Today we welcome Peter Craven onto the R2Kast! 🎙️

From Lincolnshire spuds to Natural England strategy, Peter’s story is one of stepping up, stepping back, and then stepping in to shape real change. 🥔➡️🌿

A Nuffield scholar, policy influencer and potato expert, Peter shares how one course jolted him awake to the huge shifts facing UK farming. Since then, he’s gone from perfect Instagram potatoes to shaping policy for farming with nature at its heart. 🧠🌱

We chat leadership, missed smells of the soil (yes, really!), and the importance of not staying still when the world is changing fast.

Enjoy! 😊

#PeterCraven #NuffieldScholar #NaturalEngland #FarmingWithNature #FarmTransition #SustainableAg #PotatoGrower #AgPolicy #NatureRecovery #AgLeadership #UKFarming #FarmChangeMakers #LincolnshireFarming #FarmToPolicy #PeopleInAg #SmellOfTheSoil #FoodSystems #FarmLifeShift #YoungLeaders #FutureOfFarming #InspiringAg #Agribusiness #ClimateAction #NatureConservation #AgInspiration

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Today’s guest is someone I’ve followed for years – the incredible Laura Young! 🌍🎙️

From leading the charge to ban disposable vapes across the UK 🚭 to studying climate resilience as part of her PhD, Laura’s life is packed with purpose. She’s part scientist, part activist, and all-in when it comes to protecting people and planet. 💥📚

We talk flooding, fire risks, fashion footprints, and how campaigning isn’t just shouting – it’s educating, empowering, and staying persistent. Oh, and Troon’s now her home, so she gets to stare at Arran every day – lucky thing! 🏖️🏔️

An absolute force for good and one of the most engaging environmentalists around.

Enjoy! 😊

#LauraYoung #LessWasteLaura #Environmentalist #ClimateResilience #CommunityEngagement #DisposableVapesBan #PhDStudent #ActivismMatters #EnvironmentalScience #PlasticPollution #SustainableLiving #WomenInSTEM #GreenCampaigns #TroonLife #LitterAwareness #PublicHealth #ClimateChangeScotland #PolicyImpact #RecyclingRevolution #YoungChangemakers #SustainableScotland #NatureMatters #EnvironmentalEducation #AgPodcast #PeopleInAg

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Today we welcome Mairi Gougeon to the R2Kast! 🎙️

From local politics in Brechin to becoming Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi’s journey has been anything but typical! Starting out straight from uni into council work (accidentally elected! 😂), her political roots go deep – her first campaign stint was at just 14 years old! 💪

We chat about that surreal moment of walking into Holyrood, why representation matters, and how her belief in independence and community empowerment drives her work. Mairi brings honesty, humour, and a real human touch to a world that’s often seen as distant and complex. 👩‍⚖️🌾

Politics… but with coffee, cake and craic on a sunny day in Arran. You can’t say fairer than that! ☀️☕

Enjoy! 😊

#MairiGougeon #ScottishPolitics #RuralAffairs #CabinetSecretary #Holyrood #YoungPoliticians #FromBrechinToParliament #LandReform #IslandLife #WomenInPolitics #AgPolicy #SNP #ScottishIndependence #YouthVoice #CommunityLeadership #IslandPolicy #PoliticalJourneys #RuralVoices #SRUCAlumni #PurposeDriven #AgInScotland #WomenInLeadership #PublicService #AuthenticLeadership #PolicyMatters

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Today we welcome Ruth Vichos onto the R2Kast! 🎙️

From Shetland to SRUC to TV screens across Scotland, Ruth is a horticulture lecturer with a heart for education and a passion for plants! Now a senior lecturer, Ruth didn’t begin in horticulture (it actually started with nursing!) but soon found her calling in plant science after a family nudge. Her journey includes food security research in Tanzania, working with Guernsey-based charities, and now presenting on Beechgrove Garden. 🌍🌱

She shares how careers advice can sometimes miss the mark and why more students need to know plant science is an option. We chat identity, purpose, and how a rural upbringing laid the roots for a blooming career. 💡🌸

Oh, and this was her first podcast… but you’d never know it!

Enjoy! 😊

#RuthVichos #Horticulture #BeechgroveGarden #SRUC #PlantScience #WomenInAg #ShetlandRoots #FoodSecurity #CropDiversification #EducationMatters #RuralScotland #IslandLife #STEMCareers #AgCareers #GreenFutures #AgLecturer #PeopleInAg #TVPresenter #ScienceInFarming #SRUCLecturer #AgPodcast #WomenInScience #AgriculturalEducation #CareerPaths #AgInspiration

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Today as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Rob Ward — entrepreneur, innovator, and agri-tech visionary.

Rob’s story begins on a tenanted family farm in Shropshire where early lessons in strawberries and supermarket selling taught him resilience and strategy. From handing out pick-your-own baskets to selling tech globally, Rob’s journey is a masterclass in reinvention. 🍓📈

He shares how family values shaped his business ethic, what it took to buy their farm from Prudential, and how shifting from direct selling to supermarket contracts changed everything. We also hear his thoughts on the Eastern European labour migration that transformed the UK horticulture scene. 🌍💼

Now a key figure in ag-tech acceleration, Rob reflects on highs, lows, and the art of not just keeping up with change but driving it. A powerhouse of experience, vision, and humility.

Enjoy! 😊

The views in this podcast are those of those involved and not that of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.

#RobWard #NuffieldScholar #AgriTech #UKHorticulture #FarmToSupermarket #InnovationInAg #StrawberryFarming #EntrepreneurialFarming #FarmSuccession #TenantToOwner #LabourMigration #EasternEuropeInAg #SupermarketContracts #PeopleInAgTech #R2Kast #TalesofaNuffieldScholar #FarmBusiness #AgTransition #AgriculturalLeadership #FarmingInnovation #NuffieldStories #FarmOwnership #BritishAg #AgFunding #AgInspiration

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Today we welcome Derrick Josi onto the R2Kast! 🎙️

Better known online as The Honest Farmer, Derrick brings 1 million+ followers into the realities of US dairy life — and he’s not holding back! From Oregon’s lush Tillamook to a 450-acre Jersey dairy, Derrick shares his family legacy (started in 1918) and how the farm evolved from 60 cows to nearly 1000. He chats co-op models, cheese markets, mental health, family dynamics, and the not-so-glamorous side of influencer life. 🧀📉

We dive into the generational shift in work mentality (130 hours a week isn’t the flex it used to be) and how vacations are becoming a priority again. Derrick’s storytelling is real, relatable, and raw — just like his content. 🛠️💬

Enjoy! 😊

#DerrickJosi #TheHonestFarmer #DairyFarming #USAg #Tillamook #FarmInfluencer #FamilyFarming #GenerationalShift #JerseyCows #CheeseProduction #AgMentalHealth #CooperativeFarming #AgTech #SocialMediaInAg #RealAgStories #FarmLegacy #AmericanDairy #PeopleInAg #AgStorytelling #DigitalFarming #AgContentCreator #OnlineAgCommunity #FarmLifeUnfiltered #AgTransitions #AgLeadership

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Today we welcome Rhona Forbes onto the R2Kast! 🎙️

From biology teacher to TikTok star, Rhona is bringing fresh energy to the Scottish Young Farmers scene! Based in Edinburgh, she’s not only part of Ed Jack (Edinburgh JAC) but the brains behind what might just be the most entertaining young farmers account in Scotland. Rhona tells us how she’s used social media to break stereotypes, boost membership, and make young farming look cool (and chaotic!) 🎬✨

We also dive into her journey into teaching, navigating professionalism while keeping the “blue hair” identity alive (and why the pupils want it back) 🎨📚

A hilarious and honest chat about modern agriculture, identity, and the unexpected power of a ring light and a good mic setup. 😂💡

Enjoy! 😊

#RhonaForbes #YoungFarmers #TikTokAg #EdinburghJAC #WomenInAg #AgEducation #AgCommunications #TeacherLife #SocialMediaInAg #StereotypesInFarming #BlueHairChronicles #ModernFarming #RuralScotland #ScottishAg #BehindTheScenes #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #AgInspiration #FarmingYouth #AgAdvocacy #AgInfluencer #EdJack #AgOutreach #AgTikTok #AgPassion

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Today we welcome Elspeth Hay onto the R2Kast! 🎙️

From Maine to Cape Cod, Elspeth’s journey took a nutty turn when she discovered you can eat acorns… and never looked back! Originally a food and environment journalist, Elspeth now champions the cultural and nutritional value of tree nuts, especially acorns. Her fascination led to a new book and a whole radio show dedicated to local food stories on the Cape. 🧠🎙️

We talk ancient human-forest relationships, the joy of hyperlocal food, and how falling down an oak-scented rabbit hole can reshape your entire career. Her passion is infectious and her curiosity inspiring. 🌳🔍

A beautiful reminder that food stories are everywhere — even in the forest floor.

Enjoy! 😊

#ElspethHay #TreeNuts #AcornsAreFood #CapeCod #LocalFood #FoodAndEnvironment #WomenInAg #Foraging #NutritiousNature #WildFood #RuralMedia #AgJournalism #FoodCulture #ForestToTable #CulturalAg #RadioStories #AgInfluence #SustainableFoodSystems #TreeNutBook #FoodStories #AgCuriosity #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #AgInspiration #AcornNerd

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Today we welcome Helen Brookes onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ With roots in rural Essex, Helen blends a childhood on chicken farms with a career in science and leadership — now playing a key role at the UK Agri-Tech Centre. 🐄🔬

Helen’s journey spans animal science at Rittle College to cutting her teeth in sheep genetics with Innovis and developing sector-wide change through AHDB. She opens up about why pure research wasn’t for her and how she found purpose in making science work for people. 🧬🌿

We explore her passion for livestock, from cattle to poultry, and her talent for building bridges across sectors. Helen shares how she’s developed her ‘half-pint’ skillset — enough to kickstart collaboration, even if not an expert in every niche. 🧩🤝

From AHDB to CL to UK Agri-Tech Centre, Helen’s career reflects a drive to unite research, tech, and practice in agriculture. Her humility, knowledge, and love for systems-thinking shine through in a conversation that’s both inspiring and practical. 🌍💼

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#HelenBrookes #UKAgriTechCentre #LivestockScience #AnimalWelfare #RittleCollege #AgriTechLeadership #SheepGenetics #Innovis #AHDB #AgricultureInnovation #WomenInAg #HalfPintSkills #ScienceInFarming #AgriCollaboration #UKAgriculture #DairyBeefPoultry #PeopleInAgTech #FoodAndFarming #R2Kast #HowdenRural #PeopleInFoodAndFarming

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Today as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Jo Franklin and Rob Hodgkins — sheep farmers, Nuffield Scholars, and the founders of Cabrito in Hertfordshire. 🐑🌍

Jo and Rob take us through their journey into sheep farming, from working family farms in Hertfordshire and Sussex to launching a 2,000-acre diversified business with 2,500 ewes, including a sheep dairy unit. Their story began with a Nuffield meeting — and hasn’t stopped growing since! 🌾📈

They dive into the realities of regenerative grazing in a non-traditional sheep region, their experience with genomics in New Zealand, and how the name “Caboy” (Maori for “food over water”) captures their global mindset and business ethos. 🇳🇿🌊

We also hear their thoughts on the expectations placed on Nuffield Scholars — from personal growth to international travel — and why depth over distance still offers value. A powerful look at resilience, innovation, and partnership in UK sheep farming. 🧬💪

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for their support of this project.

The views in this podcast are that of those involved and not that of the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust.

#JoFranklin #RobHodgkins #NuffieldScholar #SheepFarming #CaboyFarm #GenomicSelection #UKSheepSector #RegenerativeGrazing #AgriInnovation #FoodOverWater #MaoriInspiration #NuffieldJourney #DairySheep #FarmDiversification #HertfordshireFarming #AgTechInSheep #ResilientFarming #GlobalPerspective #TalesofaNuffieldScholar #R2Kast #HowdenRural

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