R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

Wallace Currie
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  • Natural Sciences
  • Updated Biweekly

Brought to you from Rural2Kitchen. The podcast where agricultural minds open up. Sponsored primarily by Howden Rural Insurance as well as the Scottish Farmer Follow us on all platforms here - https://linktr.ee/rural2kitchen To get in touch email rural2kitchen@gmail.com Complete this survey to help out the show! Thank you so much - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBDRnGerPw2w-nNBT6st4wCI2ldi4OZPrIIrJ-_rsRWCKq1A/viewform?usp=sf_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Agricology Podcast S4E1 - Agroecology around Arran Meat and Livestock

    19h ago

    Agricology Podcast S4E1 - Agroecology around Arran Meat and Livestock

    From the early days of crofting and subsistence farming to the present day, animal protein has provided an essential and highly valuable source of nutrients for Arran’s population. While sheep and beef production have always been central to Arran’s farming economy, venison is now also being embraced as a sustainable protein source that can help to combat the growing threat that the wild deer population poses to island ecosystems. In this first episode of our new series Agroecology Around Arran, we explore how the production of meat on Arran embraces the ethos of agroecology, how farmers are working together to reduce carbon emissions from livestock farming, and what we can learn from their example. Guests Alistair Currie Alistair talks to us about his livestock farm based in the Shiskine Valley. He maintains a herd of around around 30 native-breed beef cattle which are fed on pasture and home-grown silage. Colin CurrieColin Currie is an upland hill farmer who has been farming sheep and beef at Bridge Farm with his wife Laura since the 1970s. Bridge Farm is situated within a SSSI-designated site that is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Colin uses his innate knowledge of the land to create a low-input livestock system that has allowed him to reduce reliance on external markets, maximise animal welfare, and work in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem. Zoë HughesZoë Hughes runs Wild Isle Venison with her partner Chris. Their work aims to honour the deer that are harvested alongside protecting the natural landscape on Arran and strengthening the local food chain. Zoë is passionate about sustainable, affordable meat that has a positive impact on the environment. Wild Isle Venison works to reconnect producers and consumers, processing venison in small batches and selling to local residents, chefs and businesses across the island. Alec PirieAlec Pirie is a Senior Consultant and Area Manager for SAC Consulting. Alec works with over 120 clients across Scotland and has a particular interest in carbon, climate and conservation. He has also recently completed a Master's degree in Wildlife, Conservation and Management. Alec started the Net Zero Arran group in 2019. This aim of this group of farmers is to quantify the island's agricultural carbon footprint and take collective action to improve it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min
  2. Tales of a Nuffield Scholar with Awal Fuseini, Alex Crawley and Laura Eden

    2d ago

    Tales of a Nuffield Scholar with Awal Fuseini, Alex Crawley and Laura Eden

    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 “Livestock Systems Built for the Future” with Awal Fuseini, Alex Crawley and Laura Eden 🌱 We spoke about three very different journeys into agriculture and Nuffield, from veterinary science and halal meat systems through to conservation grazing, military service, diplomacy and livestock health. It was fascinating hearing how each of them has approached the future of livestock systems from completely different angles, while still landing on many of the same themes around resilience, sustainability and animal welfare 🚜 Across the conversation we explored everything from extensive grazing systems and flood prevention through to goat dairies, meat processing, animal health, biosecurity and the role livestock can play in supporting landscapes and ecosystems. One of the standout themes was how much can be learned from stepping outside your own system and looking at how other countries approach the same challenges 🌍 There were also some brilliant discussions around the human side of farming and livestock production, whether that was supporting farmers through better veterinary communication, learning from traditional systems in Africa and Asia, or recognising the wider value livestock can bring beyond simply producing meat or milk 🌾 The episode also gave a great insight into the Nuffield journey itself, from the intensity of the CSC in New Zealand through to the global connections and opportunities that come from travelling, asking questions and challenging your own assumptions. Without giving away everything that will be shared on stage in Leeds, this was another brilliant glimpse into the ideas shaping the future of agriculture   Thank you to NFU Mutual for their support of this project. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  3. R2Kast 428 – Cora Cooper on hill farming, biodiversity and changing the conversation around sheep

    4d ago

    R2Kast 428 – Cora Cooper on hill farming, biodiversity and changing the conversation around sheep

    Today I had Cora on the R2Kast 🎙️ A first generation farmer who, alongside her husband David, now runs a large hill sheep enterprise in East Ayrshire while also becoming a leading voice around sustainability, biodiversity and women in agriculture. 🌾 We spoke about her route into farming from a background in law, PR and events with absolutely no agricultural connection before meeting David and gradually becoming part of the business. It was a really honest discussion about learning on the job, questioning everything and finding her own place within the farm rather than simply fitting into what was already there. 🍎   A big part of the conversation focused on hill sheep farming and the role it can play in nature recovery. We discussed adaptive grazing, peatland restoration, biodiversity and why food production and environmental improvement should not be treated as opposing ideas. Cora explained how their system works with the landscape rather than against it and why she feels hill farming is often misunderstood in wider conversations around sustainability. 🌍 We also spoke about Women in Agriculture Scotland, mentoring, confidence building and creating better connections across the sector, alongside winning both Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year and the National Women in Agriculture Awards Sustainability Champion title. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr
  4. R2Kast 427 – Iain McDonell on farming across the world, environmental regulation and mentoring

    May 29

    R2Kast 427 – Iain McDonell on farming across the world, environmental regulation and mentoring

    Today I had Iain on the R2Kast 🎙️ A really interesting chat with someone whose career has taken him from agricultural college through to farming, consultancy, environmental regulation and now working across farming in protected landscapes. 🌾 We spoke about his route into agriculture through Seale Hayne Agricultural College before heading off around the world working harvests and farms across Australia, New Zealand and the USA. From huge arable operations in Montana to cattle work in Queensland, it was a brilliant insight into how travel and hands on experience can shape your understanding of farming systems. 🍎   A big part of the conversation focused on his work with the Environment Agency and now within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, helping support farmers through environmental regulation, landscape management and changing policy. We got into the balance between food production and environmental responsibility, how farming has changed over the last two decades, and why communication and trust matter so much when working with the industry. 🌍 We also spoke about mentoring, football coaching and helping younger people into the sector, and how passing knowledge on is becoming more important as experience gradually leaves the industry. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m
  5. Field to Front Door – Episode 7 on peonies, social media, regenerative farming and finding value in what you grow

    May 25

    Field to Front Door – Episode 7 on peonies, social media, regenerative farming and finding value in what you grow

    Today we’re back with Field to Front Door 🎙️ David, Martin and Wallace this time chatting right in the middle of peony season pressure, with everything starting to speed up very quickly on farm.   A big part of this episode was around direct selling and how different things become when you’re dealing with the customer yourself rather than supermarkets. We got into the reality of picking peonies at the right stage, managing subscriptions, handling labour pressure and trying to deliver quality at exactly the right moment. There was also a really interesting discussion around regenerative farming and soil biology, with Martin explaining everything from cover crops and reduced tillage through to microbes, seed treatments and why farming systems have changed so much over the last few decades. We also spoke a lot about social media and building value around what you produce. From apples and peonies through to grains and direct selling, the conversation kept coming back to the idea that farmers have more value in their products than they often realise if they can build trust and connect with people properly. Alongside all of that there were the usual stories and tangents, from Chelsea Flower Show and tourists stripping apple orchards bare through to agroecology on Arran and the challenge of keeping farming viable in very different parts of the country. 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! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  6. R2Kast 426 – Robyn Swan on off grid living, self sufficiency and raising your own food

    May 22

    R2Kast 426 – Robyn Swan on off grid living, self sufficiency and raising your own food

    Today I had Robyn on the R2Kast 🎙️ She lives completely off grid in Scotland, raising her own livestock, growing her own food and documenting the whole journey online. 🌾 We spoke about how she ended up there, from a background in animal care and the military into building her own off grid setup from scratch. Buying the land, converting a shipping container into a home, setting up solar, water systems and then gradually adding livestock and veg production around it. It was a proper look at what it actually takes to live like that day to day. 🍎   A big part of the conversation focused on producing your own food. Sheep, pigs, rabbits, chickens and growing veg, and what it’s like to go full cycle from raising animals to having food on your plate. We also got into public perception around things like rabbit meat, welfare and the reality of living closely with the animals you produce. 🌍 We also spoke about the lifestyle itself. Costs, challenges, water, power, winter, and why it’s not as simple or romantic as people sometimes think, but still something she wouldn’t change. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
  7. Tales of a Nuffield Scholar with Ali Warren-Walker, Laura Underdown, Stu Oates and Ben Andrews

    May 20 ·  Bonus

    Tales of a Nuffield Scholar with Ali Warren-Walker, Laura Underdown, Stu Oates and Ben Andrews

    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! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 5m
  8. R2Kast 425 – Jack Munro on consultancy, new entrant farming and youth voice in agriculture

    May 18

    R2Kast 425 – Jack Munro on consultancy, new entrant farming and youth voice in agriculture

    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! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m
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About

Brought to you from Rural2Kitchen. The podcast where agricultural minds open up. Sponsored primarily by Howden Rural Insurance as well as the Scottish Farmer Follow us on all platforms here - https://linktr.ee/rural2kitchen To get in touch email rural2kitchen@gmail.com Complete this survey to help out the show! Thank you so much - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBDRnGerPw2w-nNBT6st4wCI2ldi4OZPrIIrJ-_rsRWCKq1A/viewform?usp=sf_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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