Today we welcome Dave Kennedy onto the R2Kast. Dave is a lowland sheep farmer and personal development coach, bringing together two unique worlds with one powerful message: resilience and growth. 🌱

Dave shares the story of a traumatic experience in his late teens that shaped his life. Feeling he needed to make a change, he embarked on a journey of personal transformation, both mentally and physically. His farming life, managing 200 sheep after transitioning from dairy, showcases his adaptability and strength. 🐑

We explore his incredible journey of losing over eight stone in weight and the emotional connections tied to food. Dave’s honesty about the mental strength required for such a change is both inspiring and relatable. His story is one of self-awareness, growth, and pushing through challenges. 💪

Dave now offers a service teaching health and wellbeing, starting with the mind before the body. His work focuses on helping others develop resilience, improve their mindset, and take control of their lives, particularly in rural communities. His passion for guiding others through their own transformations is truly inspiring. 🧠

Enjoy!

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#R2Kast #DaveKennedy #LowlandSheepFarming #PersonalDevelopment #FitnessJourney #MentalHealthInFarming #RuralResilience #HowdenRural #SheepFarming #AgricultureLife #WeightLossJourney #FarmingAndFitness #FarmersMentalHealth #RuralSupport #FarmStories #MentalResilience #SheepFarmer #AgricultureCommunity #MindsetAndGrowth #HealthAndWellbeing #FitnessAndFarming

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Today, as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series, we chat to Emily Norton, a passionate advocate for climate-focused policy and the future of farming. 🌍

Emily discusses her journey into agriculture, growing up on a mixed family farm and experiencing the challenges of succession and intergenerational farming firsthand. Her early experiences shaped her dedication to building a more sustainable and equitable industry. 🌾

Her Nuffield Scholarship focused on how farmers can adapt their systems to align with sustainability goals while remaining profitable. Emily’s travels took her across the globe, from Europe to North America, where she explored innovative farming practices and their applications back home. ✈️

Emily reflects on her time as Chair of the Oxford Farming Conference and how her work has centred on bridging the gap between policy and practical farming solutions. Her insights highlight the critical role farmers play in tackling climate challenges while managing the realities of modern agriculture. 🌱

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 #EmilyNorton #ClimateAction #SustainableFarming #FarmPolicy #AgricultureInnovation #HowdenRural #GlobalAgriculture #FarmingLeadership #EnvironmentalPolicy #NuffieldFarming #FutureOfFarming #FarmSustainability #AgriLeadership #FarmingJourney #FarmersAndClimate #AgriResearch #FarmToFuture

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Today’s guest is Dr Jonny Hanson, who joins us to explore the fascinating yet contentious topic of rewilding—a subject that’s been making headlines just last week. 🌿

Jonny shares his journey growing up in Northern Ireland and Malawi, experiences that shaped his passion for the environment and agriculture. His academic journey includes a PhD focused on community forestry in Nepal, highlighting his commitment to global conservation efforts. 🌍

We dive into the complexities of rewilding, with me asking questions from both sides of the debate—representing the perspective of sheep farmers and the rewilding advocates. Jonny’s balanced and insightful responses shed light on the challenges and opportunities for coexistence. 🐑🦌

This episode also highlights Jonny’s newly released book, Living with Lynx, which explores coexistence between humans and large carnivores. Packed with insights from his travels and research, it’s a must-read for anyone curious about the future of rewilding and its role in the natural world. 📖

We also touch on his Nuffield journey, where he explored innovative ways to integrate conservation and agriculture, further enriching his perspectives. His work perfectly balances the needs of people and the planet.

If you’re interested in conservation, rewilding, or learning from a fresh perspective, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Enjoy!

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#R2Kast #JonnyHanson #Rewilding #LivingWithLynx #Conservation #AgricultureAndEnvironment #SustainableFarming #HowdenRural #Coexistence #Biodiversity #FutureOfFarming #EnvironmentalLeadership #WildlifeReintroduction #RuralDebate #HotTopicsInFarming #FarmingCommunity #FarmAndConservation #InnovativeFarming #LynxRewilding #RewildingDebate

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Today, we welcome Fraser Searle onto the R2Kast podcast. Fraser is a fascinating mix of social media star, sandwich enthusiast, and all-around creative. Having grown a massive following online, Fraser shares his journey from his early days in content creation to becoming a full-fledged social media sensation. 🌟

Fraser’s rise to fame began with a passion for making incredible sandwiches. What started as a fun way to flex his creative muscles quickly evolved into a platform that inspired others to try their hand at making unique sandwiches. With millions of views across platforms, Fraser has turned sandwiches into both art and entertainment. 🥪

In this episode, we typically focus more on farming, but today we take a deeper dive into the food side. We talk about the unseen side of social media fame—the pressures, challenges, and not-so-glamorous aspects that come with a large online presence. Fraser opens up about the mental load and balancing creativity with the demands of social media, showing that it's not always as easy as it seems. 📲

We also reflect on how our friendship began through Howden, and how many of the great relationships I’ve built started with Fraser. His creativity and positivity have been a huge inspiration in connecting with others. 🌱

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

Enjoy!

#R2Kast #FoodAndFarming #SocialMedia #SandwichArt #FraserSearle #ContentCreation #HowdenRural #FarmingCommunity #ViralContent #Inspiration #Creativity #Foodie #DigitalMarketing #RuralLife #CommunitySupport #TikTokStar #InstagramStar #PodcastEpisode #UKAgriculture #FoodIndustry #OnlineCreators #Trending

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Welcome to another episode of R2Kast – People in Food and Farming! This time, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Laura James, a dynamic advocate for sustainable farming and biodiversity. Laura's journey from a childhood dream of saving the whales to becoming a bee scientist and champion for farming communities is nothing short of inspiring. 🌿

We explored her career, starting with her accidental love affair with agriculture during her placement at the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. Her passion for biodiversity and her time spent as a researcher led her to delve deeply into the crucial roles of bees in ecosystems and agriculture. 🐝

Currently with AHDB, Laura bridges the gap between research and practical on-farm solutions. I love the way Laura sees the merits in both food production and the sustainability around it in equal measure, showcasing a balanced perspective that’s so vital in modern agriculture. 🌾

Laura also shared her exciting plans for her Nuffield travels, focusing on exploring how different countries approach biodiversity and integrate sustainability into their agricultural systems. From Europe to Africa and beyond, her goal is to gather insights and bring back innovative solutions that could benefit the UK farming sector. 🌍

Enjoy!

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#sustainablefarming #biodiversity #beescientist #agricultureandconservation #AHDB #farmlife #sustainabilitymatters #pollinators #naturelovers #researchtosolutions #organicfarming #balancingnatureandfood #ecosystemservices #beesofinstagram #farmerssupportingfarmers #globalinitiatives #foodproduction #scienceoutreach #phdlife #r2kastpeople

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Today’s guest is Andrew Richardson, a leading figure in aquaculture who is making waves in sustainable food production. From his extensive experience in the seafood industry to his innovative outlook, Andrew shares his journey into this vital and ever-growing sector. 🌊

We dive into Andrew’s work in aquaculture, including his involvement with Salmon Scotland, where he champions the role of salmon farming in providing sustainable and nutritious food. As the founder of the Young Aquaculture Society (YAS), Andrew is passionate about creating a network for young people in aquaculture, bridging innovation and collaboration in this rapidly evolving industry. 🐟

Andrew also shares his exciting plans for his Nuffield Scholarship, which will focus on exploring global aquaculture practices, improving sustainability, and addressing challenges like ecosystem impact and consumer perceptions. His drive to enhance the industry’s role in feeding the world is truly inspiring. ✈️

If you’re curious about the future of seafood, the role of aquaculture in food systems, and how it connects with wider agriculture, this episode is a must-listen.

Enjoy!

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#AndrewRichardson #R2Kast #Aquaculture #SalmonScotland #SustainableFood #SeafoodIndustry #FutureOfFarming #HowdenRural #FishFarming #SustainableFarming #FoodSecurity #InnovationInAgriculture #BlueRevolution #YoungAquacultureSociety #NuffieldScholar #AquacultureInnovation #EcosystemBalance #FoodProduction #AgricultureLeadership #ModernFarming

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In this episode of the "Tales of a Nuffield Scholar" series, we chat to Hannah Batty, Hannah Fraser, and Tom Pearson, who share their unique insights and experiences from their Nuffield journeys. 🌍

Hannah Batty

A vet and Clinical Director, Hannah’s Nuffield study focuses on creating better team management on UK dairy farms to enhance animal welfare and profitability. 🐄

Hannah Fraser

A medical doctor and organic farmer, Hannah explores how farmers can promote nutrient-dense food production to tackle chronic disease. 🌾

Tom Pearson

An arable farmer and public health advocate, Tom’s study focuses on how farmers can positively impact community health through nutrition and education. 🌱

Together, they discuss their global Nuffield experiences, the Contemporary Scholars Conference, and how being in the same cohort highlights the social and support benefits of the Nuffield journey. If you’re considering a Nuffield, this episode showcases how it can foster incredible connections alongside personal and professional growth. ✈️

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 #AgricultureInnovation #DairyFarming #NutrientDensity #RegenerativeAgriculture #PublicHealth #FarmingCommunity #HowdenRural #GlobalAgriculture #SustainableFarming #FoodProduction #HealthAndAgriculture #NuffieldFarming #ScholarshipJourney #FarmManagement #OrganicFarming #CommunityHealth #EquitableAccess #NutritiousFood #AgriLeadership

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Ben Lowe’s journey into agriculture is nothing short of inspiring. From having no farming background to managing a diverse enterprise in Aberdeenshire, Ben has proved that determination and innovation can lead to incredible success. 🌱

Starting with a passion for farming fostered by visits to his grandad, Ben’s early career saw him working on farms, building a sheep flock, and even gaining equity in a farm shop. But it was his time at Edinburgh’s SRUC, studying agriculture, that laid the groundwork for his innovative approach to farming. 🐑

Now, Ben is managing a successful joint-venture farm in Aberdeenshire, selling approximately 300 pigs a week directly to the processor. The farm is a mix of pigs, arable crops, and environmental schemes. His focus on sustainability and creating a self-sufficient system exemplifies his forward-thinking ethos. He’s even coined the term “Five-Mile Pig” for his ambition to produce pork using resources sourced entirely within five miles of his farm. 🐖

As Ben embarks on his Nuffield Scholarship, his project—“Closing the Loop in Pig Production”—aims to integrate energy efficiency, alternative protein sources, and waste management. His plans include exploring global practices in countries like Japan, New Zealand, and the USA to ensure the long-term sustainability of his farm. 🌎

Enjoy!

Thanks to Howden Rural for their support.

#R2Kast #BenLowe #FiveMilePig #SustainableFarming #NuffieldScholar #FutureOfFarming #PigProduction #CircularEconomy #EnvironmentalFarming #AberdeenshireFarming #HowdenRural #FarmingInnovation #ArableFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #YoungFarmers #FarmSustainability #GlobalAgriculture #FarmingJourney #FoodProduction #AgricultureLeadership

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