R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

Today we welcome Kirsty McInnes onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From a childhood phobia of slugs to earning her PhD in plant molecular genetics, Kirsty’s story is a brilliant blend of curiosity, courage, and crawling critters. Her fascination with slugs started with fear, but evolved into a passion that now sees her advocating for integrated land management and slug appreciation alike! 🐌🔬We dive into Kirsty’s groundbreaking research on UVB light’s effect on oilseed rape, slugs, and insects, exploring how GM and gene editing could lead to resilient crops. Her insights into biological pest control, sacrificial crops, and how slugs might just be misunderstood make this episode one of the most unique yet! 🌱🧪From watching slugs lay eggs to building molecular labs at Rothamsted and leading research fellowships at Newcastle University, Kirsty shares the reality of scientific discovery, including the emotional rollercoaster of becoming Dr. McInnes. Her storytelling makes complex science both fun and deeply relatable. 🧬✨We also chat about the Svalbard Seed Vault, historic soil archives, and her love for research that respects nature. With humour, humility, and a whole lot of slug facts, Kirsty is an unforgettable guest whose work is transforming pest management from pesticides to precision. 📚🌍Enjoy! 😊Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.#Slugs #PlantScience #IntegratedPestManagement #SoilNerd #WomenInSTEM #BiologicalControl #FarmingInnovation #RothamstedResearch #NewcastleUniversity #GMcrops #GeneEditing #SlugLife #NatureRecovery #CropResilience #ScienceIsCool #LoveForSlugs #SvalbardVault #SoilScience #WomenInAg #HowdenRural #R2Kast #KirstyMcInnes

Today, as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series, we welcome James Peck, a forward-thinking Cambridgeshire farmer whose story spans generations, industries, and continents. From humble beginnings and a family steeped in transport and medicine, James carved a unique path into large-scale arable farming and agribusiness diversification. 🌾James founded PX Farms at 26, building a business model rooted in contract farming. Through bold moves, calculated risk, and relentless scale, he expanded operations to 12,500 acres, employing 51 people, owning 19 houses, running 12 lorries, and managing extensive grain storage and commercial letting enterprises. 🚜We explore how Nuffield transformed James’ life—encouraging him to push boundaries, embrace land ownership, and invest in leadership development. From fearing solo travel and public speaking to buying a farm mid-scholarship, James’ story highlights the transformative power of stepping outside your comfort zone. 🌍James’ journey is a masterclass in succession, asset growth, and inspiring autonomy in others. His candid reflections on mental health, employee retention, and rural education offer valuable insight for the next generation. A brilliant episode full of scale, honesty, and entrepreneurial grit. 🎙️Enjoy! 😊Thank you to Howden Rural for their support of this project.The views in this podcast are those of the participants and not the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.#R2Kast #NuffieldScholar #JamesPeck #PXFarms #FarmDiversification #Agribusiness #LargeScaleFarming #FarmLeadership #GrainStorage #FarmTransport #NuffieldFarming #SuccessionPlanning #ContractFarming #AssetGrowth #AgriculturalInnovation #UKFarming #FarmManagement #InspiringLeadership #RuralEducation #HowdenRural

Today we welcome Charleigh Arnold onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From theatre studies and retail to full-time dairy farming and professional dog training, Charleigh’s journey is a masterclass in embracing change and following passion. With a background far from agriculture, she’s now thriving in the field—literally—with cows by day and gundogs by weekend! 🐄🐶We chat about her leap from managing River Island to walking dogs, training them, and eventually working with shooting dogs on the field. Her deep love for her spaniel Summer led her to train dogs not just to behave, but to work. Her insight into beat lines, scent training, and shooting culture adds real depth to this episode. 🐾🎯Charleigh is the embodiment of why this podcast began—someone who didn’t grow up in farming but found her place in it through passion and persistence. From her first milking shift to ploughing solo and navigating life on two dairy farms, she brings honesty, humour, and a whole lot of heart. 🚜✨We also explore social media, where Charleigh—aka @charlieanita—has built a loyal following with relatable content and authentic brand partnerships. Her engaging nature and genuine love for farming and animals make her one to watch and a perfect guest on the R2Kast! 📱💬Enjoy! 😊Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.#DogTraining #DairyFarming #NewEntrantFarming #Gundogs #WomenInAg #AgInfluencer #DogLover #DogTrainer #FarmLife #FarmingJourney #TikTokFarming #Spaniels #ShootingDogs #BeatLineDogs #SocialMediaInAg #FromRetailToRural #YoungFarmers #ResilientWomen #LearningByDoing #HowdenRural #R2Kast #CharleighArnold

Today we welcome Michael Rolfe onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Known to many as Mikey, Michael is a proud Lanarkshire lad with a passion for agricultural engineering. From helping his dad in the workshop to leading at the West Region level of SAYFC, Mikey’s journey is one of dedication, pride in workmanship, and lifelong learning. 🔧🌾We delve into Mikey’s route into ag engineering, from a school work experience placement to an apprenticeship that’s taken him to France and back. Now a key technician at Hamilton Ross Group, Mikey shares his expertise in precision agriculture, GPS, and the growing importance of automation in farming. 🌍🧰Beyond spanners and diagnostics, Mikey’s commitment to Young Farmers is inspiring. From a reluctant 15-year-old dragged into Talent Spot to West Region Chair running a hugely successful Talent Spot just last month, he’s grown in confidence, leadership, and public speaking—skills he says have transformed his career and life. 🎭💪We chat about the evolving role of tractors, brands like Fendt and Massey, the rise of robotics like the AgBot, and how farming’s digital future is already here. Mikey’s humour, honesty, and passion make this a brilliant listen for anyone curious about the mechanics behind modern agriculture! 🚜✨Enjoy! 😊Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.#AgEngineering #PrecisionFarming #YoungFarmers #SAYFC #FarmingScotland #TractorTech #AutoSteer #AgriCareers #FendtLife #MasseyFerguson #Agco #MechanicLife #Apprenticeships #DigitalFarming #GPSFarming #AgTech #AgInspiration #WestRegionSAYFC #TalentSpot #LeadershipInAg #HowdenRural #R2Kast #MichaelRolfe

Today we welcome Jack Bradley onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Jack’s journey into agriculture didn’t begin in a field, but on a beach in Kavos! A holiday romance introduced him to milking cows and kicked off an unexpected but passionate career in dairy farming. 🌾💬Having long dreamed of a life in the military, Jack’s path was repeatedly interrupted by injury and medical discharge. After years of fighting to stay in, he eventually stepped away—and fate led him to the fields of New Zealand, where dairy farming offered a new purpose. 🪖🐄Jack shares how he narrowly avoided being on flight MH17, then embraced a fresh start in Iceland. After years of travel, growth, and grit, he now farms in south Iceland with his fiancée Rebekka. Together, they’ve bought a farm and are excitedly preparing to welcome their first child this July! ❄️👶We also explore the key differences between UK and Icelandic farming, Jack’s reflections on community, purpose, and resilience, and why he believes a bit of going “against the grain” can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. 💬🔥Enjoy! 😊Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.#DairyFarming #MilitaryLife #CareerChange #Resilience #AgriJourney #FarmLife #IcelandFarming #NewZealandFarming #AgainstTheGrain #FarmingCouple #AgParenting #LifeAfterArmy #WestfjordsIceland #R2Kast #FarmingPodcast #AgricultureUK #FarmingDifferences #JackBradley #FarmToFuture #SouthIceland #AgInspiration #HowdenRural #JulyBaby #NeverGiveUp

Today we welcome Jamie Bartley onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Jamie is the CEO and founder of Unyte Group, a dynamic business tackling decarbonisation in the built environment through retrofit solutions, waste remediation, training, and scaling hemp as a carbon-negative material! ♻️🌱Jamie shares how Unyte has grown from a vision of low-carbon retrofit to a hub of innovation—developing hemp-based insulation, training installers, and pioneering circular construction practices. His passion for scaling sustainable change shines throughout! 🏗️🌿We explore the complexities of industrial hemp, including THC legislation, the stark differences from marijuana, and why historical misinformation has held back a material with massive regenerative, nutritional, and ecological benefits. 🌍📜From soil health to bee biodiversity, Jamie dives into hemp’s role in regenerative farming. We also cover biochar, a carbon sequestration powerhouse, and hemp’s potential in textiles, food, construction, and even aviation fuel! ✈️🧵 His advice? Don’t give up—this sector needs pioneers!Enjoy! 😊Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.#HempFarming #CarbonNegative #Biochar #SustainableConstruction #UnyteGroup #RegenerativeAg #CircularEconomy #IndustrialHemp #AgTech #GreenBuilding #NetZero #HempInsulation #EnvironmentalImpact #LowCarbon #RuralInnovation #SustainableFarming #SoilHealth #CarbonSequestration #GreenSkills #FarmingFuture #Podcast #AgriLeadership #ClimateAction #SustainableMaterials #NatureBasedSolutions #CleanTech