-host Amy Hughes swaps roles to share how she is challenging conventional thinking in agriculture with her new business, EmpowerAg. Joined by guest co-host David Irvine , Arron and Amy discuss the critical need for "soft skills" in a hard industry. In this e...

Welcome to the Season 3 premiere of "Think Outside the Fence"! We are kicking off this season by introducing our new sponsor, Range Ward Canada, in a special episode that perfectly matches our show's name. This is our first-ever four-person podcast, featuring two special guests. First, we're joined by Neil Thorsteinson , the Canadian Sales Director for Range Ward, who dives into the company's orig...

Silas is a farmer, coach, and consultant with hands-on experience in regenerative agriculture. He divides his time between the Cotswold Cattle Company , his co-owned food and farming venture, and Grass Fed Farmer , his agroecological coaching business. With a background rooted in both the UK and New Zealand, he champions lean, profitable farming systems that deliver on increasing biodiversity and...

Welcome to this episode of Think Outside the Fence, where we're joined by Andy Rumming, a visionary beef farmer from Wiltshire, England. Andy shares his incredible journey in modern agriculture, focusing on adding value in a regenerative and holistic way. Key Discussion Points: Maximising Value per Animal:  Discover how Andy prioritises getting more value from each animal rather than simply increa...

In this episode, we chat to Patti Durand from Bright Track Consulting. Patti talks us through her background in agriculture, her work with farm families, and her transition to consulting and authorship with her book " The Future Leader - The Successor's Guide to Family Business Leadership ," which focuses on empowering the successor generation in family businesses. We dig into Patti's experiences...

This month we chat to Rhys Williams. A farmer, consultant and founder and organiser of Da Byw, the sustainable livestock farming conference. We cover the dos and don'ts of a joint venture, regenerative sheep businesses (yes, sheep!), and the lineup for this year's Da Byw conference in North Wales.  It's set to be a great conference, so take a look at the programme on the website and get your ticke...

Our first in-person interview, recorded at the MFGA Regenerative Ag conference in Brandon, Manitoba!  In this episode, we have a lively conversation with Brian Harper, a professional land manager and cow-calf producer from Brandon, Manitoba. This interview explores Brian's farm operations, his innovative agricultural practices, and his insights into regenerative farming. Brian shares his journey t...

We have a new sponsor for season 2 of Think Outside The Fence! Thank you to Covers & Co for their support. In this episode we speak to Joe Gardiner, Agronomy and Research manager at Covers & Co, to find out more about where it all started, what the team are trying to achieve with their work and how farmers all over the world can get involved.  Covers & Co. have some amazing resources and are super...

Happy New Year everyone! Here's our coverage of the MFGA 2024 Regen Ag conference in Brandon, Manitoba.  We both attended the conference and thought it was great - all of the speakers were engageing, interesting and relevant.  Thanks to our sponsors, MFGA, for having us and for organising and hosting such a great conference. These highlight clips really don't do the speakers justice, so keep and e...

Welcome to episode 2 of the new season! We're bucking the trend this month with our wonderful guest, Ben Harman. Ben is a beef farmer from Buckinghamshire, England, who is very specific about his meat... This episode really is all about the cows! We chat breeding, meat quality, marketing and branding with our usual dose of mindset too. Buckle up for a hillariously funny episode with the great mind...

Welcome to this special episode, with our sponsors, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association.  The MFGA Regenerative Ag conference is coming up folks! This year's theme is 'open minds - open opportuities' and the committee have put together a great line up for you all.  In this podvertorial (Arron's new word) we chat to MFGA Executive Director, Duncan Morrison, about what they have in store for y...

We have a seriously special guest to kick off season 2... David Irvine! David has more than 40 years experience as a family therapist, workshop facilitator, lecturer and advisor. Raised in rural central Alberta, David is no stranger to farming and the people that go with it. His work with Holisitic Management has helped and inspired farming families across North America. We don't think that there...

We made it! Think Outside The Fence is 1 year old!  In this episode, Arron and Amy take a look back at their guests over the last year and put their own spin on things. Giving their thoughts on the conversations and ideas for the future.  Thanks as always to our sponsors, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association https://mfga.net/  

Marking 1 whole year of Think Outside The Fence...here it is! Episode 12!  In this episode we speak to Lucy Williamson. Lucy is a vet turned award winning, human nutritionist. With over 30 years experience in health, food and farming, she's part of a passionate community of health professional and food producers, learning from natural ecosystems, to make better health a reality.  We talk about the...

It's time for episode 11! Join us as we chat to Helen Wyman, Nuffield Scholar and founder of Cultivate Success, an agricultural mentorship programme in the UK. We talk through what mentorship actually is, what it can do for people in Ag and how making connections can battle loneliness and breed creative thinking.  For those in the UK thinking about becoming a mentor or mentee, take a look at the C...

A little 'bonus' episode for you all - Amy's "Embracing Change" talk from the Holistic Management Canada conference in Valleyview, Alberta earlier this year.  We put this talk on our YouTube channel with the slides, but we've had reports of YouTube not playing nice with some of our listeners and have been asked to release it as a podcast episode. So...here you go! Amy spoke about her own experienc...

Welcome to episode 9! This month we interview Duane Thompson of the Tee Two Land & Cattle Co. from Kelliher, Saskatchewan. Duane and his family operate an integrated mixed farm, with an emphasis being stewards of the land while ensuring the long term viability of their farm business. We dive into what drives Duane's passion for agriculture as he openly shares the lessons he has learned along the w...

This March episode is a mid month release and a very special feature episode! In early February, Think Outside the Fence podcast was invited to join the Holistic Management Canada annual conference as MCs and presenters. Amy made the trip from the UK to join Arron in Valleyview, Alberta for the weekend conference on Feb 10-11. The theme for the conference was "Discover, Adapt, Connect". It was a g...

Very exciting episode! The first international guest that is not from either Canada or the UK. In episode 7 we welcome all the way from the land down under, Jacob Wolki. Jacob has a strong online presence due to his straight forward approach and his way of challenging traditional thinking.   Jacob is a first generation farmer and the owner of Wolki Farms. They are a multi species operation that ma...

It's officially the start of 2024. What a great time to reflect on our personal well being, both mental and physical. Our special guest for episode 6 is Lewellyn Melnyk who is from the same home town as Arron in Manitoba. She is self described as an Author, Farmer & Mental Health Advocate, although we truly believe the latter is her true passion.  From her website: "Helping people stay rooted at a...

Here it is, episode number 5 - the one where Amy got too excited and didn't let Arron get a word in edgeways (sorry, Arron!)  In this episode we speak to Carol Glover "The Maverick Maker" Carol is a Ginger, Punk Inspired Maverick, Senior Leadership & Team Coach & Mentor, Intrapreneur and Edutainer (Carol's words, not ours) We talk about why knowing your purpose is so important, why 'soft skills' a...

Wow, it's already episode 4! Joining us from Eastern Canada is Brian Maloney of Ferme Brylee. Brian operates a beef and sheep farm with a direct to consumer shop in Quebec, along side his wife Lise and his daughter Kim. Brian is a self admitted "Free Thinker", and regularly puts out his own musings in the form of his "Saturday Ruminations" (which you can check out on his Facebook page).   Join us...