Farming Focus

Peter is joined by Nuffield scholar Jim Bliss to learn more about his Nuffield scholarship which was about marginal farming and rewilding. 

Make sure you listen to episode 4 to get the most from this bonus episode. 

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

Timestamps

00:15 Peter introduces the bonus. 

00:50 Jim summarises his report. 

01:15 What inspired Jim to do his topic?

02:33 Which country or place left the strongest impression on Jim?

05:50 Jim's Nuffield experience. 

07:30 Resistance and how to engage with this?

10:20 Episode with Anna Jones and Kendra Hall; also mentions Jonny Hanson.

11:20 Message to leave listeners with. 

In this episode we’re talking about the ‘R’ word, which still raises eyebrows in some circles – ‘rewilding’ – alongside the concept of ‘circular farming’ and we'll ask how they both fit with the sustainable farming incentive? How could you rewild parts of your farm, what does rewilding really mean today and how can the sustainable farming incentive help you to improve nature value on your farm, alongside your bank balance?

Host Peter Green is joined by Jim Bliss who runs a consultancy called ‘Blissfully Wild’, and worked at the Lowther Estate in Cumbria for a number of years. He’s also a 2023 Nuffield scholar and he did his research on the links between rewilding and marginal farming.  Hugo Ellis is also on the panel. Hugo is a regenerative agronomist with regenerative consultancy group Terrafarmer. After studying at Duchy College and working in the dairy industry, Hugo worked as a trials manager for six years across a broad range of crops. He has also lectured in Agronomy and Crop Science and worked as an Assistant Manager on an estate in London.

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at [email protected]

Timestamps

00:14 Peter introduces the episode.

01:41 Jim introduces himself.

02:47 Hugo introduces himself. 

04:06 Jim talks about his own journey with rewilding. 

06:30 Rewilding at Lowther Estate. 

07:48 The power of network and connections. 

08:30 Definitions of rewilding and circular farming.

11:10 Is rewilding 'active' or 'passive'

14:08 Diversification through the environment

14:35 The principles of circular farming.

17:00 Partnerships and joint ventures as part of a circular economy. 

19:47 The transition - are there issues with transitioning from conventional to another model of farming or managing the land?

21:25 Jim's thoughts on the SFI.

25:00 Tapestry/ patchwork of different elements of habitats. 

26:20 Market access to habitat creation. The importance and opportunity of an environmental story. 

27:34 Cornish Mutual is running SFI workshops. 

27:55 Advice for accessing SFI 

30:23 Summing up - how does each guest see the future of land management in the UK evolving and will we see more rewilding on farms in future?

33:46 Showstoppers.

36:06 Peter rounds up the episode. 

Peter is joined by farmer and farm consultant Anna Bowen  and Izak van Heerden from AHDB's Agrileader programme, to discuss advice on farm. 

Make sure you listen to episode 3 to get the most from this bonus episode. 

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

Timestamps

00:15 Peter introduces the bonus. 

00:50 What should farmers be looking for when considering how to receive advice and who to get it from?

03:16 Defra funded advice 

05:52 Experience v new advice

08:05 In the relationship between a farmer and a consultant - what is the dynamic of leadership?

09:42 The dynamic between farmers and consultant - what is Anna's approach?

11:08 How does Anna use the information she receives?

13:00 The importance of listening to what is going on in our own business.

15:00 What can farmers do immediately after the consultant's meeting to get best value from it?

17:35 Not all actions can be actioned immediately - how should someone who is looking at the output of a report prioritise where they start? 

19:28 Peter rounds up. 

Host Peter Green is joined by two Nuffield scholars: Anna Bowen is a dairy farmer from Ceredigion, the current Dairy Industry Woman of the Year and also works as a farm business consultant and freelance writer. Her Nuffield scholarship was on the subject of cow calf contact in dairy. Izak van Heerden is a Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager at AHDB and heads up their Agrileader Programme. His Nuffield topic explored leadership in agriculture. 

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

Things we mention:

The Eisenhower Matrix

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at [email protected]

Timestamps

00:14 Peter introduces the episode.

01:15 Izak comes in and introduces himself. 

04:25 Anna comes in and introduces herself. 

05:07 Leadership in agriculture - Nuffield strapline is leading for positive change. 

06:07 It is easy to get stuck in the urgent in agricuilture. 

08:12 Running a farm can be 24/7 - how to manage setting aside time for business development. 

11:11 Have multiple people taking notes at a meeting and make sure these are circulated. 

11:45 Tips from Anna.

12:58 Progress not perfection. 

13:18 What makes a good leader?

16:16 Is there anything that it is important to not delegate?

17:05 How important is it for everyone to understand the vision?

18:32 What do the best farms do?

19:20 What questions should listeners ask?

20:55 Some of the most effective processes that farmers can implement to free up time? 

23:38 The importance of regular team check ins. 

25:14 What do you and your staff enjoy and not enjoy?

27:00 Showstoppers

29:27 Peter rounds up. 

Make sure you listen to episode 2 to get the most from this bonus episode. 

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

Timestamps

00:15 Peter introduces the bonus. 

01:17 Eddie introduces the project. 

04:18 The booklet and the importance of visioning. 

06:38 Understanding where you are going and what it looks like. 

07:25 What are some of the practical steps farmers can take to connect with the nature on their land?

10:20 The importance of convening and engaging.

13:10 Being present in meetings.

14:28 The importance of listening. 

17:40 Sharing knowledge.

20:30 The future of the project. 

21:20 Peter rounds up. 

Today we’re talking about our relationship with the land, communities and nature on our farms. We all know that farms are a place of food production, but they have so many other purposes and potential to meet the varied challenges we face as farmers and as a general population. Host Peter is joined by two farmers who alongside keeping livestock have a particular interest in wellbeing and fostering strong and positive mindsets. 

Eddie Rixon farms sheep and beef on 81 hectares at Lopemede Farm in Buckinghamshire. In 2017 he experienced a series of events on the farm that led to him transforming the way he managed it, with an ambitious plan focused on restoration and leveraging natural capital to bring people onto the land for nature connection, to help address both the biodiversity and mental health crises. From December 2023 to May 2024 the Roots and Rhythms Project, funded by Innovate UK, worked with Eddie to explore farm futures through nature recovery and connection. Today we’ll hear Eddie’s story. 

Peter is also joined by Ellie Sturrock who is a sheep farmer from Dorset and wellbeing coach specialising in resilience and mindfulness. She is also the West Dorset Area Lead for Steps2Wellbeing, a free NHS talking therapies service for anxiety and depression. 

Useful signposting for anyone impacted by this episode. 

Support for farmers - mental health | AHDB

Farm Safety Foundation / Yellow Wellies - YellowWellies.org

farmwell.org.uk/personal-resilience/

Social prescribers at GP surgeries are excellent at signposting to agencies that can help.

Farming Community Network: 03000 111 999 or [email protected]

RABI. Particularly good for financial support but also an emphasis on mental health. 0800 188 4444,

MIND 0300 123 3393

Steps 2Wellbeing/S2W: 0800 484 0500, NHS Talking Therapies FREE

Samaritans: 116123 or [email protected]

Connections 24/7 crisis line: 0800 652 0190

NHS direct: 111

SHOUT. Text service 85258 for mental health crisis

Kooth (kids and young adults, online support. www.kooth.com)

See a GP especially for pain, poor sleep, depression, or long term conditions. GPs now have teams of people called social prescribers who are well networked with local initiatives. They are good signposters. REACH Addiction services 0800 043 4656 www.edp.org.uk

GP for symptoms of trauma, low mood, anxiety or anything that may be indicative of illness. The GP is a good doorway to HELP.

Ellie Sturrock/S2W link person: 07980 089470, [email protected] general advice on where to signpost.

NHS Talking Therapies (NHS TT) are a FREE short term psychological therapies service. Find an NHS talking therapies services - NHS

Typically people can self refer or be referred b any health professional including GPs.

At referral they are offered a comprehensive assessment with a trained psychological therapist which can be face to face, by phone or by video call. It is around a 45 minute session at the end of which most people will be offered a talking treatment that is based on NICE guidelined therapies.

Our treatments usually last for 4-max 20 sessions and if a person is not anxious, stressed or depressed or does not want to receive an offered treatment then we signpost to other agencies best suited to need.

Therapists are trained, supervised and registered with recognised professional groups such as the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapist (BABCP) or British Association of Counselling Psychotherapists (BACP).

Treatments are offered for depression, anxiety disorders such as obsessive compulsive disorder, social phobia, post traumatic stress disorder, difficult grief reactions, mental distress connected with long term health conditions such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, fatigue, long covid, pain etc

NHS TT are largely counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy based but also use mindfulness, interpersonal therapy, EMDR (a strategy for treating trauma). Most teams have developed course based treatments in order to maximise efficiencies and move into a range of more contemporary ways of delivering recovery based treatments at scale. This is a move away from couches to courses reflecting the benefits of a more modern and efficient yet efficacious way to treat people psychologically. Feedback from courses is excellent and some courses offer better recovery than 1:1 delivery. Some work is done individually especially trauma focused treatment.

NHS TT services do not treat everyone and do not offer fully comprehensive therapy for more severe, enduring or acute mental illness. For more information look here NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression - NHS and each geographical area will have its own ways of delivering that may vary from above. Find your local service using this link Find an NHS talking therapies services - NHS

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at [email protected]

Timestamps

00:14 Peter introduces the episode.

02:07 Ellie introduces herself.

02:57 Eddie Rixon introduces his farm and himself. 

04:54 In 2017 Eddie experienced a series of events that led to Eddie making changes.

06:28 Two weeks after the breakdown other things happened.

07:56 Ellie comes in.

10:20 What resources are available for farmers to speak to?

12:05 Eddie explains how his farm changed after the incidents.

16:14 How can nature help our wellbeing?

18:30 Forest bathing.

19:00 Eddie's learning points from his projects. 

21:05 Pocket guide - search for it on the Rots to Rhythms substack. 

21:24 What else can support our mental health?

26:00 Connection with nature. 

28:19 'Get on our land'

29:03 Final thoughts from Ellie.

30:55 Showstoppers.

33:36 Peter rounds up. 

To kick start the new series, host Peter Green looks back on 2024 with Jeremy Oatey, owner of the mixed farming business, Agricola Growers, and Robin Jackson, Director of the Rural Business School (Duchy College). The conversation also looks ahead to 2025, exploring the latest innovations, sustainable practices, and the evolving landscape of British agriculture.

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at [email protected]

Today on the show Peter Green is joined by Cornish Mutual's Chief Executive Officer, Peter Beaumont, to look back on 2024 and reflect on the year for farmers and Cornish Mutual. 

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us at [email protected]

Timestamps

00:01 Cornish Mutual jingle

00:14 Peter Green introduces the show.

00:55 Peter welcomes Peter.

02:10 Peter Beaumont begins to reflect on the year. 

03:26 How can Cornish Mutual support members?

04:04 The headlines for Cornish Mutual in 2024

07:05 What have been the biggest challenges for members in 2024?

08:30 Farming has the operational side but also administrative side. 

11:17 The aftermath of the budget - succession and planning for it. 

12:20 Mutual v insurance company

14:10 Rising costs - how has Cornish Mutual been reacting?

15:55 Farm walks and supporting members. 

17:27 Health and safety 

20:00 Collaboration.

21:54 Risks and Opportunities for members.

23:13 SFI

24:18 What has been the biggest achievement for Cornish Mutual this year? 

27:25 Peter Green wraps up. 

Today on the show we take a look back on series 4 and glean any learning points from the episodes. Host Peter Green is joined by Tom Tolputt, founder of TerraFarmer, and Rebecca Tonks, CEO of St Ewe Free Range Eggs. 

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

If you'd like to send us an email you can contact us by using [email protected]

Timestamps

00:01 Cornish Mutual jingle

00:14 Peter Green introduces the show.

1:03 Tom Tolputt introduces himself.

1:23 Rebecca Tonks introduces herself. 

1:44 We begin to look back on the series. 

2:10 Chris Berry talks about the farming year 2023-24

2:57 Peter asks Tom about the farming situation at the moment. 

4:55 Rebecca talks about the changes that we are seeing at the moment.

6:19 We look back on episode 4 and the matter of farm incomes. 

6:53 Professor Matt Lobley excerpt. 

7:49 Discussion on farm incomes. What might the impact be if farm incomes continue to fall? 

10:05 Tom Tolputt follows up. 

13:45 We turn to the topic of soil health with Sally Ann Spence.

14:49 Tom talks about the change that has taken place over the past few years with regards to soil health. 

17:47 We talk about careers and the wide variety of careers in the broad ag sectors. Dan Grist talks about the breadth of backgrounds of members of Devon Young Farmers. 

19:34 What skills sets is Rebecca looking for as an employer?

21:44 In episode 8 we were talking about thinking differently - one of the themes was the ways that farmers and food businesses engage with consumers.  Abby Allen elaborates. 

23: 27 Has our food system changed beyond recognition?

26:16 Rebecca - where is the relationship between the consumer and their food?

29:20 Final clip is from episode 9 - Kevin Hoare talks about the methane project taking place on their farm. 

31:22 Rebecca explains how the poultry sector has adapted in previous years. 

35:16 What are Rebecca and Tom excited about in terms of the future of farming in the south west?

38:39 Where can listeners go to find out more?

40:00 Peter rounds up. 

Make sure you listen to episode 9 to get the most from this bonus episode. 

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

Timestamps

00:01 Cornish Mutual jingle

00:14 Peter introduces the bonus

01:00 Katie explains what happened. 

03:20 Katie talks about the event itself. 

06:18 Many people are involved in agriculture because they love it. 

08:05 A message to young women in agriculture. 

10:02 Peter rounds up.