R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

Field to Front Door – Episode 11 on regenerative farming, harvest decisions and learning from failure
Today we’re back with Field to Front Door 🎙️
David, Martin and Wallace catching up on everything from harvest preparations and regenerative farming to football, Yorkshire Show and what’s happening on their farms right now.
Field to Front Door 11.pdf
A big part of this episode was a deep dive into regenerative farming. We got into soil biology, Johnson Sue compost, seed treatments, crop rotations and why changing farming systems isn’t about finding one magic answer but learning through trial and error. There was a really honest discussion around the fear of trying something different and accepting that not everything will work first time.
We also chatted about harvest, with oilseed rape, wheat and linseed all coming into focus, how weather can completely change decisions in the field, and why growing crops is only half the challenge if you’re trying to add value and sell them differently.
One of the most interesting conversations was around how farming has changed over generations. We talked about machinery, soil disturbance, biodiversity and how modern knowledge can be combined with older farming principles rather than simply trying to go backwards.
As always there were plenty of laughs along the way, from Yorkshire versus Scotland, combine breakdowns and hats, through to planning next season before this one has even finished.
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 Sally-Ann on the R2Kast 🎙️ What a conversation this was. Sally-Ann wears more hats than almost anyone I’ve had on the podcast, working across agriculture, entomology, ecology, palaeontology and education, while somehow also becoming part of the winning Hawstone Farmers Choir on Britain’s Got Talent. 🌾

We started with the choir journey, from answering a social media advert looking for farmers who could hold a tune, through to filming adverts, building friendships and eventually standing on the Britain’s Got Talent stage. Sally-Ann shared what it felt like to go from an ordinary farming and science background to performing live in front of millions of people and ultimately winning the competition. 🍎

A big part of the conversation focused on dung beetles and why they matter so much. We discussed the role they play in soil health, nutrient cycling, biodiversity, pasture management and wider ecosystem function. It was a fascinating insight into a part of farming that most people never think about, despite its huge importance to both agriculture and nature. 🌍

We also spoke about curiosity, learning, Land Rovers, expeditions, mental health, finding your tribe and making the most of opportunities when they appear. It was one of those chats that could have gone on for hours because there was always another story waiting around the corner.

Enjoy! 🙂

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Today on series two of Tales of a Nuffield Scholar supported by NFU Mutual we continue looking ahead to the 2026 Nuffield Farming Scholarships Conference in Leeds 🎙️ Across this series we’re hearing 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 episode focuses on the presentation group “Strengthening the People Who Shape Our Sector” with Andrew Richardson, Lucia Slack, Natasha Edwards, Peter Green and Sharon May 🌱
While many of the previous episodes have focused on crops, livestock, land use and natural resources, this conversation put people firmly at the centre. Across five very different scholarship topics, the common thread was understanding how we support the individuals, families and communities that underpin food, farming and aquaculture every single day 🚜

We spoke about mental health, suicide prevention, family wellbeing, succession, identity, leadership and the importance of community. Lucia shared insights from her work as a mental health nurse and her research into suicide within agriculture, while Sharon explored how best to support farming families and the wider networks around them. Both highlighted the importance of trust, connection and tackling the stigma that still prevents many people from seeking support 🌾

Andrew brought a completely different perspective from the aquaculture sector, looking at how young people are encouraged into food production industries and what agriculture can teach other sectors about building identity, belonging and strong peer networks. Peter explored the characteristics and behaviours that help farmers successfully navigate change, while Natasha examined how certification schemes can support farmers through transition and create opportunities for more sustainable and profitable systems 🌍

One of the strongest themes throughout the conversation was that people matter just as much as policy, technology or production systems. Whether it was strengthening communities, supporting wellbeing, encouraging young people into the sector or helping businesses adapt to change, the discussion repeatedly returned to the importance of relationships and human connection.

Without giving away everything that will be shared on stage in Leeds, this episode offered a powerful reminder that the future of farming is ultimately shaped by people, and supporting those people well is essential for the future success of the sector.

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

Enjoy! 🙂

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Do you thrive on challenge? Or perhaps you’re looking for someone who can help bring clarity to the whirlwind of running a business and a busy life? 🌱
Today on the TwoCan Mentor podcast I was joined by Becci Berry and Andrew Ferguson 🎙️
Becci came into farming from a completely different background in marketing and sponsorship, taking on the family farm following the loss of her husband and learning the industry from the ground up. Andrew’s journey saw him unexpectedly return home to take on the family farm after losing his father, building a diverse rural business with everything from commercial units and a brewery to a café and indoor cricket centre.
We spoke about the value of having someone independent to challenge your thinking, offer perspective and provide reassurance when running a business can feel overwhelming. Despite coming from different backgrounds, both found common ground in resilience, community and creating opportunities from difficult circumstances. 🌍
A big theme throughout the conversation was confidence. Not necessarily changing what you’re doing, but having someone help you step back, reflect on what you’ve already achieved and trust your own judgement. 💭
We also discussed the flexibility of the mentoring relationship and how some of the biggest benefits come not from technical advice, but from having honest conversations with someone who understands the challenges of building a business, leading people and navigating life’s twists and turns. 🌱
Enjoy! ☺️

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In this episode we meet four inspiring guests who are championing small-scale horticulture, alternative food systems and pollinator conservation on Arran. We learn how market gardens, community growing projects and foraging initiatives are helping to celebrate local produce, reconnect people with the land and strengthen social wellbeing. We also explore the important role that bees and honey production play in supporting biodiversity and food production across the island.
Episode guests

Simon Ross-Gill
Simon is the Director and Project Coordinator of The Arran Pioneer Project CIC, a project working to regenerate Scotland’s wild and natural landscapes in a way that incorporates rural communities while securing jobs and livelihoods for young people. The Pioneer Project runs several community gardens around Arran.
Simon also works as a graphic designer specialising in books, handbooks, flyers and interpretive materials focussed on landscape, environment and community. He is passionate about working with local people to build a more sustainable and self-sufficient food system.

Robin Gray
Robin is a chef, grower and owner of Robin Gray’s Island Gourmet, a take-away food business in Whiting Bay demonstrating how sustainably produced, seasonal ingredients can be used to celebrate the unique flavours of Arran.

Zoë Hughes
Zoë is a Wild Food Educator who runs Wild Food Arran and has been teaching foraging and wild food identification for over 4 years. She is a member of the Association of Foragers and completely obsessed with mushrooms!

Andy Walker
Andy has been keeping bees on Arran for more than 20 years. He moved to the island with his family in 1999 to work for the Forestry Commission and, although now retired, continues to work part-time in timber production. Alongside producing a range of award-winning honeys, Andy also uses beeswax from his hives to create a variety of natural products sold across the island under the label of Arran Bee Products.
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