Passionate about regenerative farming and already seeing results after just one year, young livestock farmer Jake Herron discusses the journey that led to farming a 160ha lease block in central Otago. He explores how his early farming experiences led him to step away from conventional agriculture, the lessons learned along the way, and the opportunities that exist for those who are bold enough to ask.

It's an open and frank conversation that also touches on the need to ignore what others think, the challenges facing young people wanting to farm in their own right, and the importance of believing in what's possible.

Enjoy the episode!

Conversation timeline:

00:00:44 - Introducing Jake

00:02:01 - Background and life journey

00:06:40 - Emergence of a regen mindset

00:09:53 - Starting out in central Otago

00:12:04 - Discovering the term ‘regenerative agriculture’

00:15:01 - Using regen to find a first lease block

00:20:15 - Early lessons and emerging plans

00:25:07 - Operating from the here and now

00:32:14 - Opportunities to build resilience

00:36:03 - Grazing management in a harsh climate

00:43:51 - The experience of the transition

00:50:16 - Bright ideas, limitations and asking for help

00:56:13 - Ignoring what other people think

00:58:50 - Trusting in what grows, and what doesn’t

01:00:13 - Having compassion towards yourself

01:03:30 - Observing results just one year in

01:08:50 - Advice for someone starting their regen journey

01:09:55 - We’re not separate from the landscape