R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

Today we welcome Tom Ware onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A 22 year old farmer from Nottinghamshire, Tom has carved a unique path across contracting, drone photography, gin making, and social media, while also becoming a strong voice for mental health in agriculture. 🚜📸

We talk about his adventures in Australia, from 60,000 acre farms and endless combine hours to the simplicity of just posting on Facebook and landing a job. Tom shares the beauty and challenge of farming at that scale, and how those experiences shaped his outlook back home. 🌏🌾

At home, Tom’s story takes another turn as he speaks about the heartbreaking loss of two close friends, Len and Harvey, in separate tragic circumstances. Out of that grief, Tom created Just Talk Agri, a platform for farmers to share honestly about mental health. His words on resilience, loss, and the importance of talking are powerful and deeply moving. 💚🙏

We also cover drones, gin making, sheep work, and the variety that makes farming life so unpredictable and rewarding. This episode is raw, open, and inspiring, exactly what conversations in agriculture need to be. 🌅✨

Enjoy! 😊

#TomWare #JustTalkAgri #MentalHealthInFarming #BritishFarmingAwards #ContractFarming #DronePhotography #AustralianHarvest #FarmLife #SheepFarming #AgriContent #YoungFarmers #MentalHealthAwareness #NottinghamshireFarming #FarmingCommunity #Resilience #GriefAndHope #LossAndRecovery #AgMentalHealth #TalkAboutIt #AgricultureLife #FarmStories #GinMaking #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming

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Today we welcome Michaela Scott onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ At only 19, Michaela is already shaping the political conversation in Scotland. A student of Criminology and Politics at Stirling, she is passionate about ensuring young people in rural areas have a real say in decisions that shape their lives. 🗳️🌱

We dive into how criminology and politics overlap, from injustices in the justice system to policy making, and how Michaela has used this mix to strengthen her voice. She shares openly about speaking in the Scottish Parliament, shadowing MSPs, and even turning down an offer to run for election while still at uni because she values gaining experience first. 💬🏛️

Michaela speaks with energy about youth voices, education, and the need for politics to be explained in ways that everyone can understand. Her story is a reminder that confidence grows from opportunities, and that young leaders can step into rooms that once felt unreachable. 🌍✨

An inspiring conversation with someone who is just getting started on a journey that could shape Scottish politics in years to come.

Enjoy! 😊

#MichaelaScott #YouthVoice #ScottishPolitics #CriminologyAndPolitics #RuralYouth #ScottishParliament #FutureLeaders #StudentVoices #PolicyMatters #YouthEmpowerment #ScotlandPolitics #PoliticalEngagement #YoungLeaders #RuralRepresentation #EducationMatters #FutureOfPolitics #YoungVoicesHeard #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming

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Today on the R2Kast I sit down with one of the true pioneers of regenerative agriculture, Gabe Brown! 🎙️ From four years of crop failure and 1.5 million dollars in debt to becoming a global leader in soil health, Gabe’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. 🌱

We talk about his switch to no till, integrating livestock, and embracing biodiversity to rebuild his land and his business. Gabe explains why profit comes from working with nature, not fighting it, and how food grown in healthy soil can truly become medicine. 🍎💪

From being introduced by Prince William at Groundswell to starring in Kiss the Ground and Common Ground, Gabe has carried the message of regeneration around the world. His passion for teaching farmers and consumers alike shines through every word. 🌍✨

A story of resilience, mindset, and hope for the future of farming.

Enjoy! 😊

#GabeBrown #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #DirtToSoil #CommonGroundFilm #KissTheGround #Groundswell #NoTill #CoverCrops #HealthySoilHealthyFood #SoilToHumanHealth #FoodAsMedicine #FarmResilience #Agroecology #CarbonFarming #BiodiversityMatters #LivestockIntegration #SoilIsOurCommonGround #GlobalAgLeaders #SustainableFarming #NatureBasedSolutions #HealthyFarmsHealthyPeople #UnderstandingAg #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming

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Today we welcome Ketrin Kastehein onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Ketrin is the chairperson of Rural Youth Europe and brings a fascinating perspective from Estonia where youth work is not just a passion but a recognised profession. 🇪🇪✨

We hear how she grew up between city and rural life, at once a capital girl and a countryside girl, before finding her place through dance, rhythmic gymnastics, and youth activism. From joining 4H at eight years old to studying a degree in youth work, her story shows the power of grassroots youth groups to shape leaders. 💃🌿

Ketrin shares her experiences with the International Farm Youth Exchange programme in the United States, where she lived with farming families and saw American rural culture first-hand. She reflects on how 4H across the world offers young people the chance to learn life skills, connect internationally, and grow in confidence. 🌍🤝

We explore her journey onto the Rural Youth Europe board, the challenges and opportunities of leading an umbrella organisation that has been around for almost 70 years, and how she balances tradition with modern needs. She also speaks about her current role as a school youth worker, blending formal and non-formal education so that students gain confidence, citizenship skills, and a sense of belonging. 🎓💡

This episode is full of insight into cultural identity, leadership, and the future of rural youth. An inspiring story of someone who has turned local opportunities into a global impact. 🌱🌟

Enjoy! 😊

#KetrinKastehein #RuralYouthEurope #YouthWork #4H #InternationalFarmYouthExchange #IFYE #YouthDevelopment #Estonia #RuralYouth #GlobalCitizenship #SoftSkills #NonFormalEducation #LeadershipJourney #YouthEmpowerment #SchoolYouthWork #CommunityBuilding #ActiveCitizenship #CulturalExchange #FutureLeaders #GlobalYouth #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #RuralLeadership #YouthOpportunities #InspiringStories #EducationForAll

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Today we welcome Sally Crowe onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Sally is well known to many from This Farming Life and has built a life she truly calls living the dream up in Caithness. 🐑 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

We hear how her journey has taken her across the world, from the shearing sheds of Western Australia to the global stage of the Golden Shears in New Zealand. Sally tells me about the buzz of being part of the Scottish shearing team, the skill behind wool handling, and the intricacies of presenting a fleece to perfection. ✂️🌏

Our conversation also takes in life on the croft, travelling abroad, and the joy of building a lifestyle where she can focus on health and happiness. Sally’s humour, honesty, and passion for her craft shine through. An inspiring listen that captures the spirit of crofting, competition, and community. 🌱✨

Enjoy! 😊

#SallyCrowe #ThisFarmingLife #Crofting #Caithness #WoolHandling #ShearingLife #GoldenShears #ScottishShearingTeam #RuralScotland #CroftLife #ShearingSheds #WesternAustralia #NewZealandShearing #FleecePreparation #FarmingCommunity #SheepFarming #WoolTrade #R2Kast #GlobalFarming #FarmStories #WomenInFarming #AgricultureLife #FarmingPodcast #LivingTheDream #ScottishAgriculture

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Today we welcome Tracey and Tom Davey onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Tracey is from the same village on Arran as me and over the past year has gone through a huge transformation, both physically and mentally. From realising she was unhappy at 90 kilos to now preparing for her first bodybuilding show, her story is one of resilience and change. 💪✨

Tracey opens up about the moment that pushed her to act, sparked by a school photo with her daughter, and how she has since lost over 30 kilos, found confidence, and discovered a passion for bodybuilding she never expected. Tom, her husband, has been alongside her not only as her partner but also as her coach, guiding her through nutrition, training, and the mental battles that come with competition prep. 🏋️‍♀️🥗

We talk about the reality of balancing this with life as parents of two young girls, from 5am gym sessions to making time around work and childcare. The girls themselves are now joining in with their own weights and play gym sessions, showing how much of a family journey this has become. 💑🔥

This chat is about more than bodybuilding. It is about mindset, family, and the power of deciding to make change. It shows how health journeys can inspire those around you and proves that parents really can carve out time to invest in themselves. Truly inspiring. 🌟

Enjoy! 😊

#TraceyDavey #TomDavey #BodybuildingJourney #FitnessTransformation #FamilyAndFitness #HealthyMum #MumLifeStrong #WeightLossJourney #FigureAthlete #PrepLife #GymMotivation #DisciplineEqualsFreedom #FitnessFamily #StrengthAndResilience #PlayGym #ArranStories #HealthyLifestyle #RelationshipGoals #CoachingAndMarriage #MindsetMatters #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming

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Today we welcome James Nixey onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ James is the National Chairman of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, leading one of the UK’s largest rural youth movements. 🌱👩‍🌾👨‍🌾 He is also the Club Leader for Princes Risborough YFC, a club he first joined back in 2008, and his journey from there has carried him all the way to the national stage. ⭐

James and I reflect on our shared time in Slovenia at the European Rural Youth Parliament, where rural youth from 22 countries came together to learn, share, and shape a better future. 🇸🇮🌍 We talk about the atmosphere of those events, the friendships made, and why Slovenia might just be Europe’s best kept secret. 🏞️

Beyond youth work, James shares his personal story of being an electrician who never farmed himself but grew up rooted in agriculture. His reflections on leadership, resilience, and the role of young farmers in connecting communities make for a powerful conversation. ⚡🌾

A brilliant chat that shows how farming values extend beyond the farm gate. 💡✨

Enjoy! 😊

#JamesNixey #NFYFC #YoungFarmers #RuralYouth #PrincesRisboroughYFC #Slovenia #LakeBled #YouthLeadership #RuralFuture #ElectricianLife #FarmingCommunity #EuropeanRuralYouth #AgricultureYouth #LeadershipJourney #UKFarming #YoungFarmersClubs #RuralDevelopment #NFYFCChair #R2Kast #FarmingPodcast #FarmStories #CommunityLeadership #RuralNetworks #AgricultureInTheUK #ResilientYouth #FutureOfFarming

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Today we welcome David Tennant onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ David is the Head of the Royal Highland Show, and his journey is a brilliant example of how someone not from a farming background can come to lead one of the most iconic events in agriculture. 🦌🎪

We hear how David first encountered the Highland Show and the impact it had on him, before stepping into the role where he now oversees everything from livestock lines to innovation halls. He talks openly about the challenges of delivering a world-class event and how the Show continues to balance its proud traditions with the demands of a modern audience. 🐑🚜

David speaks with me about the international influence of the Highland, welcoming visitors from across the globe, and why it is far more than just four days in June. For him it is about Scottish identity, connection, and showcasing farming and food at their very best. 🌍💬

We also dive into his vision for the future — embracing sustainability, technology, and ensuring the next generation of young people see the Show as their stage to shine. His reflections on leadership, community, and the responsibility of carrying an event with more than two centuries of history are inspiring and full of honesty. ✨

A fascinating insight into the man leading Scotland’s greatest agricultural celebration.

Enjoy! 😊

#DavidTennant #RoyalHighlandShow #ScottishAgriculture #HighlandShow #RHShow #FarmingPride #AgriCulture #FutureOfFarming #RuralScotland #YoungFarmers #HighlandShow2025 #AgInnovation #LivestockExcellence #AgriVoices #R2Kast #FarmersOfScotland #FarmingHeritage #AgLeadership #FoodAndFarming #HighlandShowMemories #FarmingCommunity #ShowGroundStories #CelebratingFarming #ScotlandTheBrave

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Today I welcome Peter Eccles onto the R2Kast 🎙️ Peter is a farmer entrepreneur and former Farmers Weekly Farm Manager of the Year who runs a 200 acre family farm near Tranent where Herefords meet a gym called the Fitness Farmyard 🐂💪

We talk about how Peter built a pedigree herd of docile forage efficient Herefords launched meat boxes during COVID and combined this with his diversification into farm based fitness classes. From flipping tyres in the yard to welcoming PTs and locals into a rustic training space Peter has turned farming into a real community hub 🌾🏋️‍♂️

Peter opens up about challenges including a devastating fire that destroyed 100 tonnes of straw and how living between farm and town brings both risks and opportunities. He reflects on exploring organic conversion his consultancy work with estates moving into regenerative systems and the importance of adapting farm assets for the future 🌱📈

We also chat about his past life as a rugby player for Heriots and Melrose and how the transition from competitive sport to farming has shaped his views on resilience teamwork and community. It is a story of grit adaptability and finding balance between tradition and innovation 🔥🏉

Enjoy 😊

#PeterEccles #Herefords #FarmDiversification #FitnessFarmyard #FarmGym #SustainableFarming #RegenerativeAg #OrganicFarming #FarmResilience #FarmLife #MeatBoxes #CommunityFarming #RugbyAndFarming #FarmManagerOfTheYear #AgInnovation #FutureOfFarming #FamilyFarm #FarmEntrepreneurship #CattleFarming #ScottishFarming #FarmBusiness #FarmingStories #FarmWellbeing #PeopleInAg #R2Kast

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Today I welcome Jess Stokes onto the R2Kast 🎙️ Jess is an insect scientist with a PhD in veterinary parasitology who has spent years studying midges Schmallenberg virus and the unpredictable way new diseases emerge 🦟🔬

We chat about how growing up in rural Gloucestershire during the foot and mouth outbreak sparked her fascination with disease spread. That journey took her through Swansea Bristol and Liverpool before leading her into high containment labs at the Pirbright Institute. Jess shares how every time she studies a virus it seems to vanish earning her the reputation of being a curse in entomology 🌍🧪

Together we dive into the mysteries of Schmallenberg and blue tongue virus appearing in Europe, the role of birds and trade in spreading disease, and how climate shifts are changing insect behaviour. Jess also talks about stepping beyond academia into consultancy, trap design, forecasting, and her work with the Royal Entomological Society on insect welfare and insects as food and feed 🐝🌱

It is a fascinating conversation that mixes science with humour from sick blackbirds to the unpredictability of midges and shows how curiosity can shape a career in unexpected ways ✨

Enjoy 😊

#JessStokes #Entomology #MidgeResearch #VectorBorneDiseases #SchmallenbergVirus #BluetongueVirus #InsectScience #RoyalEntomologicalSociety #InsectsAsFood #ClimateAndDisease #Epidemiology #Parasitology #VeterinaryScience #GlobalHealth #InsectWelfare #DiseaseSpread #ScientificCuriosity #UKScience #AgResearch #Biosecurity #OneHealth #VectorControl #AcademicToIndustry #R2Kast #PeopleInAg

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