R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

Today, as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series, we chat to Nic and George Snell, brothers who bring entrepreneurial spirit and innovation to farming. From their shared roots on the family farm to global insights gained through their Nuffield journeys, they’ve cultivated a wealth of knowledge in agriculture. Nic and George take us through their experiences growing up on the family farm, n...

Today we welcome Claire MacKenzie onto the R2Kast. Claire, alongside Olivia Shave and me, is championing the embedding of rural education into the UK curriculum. We are driving forward a petition to make this a reality, which you can find and sign here: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700029 . 📜 Claire shares her fascinating journey, starting in politics and media before transitioning to rural a...

Today we welcome Natasha Edwards onto the R2Kast. Hailing from the Isle of Wight, Natasha brings her wealth of experience as a Nuffield Scholar and garlic farmer to the table. She shares her unique journey, starting with a family farming business that has become a national brand. The Garlic Farm now welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually, showcasing innovation and sustainability in rural business...

Today’s episode of the R2Kast is a bit of a twist! Ed takes over the host’s chair for this Christmas Special, diving into a year in the life of Wallace Currie. 🎄 Wallace reflects on a whirlwind 2024, covering everything from Nuffield travels to exciting developments in education and podcasting. The conversation takes us behind the scenes of his adventures, offering a unique perspective on the ups...

Today we welcome Ben Taylor-Davies onto the R2Kast. Known widely as RegenBen, Ben brings a refreshing perspective to regenerative agriculture, defining it as “replacing death with life.” This philosophy underpins his approach to farming and land management, where the focus is on reviving ecosystems and creating a balance between productivity and sustainability. 🌱 Ben shares his five pillars of re...

Today, we delve into the tales of two remarkable Nuffield scholars, Aled Davies and Lorna Davis. Both share their unique perspectives, shaped by years of farming experience and transformative Nuffield journeys. 🌎 Aled takes us through his background as a farmer's son from rural West Wales, where his passion for marketing and problem-solving took root. His career spans roles in animal health and f...

Today we welcome Pete Russell onto the R2Kast. Pete is the founder of Ooooby (Out of Our Own Backyards), a revolutionary platform that connects consumers with local food producers. He shares the journey behind Ooooby, highlighting how the platform supports small-scale farmers and promotes sustainable, community-driven food systems. 🥦 Ooooby provides a digital marketplace where customers can order...

Today we welcome Jaz Williams onto the R2Kast. Jaz shares her unique journey in agriculture, from her roots in a dairy farming family to her global adventures as a contract shepherd and wool handler. Her passion for livestock and dedication to learning have taken her from lambing sheds in the UK to remote farms in Shetland, the Falklands, and Australia. 🌍 Just two hours before this episode was re...

Today we welcome Alice Grammer onto the R2Kast. Alice, known on Instagram as alice.farms, shares her inspiring journey as a sixth-generation farmer. From working with 279 beef cattle to managing 30 acres of arable land, Alice is hands-on in every aspect of her family farm. Her passion for agriculture is evident in her dedication to the animals and her innovative approach to modern farming. 🌾 Alic...

Today we welcome Izak van Heerden onto the R2Kast. Izak, a true polyglot, impresses with his fluency in multiple languages, adding depth to his international work in agriculture. His ability to connect with people across linguistic boundaries has allowed him to build strong relationships and gain insights from diverse agricultural communities around the world. 🌍 Izak shares his journey as a Nuffi...

Today, as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast, which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Gary Spence and Lucy McLennan. Gary and Lucy share their unique experiences within the agriculture sector, highlighting their journeys and the impact of the Nuffield Scholarship on their professional growth. 🌾 Gary, a dedicated farmer and expert with Forage Tec, reflects on...

Today we welcome Ed Seed onto the R2Kast. Ed dives into his role at Hillsgreen Marketing, where he works to help agricultural businesses thrive through tailored digital marketing solutions. From strategic planning to influencer partnerships, Hillsgreen offers a range of services designed to connect farm businesses with their target audiences and strengthen their brand presence. 📈 Ed shares his ea...

Today we welcome Emily Drinkall onto the R2Kast. At just 22, Emily has gained attention for her erratic, high-energy approach to creating short-form content that captures the wild and unfiltered side of farm life. Her style is bold and engaging, but what impressed me even more was her deep respect for previous generations and the strong moral values she carries. 🌾 Emily discusses how her family’s...

Today we welcome Rachel Phillips onto the R2Kast. Rachel, who works with the Apricot Centre, shares her journey in the world of regenerative farming and her dedication to sustainable practices. Her insights into soil health, biodiversity, and conservation offer a deep dive into how regenerative agriculture can positively impact the land and communities that depend on it. 🌱 Rachel also discusses h...

Today we welcome Stuart Oates onto the R2Kast. Stuart shares his experiences as an organic farmer, discussing the journey of transitioning to organic farming and the challenges that come with it. He talks about the importance of environmental stewardship and how organic practices have positively impacted the health of his land and livestock. 🌱 Stuart dives into his passion for promoting agricultu...

Today, as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast, which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Tom Rawson. At the time of this episode’s release, Tom is stepping into the role of Chair of Nuffield UK—a testament to his dedication and leadership within the agricultural community. 🌟 Tom shares his journey as a dairy farmer and the valuable insights he has gained throug...

Today we welcome Charlotte Cole onto the R2Kast. Charlotte shares her journey as a poultry vet, a career that has taken her across the UK, working with various farms and producers to ensure the health and welfare of poultry flocks. She discusses the unique challenges faced in the poultry industry, from disease prevention to biosecurity measures, and how her work has evolved over the years. 🐓 Char...

Today we welcome Awal Fuseini onto the R2Kast. Awal, a recognised expert on Halal practices and animal welfare, sheds light on the often misunderstood aspects of Halal food production. He provides a comprehensive overview of what Halal truly entails, dispelling common myths and explaining how ethical animal treatment is central to the process. 🐑 I openly admit that I have previously criticised Ha...

Today we welcome Rosie Jack onto the R2Kast. Rosie discusses her work at Balcaskie Estate, a forward-thinking estate in Fife known for its commitment to regenerative farming and sustainable land management. She shares how the estate has become a model for balancing traditional farming practices with innovative approaches to land stewardship. 🌱 Rosie explains her role in managing and promoting Pit...

Today we welcome James Herrick onto the R2Kast. James shares his experiences as a beef farmer, managing the daily challenges and joys of running a farm while balancing family life. He discusses the importance of involving his children in farm activities, teaching them the value of hard work and responsibility, and how the family’s bond is strengthened through shared agricultural experiences. 🐄 Ja...

Today, as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast, which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Dudley Smith and Tom Pearson. Dudley shares his diverse farming journey, from his early years in Australia and America, where he experienced life as a cowboy, to his time working in India and his extensive travels as part of his Nuffield Scholarship. 🌍 Dudley reflects on th...

Today we welcome Silas Hedley-Lawrence onto the R2Kast. Silas shares his experiences of farming in New Zealand, highlighting his journey from the UK to the Southern Hemisphere and the lessons he has learned about different agricultural practices. With a passion for working with livestock and an eye on sustainability, Silas provides insights into the differences between farming systems in the UK an...

Today we welcome Josh Donaldson onto the R2Kast. Josh shares his experiences with mental health and how the issue of littering and fly-tipping in rural Scotland has driven him to take action. Under his social media alias, EarthDr0p, Josh has successfully raised awareness about the environmental impact of littering and how it affects the beauty and health of rural areas. 🌱 Josh delves into how his...

Today we welcome Iona Smith onto the R2Kast. Iona shares her experiences as a beef and sheep farmer in Scotland, discussing the challenges and rewards of working in the agricultural sector. With a deep-rooted passion for livestock farming, she offers insights into managing both cattle and sheep while juggling the demands of running a farm. 🐑 Iona also talks about her career in the offshore wind i...

Today we welcome Liz Cresswell onto the R2Kast. Liz shares her journey of transitioning from a degree in Zoology to becoming a farm vet. Growing up in rural Essex, she initially didn’t have the confidence to pursue veterinary school but eventually found her way back to it as a second degree. Her passion for livestock health led her to specialise in farm practice, despite having no farming backgrou...