Today as part of the Tales of a Nuffield Scholar podcast which aims to share the stories of Nuffield UK Alumni, we welcome Heather Wildman — an unstoppable force in UK agriculture, leadership development, and communication training. From a Cumbrian hill farm to global influence, Heather’s story is packed with grit, growth, and generosity. 🌍

Heather takes us from New Zealand’s dairy scene to cowboying in Montana, to learning about second chances in a Canadian high-security prison. Her Nuffield journey on “communication and motivating change” gave her a new lens — one that still shapes her work mentoring the next generation. 🤠✈️

We dive into Cultivating Leaders, a programme Heather created for SAYFC, now in its 10th year. She shares how she wished someone had told 24-year-old Heather about vision, leadership, and self-belief — so she created that space for others. 🌱💬

Her story is candid, powerful, and packed with lessons. We cover mental health, succession, and ageing with curiosity. A true voice of wisdom and warmth in the rural space, Heather shows how living with purpose can spark transformation across the sector. 🔥

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.

#R2Kast #NuffieldScholar #HeatherWildman #CultivatingLeaders #SAYFC #LeadershipInFarming #FarmMentoring #AgriLeadership #WomenInAg #CommunicationSkills #RuralDevelopment #DairyFarming #NewZealandAg #AgriculturalEducation #YoungFarmers #RuralResilience #SuccessionPlanning #FarmingFuture #MentalHealthInAg #AgInfluence #NuffieldFarming #HowdenRural #FarmLeadership #GlobalAgLearning #AgriPodcast #FarmStories

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Today we welcome George Lyon onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A seventh-generation tenant farmer from the Isle of Bute, George shares his journey from milking cows to shaping Scottish agricultural policy. With roots in beef, sheep, and dairy farming, his early life was grounded in the rhythms of island agriculture. 🐄🌿

George reflects on his transition into politics and how representing his community became central to his mission. From leading through industry protests to restructuring key organisations during crisis, he speaks candidly about the challenges of balancing leadership, advocacy, and loyalty. 🚜📢

We explore his political rise—from becoming an MSP for Argyll and Bute to representing Scotland in the European Parliament. George gives a behind-the-scenes look at coalition politics, CAP reform, and the growing impact of divisive discourse in the digital age. 🏛️📲

Now president of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, George is helping steer the organisation through financial transformation while celebrating the culture and innovation of Scottish farming. A voice of reason and resilience, his story is rooted in service, tradition, and vision. 🧠🌍

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#TenantFarming #ScottishAgriculture #GeorgeLyon #RoyalHighlandShow #RASScotland #FarmPolicy #PoliticalLeadership #IslandFarming #BeefAndSheep #AgriculturalHeritage #ButeFarming #CAPReform #FoodAndFarming #AgPolitics #CoalitionGovernment #FarmingTraditions #RuralVoice #FarmingResilience #HowdenRural #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #RegenerativeFutures #FarmLeadership #UKFarmingVoices

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Today we welcome Ffinlo Costain onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ Known for founding the Farmgate Podcast and 8.9ha media platform, Ffinlo is a leading voice in agroecology and regenerative agriculture. He opens up about his journey from the Isle of Man NFU to running one of the UK’s most thoughtful agri-podcasts, championing land use reform through science-led storytelling. 🌾🎧

We dive into his early media work and his goal of changing the farming narrative from criticism to positivity. Ffinlo reveals how Farmgate evolved into a global platform for regenerative ideas, and why 8.9ha was born to unite food, fibre, and natural capital voices under one accurate, science-backed umbrella. 📚🌍

A passionate advocate for practical, investable change, Ffinlo shares powerful views on climate, conflict, and food security—warning that business-as-usual won’t take us past 2050. He offers hope through regenerative systems and nature-based solutions that support livelihoods and ecological recovery. 🌱⚠️

We also explore the roots of his identity on the Isle of Man, its Viking history, and why the phrase “whichever way you throw me, I stand” defines the resilient spirit of his heritage. This episode is rich with insights, urgency, and optimism for the future of land use. 🏞️🧠

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#FarmgatePodcast #RegenerativeFarming #Agroecology #FoodSecurity #LandUseChange #FfinloCostain #IsleOfMan #ClimateResilience #AgriMedia #SustainableFarming #NaturalCapital #CarbonSequestration #BiodiversityRecovery #8point9hectares #AgPodcast #UKFarming #FarmingVoices #GreenTransition #PositiveFarming #HowdenRural #R2Kast #PeopleInFoodAndFarming #FarmPolicy #RuralMedia #ResilientFarming

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.