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This week Country Life gets some tips for the coming season from drought-hardened farmers, meets a flower grower turning blooms into bouquets and balms and heads to the Clash of the Colleges where students compete in ag events. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. In this episode: 1:09 - Rural News Wrap9:33 - The Potion Room: 'Therapeutic flowers'16:06 - A clash-course in agriculture29:46 - Lessons from the dry years as El Niño gathers forceWith thanks to: Kelly Doyle, The Potion RoomDaniel O'Regan, Tess Bamford, Maddi Ballinger, Evan McSherry, and Chris AdamsWillie Falloon, Hannah French, John Booth, and Robert HicksonMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening. Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected] Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

As farmers prepare for the impacts of the intense El Niño weather pattern, drought veterans, younger farmers and rural support specialists compare plans, share hard-earned lessons and discuss when to act before dry conditions arrive. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Willie Falloon, Hannah French, John Booth, and Robert HicksonPhoto credit Selby JowseyMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening. Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected] Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Motorbikes, fencing and gumboot throwing - the Canterbury Clash of the Colleges has it all. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Daniel O'Regan, Tess Bamford, Maddi Ballinger, Evan McSherry, and Chris Adams Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Nūhaka teacher turns flowers and plants grown in her garden into budget bouquets, balms and healing treatments in her at home Potion Room. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Kelly Doyle, The Potion Room Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of news from RNZ's rural newsdesk. You can find more from RNZ's rural news team, here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week Country Life is at a rural school in Wairarapa celebrating its sesquicentennial and visits a Taranaki piggery to hear how one farming family is adapting to major changes in New Zealand's pork industry. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. In this episode: 0:47 - On the Farm7:58 - Good greens, small sprouts14:33 - Room to oink28:40 - 150 years of Tinui SchoolWith thanks to: Karen McGrath, Southern Alps SproutsKarl StanleyDuncan Smith, Amanda Aitken, Jenny Balfour, Reverend Steve Thomson, Ian Perry, Phyllis French, and Caryl ForestMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening. Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected] Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

While pastoral farming saw the settlement of Tinui established over 150 years ago, things have changed as farmland's been converted to forestry and the school's roll has decreased. Earlier this month past pupils gathered to reflect on the school's sesquicentennial and its future. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. Learn more about Tinui School and its 150th celebrations, here. With thanks to: Duncan Smith, Amanda Aitken, Jenny Balfour, Reverend Steve Thomson, Ian Perry, Phyllis French, and Caryl ForestMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening. Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected] Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Taranaki pig farmer is spending $2 million creating more space for pigs as welfare expectations change. Country Life visits Stanley Bros near Ōpunake to see what's involved. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Karl StanleyGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Southern Alps Sprouts owner Karen McGrath shares her business' journey. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Karen McGrath, Southern Alps SproutsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of conditions on farms and orchards around the country. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Country Life looks back over the Ron Vine Collection of farming photos from the 1930s and 40s, gains insights into a King Country Māori-owned farm, and learns about on-farm biodiversity efforts in Banks Peninsula. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. In this episode: 0:59 - Rural News Wrap7:29 - The farm photographer who captured a changing New Zealand15:56 - 'Looking for an edge': Data driven decisions on a Māori owned farm31:00 - 25 years of farmland conservationWith thanks to: Malcolm DuffyWeo Maag, Aloma Shearer, Terry Head, and Darren McNaeMaree Burnett, Tim Coop, James Wright, Josh Foster, Sarah Anderson and Ian LuxfordMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening. Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected] Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Anisha joins the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust for a day to learn about on-farm native restoration. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Maree Burnett, Tim Coop, James Wright, Josh Foster, Sarah Anderson and Ian LuxfordMake sure you’re following us on your favourite podcast app, so you don’t miss new episodes every Friday evening. Send us your feedback or get in touch at [email protected] Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

At Pukepoto it's about using data to 'grow more grass, make more money' and set the farm up for future generations. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Weo Maag, Aloma Shearer, Terry Head, and Darren McNae,Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A collection of more than 1,400 photographs taken by pioneering agricultural journalist Ron Vine between 1934 and 1947 has been recognised for its unique record of New Zealand farming, land development and Māori communities during a period of profound change. You can find photos and read more about the stories in this episode on our webpage, here. With thanks to: Malcom DuffyWalsh Memorial Library at the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A wrap of news from RNZ's rural newsdesk. You can find more from RNZ's rural news team, here. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details