{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/65885e0cfa5a340016e3e287/67bb0a31b628e470d3aaa07c?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"R2Kast 305 - Ben Andrews 2.0 on Organic Farming, Biodiversity, and the Challenges of Flooding","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/65885e0cfa5a340016e3e287/1740311061154-389355fa-a563-4e4a-a667-e4907ef83e63.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Today we welcome Ben Andrews back onto the R2Kast! 🌱 Ben, an organic farmer from North Herefordshire, joins us once again to chat about his farming journey, biodiversity, and how his Nuffield research is shaping his views on agriculture.</p><p><br></p><p>We dive into Ben’s passion for biodiversity and how organic farming has evolved on his family farm over the past two decades. 🦉 He shares how his land management decisions have encouraged more wildlife, including rare birds and insects, and how this has strengthened his belief in balancing food production with environmental sustainability.</p><p><br></p><p>Flooding is a major challenge for Ben’s farm, with extreme weather events causing six months of standing water in some fields. 🌊 We discuss how this impacts productivity, the struggles of working with floodplain restoration, and the ongoing battle to make land more resilient in a changing climate.</p><p><br></p><p>Finally, we touch on Ben’s Nuffield Scholarship, where he’s exploring ways to integrate better land management practices to improve biodiversity while maintaining farm profitability. 🏆 His journey highlights the challenges and rewards of farming in a way that prioritises both nature and production.</p><p><br></p><p>Enjoy!</p><p><br></p><p>Thanks to Howden Rural for the support.</p><p><br></p><p>#OrganicFarming #Biodiversity #SustainableAgriculture #Flooding #ClimateResilience #RegenerativeFarming #SoilHealth #WildlifeConservation #NatureFriendlyFarming #FarmLife #Birdwatching #EnvironmentalSustainability #NuffieldScholar #Agroecology #FarmerStories #ClimateChange #SoilRegeneration #Agriculture #UKFarming #FarmResilience #Podcast #Farming #RuralLife</p><p><br></p>","author_name":"Wallace Currie"}