The RPA Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The RPA Podcast - Episode 5 Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Welcome to the fifth episode of The RPA Podcast.

In our latest episode, the RPA’s Chief Executive, Paul Caldwell, speaks to Andrew Hawnt, from the RPA’s Internal Communications team, about his reflections of 2022 and ambitions for the year ahead.

Faye Slade, from the RPA’s Countryside Stewardship Agricultural Transition team, talks us through the recent Countryside Stewardship updates and gives us the latest information. This includes January’s Capital Payments announcements and the opening of the Higher Tier application window in February.

We also take some time to reflect on the recent Environmental Land Management schemes announcements, including the extra Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme standards that will become available this summer. Alex Hills, Sustainable Farming Incentive Pilot Delivery Manager at the RPA, discusses the announcement at the end of January and how it provided clarity about what more will be available this year and beyond.

Later in the episode we hear from Andy Powley, Defra’s policy lead for resilience, about how the Future Farming Resilience Fund is providing free business support to farmers and land managers during agricultural transition.

The RPA Podcast is an opportunity to engage with farmers and land managers in a new way, and we encourage you to contact us with suggestions of particular topics that you’d like us to cover with our subject experts. You can email us at External.Affairs@rpa.gov.uk.
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The RPA Podcast - Episode 4 Nov 14, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to the fourth episode of The RPA Podcast.

In our latest episode, Richard Anderson, who leads the Field Officer teams at the RPA, talks about the RPA’s more collaborative approach to inspections and visits, and the improvements we can expect to see in the coming months. Richard highlights how his team will support farmers by offering greater levels of advice, guidance and signposting to help improve compliance with standards and scheme requirements.

We also take some time to understand the RPA’s geospatial mapping process. Rachael Dale, Head of Geospatial Services at the RPA, discusses the exciting changes that the RPA hopes will transform the mapping experience for farmers.

As we approach December’s Basic Payments Scheme payments window, we discuss BPS progressive reductions with Kenny McLoughlin, BPS and CS Claims Product Lead at the RPA. Kenny guides us through December’s BPS payments window and explains how the combination of progressive reductions and advance payments will impact this year’s window.

Later in the episode we hear from farming ambassador and RPA colleague, Norma Boyes MBE, as she reflects on how farming has changed, and continues to change, for women in agricultural roles and communities, as we mark October’s International Day of Rural Women.

Follow us on Twitter @ruralpay
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The RPA Podcast - Episode 3 Jul 22, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to the third episode of The RPA Podcast.

In our latest episode, Daneka Rodgers, Senior Business Analyst at the RPA, explains why it’s crucial to keep your personal information up to date in the Rural Payments Service and offers some great tips on how to update your details. Daneka also talks us through the importance of ‘setting permissions’ in the Rural Payments Service, and highlights what this means for your business.

We’re in the peak season for agricultural shows, so we also explore the RPA’s shows and events schedule with Senior Stakeholder Manager & Shows and Events Lead, Katie Yon. Katie discusses why attending shows is such an important part of the RPA’s programme.

Later in the podcast Sandy Kapila, the RPA’s Customer Director, provides a roundup of the very latest information and updates, and answers some of your questions.

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 2 May 05, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to the second episode of The RPA Podcast.

In this episode, Sustainable Farming Incentive Pilot Delivery Manager, Alex Hills, talks about the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot scheme, and the important findings that have already been applied to the SFI live service that’s due to launch later this year.

We also explore the Countryside Stewardship applications window with Rozanne Kidd, Agricultural Transition Director at the RPA. Rozanne focuses on the improvements made to this year’s Mid Tier scheme and considers how the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme complements Countryside Stewardship schemes.

Later in the podcast Duncan Currie, Project Manager in the Business Transformation Directorate at the RPA, talks us through the recently launched Lump Sum Exit scheme.

In our last podcast, we heard how the RPA is focused on listening to customers, learning from their experiences and continuously improving the RPA’s services. Listening to our customers is at the heart of this, and in today’s episode, Megan Hughes, Samantha Kadzidlo and Jen Bird from the RPA’s Customer Development, Journey and Insight Team, discuss the role of the team and how they would like to work with farmers and landowners in the months and years ahead. Megan, Samantha and Jen also highlight their exciting plans to launch the RPA Research and Insight Network Group later in the year.

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The RPA Podcast - Episode 1 Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to the Rural Payments Agency’s first ever podcast! During 2022 we’ll be bringing you a series of podcasts to help farmers, landowners and rural communities keep up-to-date on developments at the RPA, offer support and guidance, and navigate agricultural transition. In today’s episode, we reflect on 2021 with Customer Director Sandy Kapila and look forward to what’s coming up in 2022 with Senior Stakeholder Manager Katie Yon. Later in the programme, we also have a special feature on wellbeing in rural communities with External Affairs Manager Carrie Smith.