8: Wildlife, Soil & Farming – Special

Season 2, Episode 2 - Summer episode

How can farming work with nature?

(00:00) Intro with wildlife guide Tom Forward – soil, the last frontier and a whistlestop guide to the five principles of regenerative farming.

(05:31) What is conservation grazing? - with Rich Allum and Tristram Stuart

(16:45) A tour round Elizabeth Buchanan’s organic farm

(27:51) Trip to Groundswell, the Regenerative Agriculture Festival with:

· John Cherry, co-founder of Groundswell

· Henry Dimbleby, author of ‘National Food Strategy'

· Martin Lines, CEO of Nature Friendly Farming Network and others…

(41:41)  Peter Brown explains biodynamic farming – which celebrates its 100th year.

(52:01) Closing thoughts with Tom Forward

Keen listeners with headphones: spot the cuckoo which we didn't notice in the background of one of the interviews.

This podcast takes the Ashdown Forest as a springboard for conversations about wildlife.

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‘So professional and well-constructed.' Vanessa Williams, Director BBC Countryfile

'This podcast is a total delight and an immersion in nature itself.' Isabella Tree, rewilding pioneer

Links:

Groundswell, the Regenerative Agriculture Festival: www.groundswellag.com

Nature Friendly Farming Network: www.nffn.org.uk

Regenerative farming documentary: www.sixinchesofsoil.org

We are hugely grateful to the Halleria Trust for funding this episode and to The Ashdown Forest Foundation (TAFF) for supporting our fundraising.

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Producer: Eka Morgan

Guitar: Jared Thode

Artwork: Carry Akroyd

Technical support: David Kitto

If you have suggestions for future subjects or if you can sponsor future episodes, please get in touch: ashdownpodcast@gmail.com.