R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

Today as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Rob Ward — entrepreneur, innovator, and agri-tech visionary. Rob’s story begins on a tenanted family farm in Shropshire where early lessons in strawberries and supermarket selling taught him resilience and strategy. From handing out pick-your-own baskets to selling tech global...

Today we welcome Derrick Josi onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Better known online as The Honest Farmer, Derrick brings 1 million+ followers into the realities of US dairy life — and he’s not holding back! From Oregon’s lush Tillamook to a 450-acre Jersey dairy, Derrick shares his family legacy (started in 1918) and how the farm evolved from 60 cows to nearly 1000. He chats co-op models, cheese markets, mental...

Today we welcome Rhona Forbes onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From biology teacher to TikTok star, Rhona is bringing fresh energy to the Scottish Young Farmers scene! Based in Edinburgh, she’s not only part of Ed Jack (Edinburgh JAC) but the brains behind what might just be the most entertaining young farmers account in Scotland. Rhona tells us how she’s used social media to break stereotypes, boost membershi...

Today we welcome Elspeth Hay onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From Maine to Cape Cod, Elspeth’s journey took a nutty turn when she discovered you can eat acorns… and never looked back! Originally a food and environment journalist, Elspeth now champions the cultural and nutritional value of tree nuts, especially acorns. Her fascination led to a new book and a whole radio show dedicated to local food stories on...

Today we welcome Helen Brookes onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ With roots in rural Essex, Helen blends a childhood on chicken farms with a career in science and leadership — now playing a key role at the UK Agri-Tech Centre. 🐄🔬 Helen’s journey spans animal science at Rittle College to cutting her teeth in sheep genetics with Innovis and developing sector-wide change through AHDB. She opens up about why pure...

Today as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Jo Franklin and Rob Hodgkins — sheep farmers, Nuffield Scholars, and the founders of Cabrito in Hertfordshire. 🐑🌍 Jo and Rob take us through their journey into sheep farming, from working family farms in Hertfordshire and Sussex to launching a 2,000-acre diversified business...

Today we welcome Hannah Lloyd onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A podcast host, rural advocate, and property professional, Hannah brings passion and insight to her journey from urban Edinburgh to championing women across Scotland’s rural sector. 🏡🎧 We learn how a gap year in South Africa teaching vulnerable children shaped her path, alongside a career twist from teaching to property to business development. H...

Today we welcome Alison Milne onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A powerful voice in Scottish agriculture, Alison shares how her journey from NFUS to the SRU board reflects her deep love for rural life — even if she was never quite a natural with a baler! 🚜💼 We dive into her career, from studying psychology and management to holding director-level roles at NFU Scotland. Alison explains how her passion for futu...

Today we welcome Susan Poizner onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A fruit tree expert, author, and podcast host, Susan brings a wealth of knowledge about sustainable horticulture and the unexpected turns that led her from journalism at the BBC to growing urban orchards. 🌳📚 We hear how a backyard gardening project—sparked by her husband—blossomed into a lifelong passion for tree care, community orchards, and ed...

Today we welcome ourselves—Wallace and Ed—onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ For this special 350th episode, we take a step back from interviews to chat candidly about health, mindset, and the path from 139kg to 114kg in just 8 weeks. 🏋️‍♂️💬 We reflect on why weight gain happens so easily in desk jobs, the mental shift it took to start losing it, and the balance between accountability and kindness. From raw mil...

Today as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Gavin Lane — a soon-to-be CLA President, passionate property investor, and longstanding advocate for British agriculture. 🇬🇧🌱 Gavin shares his incredible story of returning to farming under a contract agreement with his father, growing his own operation through grit and diver...

Today we welcome Jerry Andrada onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A self-proclaimed “pretend” farmer and forester, Jerry brings honesty and humour to a deep discussion about what modern land stewardship truly means. 🌲🚜 We explore Jerry’s path from amenity tree work to forestry and suckler cows, and why he questions the need for a quarter-million-pound tractor to be considered “real.” He shares why Devon’s lane...

Today we welcome Sammi Rogers onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From greasy spoon cafes and fashion design for royalty to opening her own ice cream empire in Bala, Sammi’s journey is as wild as it is wonderful. Her story captures the spirit of risk-taking, reinvention, and resilience. 🍦👗 We explore Sammi’s unexpected move from climbing clothing design and couture internships to rural entrepreneurship, restori...

Today we welcome Ben Briggs onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From Editor at Farmers Guardian to Head of Marketing and Comms at the UK AgriTech Centre, Ben’s journey through agricultural journalism and strategy is full of purpose. But it’s not just media—Ben is also a Wainwright finisher and passionate fellwalker. 🏞️ We explore Ben’s love for the Lake District, where walking helped him process work stress and s...

Today we welcome Arthur Parkinson onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Arthur is a passionate gardener, illustrator, writer, and poultry enthusiast who brings creativity and honesty to rural life. With five published books—including one on rare-breed chickens—and a loyal Instagram following, Arthur’s story is one of beauty, care, and bold expression. 🌸 We dive into his experiences at the Chelsea Flower Show, both...

Today as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome David Miller—pioneer of regenerative direct drilling and a respected voice in the future of sustainable arable farming. 🌾🌍 With roots on a 400-acre Essex farm and decades of real-world experience, David shares his path from grammar school dropout to thought leader in low-dis...

Today we welcome Lucy Fabbri onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A nurse with a twist, Lucy balances trauma care at weekends with a weekday focus on the carnivore lifestyle. Her story blends science, introspection, and unconventional health choices—delivered with wit, warmth, and honesty. 🥩🩺 After nearly studying philosophy and theology, Lucy’s life took a surprise turn into nursing thanks to her sister’s quick...

Today we welcome Ross Robertson onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A bearded Scotsman, farmer, and fellow UK AgriTech Centre colleague, Ross blends traditional lambing life with cutting-edge innovation. From Brechin to Brazil, his journey is as much about mud as it is about modernisation. 🌍🐑 We explore Ross’s farming roots in Angus, his passion for livestock, and how dry summers can spell trouble when you need...

Today we welcome Rachel Draper onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Rachel’s journey spans the rural traditions of livestock auctioneering and the world of field sports to founding her own countryside-focused social media app. With a young family and a background shaped by ponies and lambs, she’s channelled her knowledge into innovation. 🐑📱 After years in the shooting industry—supporting gunmakers, running clay...

R2Kast 340 - Sarah Rankin on MasterChef, Seasonal Food and Cooking with Connection Today we welcome Sarah Rankin onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ After reaching the final four on BBC’s MasterChef, Sarah transformed her passion for seasonal Scottish cooking into a full-time career—hosting supper clubs, cooking classes, and featuring regularly on BBC Radio. A true advocate for real food and real connection. 🥄📻...

Today as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Neil McGowan of Incheoch Farm— a stalwart of Highland livestock farming and a voice of reason in the future of rural leadership. From Perthshire glens to global insights, Neil’s journey is steeped in tradition, challenge, and thoughtful evolution. 🌍 With a Nuffield focus on s...

Today we welcome Holly Moscrop onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Holly’s story is one of strength and adaptability—after becoming chronically ill at 16, she found new ways to stay rooted in the farming life she loves. From running admin for her family’s farm to managing their beef suckler herd, her passion remains undiminished. 🌾🐂 Despite being mostly housebound for years due to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)...

Today we welcome James Standen onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ With no inherited land but a deep-rooted love for agriculture, James shares his remarkable journey from farm consultancy to managing estates and now running both a tenanted farm and Newcastle University’s agricultural operations. 🌾🐑 James takes us through his journey into tenancy, explaining how a chance meeting led to his family securing their...

Today we welcome Amy Stewart onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A farmer’s daughter and soon-to-be qualified veterinary nurse, Amy brings heartfelt honesty as she shares her dual world of livestock and labs. From early pig-handling memories to family debates over sheep bandages, it’s a tale of passion and practicality. 🐷🐑 Amy opens up about her experience in vet nursing — from OSCE assessments to emotional mom...

Today we welcome Penny Montgomorie, Sheena Munro and Alec Allison onto the R2Kast to talk all things Big Build! 🏗️ This heartfelt episode dives deep into the past, present, and future of the SAYFC Centre—Young Farmers’ spiritual home—and the enormous challenge ahead to raise £1 million for its redevelopment. 🏡✨ From early involvement in speech-making and travel exchanges to national leadership r...