R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

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! 🙂

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! 🙂

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! ☺️

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 guestsSimon Ross-GillSimon 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 GrayRobin 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 HughesZoë 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 WalkerAndy 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. 

Today we’re back with Field to Front Door 🎙️This one was recorded live from Groundswell, with David, Martin and Wallace all together in person for the first time after months of recording remotely.  We covered plenty in this episode, from the atmosphere at Groundswell and why it’s become such an important event for farmers, through to regenerative farming, cover crops, soil biology and how different approaches are changing the way people think about growing food.There was a fascinating discussion around compost, seed treatments and building healthier soils, with Martin explaining the practical side of regenerative farming while David shared what he’s learning as he starts changing parts of his own system.We also chatted about trying new ideas, learning from other farmers, the value of collaboration and why events like Groundswell give people the confidence to take something home and have a go for themselves.As always there were plenty of laughs along the way, from photography disasters and hats to tractors, peonies and the usual conversations that seem to appear whenever the three of us get together.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! 🙂

Today I had Lauren on the R2Kast 🎙️ A food content creator, recipe developer and social media personality who has built a huge audience around cooking, local produce and great ingredients. 🌾We spoke about growing up in Scotland, working in hospitality and then spending more than a decade with Scottish Water before eventually taking the leap into content creation full time. It was a really honest discussion about balancing a career, family life and building something from scratch online while figuring out what actually mattered to her. 🍎  A big part of the conversation focused on food. Why quality ingredients matter, supporting local producers, understanding where food comes from and the role social media can play in connecting consumers with farming. Lauren shared how her content has evolved from restaurant recommendations into something much more focused on provenance, local sourcing and telling the stories behind the food on people’s plates. 🌍We also chatted about the realities of working in social media, the pressure of creating content, dealing with criticism online and the importance of staying authentic. It was a really interesting look at how someone outside agriculture can become such a strong advocate for British food and farming simply through a genuine passion for good food.Enjoy! 🙂

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 “Innovation in Modern Horticulture” with Polly Hilton and Lucy George 🌱While the Leeds presentation group will also include Ali Warren-Walker, a change in presentation groups meant Ali had already featured in the opening episode of this series as part of “New Pathways for Land, Rivers, Carbon and Nature”, so this conversation focused on Polly and Lucy.We spoke about two very different journeys within horticulture, from premium cider production and traditional orchards through to tea growing in Wales. What linked both conversations was a willingness to challenge convention, create value from specialist crops and build businesses around products that many people would not immediately associate with British agriculture 🚜Polly shared how Fine Love Cider works with traditional orchards in the Wye Valley, helping to protect and restore these valuable landscapes while producing premium ciders. Through her travels she explored cider cultures across Europe, looking at everything from education and government support to the role local producers play in maintaining regional identity and rural economies 🌳Lucy spoke about pioneering commercial tea production in Wales after a background in soft fruit growing. Her Nuffield journey has explored how innovation from across horticulture can be adapted into the tea sector, while also questioning how we define value within food production. From consumer understanding and sustainability through to community engagement and wellbeing, her work highlighted the wider role that horticulture can play beyond simply producing a crop 🍃One of the strongest themes running throughout the episode was the importance of education and connection. Whether it was helping consumers understand where their tea comes from or encouraging support for locally grown apples and cider, both scholars highlighted the value of reconnecting people with the origins of what they eat and drink 🌾Without giving away everything that will be shared on stage in Leeds, this episode offered another fascinating glimpse into the future of horticulture, rural enterprise and innovative crop production.Thank you to NFU Mutual for their support of this project.Enjoy! 🙂

Do you feel you have expertise and experience to pass on? Or perhaps you’re looking for someone who can help you learn, grow and navigate the challenges ahead? 🌱Today on the TwoCan Mentor podcast I was joined by Ian Brown and Muhammad Umar 🎙️Ian is a third generation farmer, entrepreneur and business adviser who has spent his career building businesses across food, renewable energy and innovation. Muhammad grew up on a small livestock farm in Pakistan before studying overseas, completing a PhD focused on food systems resilience and food security in the UK. We spoke about how they were matched through the mentoring programme despite coming from very different backgrounds. What followed was a relationship built around sharing experiences, exploring opportunities and helping each other navigate key stages of their careers. 🌍 For Muhammad, the timing could not have been better. He was finishing his PhD, applying for jobs and trying to make the transition from academia into industry. Ian provided support, perspective and connections, helping him build confidence through what can be a challenging and uncertain period. At the same time, both highlighted how mentoring is never a one way process, with each learning from the other’s experiences and outlook. 💭 A big theme throughout the conversation was resilience. From business ventures and job applications to academic challenges and career setbacks, both shared the importance of learning from failure, staying curious and continuing to move forward. 🌱 We finished by discussing the value of networks, relationships and simply having someone outside your immediate circle to challenge your thinking and support your development. Their message was clear: there is very little downside to mentoring and a huge amount to gain.Enjoy! ☺️

In this episode, we explore arable farming on Arran, tracing the journey of locally grown grain from field to fork and glass.We begin at Bellevue Farm, where farmer Donald Currie grows malting barley on Arran’s fertile soils. From there, we follow the grain north to Lochranza Distillery, where Brand Ambassador Fred Baumgärtner explains how locally grown barley is transformed into the island’s world-renowned whisky. We finish our journey at Blackwater Bakehouse, where baker George Grassie shares his passion for artisan breadmaking, heritage grains, sustainability, health and nutrient-dense food.The phrase “follow the grain” is often used to describe the process of working with the natural direction of a material, or within the constraints of your environment, rather than forcing a direction that leads to resistance and damage.We learn how this ethos is reflected in the agroecological approach embraced across Arran. From the field to the distillery and bakery, we hear how farmers, bakers and distillers work with the opportunities and constraints of the island’s climate, soils and landscapes, allowing the local environment to shape their practices rather than trying to overcome it.Episode guestsDonald CurrieDonald Currie is an arable and beef farmer who produces barley for malting at Bellevue Farm and other sites around the island.Fred BaumgärtnerFred Baumgärtner is the Brand Home Ambassador for the Isle of Arran Distillers, the company responsible for producing award-winning whisky at both Lagg Distillery and Lochranza Distillery.Born and bred on Arran, Fred now leads whisky tasting tours and experiences at the distillery for hundreds of visitors each year, and travels the world showcasing the island’s products.George GrassieGeorge Grassie is an artisan baker who has been running Blackwater Bakehouse for the past five years. Born and raised on Arran, George spent several years living on the mainland and abroad before returning to the island with his young family. Today, the Bakehouse produces fresh artisan bread using high-quality Scottish-grown organic flour and heritage grains, and has recently expanded into a new site in Brodick.