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 Jenna Ross. 🌍 With her OBE, international research, and deep love for agriculture, Jenna’s story is one of purpose, innovation, and global impact. ✨

Jenna discusses her journey from a family farm in Aberdeenshire to becoming one of the youngest women to receive an OBE for services to agriculture and science. 🚜 Her Nuffield journey focused on future slug control solutions at a time of regulatory change, ultimately inspiring AI-powered research tools like SlugBot and Slimers. 🐌🔬

We explore Jenna’s 10 years across sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya and Angola. She shares how this global perspective now helps her lead international collaborations at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, delivering innovation in sustainable farming, net-zero projects, and female-led agribusiness. 🌿✨

Jenna also champions inclusion through the Inclusive Farm Scotland project and supports others via the Farmers’ Club Charitable Trust. Her message is clear: opportunity is everything — and collaboration makes it possible. 💪💬 For those interested in the Nuffield Farming Scholarships, be sure to visit the website and follow their social media for updates on ticket info and upcoming events! 🌐

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.

#NuffieldScholar #SlugControl #AgriTech #AfricaFarming #WomenInAg #OBE #InclusiveFarming #InnovationInAg #FarmLeadership #FarmEducation #SoilHealth #Biocontrol #NetZero #GlobalAgriculture #KnowledgeExchange #AgriInclusion #Nematodes #SustainableFarming #FarmingInAfrica #EnvironmentalScience #Farming #Agriculture #Sustainability #Leadership #Innovation #GlobalNetworking

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Today we welcome Kyle Esplin onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Known globally as a high-energy pianist and performer, Kyle shares his powerful journey from international stages to being bedbound by a devastating post-viral fatigue syndrome. What followed was a long recovery that reshaped his life and introduced him to the world of hemp. 🎹✈️

After traditional medicine failed him, Kyle discovered the benefits of hemp extract and CBD—years before it entered the UK mainstream. His recovery sparked a new mission: founding Holistic Highland Hemp and co-creating a documentary titled Hemp: Eat Build Heal. His efforts also helped establish the Scottish Hemp Association. 🌱📽️

Kyle dives deep into the science of CBD, including the endocannabinoid system and the entourage effect, explaining why hemp holds vast therapeutic potential. He also touches on regulatory roadblocks, pharmaceutical resistance, and the untapped role of hemp in sustainable UK agriculture. 🔬🌾

Back performing globally once more, Kyle balances music with activism, advocating for hemp’s rightful place in health and farming. From touring the world to helping it heal, his story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rural revolution. 🧑‍🎤💚

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#HempFarming #CBDHealing #PostViralRecovery #FoodAndFarming #EndocannabinoidSystem #HolisticHealth #HempInAg #SustainableFarming #ScottishFarming #ScottishHempAssociation #MusicianTurnedFarmer #HealthJourney #BoogieWoogie #GlobalPerformer #AlternativeMedicine #HempRegulations #CannabisScience #NaturalHealing #FarmingFuture #HowdenRural #R2Kast #KyleEsplin

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Today we welcome David Wheatley onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From a shy farmer’s son with no set direction to a social media standout and peony pioneer, David’s story is one of remarkable resilience. Starting with 30 rented acres and a bumper crop of potatoes, he built his farm up to 450 acres—all while overcoming asthma, inheritance barriers, and a brutal fire that wiped out nearly everything. 🚜🌾

David takes us through his journey from arable and pigs to flowers and diversification, reflecting on how disaster and debt nearly broke him. He opens up about mental health, loss, and the sheer will it took to climb out of financial collapse—while raising a family and never giving up on the farm he’d poured his life into. 💔🌱

We dive deep into David’s peony empire—its painstaking demands, supermarket battles, and the birth of the Peony Lovers Club. His social media growth has been meteoric, with videos that turned floral chaos into captivating storytelling. From filling his house with flowers to going viral with humorous family clips, David found connection and purpose online. 💐📲

His ethical approach to business—offering better service, fresher flowers, and honest pricing—has gained him a loyal following. From experimenting with direct sales to managing unpredictable blooms and skyrocketing costs, David shares hard-won insights into innovation, trust, and delivering value, all while doing it with humour and heart. ❤️⚖️

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#PeonyFarm #FlowerFarmer #FarmingJourney #AgTikTok #FloralBusiness #FarmingStruggles #MentalHealthInAg #FarmFire #FarmResilience #DirectToConsumer #PeonyLoversClub #VIPFarmClub #CropDiversification #SocialMediaMarketing #FlowerGrower #FarmInnovation #RuralBusiness #SmallFarmBigDreams #HowdenRural #R2Kast #DavidWheatley

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Today we welcome Liam Davies-Jones onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From law courts to livestock sheds, Liam’s journey is one of shifting careers and finding purpose in the fields of West Wales. Once a solicitor juggling conveyancing and probate, he now manages a suckler herd alongside his fiancée Sandy, all while moonlighting as a fencing contractor and content creator! ⚖️🚜

We explore his transition from legal partner to full-time farmer, driven by his connection to the family farm and a desire for a more fulfilling life. Liam’s insights on data-driven stabiliser cattle versus traditional limousins show a farmer determined to balance instinct with innovation, discussing EBVs, carving ease, and the pressures of beef pricing. 🐂📊

Liam also opens up about social media, how lockdown TikToks turned into real-life friendships, and the power of authenticity online. From silly dances to agricultural education, his videos foster genuine connection and offer followers a window into farming reality—with humour and humility. 🎥🌾

We finish with a powerful discussion on succession, inheritance tax, and the protest movement sweeping through UK agriculture. With a background in law and a future in farming, Liam voices concerns and hopes for the industry with clarity, passion, and a grounded view on reform. 🧑‍🌾⚖️

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#FarmingLife #CareerChange #SuccessionPlanning #StabiliserCattle #BeefFarming #AgTikTok #AgInfluencer #SocialMediaInAg #YoungFarmers #SucklerHerd #LimousinCattle #WelshFarming #LawToLand #DataDrivenFarming #InheritanceTax #FarmTransition #MentalHealthInAg #AgriProtests #HowdenRural #R2Kast #LiamDaviesJones

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Today we welcome Kirsty McInnes onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From a childhood phobia of slugs to earning her PhD in plant molecular genetics, Kirsty’s story is a brilliant blend of curiosity, courage, and crawling critters. Her fascination with slugs started with fear, but evolved into a passion that now sees her advocating for integrated land management and slug appreciation alike! 🐌🔬

We dive into Kirsty’s groundbreaking research on UVB light’s effect on oilseed rape, slugs, and insects, exploring how GM and gene editing could lead to resilient crops. Her insights into biological pest control, sacrificial crops, and how slugs might just be misunderstood make this episode one of the most unique yet! 🌱🧪

From watching slugs lay eggs to building molecular labs at Rothamsted and leading research fellowships at Newcastle University, Kirsty shares the reality of scientific discovery, including the emotional rollercoaster of becoming Dr. McInnes. Her storytelling makes complex science both fun and deeply relatable. 🧬✨

We also chat about the Svalbard Seed Vault, historic soil archives, and her love for research that respects nature. With humour, humility, and a whole lot of slug facts, Kirsty is an unforgettable guest whose work is transforming pest management from pesticides to precision. 📚🌍

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#Slugs #PlantScience #IntegratedPestManagement #SoilNerd #WomenInSTEM #BiologicalControl #FarmingInnovation #RothamstedResearch #NewcastleUniversity #GMcrops #GeneEditing #SlugLife #NatureRecovery #CropResilience #ScienceIsCool #LoveForSlugs #SvalbardVault #SoilScience #WomenInAg #HowdenRural #R2Kast #KirstyMcInnes

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Today, as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar series, we welcome James Peck, a forward-thinking Cambridgeshire farmer whose story spans generations, industries, and continents. From humble beginnings and a family steeped in transport and medicine, James carved a unique path into large-scale arable farming and agribusiness diversification. 🌾

James founded PX Farms at 26, building a business model rooted in contract farming. Through bold moves, calculated risk, and relentless scale, he expanded operations to 12,500 acres, employing 51 people, owning 19 houses, running 12 lorries, and managing extensive grain storage and commercial letting enterprises. 🚜

We explore how Nuffield transformed James’ life—encouraging him to push boundaries, embrace land ownership, and invest in leadership development. From fearing solo travel and public speaking to buying a farm mid-scholarship, James’ story highlights the transformative power of stepping outside your comfort zone. 🌍

James’ journey is a masterclass in succession, asset growth, and inspiring autonomy in others. His candid reflections on mental health, employee retention, and rural education offer valuable insight for the next generation. A brilliant episode full of scale, honesty, and entrepreneurial grit. 🎙️

Enjoy! 😊

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

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

#R2Kast #NuffieldScholar #JamesPeck #PXFarms #FarmDiversification #Agribusiness #LargeScaleFarming #FarmLeadership #GrainStorage #FarmTransport #NuffieldFarming #SuccessionPlanning #ContractFarming #AssetGrowth #AgriculturalInnovation #UKFarming #FarmManagement #InspiringLeadership #RuralEducation #HowdenRural

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Today we welcome Charleigh Arnold onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From theatre studies and retail to full-time dairy farming and professional dog training, Charleigh’s journey is a masterclass in embracing change and following passion. With a background far from agriculture, she’s now thriving in the field—literally—with cows by day and gundogs by weekend! 🐄🐶

We chat about her leap from managing River Island to walking dogs, training them, and eventually working with shooting dogs on the field. Her deep love for her spaniel Summer led her to train dogs not just to behave, but to work. Her insight into beat lines, scent training, and shooting culture adds real depth to this episode. 🐾🎯

Charleigh is the embodiment of why this podcast began—someone who didn’t grow up in farming but found her place in it through passion and persistence. From her first milking shift to ploughing solo and navigating life on two dairy farms, she brings honesty, humour, and a whole lot of heart. 🚜✨

We also explore social media, where Charleigh—aka @charlieanita—has built a loyal following with relatable content and authentic brand partnerships. Her engaging nature and genuine love for farming and animals make her one to watch and a perfect guest on the R2Kast! 📱💬

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#DogTraining #DairyFarming #NewEntrantFarming #Gundogs #WomenInAg #AgInfluencer #DogLover #DogTrainer #FarmLife #FarmingJourney #TikTokFarming #Spaniels #ShootingDogs #BeatLineDogs #SocialMediaInAg #FromRetailToRural #YoungFarmers #ResilientWomen #LearningByDoing #HowdenRural #R2Kast #CharleighArnold

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Today we welcome Michael Rolfe onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Known to many as Mikey, Michael is a proud Lanarkshire lad with a passion for agricultural engineering. From helping his dad in the workshop to leading at the West Region level of SAYFC, Mikey’s journey is one of dedication, pride in workmanship, and lifelong learning. 🔧🌾

We delve into Mikey’s route into ag engineering, from a school work experience placement to an apprenticeship that’s taken him to France and back. Now a key technician at Hamilton Ross Group, Mikey shares his expertise in precision agriculture, GPS, and the growing importance of automation in farming. 🌍🧰

Beyond spanners and diagnostics, Mikey’s commitment to Young Farmers is inspiring. From a reluctant 15-year-old dragged into Talent Spot to West Region Chair running a hugely successful Talent Spot just last month, he’s grown in confidence, leadership, and public speaking—skills he says have transformed his career and life. 🎭💪

We chat about the evolving role of tractors, brands like Fendt and Massey, the rise of robotics like the AgBot, and how farming’s digital future is already here. Mikey’s humour, honesty, and passion make this a brilliant listen for anyone curious about the mechanics behind modern agriculture! 🚜✨

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#AgEngineering #PrecisionFarming #YoungFarmers #SAYFC #FarmingScotland #TractorTech #AutoSteer #AgriCareers #FendtLife #MasseyFerguson #Agco #MechanicLife #Apprenticeships #DigitalFarming #GPSFarming #AgTech #AgInspiration #WestRegionSAYFC #TalentSpot #LeadershipInAg #HowdenRural #R2Kast #MichaelRolfe

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Today we welcome Jack Bradley onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Jack’s journey into agriculture didn’t begin in a field, but on a beach in Kavos! A holiday romance introduced him to milking cows and kicked off an unexpected but passionate career in dairy farming. 🌾💬

Having long dreamed of a life in the military, Jack’s path was repeatedly interrupted by injury and medical discharge. After years of fighting to stay in, he eventually stepped away—and fate led him to the fields of New Zealand, where dairy farming offered a new purpose. 🪖🐄

Jack shares how he narrowly avoided being on flight MH17, then embraced a fresh start in Iceland. After years of travel, growth, and grit, he now farms in south Iceland with his fiancée Rebekka. Together, they’ve bought a farm and are excitedly preparing to welcome their first child this July! ❄️👶

We also explore the key differences between UK and Icelandic farming, Jack’s reflections on community, purpose, and resilience, and why he believes a bit of going “against the grain” can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. 💬🔥

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#DairyFarming #MilitaryLife #CareerChange #Resilience #AgriJourney #FarmLife #IcelandFarming #NewZealandFarming #AgainstTheGrain #FarmingCouple #AgParenting #LifeAfterArmy #WestfjordsIceland #R2Kast #FarmingPodcast #AgricultureUK #FarmingDifferences #JackBradley #FarmToFuture #SouthIceland #AgInspiration #HowdenRural #JulyBaby #NeverGiveUp

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Today we welcome Jamie Bartley onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Jamie is the CEO and founder of Unyte Group, a dynamic business tackling decarbonisation in the built environment through retrofit solutions, waste remediation, training, and scaling hemp as a carbon-negative material! ♻️🌱

Jamie shares how Unyte has grown from a vision of low-carbon retrofit to a hub of innovation—developing hemp-based insulation, training installers, and pioneering circular construction practices. His passion for scaling sustainable change shines throughout! 🏗️🌿

We explore the complexities of industrial hemp, including THC legislation, the stark differences from marijuana, and why historical misinformation has held back a material with massive regenerative, nutritional, and ecological benefits. 🌍📜

From soil health to bee biodiversity, Jamie dives into hemp’s role in regenerative farming. We also cover biochar, a carbon sequestration powerhouse, and hemp’s potential in textiles, food, construction, and even aviation fuel! ✈️🧵 His advice? Don’t give up—this sector needs pioneers!

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#HempFarming #CarbonNegative #Biochar #SustainableConstruction #UnyteGroup #RegenerativeAg #CircularEconomy #IndustrialHemp #AgTech #GreenBuilding #NetZero #HempInsulation #EnvironmentalImpact #LowCarbon #RuralInnovation #SustainableFarming #SoilHealth #CarbonSequestration #GreenSkills #FarmingFuture #Podcast #AgriLeadership #ClimateAction #SustainableMaterials #NatureBasedSolutions #CleanTech

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