R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

Latest Episodes:

R2Kast 313 - Patrick Snelle on Sheep Farming, Suicide, and Rural Adventures Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

Today, we welcome Patrick Snelle onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Patrick’s journey through agriculture has taken him from lambing in Wales to farming on remote islands and even managing a sheep dairy in Dorset. 🐑🌍

I want to say this episodes comes with a disclaimer that we talk about a real example of attempted suicide.

Growing up outside of farming, Patrick found his way into the industry through family connections and sheer determination. 🚜 He studied at Harper Adams via their access course, which gave him a foot in the door, leading to roles in beef, sheep, and even poultry farming. His travels took him to Islay, Shetland, and Lambay Island, where he worked with sheep, cattle, and even wild wallabies! 🦘

Patrick opens up about his mental health struggles, including his experience with bipolar disorder and a suicide attempt that led to a long road to recovery. 💙 He shares how vital support networks, medication, and understanding employers helped him rebuild his life. His story is a testament to resilience, and he highlights the progress in mental health awareness within farming, urging others to seek help when they need it. 🌱💪

Now working as a vet technician, Patrick has found stability and fulfilment. 🩺 His passion for animal care, foot trimming, and working alongside vets has given him a rewarding career. His advice? Don’t be afraid to change direction if something isn’t working—there’s always another path in agriculture! 🌾✨

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#SheepFarming #MentalHealthAwareness #BipolarDisorder #FarmingResilience #VetTech #Agriculture #RuralLife #HighlandsAndIslands #SustainableFarming #AnimalCare #Shepherding #HarperAdams #FarmingMentalHealth #AgCareers #RegenerativeAg #SheepDairy #FarmLife #YoungFarmers #RuralSupport #LivestockManagement

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R2Kast 312 - Kelly Hewson-Fisher on Water Security, Farming, and Rural Research Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

Today, we welcome Kelly Hewson-Fisher onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Kelly’s journey from growing up on a dairy farm to becoming Head of Rural Research at Savills is nothing short of inspiring. 🌱💧

Kelly shares how her parents started farming by selling their wedding gifts to buy cows and rent land. 🐄 She reflects on her path through Harper Adams, her time with ADAS as an agricultural business consultant, and how she found her passion in water security and rural research. Her story highlights the importance of adaptability and seizing unexpected opportunities. 🚜✨

As a leading voice in water management, Kelly delves into the critical role of water security in agriculture. 💦 She explains how catchment management, collaboration between farmers and water companies, and innovative storage solutions are essential for future sustainability. From nitrate levels in aquifers to the challenges of extreme weather, Kelly emphasises the need for better education and proactive policies to ensure long-term resilience. 🌍🌾

Beyond her professional work, Kelly is passionate about mentorship and leadership. 👥 Managing the rural research team at Savills, she finds fulfilment in supporting and developing the next generation of industry experts. Her dedication to the sector proves that agriculture isn’t just about farming—it’s about people, policy, and sustainability. It’s been a pleasure to hear her insights! 🌟📊

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#WaterSecurity #SustainableFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #CatchmentManagement #SoilHealth #Savills #AgResearch #FarmingInnovation #LandUse #FutureFarming #ClimateResilience #RuralLeadership #PolicyMatters #Agriculture #WaterManagement #FarmResilience #Sustainability #RuralDevelopment #FoodProduction #AgriTech #EnvironmentalStewardship

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R2Kast 311 - Joanne Hall on Architecture, Travel, and Young Farmers Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

Today, we welcome Joanne Hall onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Joanne’s journey is nothing short of fascinating—from studying architecture to travelling the world and making a huge impact in the Young Farmers community. 🌍✨

Joanne shares her experience pursuing a six-year architecture degree at Glasgow School of Art 🏛️ and how her career led her to working with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Alongside her passion for architecture, she discovered a love for marketing and social media while living in Benbecula, where she also ran a Highland dance school! 💃🌊

Beyond her professional career, Joanne has travelled extensively, exploring Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and India. 🗺️ Her adventurous spirit took her to incredible places, including performing in military tattoos in Australia, Canada, and Europe. She shares the unique experiences of solo travelling and the eye-opening lessons she learned along the way. 🏕️✈️

Joanne is also a dedicated leader in SAYFC, currently serving as Vice Chair of the Comms and Marketing Committee alongside me as Chair. 📢 It’s been a pleasure to work with and get to know Jo in our roles, as she plays a key part in shaping SAYFC’s communication strategy—from social media content to event promotion—ensuring Young Farmers continues to grow and engage its members. Her commitment to the organisation shines through in everything she does! 🚜🔥

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#YoungFarmers #SAYFC #Architecture #HighlandDancing #MilitaryTattoo #SoloTravel #Scotland #Marketing #SocialMedia #AgriLeadership #Networking #RuralLife #CreativeIndustries #CommunityEngagement #PublicSpeaking #EventPlanning #AgriYouth #ScotlandTravel #BuildingFutures #CulturalExchange #Leadership

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R2Kast 310 - Colin and Yasmine on Sheep, Markets, and Travel Mar 14, 2025

Show notes

Today we welcome my dad, Colin Currie, back for his second appearance on the podcast and my partner, Yasmine, for her first! 🏡🎤 We chat about our journey into farming, from Colin’s lifelong connection to the land to Yas’ unexpected route into shepherding after a childhood love for animals. 🐏💚

Colin updates us on his ongoing mission to visit every livestock market in the UK, sharing highlights and insights from his experiences across the country. 📍🚜 He also reminisces about his time as Chair of Arran Young Farmers 40 years ago and the importance of youth organisations in rural communities. 🌾🧑‍🌾

Meanwhile, Yas tells us about Dorothy, the Dorset sheep who stole her heart and now calls Arran home! 🐑💖 She shares her path from aspiring vet nurse to full-time shepherd, proving that a non-farming background doesn’t mean you can’t find a way in! 🏞️✨

And, of course, we reflect on some of our biggest adventures—including THAT boat trip in New Zealand! ⛴️🌊 Was it thrilling or utterly terrifying? Depends on who you ask! 😅

Enjoy! 😃🎙️

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support. 🙌

#Farming #SheepFarming #Agriculture #RuralLife #FarmingLife #YoungFarmers #Livestock #Shepherding #FamilyFarming #ScottishFarming #AgricultureCommunity #FarmingPodcast #FarmLife #FarmingStories #UKFarming #SustainableFarming #FarmersOfInstagram #RuralStories #TravelAndFarming #FarmingJourney #FarmExperiences #Podcast #PodcastLife #PodcastHost #PodcastEpisode

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R2Kast 309 - Tales of a Nuffield Scholar with Liz Bowles and Jim Baird Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Today, as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast, which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Liz Bowles and Jim Baird. 🌍✨

Jim Baird, a dairy farmer from Lanark 🐄, shares his journey from studying entrepreneurship through Nuffield to becoming vice-chair of Nuffield UK. He discusses his focus on regenerative agriculture 🌱, rotational grazing, reducing chemical inputs, and his work with First Milk’s sustainability initiatives. His passion for balancing productivity with environmental stewardship is evident in his approach. 🚜🌿

Liz Bowles, CEO of Farm Carbon Toolkit 🌾, reflects on her experience as a Nuffield Scholar studying collaboration in the red meat sector. She discusses her dedication to regenerative agriculture, the importance of soil health 🌍, and the evolution of carbon footprinting in farming. Her work focuses on helping farmers reduce emissions while improving profitability and biodiversity. 🌱💡

The conversation explores key sustainability themes, including the role of dung beetles 🪲, the challenges of multi-species swards, and the opportunities in regenerative agriculture. Both guests highlight the importance of adaptability, data-driven decision-making 📊, and supporting farmers through collaboration and knowledge exchange. 🌾🗣️

Jim and Liz also reflect on their Nuffield journeys ✈️, sharing how the scholarship opened doors to global learning and shaped their careers. They emphasise the need for continuous learning, networking, and innovation in agriculture to build resilient and sustainable farming systems. 🌍🤝

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for their support of this project.

The views in this podcast are that of those involved and not that of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.

#SustainableFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #CarbonFootprinting #NuffieldScholar #DairyFarming #LivestockManagement #FarmResilience #Agroecology #RuralInnovation #ClimateSmartFarming #CarbonSequestration #Biodiversity #FirstMilk #FarmCarbonToolkit #GrasslandManagement #DungBeetles #AgriTech #FarmerCollaboration #AgEducation #Agriculture #Farming #Sustainability #RuralLife #Innovation

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R2Kast 308 - Craig Davidson & Jeff Miller on Ag Education in the UK & US Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Today we welcome Craig Davison and Jeff Miller onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ This episode dives into agricultural education, a topic that’s booming in the UK but has been well-established in the US for years. 🌾📚 With Craig’s experience in Scotland and Jeff’s academic leadership in Arkansas, we explore the contrasts and opportunities in ag education between the two nations.

Craig shares his journey from Scotland to the US, where he immersed himself in high school agriculture programs, FFA, and hands-on learning that shaped his career. 🐄🌱 His insights into education pathways and how early exposure to agriculture can create future industry leaders are fascinating!

Jeff brings the American perspective, highlighting the vast range of study options in the US, from ag communications to leadership and policy. 📢💡 He discusses how FFA and 4-H play a massive role in recruitment for the industry, and how the UK could benefit from a similar model to bring in more young talent.

We also touch on new micro-credential courses launching in the UK, designed to boost skills in agricultural communications, marketing, and journalism. 🎓📈 If you’re keen to see ag education expand here, this one’s for you!

Enjoy!

Thanks to Howden Rural for the support.

#Agriculture #Education #Farming #AgEd #FFA #YoungFarmers #AgCommunications #FutureOfFarming #Leadership #RuralDevelopment #FoodSystems #AgTech #RegenerativeAg #Marketing #Policy #Sustainability #Livestock #FarmLife #Innovation #CareersInAg #FutureFarmers #Podcast #FarmingPodcast #UKFarming #USAg #SocialMediaMarketing #AgPolicy #AgStudents #FoodSecurity #AgCareer

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R2Kast 307 - Ben Williams on Sustainability, Education, and the Oxford Farming Conference Mar 07, 2025

Show notes

Today we welcome Ben Williams onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Ben has had a fascinating career spanning education, sustainability, and now as one of the directors of the Oxford Farming Conference. His journey has been anything but straightforward, moving from teaching to working in agriculture and sustainability, always driven by a passion for making things better. 🌍✨

Ben shares his experiences of working in education, particularly with special educational needs students, and how that shaped his perspective on learning and development. He talks about his time setting up a school farm and how hands-on experiences transformed students’ engagement. 🏫🐷

Now working in sustainability, Ben discusses his work ensuring that major food production systems meet environmental and ethical standards. He delves into the challenges and opportunities in making agriculture more sustainable, while keeping it financially viable for farmers and businesses. ♻️🚜

We also hear about Ben’s new role with the Oxford Farming Conference and his thoughts on the future of UK agriculture. His journey proves that careers don’t always follow a straight path – sometimes the best opportunities come from unexpected places! 🌱🎓

Enjoy!

Thanks to Howden Rural for the support.

#Sustainability #Education #OxfordFarmingConference #Agriculture #FoodProduction #FarmToFork #AgriLeadership #ClimateSmartFarming #FutureOfFarming #FoodSecurity #RegenerativeFarming #CarbonFarming #YoungFarmers #AgriTech #FoodInnovation #RuralDevelopment #FarmEducation #GreenFarming #SustainableFood #AgriCareers #SoilHealth #Podcast #Farming #Agriculture #UKFarming #FarmLife #FoodIndustry

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R2Kast 306 - Tom Turner on Farming, TikTok for Clients & KWS Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Today we welcome Tom Turner onto the R2Kast! From using TikTok as a tool to gain clients in a previous role to now working with KWS, Tom’s journey is one full of adaptability and strategic moves! 📱🌱

We chat about his transition from an agricultural consultancy role into agronomy, his experience in business development, and his passion for crop management. Tom shares how he has navigated challenges and embraced opportunities in the industry! 🚜📊

We also dive into the power of digital content creation, discussing how social media has transformed communication in farming and beyond. Tom gives insight into how KWS operates and his role within the company, making an impact on the seed and crop sector! 🌾💡

We also cover our favourite Call of Duty’s because that the real important stuff! 🎮

Enjoy!

Thanks to Howden Rural for the support.

#Agriculture #Farming #Agronomy #CropScience #FarmBusiness #KWS #SocialMediaMarketing #DigitalFarming #PrecisionAg #FarmerLife #SustainableFarming #SeedIndustry #SoilHealth #FarmInnovation #RegenerativeAg #UKFarming #RuralLife #AgTech #YoungFarmers #FarmEducation #Podcast #FarmingPodcast #R2Kast

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R2Kast 305 - Ben Andrews 2.0 on Organic Farming, Biodiversity, and the Challenges of Flooding Feb 28, 2025

Show notes

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.

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy!

Thanks to Howden Rural for the support.

#OrganicFarming #Biodiversity #SustainableAgriculture #Flooding #ClimateResilience #RegenerativeFarming #SoilHealth #WildlifeConservation #NatureFriendlyFarming #FarmLife #Birdwatching #EnvironmentalSustainability #NuffieldScholar #Agroecology #FarmerStories #ClimateChange #SoilRegeneration #Agriculture #UKFarming #FarmResilience #Podcast #Farming #RuralLife

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R2Kast 304 - Tales of a Nuffield Scholar with Simon Beckett Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

Today, as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series, we chat to Simon Beckett, a third-generation farmer from a family with a deep-rooted Nuffield legacy. His father, Alan Beckett, was a Nuffield Scholar in 1957, and Simon continued the tradition in 1987 with a study on motivation in middle management. Even Simons daughter Holly has done Nuffield, making it three generations of Beckett scholars! 🌾

Simon shares the incredible journey of their business—from dairy to poultry and then expanding into retail and farm diversification. His experience in strategic planning and leadership offers valuable insights into evolving and adapting in the farming world. 🚜

We also explore the challenges of stepping back from leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the lasting impact of Nuffield on his career. Simon reflects on how the Beckett Scholarship has helped support many entrepreneurial scholars, reinforcing the strong network within the Nuffield community. 🌍

His passion for business, personal development, and supporting the next generation shines through in this episode. A conversation full of wisdom, history, and plenty of laughs along the way! 🎙️

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 #SimonBeckett #FarmLeadership #Agriculture #Motivation #BusinessGrowth #RuralInnovation #FarmDiversification #SuccessionPlanning #StrategicFarming #RetailFarming #FarmBusiness #FarmingLegacy #LeadershipInAgriculture #NuffieldFarming #GlobalAgriculture #EntrepreneurialFarming #FarmManagement #SustainableFarming #AgricultureLeadership

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