R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

Today on series two of Tales of a Nuffield Scholar supported by NFU Mutual we begin looking ahead to the 2026 Nuffield Farming Scholarships Conference in Leeds 🎙️ Across this series we’ll hear from scholars who will feature within the conference presentation groups, giving a flavour of the conversations, ideas and experiences set to shape the event 🌍

This first episode focuses on the presentation group “New Pathways for Land, Rivers, Carbon and Nature” with Ali Warren Walker, Laura Underdown, Stu Oates and Ben Andrews 🌱

We spoke about the journeys that brought each of them into agriculture and Nuffield, from commercial science and food systems through to regenerative farming, television, environmental research and flooding resilience. It was fascinating hearing how different backgrounds and industries can all arrive at similar questions around the future of land use and sustainability 🚜

Across the episode we explored everything from fossil free farming and natural capital markets through to waste valorisation, flooding, biodiversity and the role of farming in protecting rivers and ecosystems. One of the most interesting parts was hearing how much their thinking has already changed through travel, conversations and seeing systems first hand around the world 🌍

There were some brilliant discussions around collaboration too, particularly how farmers, researchers and businesses can work together rather than in isolation. While all four scholars have very different topics, there was a clear thread running through the conversation about resilience, curiosity and challenging the way things have always been done 🌾

We also got a real insight into the Nuffield experience itself, how topics evolve during travel, how ideas get reshaped by the people you meet, and why being open minded is such an important part of the process. Without giving away everything that will be shared on stage in Leeds, this episode gives a really strong taste of what people can expect from the conference later this year

Thank you to NFU Mutual for their support of this project.

Enjoy! 🙂

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Today I had Jack on the R2Kast 🎙️ A farm consultant, new entrant farmer and someone heavily involved in giving young people a voice in the food and farming sector. 🌾

We spoke about his route into agriculture, from a family connection through to studying at SRUC and building a career in consultancy. That led into working with livestock, including buffalo, before moving back into consultancy and now stepping into a new role helping lead a team while building his own farming business alongside it. 🍎

A big part of the conversation focused on what consultancy actually looks like. Working with farmers, problem solving, listening, and building trust rather than just telling people what to do. We also spoke about imposter syndrome, learning on the job and the importance of having a strong network around you. 🌍

We also got into new entrant farming, building a business from scratch and his role in the UK Youth Food and Farming Forum, pushing for real youth voice in decision making across the industry.

Enjoy! 🙂

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Today I had Karen on the R2Kast 🎙️ She is Co-Dean in Agricultural Science and Practice at the Royal Agricultural University, working across teaching, research and international partnerships. 🌾

We spoke about her journey from Venezuela to Spain and then into the UK, building a career in agronomy and agricultural systems before moving into academia and leadership. It was a really interesting look at how different agricultural systems around the world compare and what that brings into teaching. 🍎

A big part of the conversation focused on education. What students are learning, how university farms are used for research and teaching, and why creating space to test ideas matters. We also spoke about international collaboration, particularly in China, and how bringing students and ideas together improves learning on both sides. 🌍

We also touched on research, innovation and where agriculture is heading, especially around sustainability, food systems and resilience.

Enjoy! 🙂

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Today we’re back with Field to Front Door 🎙️

David, Martin and Wallace this time getting really stuck into regenerative farming, soil health and what changing systems on farm actually looks like in practice.

A big focus of this episode was David starting to move parts of the farm towards lower input and regenerative approaches, with Martin explaining everything from soil biology and cover crops through to seed treatments, ploughing depth and why modern systems may have stripped so much life out of soils over time.

We also got into the balance between wanting to farm differently and the reality that changing systems is scary when your business depends on it working. There was a really interesting discussion around biology, fertiliser dependency and whether farming can move back towards building healthier soils rather than constantly feeding crops directly.

Alongside all of that there was still plenty of the usual mix of stories and tangents, from agroecology on Arran through to David somehow finding himself at leadership events, embassy receptions and talking about peonies with people from all over the world.

We’re going to keep this going fortnightly for now and see where it takes us. If you’ve got ideas on what we should cover or who we should bring in, send them our way.

Enjoy! 🙂

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Today I had Liv on the R2Kast 🎙️ She works in commercial content across the agricultural media space, creating campaigns, events and storytelling that connect farming with a wider audience. 🌾

We spoke about how she found her way into agriculture from outside the sector, starting with an English degree and teaching before moving into marketing and eventually into agricultural media. It was a really honest chat about trying different things, figuring out what works and what doesn’t, and how those decisions shape where you end up. 🍎

A big part of the conversation focused on content and communication. How stories are told in agriculture, the importance of asking questions, and why people coming in without a farming background can bring a different and valuable perspective to the industry. 🌍

We also chatted about confidence, networking and building a career without a set plan, and how sometimes just following what you enjoy can take you further than you expect.

Enjoy! 🙂

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