The Whole Story

Today on the podcast I chat to Greg Coppell from Repost. Greg and Dansy from Repost are an inspiring team, on a mission to change the world. Greg is a born and bred farm boy and when it came time to developing their own property Greg recalled repurposing old posts out of the viticulture industry with his Dad and set about doing the same thing on his place. But he didn’t stop there, with new fence post prices only going one way, he wanted to make these posts available to all farmers and help the viticulture industry solve a huge waste problem.

Repost was only meant to be a part time gig for Greg and Dansy has become a full-time operation with them actually living off-farm to be able to operate the business. But Greg says there is plenty of time for farming and this is part of his legacy, both in succession and personal purpose.

This is a short and sweet episode to round out season three of The Whole Story podcast, but I really want you all to take on board what Greg says about taking time and rethinking waste as a resource! Thanks for joining us today on the podcast, have a happy easter and we’ll catch you next season!

Episode Resources:

Repost website

🎙️ Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.

🌱 For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website

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Today on the podcast I chat to Alex de Boer from The Electric Motor Vehicle Company from the deep south of Invercargill. Alex has a varied history from farming to engineering, building to finance and is now a key part of the entrepreneurial innovation behind the electrification of farm machinery in Aotearoa NZ.

For context in this podcast, since catching up with Mike Casey in Season One, I have since gone to to start up another company called Solayer focused on supporting farmers with integrated energy solutions on farm and this conversation with Alex touches on a key part of that - where once we put the infrastructure in, how can we leverage off that incredibly cheap source of energy by shifting fossil fuel machinery to electric? The lowest hanging fruit of this for me has been irrigation pumps and the small transport machines like UTV…and that’s where Alex comes in.

But we don’t just talk energy and UTVs in this conversation. Alex shares with us his thoughts around sustainability in farming, along with some key developments he’s seen in his time around soil additives, wintering barns and biochar. The most exciting part of this conversation to me is the potential for UTVs to be portable power plants and this is definitely something we are looking at offering through our work at Solayer in the not to distant future.

Episode Resources:

The Electric Motor Vehicle website | https://electricmv.co.nz

Solayer Website | https://www.solayer.co.nz

To find out more about the Agrisea products mentioned…head to their website | https://agrisea.co.nz

For more information about Biochar | https://biochar.net.nz

🎙️ Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.

🌱 For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website

🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud

Today on the podcast I catch up with Abi Croutear-Foy and Ebi Hussain from AquaWatch. Abi is the Managing Director coming from an international financial services background and Ebi is the Chief Science Officer coming with a background in water quality science and ecology.  Both are passionate about freshwater and also about using the facts that water can tell us to empower people to make changes that matter. 

AquaWatch, which back at the start was called RiverWatch, was founded by father and son duo - Grant and James Muir who were watching their awa(river) literally dying before their eyes. The story of the struggle to save the river compelled James to create the documentary film "River Dog". And River Dog led Grant and James to explore ways to help reverse the decline of water quality in Aotearoa, identifying the need for clear and consistent water quality data as a starting point.

The resulting products at AquaWatch include a range of software and hardware solutions that have been developed, include a “waka” that sits in a body of water that can continuously capture water quality data allowing us to take the guesswork out of freshwater monitoring and give real-time insights into the impact of climatic events and land-based activities on water quality.

So grab a cuppa and enjoy listening to this episode, I for one specifically enjoyed highlighting the way that water quality touches every aspect of sustainability and highlighting why actions to improve water quality are so vitally  important. 

Episode Resources:

AquaWatch website

🎙️ Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.

🌱 For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website

🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud

Today on the podcast we take a dive into the economics of pathways into farming with Seb Chapman founder of Seedling Investments. Some of you might already know Seb from being heavily involved in Future Farmers NZ and the founder of Fruitminder.  Seb has a unique blend of agricultural roots and an interest in cutting-edge technology, which drives him with a vision to revolutionise agricultural problems through smart solutions.

Seedling Investments is a venture that addresses a real personal pain point for Seb and after many long hours driving tractors seeding and harvesting in Australia and a journey back to tertiary education to study software engineering and economics, Seedling is the solution; a pathway into farm ownership that encourages skin in the game and offers good returns for investors, or as the tagline of the company goes: accelerating the transition of the the next generation of farmers into the next generation of farming.

Seb and I are both enthusiastic entrepreneurs and we offer up a few business crumbs in here that we hope some of you will pick up and run with, we also talk a bit about macro economics and the conditions under which societies have historically thrived economically. So take a listen and reach out to Seb and the team at Seedling if you’re keen to know more.

Episode Resources:

Seeding Investments Website | https://www.seedling-investments.com

Seb Chapman LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-chapman-fruitminder/

🎙️ Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.

🌱 For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website: www.thewholestory.co.nz

🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud

Today on the podcast I am joined by Shaun Forgie from Dung Beetle Innovations. Shaun is a self-professed insect geek, a man with an endless amount of passion the mighty dung beetle but who spends most of his days talking sh*t and shovelling sh*t to feed his millions of resident dung beetles at their breeding site north of Auckland.

This conversation covers what Dung Beetles are, what they do, their importance in the ecosystem - why we need to introduce them, and the many different sustainability roles they play. We get into some specifics around the riparian management and nutrient runoff reductions, drench resistance and the impact of dung beetles in reducing pasture larval contamination, the increase in crop yields you can see as a result of having a saturation of these little critters in the soil horizon.

The most harrowing part about this conversation is how our “art of procrastination” in this country may lead us to seeing an opportunity pass us by, an opportunity that many other countries around the world have cottoned onto and are seeing the economic benefits of the ecosystem services that dung beetles provide. They impact each of the 3 pillars of soil health and as we know sustainable farming starts with healthy soil, so grab a cuppa and enjoy what I think is a really engaging and passionate chat about recruiting an underground workforce to get the job done for you.

Episode Resources:

Dung Beetles Innovations Website | https://dungbeetles.co.nz

Shaun Forgie LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-forgie-08539b24/

🎙️ Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.

🌱 For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website: www.thewholestory.co.nz

🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud

Today on the podcast we have a special treat; we have not one, but two guests from the Resolution - the farming app team! Paul Ruddenklau: co-founder and director and Emma Smith: Agritech collaborator and support lead are together in the office joining me for this convo

Take a listen as we dive into probably a bit of the unheard background of these two epic humans and the app’s journey to where it is today. We also dig into the nuts and bolts of the need for simple and effective data collection and communication on farm, the values behind the team at resolution and their work empowering farmers with their farm data.

Make sure you listen through to the end to hear a bit of a teaser about what’s up and coming for the Resolution team this year and lean into sustainable development goal industry, innovation and infrastructure….

Episode Resources:

Resolution | https://www.resolutionapp.co.nz

Paul Ruddenklau | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ruddenklau-635454286/

Emma Smith | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-smith-20a608aa/

🎙️ Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.

🌱 For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website: www.thewholestory.co.nz

🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud

Today on the podcast I am joined by Pete Oswald. Pete grew up on a high country farm in the Awatere valley in Marlborough, he got into cutting down trees young to fund his highly addictive, big mountain, free-skiing habit. Skiing then turned into a professional career which has taken him all over the world and he shifted out of competing into brand partnerships where he made content for some of the big global names like Icebreaker.

Between just being an all round ethically conscious human, suffering some climate guilt over the travelling he did through his skiing career and as a father raising his own children Pete has always been involved in sustainability initiatives. Whether that be through him and his wife’s greeting card and paper goods business Little Difference, his Ski for Trees initiative or now as the project manager for the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group where Pete has come back full circle into cutting down trees - but this time in the name of preserving and regenerating our natural environment.

We cover why Wilding Conifers are such a big problem, we discuss the practical support available to farmers from the Wilding Conifer Control Group, the importance of learning from the past, the impact of empowering communities as well as the challenges associated with government funding structures, carbon tunnel vision and afforestation with exotics into farmland…she’s a big one! So settle in an enjoy today’s episode…

Episode Resources:

Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group

Wilding Pine Network

Little Difference

Ski for Trees Initiative

Pete Oswald | LinkedIn

🎙️ Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.

🌱 For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website!

🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud

In this episode I catch up with Sam the Trap Man about pest control and biodiversity. Sam insists he is “just a bush man” but there is no “just” about it, a bushman, a hunter, a father, an author, a connector, a catchment group coordinator, humble public speaker and a man pretty fond of getting a good feed in his puku Sam is a storyteller and educator bringing biodiversity conservation into our farming systems.

Not only do we dig into the nitty gritty over who should pay for the cost of sustainability on farms, but he shares the best definition of Sustainability I think I’ve ever come across. Last but not least Sam shares some epic low cost, low barrier to entry take home tips around pest control to get the biodiversity pumping on your farm.

Episode Resources:

Sam the Trap Man | Instagram | LinkedIn

📖 Purchase Sam’s book here!

🎙️ Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.

🌱 For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website!

🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud

In this episode I am joined by Mavis Mullins. Mavis has a long history in agribusiness. She is a mother of four and a grandmother to 14, and she is a fifth generation farmer, as well as alongside her husband Koro and wider whānau running and being actively involved at every level of the family shearing business over the last 30 plus years. In 2002 she was made a New Zealand Order of Merit. She has won the Rural category at the Westpac Women of Influence Awards and has been inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.

The list of organisations that she has been involved in at a governance level across our sector is extensive. From Landcorp to the Aohanga Incorporation, Two Degrees Mobile to Rangitahi Tu Mai Ra, Atihau Whanganui Incorporation, Agri Women's Development Trust, Taratahi Learning Institute, the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union, UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand, the Environmental Protection Agency and Nga Whenua Rahui, just to name a few….and she's not done yet.

This conversation is about connection - connection to land, connection to each other, and breaking down the barriers between people so that we can harness our unique strength as a primary sector nation, our deep cultural heritage. And how we lean into that with authenticity to the opportunities for greater understanding and progress. It's an open and a frank discussion and just the start of a journey.

Episode Resources:

Mavis Mullins | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mavismullins/

🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.

For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website!

🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____

In this episode Becks sits down with Gerard Vaughan from Farmstrong. Gerard is Farmstrong’s programme director and he helped design and establish the programme in 2015 . He now oversees its research and education initiatives and is passionate about turning the science of wellbeing into practical tools and resources for busy farmers.

Farmstrong is a nationwide wellbeing programme for the rural community with the aim of supporting farmers to “live well to farm well” and in this episode Gerard shares with us why looking after your mental wellbeing is not a positive for you, but also a positive for your business! We dig deep into the research but also the practical experiences of farmers, so this episode is full of great stories and takeaway tips.

Episode Resources:

​Farmstrong |Website

Rural Support Trust |Website

​Disclaimer: This podcast contains language around mental health. If you feel like you need support please reach out to these support networks.​

Rural Support Trust:0800 787 254

Lifeline:0800 543 354 (available 24/7)

Suicide Crisis Helpline:0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)

Youthline:0800 376 633

Kidsline:0800 543 754 (available 24/7)

Whatsup:0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)

Depression helpline:0800 111 757 (available 24/7)

🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.

For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out ourWebsite!

🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____