R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

Latest Episodes:

Field to Front Door - Intro to David, Martin and Wallace Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

In this opening episode of Field to Front Door, Martin Caunce and David Wheatley sit down with Wallace Currie to test an idea that has been brewing for just 24 hours. From arable crops and flour milling to peonies, orchards and social media, the conversation explores what it really takes to sell direct and rebuild trust between farmer and consumer. Honest, off the cuff and unfiltered, this sets the tone for what could come next.

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

R2Kast 418 – Liz Barron-Majerik on Lantra, ALBAS and shaping skills in Scotland Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

Today we welcome Liz Barron-Majerik to the R2Kast 🎙️ Scotland Director for Lantra and someone who has spent years working across STEM, forestry and land-based education. 🌾

We started with the ALBAS awards, celebrating excellence in land-based and aquaculture skills, and the wider development programme that supports finalists beyond the ceremony itself. Liz explained how industry champions are developed, how mentoring and partnership working are recognised, and why celebrating learners and educators matters across the sector.

We then went into her background, from studying plants and completing a PhD with the Agronomy Institute in Orkney, to leading departments at UHI Inverness including the forestry school. A big part of the conversation focused on apprenticeships, course design and the reality of creating qualifications that meet industry need rather than simply industry want.

We spoke about Lantra’s role in approving training providers, shaping national occupational standards, supporting pre-apprenticeships through agricultural rings, and working cross border to share best practice. The discussion also covered STEM engagement, the importance of conversation over process, and her move to Qualification Scotland as Chief Accreditation Officer.

Enjoy! 🙂

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

Tales of a Nuffield Scholar with Trevor Alcorn Feb 25, 2026

Show notes

Today on the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series I had the pleasure of chatting with Trevor Alcorn 🎙️ Trevor is a dairy farmer from County Tyrone, a CAFRE dairy development adviser, and a 2015 Nuffield Scholar whose topic asked a question many farming families still wrestle with today, does the family dairy farm have a future 🌾

We started with Trevor’s own story, farming for generations near Omagh, milking just over 200 cows on heavy clay soils with high rainfall, and balancing the home farm alongside his advisory role with discussion groups across Northern Ireland. There was something really grounding about hearing how he juggles both, and how much of his scholarship topic is rooted in lived experience 🚜

Trevor’s Nuffield travels took him to the US, China, Germany, France, Denmark, Ireland and across the UK. He spoke about seeing 20 cow dairies and 4,000 cow family farms in America, the rapid shift in China towards large scale corporate dairy units, and the collaborative dairy models in France that prioritise work life balance. It was fascinating hearing how different systems approach scale, ownership and family involvement 🌍

When pushed to answer his own question ten years on, Trevor was clear. Yes, the family dairy farm does have a future, but it must communicate, collaborate and innovate. That three word summary really stuck with me. So often it is not the technical side that holds businesses back, but conversations within families and willingness to adapt 🌱

We also spoke about his ongoing role within Nuffield, from helping lead the Belfast conference to serving as a trustee and working closely with the NextGen programme. Hearing his pride in the next generation of scholars coming through was a brilliant way to wrap up the conversation.

Thank you to NFU Mutual for their support of this project.

Enjoy! 🙂

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

R2Kast 417 – Nikki & Ollie Lake on Buffalo, Diversification and Building Thorabella Farm Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Today we welcome Nikki and Ollie Lake to the R2Kast 🎙️ A farming couple who have built Thorabella Farm around direct sales, diversification and connecting people back to where their food comes from. 🌾

We spoke about starting from scratch, buying 40 acres and gradually building a mixed system with buffalo, Jersey cows and sheep. Buffalo became central to the business, both from a grazing and commercial perspective, with meat sold directly to customers through farm sales, catering and events.

A big part of the conversation focused on direct to consumer food systems. Why they believe consumers need to reconnect with food production, what changes when people buy straight from farms, and how transparency and face to face conversations shift understanding around meat and welfare.

We also discussed diversification, winning Diversified Farm of the Year, the realities of filming farm life for television, and the financial balancing act of making a smaller acreage work through value adding rather than scale.

Enjoy! 🙂

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

R2Kast 416 – Jemma Wilkinson on farming, recovery and pushing physical limits Feb 20, 2026

Show notes

Today we welcome Jemma to the R2Kast 🎙️ A sheep farmer, ultra runner and multiple time world record holder whose story covers farming, serious injury and rebuilding both physically and mentally. 🌾

We started with life on her new farm, moving from the original family place after her dad passed away, downsizing, starting again and slowly building a flock of around 300 ewes alongside a small developing suckler herd. There was plenty of chat about flooding, mixed grazing, soil health and learning what a new farm can actually carry.

Jemma then shared the accident that changed everything. Being hit by a lorry while working in London, multiple surgeries, muscle grafts and a long recovery period before returning home to farm. We spoke about PTSD, the mental side of recovery, and how getting a collie pup became part of pushing herself physically again.

Strength training became a turning point. Moving from being self conscious about scars to being proud of what her body could do. That eventually led to ultra running, cycling from Sandbanks to Saint Tropez, and being part of a team that set world records for sled push over one, twelve and twenty four hours.

We also spoke about the appeal of ultra running, not for speed, but for the places it takes you. From the Pennine Way to Peru and Kyrgyzstan, and the balance between farming, adventure and protecting your own headspace.

Enjoy! 🙂

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

R2Kast 415 – Jackie Hough on Farming, City & Guilds and Vocational Training Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Today we welcome Jackie Hough to the R2Kast 🎙️ A sheep farmer in the Boland Fells and Industry Manager for Land Based at City & Guilds. 🌾

We began with life on the farm in the north of England, running around 700 to 800 sheep alongside finishing cattle. We discussed lambing indoors in challenging terrain, breed choices including Cheviot mules and Bluefaced Leicesters, and why systems have to adapt to remain commercially viable.

The conversation then moved into her role at City & Guilds. Jackie explained how vocational qualifications are developed, how employer industry boards feed directly into qualification design, and why industry voice is essential in shaping training for the future workforce.

We spoke about certificates of competence under the NPTC banner, short courses, competency based assessment and the importance of keeping qualifications relevant to real farm businesses. There was also discussion around apprenticeships, curriculum development and the need to bring agriculture more clearly into mainstream education pathways.

Enjoy! 🙂

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

R2Kast 414 – Sarah Jane Laing on Scottish Land and Estates, rural policy and leading through Covid Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

Today we welcome Sarah Jane to the R2Kast 🎙️ Chief Executive of Scottish Land and Estates and someone who has spent two decades shaping rural policy in Scotland. 🌾

We spoke about her background growing up in Kelso, her route from studying philosophy and psychology into rural policy, and how a summer job with the local authority set the direction for her career. From joining SLE in 2004 to becoming Chief Executive just months before Covid hit, she shared what it was like leading a national membership organisation through one of the most turbulent periods in recent history. 🍎

A big part of the conversation focused on what SLE actually does. Representing land based businesses across Scotland, from smallholders to large estates, influencing legislation on housing, agriculture, natural capital and land reform. Sarah Jane explained how policy positions are shaped by members, how influence works in practice, and why future land management has to balance people, jobs and nature.

We also discussed farming support, natural capital, land reform, political ideology, and the importance of evidence over belief when shaping rural legislation. It was an honest conversation about the realities of working in policy and the responsibility that comes with representing a diverse rural membership. 🌍

Enjoy! 🙂

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

Tales of a Nuffield Scholar with Ben Taylor Davies Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

Today on the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series I had the pleasure of chatting with Ben Taylor Davies 🎙️ Ben is a regenerative agriculture consultant, farmer, and Nuffield Scholar whose story spans family farming, global travel, and a very honest journey through challenge, change and curiosity 🌾

We spoke about Ben’s early life on the family farm in Herefordshire, how the business narrowed into conventional arable systems over time, and how a deeply personal family tragedy forced him to stop, reassess, and question everything he thought he knew about farming and success. That moment ultimately led him towards a Nuffield Scholarship, even though he admits he didn’t want one right up until the moment he left 🚜

Ben’s Nuffield journey took him across North and South America, Africa, Asia and Australia, including solo travel by train from the UK to China. Along the way he encountered regenerative thinkers, different production systems, and a completely new way of understanding soils, weeds, biology and farming economics. A chance meeting in North Dakota became a turning point, shifting his focus from fighting weeds to understanding what they are telling us 🌍

We also talked about neurodiversity, ADHD, and how finally understanding how his brain works unlocked confidence, clarity and purpose. That perspective now underpins both his consulting work around the world and the radical diversification of the family farm, from livestock and agroforestry to food processing, education, hospitality and energy production 🌱

Thank you to NFU Mutual for their support of this project.

Enjoy! 🙂

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

R2Kast 413 – All In with Devin Currin on Aviation, Education and Backing Yourself Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

Today on the All In series of the R2Kast I was joined by Devin 🎙️ The series where we share the stories of people with no ties to food or farming but who still have something powerful to say about life, ambition and what drives them 🌍

Devin is the founder of Dev Aviation and someone I’ve known for years, back to our time working together at SRUC. We started by chatting about that journey, from milking cows and working in education to finding herself deep in the world of aviation, student recruitment and skills development ✈️

We talked about how she first got into aviation, what drew her to it, and why the industry needs new ways of connecting with young people. A big part of the conversation was around Dev Aviation and the community she’s building to help Gen Z understand what careers in aviation actually look like, not just on paper but in real life

There was a lot in there about confidence, communication, soft skills and how many young people have the ability but just need someone to open the door and show them what’s possible. We also got into gaming, education and why meeting people where they already are online can be a positive thing when it’s done properly 🎮

We finished up talking about home, balance and why being able to travel, do exciting work and still come back to somewhere familiar really matters. It was one of those chats that just flowed and could easily have gone on for another hour

A proper All In episode about backing yourself, building something meaningful and not waiting for permission

Enjoy! 🙂

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

R2Kast 412 – Russ Carrington on regenerative farming, mentoring and rural youth leadership Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Today we welcome Russ to the R2Kast 🎙️ Someone whose career spans farming, engineering, regenerative agriculture, mentoring and rural youth leadership at a European level. 🌾

We talked about growing up on a family farm, studying engineering, travelling extensively, and how seeing farming systems around the world shaped his focus on change in agriculture. Russ explained his role in setting up farmer led organisations, his work on regenerative systems, and why mindset and context matter just as much as techniques. 🍎

A big part of the discussion focused on mentoring and coaching. How supporting farmers through change works best when it’s collaborative rather than prescriptive, and why succession, communication and family dynamics are central to long term resilience. We also spoke about his leadership with Rural Youth Europe, representing hundreds of thousands of rural young people across the continent.

Enjoy! 🙂

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

R2Kast – People in Food and Farming/All In

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected