R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In

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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Today we welcome Hannah Lloyd onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A podcast host, rural advocate, and property professional, Hannah brings passion and insight to her journey from urban Edinburgh to championing women across Scotland’s rural sector. 🏡🎧

We learn how a gap year in South Africa teaching vulnerable children shaped her path, alongside a career twist from teaching to property to business development. Hannah shares why she co-founded the Women and Wellies podcast and how it’s helping amplify unheard rural voices. 🌍💪

From childhood summers near the Pentlands to managing events for Scottish Land and Estates, Hannah’s enthusiasm for countryside living and its stories shines through. She’s worked in castles, opened a Highlands office, and now helps others find belonging in rural life. 🏰🚜

The episode also dives into the challenges of renovating a farmhouse, the supportive power of rural networks, and why podcasting is such a powerful tool for connection and growth. A conversation full of warmth, energy, and reflection. 🎙️🛠️

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#HannahLloyd #WomenAndWellies #RuralScotland #RuralVoices #PodcastHost #FarmhouseRenovation #WomenInAg #WomenInProperty #PropertyDevelopment #RuralBusiness #ScottishLandandEstates #RuralLeadership #EmpoweringWomen #SouthAfricaGapYear #EdinburghToHighlands #UKFarming #PodcastLife #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #HowdenRural

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Today we welcome Alison Milne onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A powerful voice in Scottish agriculture, Alison shares how her journey from NFUS to the SRU board reflects her deep love for rural life — even if she was never quite a natural with a baler! 🚜💼

We dive into her career, from studying psychology and management to holding director-level roles at NFU Scotland. Alison explains how her passion for future-proofing the industry led to founding the NextGen programme — boosting succession and developing young rural leaders. 🌱👩‍🌾

Alison reflects on growing up on a mixed arable and sheep farm, and how enthusiasm often outpaced skill on the machinery front! Her shift from comms assistant to director was fuelled by a deep belief in commercial representation and purposeful policy. 📊📣

We explore her current roles, including with the Scottish Rugby Union and as a board effectiveness consultant. Alison’s story is about showing up, standing tall, and paving the way for others in an industry that needs fresh voices and bold ideas. 🏉🌾

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#AlisonMilne #NFUScotland #NextGenAg #ScottishRuralLeadership #FarmSuccession #PolicyAndFarming #WomenInAg #RuralLeadership #SupplyChainVoices #YoungFarmers #SRUBoard #FarmingPsychology #FarmToBoardroom #ScotlandAg #AgComms #RuralFuture #PeopleInFarming #HowdenRural #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming

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Today we welcome Susan Poizner onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A fruit tree expert, author, and podcast host, Susan brings a wealth of knowledge about sustainable horticulture and the unexpected turns that led her from journalism at the BBC to growing urban orchards. 🌳📚

We hear how a backyard gardening project—sparked by her husband—blossomed into a lifelong passion for tree care, community orchards, and education. Susan shares how she learned the hard way that fruit trees aren’t like zucchini, and how this led her to write books and teach online to empower others. 🍎🌿

Susan speaks with Wallace about her work in Russia post-USSR, helping teach market economics through storytelling with the BBC. Their conversation spans global travel, language learning, and the importance of empathy across borders—highlighting how storytelling and curiosity can unite people. 🌍📖

We close with practical advice on regenerative gardening and fruit tree care—from the importance of soil microbes and leaf mulch to pruning techniques and why the right tree choice makes all the difference. An inspiring, warm, and wise chat on nature, education, and kindness. 🌱✨

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#SusanPoizner #FruitTrees #UrbanOrchards #GrowFruitTreesFast #RegenerativeGardening #SoilHealth #BBCWorldService #TreeCare #BackyardGardening #CommunityOrchard #HorticultureEducation #SustainableFarming #SoilMicrobes #CompostWisdom #PruningTips #StoryBasedLearning #GlobalPerspective #KindnessMatters #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #HowdenRural

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Today we welcome ourselves—Wallace and Ed—onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ For this special 350th episode, we take a step back from interviews to chat candidly about health, mindset, and the path from 139kg to 114kg in just 8 weeks. 🏋️‍♂️💬

We reflect on why weight gain happens so easily in desk jobs, the mental shift it took to start losing it, and the balance between accountability and kindness. From raw milk debates to diet changes, it’s an open, honest look at personal health journeys. 🥩⚖️

Ed brings insight from his active lifestyle and audible habit, while Wallace shares what finally flipped the switch after years of struggle. The episode is as much about physical change as it is about reshaping habits and identity. 🎧💡

An unfiltered chat between two friends that just might inspire you to start your own journey, whatever it looks like. 🛤️❤️

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#WallaceCurrie #EdMartin #R2Kast350 #HealthJourney #WeightLossStory #PersonalGrowth #WellbeingMatters #RawMilkChat #DeskToFit #LifestyleChange #CarnivoreDiet #FitnessMindset #FriendshipGoals #HonestConversations #AgriVoices #TransformationStory #BodyPositivity #SelfAwareness #HowdenRural #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #HealthMatters #RuralFitness #MentalResilience

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