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Today on the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series I had the pleasure of chatting with Alex Brewster 🎙️ Alex is an upland beef and sheep farmer in central Scotland, running a large scale hill farm that has gone through huge system change over the past decade, with a real focus on soils, grazing and whole farm resilience 🌾 We spoke about Alex’s early life, heading off to New Zealand as a young lad and quickly realising there was a lot more to learn about farming than he first thought. That experience planted a seed that would later come back through his Nuffield journey, where curiosity and a willingness to question everything became a big part of how he now farms 🚜 His Nuffield Scholarship started off looking at genetics and genomics, but quickly shifted into something much broader. It became about diversity, soil biology and ultimately the role of red meat in the 21st century. Alex spoke about how uncomfortable he felt with some of the early conversations around heavy intervention in genetics, and how that pushed him towards a more natural systems based approach 🌍 One of the standout parts was hearing how everything finally clicked just hours before his presentation. Bringing together soils, grazing systems and human nutrition, he landed on a simple but powerful idea, that farmers are not just producing food, but producing real nutrition that cannot be replicated synthetically. It was one of those moments that really shows what Nuffield can do when it all comes together  We also got into the detail of what that looks like on farm today, from reducing inputs and working with nature, to building more resilient livestock systems that can thrive with less intervention. It was a brilliant example of long term thinking and being willing to challenge the way things have always been done 🌱 Thank you to NFU Mutual for their support of this project. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re back with Field to Front Door 🎙️ David, Martin and Wallace picking things back up again, this time right on the edge of peony season kicking off and everything that comes with it.  We covered a mix in this one from the reality of seasonal pressure with peonies and getting everything lined up for harvest, through to weather challenges across the UK and how different things look depending on where you are. There was a really good discussion around direct selling, meat boxes and whether smaller scale, higher value systems actually stack up long term. We also got into social media, building a following and the reality behind it, not just the numbers but the constant effort needed to keep it going. One of the most interesting parts was the chat around regenerative practices and composting. We got into Johnson Sue compost, soil biology, reducing inputs and trying to build systems that work with nature rather than against it. We’re going to keep this going fortnightly for now and see where it takes us. If you’ve got ideas on what we should cover or who we should bring in, send them our way. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I had James on the R2Kast 🎙️ He works in PR across the agricultural and automotive sectors, creating content, campaigns and media that connect businesses with the wider industry. 🌾 We spoke about his background growing up in London, studying journalism and then moving into PR when the opportunities in traditional media started to shrink. That led him into agriculture and automotive, where he’s now spent over a decade working with clients across both sectors. It was a good insight into how skills from outside farming can transfer into the industry. 🍎 A big part of the conversation focused on media. The relationship between PR and journalism, how stories are shaped, and how things have shifted from print into digital, from magazines through to TikTok and video content. We also got into how younger audiences are consuming information and what that means for agriculture going forward. 🌍 We also chatted about the perception gap between the public and farming, the importance of education, and why getting people onto farms and understanding food production still matters. It was a really interesting look at the sector from someone who came into it from the outside. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series I had the pleasure of chatting with Robin Asquith 🎙️ Robin is Head of Environment at Camphill Village Trust, working at the intersection of farming, nature and social care, supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health challenges through real farm based environments 🌾 We spoke about Robin’s early life growing up in North Yorkshire, spending time on his grandparents’ soft fruit farm, and how that shaped his understanding of community, people and the land. From training as a plumber to working in commercial horticulture, his path wasn’t linear, but it eventually led him into a role where farming became a tool to support people rather than just produce food 🚜 His Nuffield Scholarship explored the role UK agriculture can play in delivering social care, looking at care farming, green care and how nature based environments can improve wellbeing and independence. His travels took him across Ireland, Scandinavia, mainland Europe and Canada, where he saw everything from dementia care on farms in Norway to rehabilitation programmes in Italy and the Netherlands that use farming and horticulture to support people back into society 🌍 One of the most powerful parts of the conversation was hearing how real farm environments create real opportunities. Whether it’s someone non verbal building a connection with animals, or individuals gaining confidence and independence through meaningful work, it showed how farming can play a much bigger role in society than we often give it credit for  We also spoke about the future of the sector, the challenges around funding and staffing, and Robin’s ambition to help drive this space forward nationally. His advice for anyone thinking about Nuffield was simple, be curious, be brave and back yourself 🌱 Thank you to NFU Mutual for their support of this project. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re back with Field to Front Door 🎙️ David, Martin and Wallace this time joined by Sophia as well, which brought a really good angle looking at the next generation and what farming looks like coming through.  We covered a proper mix in this one from peony production and how that whole system works, through to direct selling, subscriptions and building a customer base that actually values what you produce. There was also a good chat around logistics, online selling and the reality of getting products to people in a way that keeps quality high. A big part of this episode was around the next generation. Sophia spoke about finding her own path, balancing farming with other interests like floristry and photography, and figuring out what she actually wants to do rather than just following what’s expected. We also got into weather challenges, trying new crops like mustard, and how unpredictable farming can be year to year. Alongside that, there was a really interesting discussion on social media, AI and how quickly things are changing in how farmers connect with people. We’re going to keep this going fortnightly for now and see where it takes us. If you’ve got ideas on what we should cover or who we should bring in, send them our way. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Matt Smee to the R2Kast 🎙️ Head of Agricology, a free knowledge hub bringing together practical information for farmers, growers and researchers across the food system. 🌾 We spoke about Matt’s journey into agriculture, starting in international development in Burma and Thailand before returning to the UK to explore farming hands on. That led into over a decade running small scale organic market gardens, building veg box schemes, supplying restaurants and developing food products, while navigating the financial realities of making that model work long term. The conversation then moved into Agricology. What it actually is, how the platform brings together information from across different farming approaches, and why avoiding labels and focusing on practical outcomes matters. Matt explained how the organisation has evolved into an independent charity, how it’s funded, and the challenge of keeping knowledge free, accessible and useful for farmers. We also discussed knowledge exchange more broadly. Turning research into something practical, identifying gaps in information, and creating content that farmers can actually use on farm. The discussion covered everything from technical guides and on farm trials through to the role of collaboration, mentorship and learning from others across the sector. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series I had the pleasure of chatting with Gordon Whiteford 🎙️ Gordon is a farmer based in Moray running a diverse business built around free range and organic egg production, alongside dairy, sheep and a strong direct to consumer focus through his farm shop 🌾 We spoke about Gordon’s early life growing up on a dairy farm in Ayrshire before his family moved away from farming when he was young. That shift created a real drive in him to build something of his own, which eventually led to starting a poultry enterprise from scratch and growing it into the core of his business today 🚜 Gordon’s Nuffield Scholarship focused on welfare in free range laying hens, but his journey quickly expanded into wider thinking around systems, soil health and regenerative approaches. His travels took him across Europe, the USA, Africa and beyond, shaping how he now views farming as a whole system rather than individual enterprises. One of the standout themes was how much can be learned by stepping outside your own sector and challenging how things have always been done 🌍 We also got into some brilliant detail around his egg business, from switching to white hens and pushing production far beyond industry norms, to building a direct relationship with customers through milk, eggs and added value products. It was a great example of combining technical performance with storytelling and connection back to the consumer 🌱 There were also some cracking moments from his travels, including a proper introduction to how things work on the roads in Kenya, which definitely added a bit of perspective to the whole experience. It all tied back to how Nuffield opens doors, builds confidence and gives you the mindset to try things you maybe would not have done otherwise  We wrapped up talking about growth, family and what comes next for the business, alongside his advice to anyone thinking about applying. Back yourself, take the opportunity and see where it leads. Thank you to NFU Mutual for their support of this project. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we’re back with Field to Front Door 🎙️ David, Martin and Wallace picking things straight back up where we left off, still very much figuring out what this is and where it could go.  This one was a proper deep dive into farming realities. We got into everything from sugar beet and margins through to regen, inputs and whether it’s actually possible to grow without sprays. There’s a real honesty in it, especially around trying things, getting them wrong, and learning as you go. A big part of the chat was about working out what farming looks like going forward. Not just how we grow, but how we sell, how we add value, and how we actually make a living from it. Direct selling, milling, flowers, different markets, it all came into it. What I liked most is there’s no pretending we’ve got the answers. It’s just a conversation trying to figure things out in real time, with a few laughs along the way. We’re going to keep this going fortnightly for now and see where it takes us. If you’ve got ideas on what we should cover or who we should bring in, send them our way. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we welcome Julie McLaren to the R2Kast 🎙️ Julie is Relationship Director, Agriculture & Landed Estates, and currently serves as Vice Chair of Women in Agriculture Scotland.  Julie joined me to discuss her journey into the agricultural sector after more than two decades working in business and rural finance. We spoke about the importance of relationships in agricultural finance, the role financial partners play beyond simply lending money, and why communication between farmers and their professional teams is more important than ever in a volatile global market.  A big part of the conversation focused on Women in Agriculture Scotland, the voluntary organisation working to connect and support women across the sector. Julie explained how the group aims to reach rural communities across the country, create opportunities for people to get involved, and ensure voices from across the industry are heard.  We also explored Julie’s passion project, the Women in Agriculture Scotland mentoring programme, designed to match mentors and mentees across the industry and help build confidence, networks and careers through simple conversations and shared experience.  Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series I had the pleasure of chatting with Sarah Hughes 🎙️ Sarah works with Syngenta leading their amenity business across the UK and Ireland, covering sectors such as turf, forestry, pest management and ornamentals. She is also a 2017 Nuffield Scholar whose study explored the economics of vertical farming and whether controlled environment agriculture could offer viable opportunities for food production 🌾 We spoke about Sarah’s unusual career path through agriculture, from training as an agronomist and working in arable crops to later running her own edible flower business supplying high end restaurants and hotels. That experience of producing high value crops sparked her interest in vertical farming and ultimately shaped the focus of her Nuffield study 🚜 Sarah’s travels took her across the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Dubai and the United States, alongside the global Nuffield group on the CSC in Brazil. She reflected on how much excitement surrounded vertical farming at the time and how her research quickly showed the real challenge was the economics behind it. The technology could work, but the costs of energy, labour and infrastructure often made the model incredibly difficult to sustain 🌍 We also spoke about balancing Nuffield with family life, running a business and raising two children at the same time. Sarah made a really important point that there is no single way to complete a Nuffield Scholarship. Everyone’s circumstances are different and sometimes the best approach is simply finding a way to make it work around the life you already have 🌱 Thank you to NFU Mutual for their support of this project. Enjoy! 🙂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.