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 Tony Pexton and James Pick. 🌍✨ With nearly 50 years between their scholarships, this episode beautifully contrasts two eras of learning, travel, and transformation in UK agriculture. 🚜

Tony shares his 1975 Nuffield journey 50 years on, reflecting on studying sheep and big flock management across New Zealand. 🐑 He discusses how Nuffield sparked his lifelong involvement in industry leadership, including time as Chair of Nuffield and the Farmers Club. His second Nuffield (one of two to ever do two), funded by the Frank Arden Award, explored sustaining rural incomes—highlighting change, adaptability, and the evolving agricultural landscape. 📈🌾

James takes us through a more modern lens, discovering Nuffield after seeing “NSch” in Twitter bios. 📱 His scholarship investigates whether potatoes can be grown without degrading soil, a challenge he explored across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. James shares the emotional highs and logistical hurdles of solo travel—and how Nuffield accelerated his personal and professional growth. 🌍🥔

Together, Tony and James reflect on what has changed and what remains timeless about Nuffield: the power of travel, the importance of meeting global thinkers, and the shared fire to move agriculture forward. 🔥 It’s a cross-generational conversation packed with insight, humility, and admiration for the sector and the people in it. 💬🌱

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 #AgricultureLeadership #RegenerativeFarming #SoilHealth #PotatoFarming #ArableFarming #SheepFarming #FarmResilience #FarmInnovation #RuralDevelopment #YoungFarmers #GlobalAgriculture #UKFarming #AgriLeadership #FarmingStories #FarmLife #KnowledgeExchange #AgriPolicy #AgEducation #SustainableFarming #Farming #Agriculture #Sustainability #Leadership #Innovation #GlobalNetworking

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Today we welcome Chloe Lucas onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Chloe’s story is one of transformation—beginning in London as a children’s nurse with no farming background, to becoming a passionate advocate for agriculture through her work with Highland cattle. 🐮🌱

Chloe opens up about the mental health struggles she faced during the pandemic as an NHS paediatric nurse and how this led her to discover a new path through farming. From watching Clarkson’s Farm to volunteering on livestock farms, Chloe shares how rural life became her therapy. 🧠❤️

She speaks about her incredible connection with her Highland cows, her voluntary farming adventures across the UK, and her unique fusion of healthcare and agriculture. Chloe now works with Barleylands to educate schoolchildren about food origins. 🧑‍🌾📚

Nominated for the Women in Agriculture Influencer of the Year award, Chloe’s humble approach, powerful story, and community spirit shine. Her story reminds us that it’s never too late to find purpose, and that farming welcomes everyone—regardless of background. Good luck on May 6th, Chloe! 🏆✨

Enjoy! 😊

#HighlandCows #WomenInAg #NHSHero #MentalHealthAwareness #FarmingJourney #AgriInspiration #NewToFarming #PaediatricNurse #FarmLife #AgriculturalEducation #RuralTherapy #FarmVolunteering #AgInfluencer #FoodOrigins #CattleCare #R2Kast #YoungFarmers #SupportLocalAg #AgriCommunity #FarmingWithHeart #TransformationStory #Inspiration #Farming

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Today we welcome Alix Ritchie onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A true stalwart of Scottish agriculture, Alix shares her remarkable journey—from a childhood on a non-working farm to becoming a respected voice in rural education and mental well-being. 🌿

Alix and her husband John run Montalt Farm in Perthshire, where they focus on regenerative grazing, reducing inputs, and aiming to farm without subsidies. 🐑 Their system includes Solaris and Simmental-cross cattle, alongside easy-care sheep, all raised with low-intervention methods and strong emphasis on soil health. 🚜✨

We explore Alix’s career journey, from SAYFC to QMS, where she led the development of ‘Farming Food Steps’ and the educational game ‘Mission Sustained.’ These innovative resources help integrate agriculture into the curriculum, showcasing how red meat fits into health, sustainability, and real-world learning. 📚💡

Now leading FarmStrong Scotland, Alix champions peer-to-peer support for farmers and crofters, promoting well-being through events, podcasts, and practical tools. With a small team, she’s driving real change in how the sector views health, mindset, and work-life balance. 🧠❤️

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#FarmStrongScotland #Wellbeing #MentalHealthMatters #GrasslandManagement #RegenerativeFarming #AgEducation #YoungFarmers #CurriculumChange #MissionSustained #FarmingFoodSteps #WomenInAg #FarmLife #ScottishFarming #SheepFarming #CattleBreeding #LeadershipInAg #SustainabilityInAg #PeerSupport #AgriculturalInnovation #CommunityEngagement #R2Kast #Inspiration #Farming

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Today, we welcome Euan Bremner onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ From the northernmost tip of mainland Scotland to working on massive arable farms in England and Australia, Euan’s journey in agriculture has been shaped by a mix of home, travel, and leadership. 🌍🚜

Euan grew up on his family’s beef and sheep farm in Caithness but initially wasn’t certain about a farming career. Instead, he pursued agricultural mechanisation at Harper Adams, which led him to placements on large-scale arable estates. 🌾 His time in Lincolnshire, working on a 14,000-acre farm, opened his eyes to precision farming, large-scale operations, and even chlorophyll harvesting for food colouring! 🏭✨

His adventures didn’t stop there—Euan worked in Australia during one of the worst wildfire seasons, witnessing the scale and challenges of farming in extreme conditions. 🔥 He also spent time working in precision agriculture with Cornthwaite Group in Scotland, before ultimately deciding to return home to Caithness and commit to the family farm. His experiences reinforced the importance of seeing different systems before settling into the home farm. 🌱💡

Beyond farming, Euan has taken on a major leadership role as North Chair of SAYFC, where we’ve had the pleasure of working closely together. 🤝 It’s been great collaborating with him, and his proactive approach to SAYFC has been inspiring! Euan has played a crucial role in representing young farmers across the region, driving engagement, and ensuring members get the best opportunities. 🚜🔥

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#YoungFarmers #SAYFC #Agriculture #HarperAdams #BeefFarming #ArableFarming #PrecisionAg #ScottishFarming #FarmLeadership #AgCareers #AgriTech #SustainableFarming #FarmLife #RuralDevelopment #Caithness #SheepFarming #FarmingCommunity #ScottishAgriculture #FarmingInnovation #LivestockFarming #Leadership

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Today, we welcome Annie Winn onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Annie’s journey from studying animal husbandry to founding She Sells Socials, Events, and More has been anything but conventional! 🌾📱

Annie shares her unexpected path into agriculture, from working in farm certification to marketing for the Addington Fund and eventually taking the leap into self-employment. 🚀 Her story highlights the value of adaptability, passion, and finding the right opportunities in an ever-changing industry. 💡✨

Beyond her business, Annie reflects on her love for travel, her time working in Ibiza, and how stepping outside her comfort zone shaped her career. 🌍 From working in bars to running successful social media campaigns, she proves that life experience is just as valuable as formal education. 🍹💼

Annie’s passion for rural communities is evident in her work, where she helps agricultural businesses thrive online. 📢 Her expertise in content creation, engagement strategies, and brand storytelling has made her a key figure in agri-marketing. It’s been a pleasure getting to know Annie and seeing her bring fresh ideas to the sector! 🚜🔥

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#SocialMediaMarketing #Agriculture #AgriMarketing #ContentCreation #SheSellsSocials #FarmingCommunity #Marketing #RuralBusiness #AgriLeadership #Travel #FreelancerLife #DigitalMarketing #CreativeEntrepreneur #EventManagement #BrandStrategy #FarmLife #Networking #SmallBusiness #SelfEmployment #BusinessGrowth #MarketingTips

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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 Neville and Di Stangroom! 🌍✨ Their journey through agriculture, fruit growing, and Nuffield has been filled with innovation, travel, and a deep commitment to the industry. 🚜🍎

I found a lot of similarities between that or Di and Neville’s relationship to that of Yasmine and I’s!👫

Neville’s Nuffield Scholarship in 1978 focused on mechanising fruit harvesting, particularly for apples and strawberries. 🍓 He travelled to Australia to explore innovative techniques, learning about the Tertura trellis system and integrated pest management, which transformed his approach to farming. While some ideas didn’t take off, the lessons on sustainability and pest control were invaluable. 🌱💡 He also remains deeply involved in blackcurrant production, supplying fruit for Ribena and playing a role in the evolution of modern fruit-growing practices. 🍇🚜

Di brings a unique perspective, having supported the farm’s operations while also driving change in mental health awareness in farming. 💙 She co-founded YARNA (You Are Not Alone), an initiative that provided counselling for farmers struggling with isolation and depression. Her dedication has helped transform attitudes towards mental health in the sector, proving the impact of Nuffield beyond just farming practices. 👏🧠

Their Nuffield experiences led to lifelong connections worldwide, from Australia to Zimbabwe. 🌏 Through hospitality, conferences, and networking, they’ve formed friendships that continue to shape their perspectives today. Their advice? Don’t over-plan, embrace the unexpected, and always make time for people. It’s been a privilege to share their story! 🤝🔥

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 #RegenerativeAgriculture #SustainableFarming #MentalHealthAwareness #FruitGrowing #Blackcurrants #AgInnovation #FarmResilience #PestManagement #AgLeadership #RuralSupport #Agriculture #YoungFarmers #FarmingCommunity #FarmLife #IntegratedPestManagement #Horticulture #FarmerWellbeing #InternationalFarming #KnowledgeExchange #RuralMentalHealth

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Today, we welcome Patrick Snelle onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Patrick’s journey through agriculture has taken him from lambing in Wales to farming on remote islands and even managing a sheep dairy in Dorset. 🐑🌍

I want to say this episodes comes with a disclaimer that we talk about a real example of attempted suicide.

Growing up outside of farming, Patrick found his way into the industry through family connections and sheer determination. 🚜 He studied at Harper Adams via their access course, which gave him a foot in the door, leading to roles in beef, sheep, and even poultry farming. His travels took him to Islay, Shetland, and Lambay Island, where he worked with sheep, cattle, and even wild wallabies! 🦘

Patrick opens up about his mental health struggles, including his experience with bipolar disorder and a suicide attempt that led to a long road to recovery. 💙 He shares how vital support networks, medication, and understanding employers helped him rebuild his life. His story is a testament to resilience, and he highlights the progress in mental health awareness within farming, urging others to seek help when they need it. 🌱💪

Now working as a vet technician, Patrick has found stability and fulfilment. 🩺 His passion for animal care, foot trimming, and working alongside vets has given him a rewarding career. His advice? Don’t be afraid to change direction if something isn’t working—there’s always another path in agriculture! 🌾✨

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#SheepFarming #MentalHealthAwareness #BipolarDisorder #FarmingResilience #VetTech #Agriculture #RuralLife #HighlandsAndIslands #SustainableFarming #AnimalCare #Shepherding #HarperAdams #FarmingMentalHealth #AgCareers #RegenerativeAg #SheepDairy #FarmLife #YoungFarmers #RuralSupport #LivestockManagement

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Today, we welcome Kelly Hewson-Fisher onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Kelly’s journey from growing up on a dairy farm to becoming Head of Rural Research at Savills is nothing short of inspiring. 🌱💧

Kelly shares how her parents started farming by selling their wedding gifts to buy cows and rent land. 🐄 She reflects on her path through Harper Adams, her time with ADAS as an agricultural business consultant, and how she found her passion in water security and rural research. Her story highlights the importance of adaptability and seizing unexpected opportunities. 🚜✨

As a leading voice in water management, Kelly delves into the critical role of water security in agriculture. 💦 She explains how catchment management, collaboration between farmers and water companies, and innovative storage solutions are essential for future sustainability. From nitrate levels in aquifers to the challenges of extreme weather, Kelly emphasises the need for better education and proactive policies to ensure long-term resilience. 🌍🌾

Beyond her professional work, Kelly is passionate about mentorship and leadership. 👥 Managing the rural research team at Savills, she finds fulfilment in supporting and developing the next generation of industry experts. Her dedication to the sector proves that agriculture isn’t just about farming—it’s about people, policy, and sustainability. It’s been a pleasure to hear her insights! 🌟📊

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#WaterSecurity #SustainableFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #CatchmentManagement #SoilHealth #Savills #AgResearch #FarmingInnovation #LandUse #FutureFarming #ClimateResilience #RuralLeadership #PolicyMatters #Agriculture #WaterManagement #FarmResilience #Sustainability #RuralDevelopment #FoodProduction #AgriTech #EnvironmentalStewardship

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Today, we welcome Joanne Hall onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Joanne’s journey is nothing short of fascinating—from studying architecture to travelling the world and making a huge impact in the Young Farmers community. 🌍✨

Joanne shares her experience pursuing a six-year architecture degree at Glasgow School of Art 🏛️ and how her career led her to working with the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Alongside her passion for architecture, she discovered a love for marketing and social media while living in Benbecula, where she also ran a Highland dance school! 💃🌊

Beyond her professional career, Joanne has travelled extensively, exploring Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, and India. 🗺️ Her adventurous spirit took her to incredible places, including performing in military tattoos in Australia, Canada, and Europe. She shares the unique experiences of solo travelling and the eye-opening lessons she learned along the way. 🏕️✈️

Joanne is also a dedicated leader in SAYFC, currently serving as Vice Chair of the Comms and Marketing Committee alongside me as Chair. 📢 It’s been a pleasure to work with and get to know Jo in our roles, as she plays a key part in shaping SAYFC’s communication strategy—from social media content to event promotion—ensuring Young Farmers continues to grow and engage its members. Her commitment to the organisation shines through in everything she does! 🚜🔥

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#YoungFarmers #SAYFC #Architecture #HighlandDancing #MilitaryTattoo #SoloTravel #Scotland #Marketing #SocialMedia #AgriLeadership #Networking #RuralLife #CreativeIndustries #CommunityEngagement #PublicSpeaking #EventPlanning #AgriYouth #ScotlandTravel #BuildingFutures #CulturalExchange #Leadership

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Today we welcome my dad, Colin Currie, back for his second appearance on the podcast and my partner, Yasmine, for her first! 🏡🎤 We chat about our journey into farming, from Colin’s lifelong connection to the land to Yas’ unexpected route into shepherding after a childhood love for animals. 🐏💚

Colin updates us on his ongoing mission to visit every livestock market in the UK, sharing highlights and insights from his experiences across the country. 📍🚜 He also reminisces about his time as Chair of Arran Young Farmers 40 years ago and the importance of youth organisations in rural communities. 🌾🧑‍🌾

Meanwhile, Yas tells us about Dorothy, the Dorset sheep who stole her heart and now calls Arran home! 🐑💖 She shares her path from aspiring vet nurse to full-time shepherd, proving that a non-farming background doesn’t mean you can’t find a way in! 🏞️✨

And, of course, we reflect on some of our biggest adventures—including THAT boat trip in New Zealand! ⛴️🌊 Was it thrilling or utterly terrifying? Depends on who you ask! 😅

Enjoy! 😃🎙️

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support. 🙌

#Farming #SheepFarming #Agriculture #RuralLife #FarmingLife #YoungFarmers #Livestock #Shepherding #FamilyFarming #ScottishFarming #AgricultureCommunity #FarmingPodcast #FarmLife #FarmingStories #UKFarming #SustainableFarming #FarmersOfInstagram #RuralStories #TravelAndFarming #FarmingJourney #FarmExperiences #Podcast #PodcastLife #PodcastHost #PodcastEpisode

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