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

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

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

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

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.

Today we welcome William Murray onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A sheep and beef farmer with a thriving equine livery in Scotland, Will shares his insights on the daily chaos of lambing, the tough choices farms face when diversifying, and the emotional toll of working in an industry that too often leaves its people behind. 🐑🚜

We talk about the shift from indoor to outdoor lambing, and how weather can make or break the lambing season. Will also opens up about the changes happening on his farm and why, despite the romanticism of rural life, diversification is becoming essential for survival. ☀️💼

From speaking at protests to creating viral TikToks, Will has become a loud voice in the fight against the 2026 inheritance tax reforms. He explains how these changes threaten not just farms but the broader rural economy, and how a rally in London reminded him of the unity and strength of the farming community. 📣❤️

With over 200k TikTok followers, Will also reflects on his rise as a farming content creator. From showing sheep dipping to calling out vegan misinformation, his goal is to educate the public about the reality of farming—good, bad, and ugly. He’s authentic, hilarious, and unapologetically himself. 🧠📲

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#UKFarming #LambingLife #FarmingReality #TikTokFarmer #InheritanceTax #YoungFarmers #FarmDiversification #OutdoorLambing #AgriculturalPolicy #WillMurray #SAYFC #RuralProtests #AgEducation #FarmingPassion #FarmAdvocacy #FarmingVoices #RegenerativeFarming #SocialMediaFarming #FarmLifeUK #HowdenRural #R2Kast #WilliamMurray

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

Today we welcome James Kennedy onto the R2Kast! 🎙️ A mixed farmer from East Lothian, James shares his journey from Northern Ireland to building a 650-hectare beef and arable operation in Scotland. With a strong focus on efficient systems and full traceability, James opens up about balancing crop rotations, clubroot issues, and trialling new break crops like winter beans. 🚜🌾

We dive into the evolution of East Lothian Young Farmers under James’ leadership. Starting with just six members, he played a key role in rebuilding the club to nearly 30, highlighting the power of perseverance, personal touches, and meaningful events. His story is a shining example of grassroots revival and community spirit! 💪🌱

James reflects on his time at SRUC, why he left after one year, and how he returned to education by completing his BASIS in Crop Protection. Despite challenges in arable work and club management, he’s driven by a passion to learn, question, and innovate—especially when it comes to oilseed rape and minimal tillage practices. 📚🧠

A proud member of SAYFC, James moved from club chair to district, to regional chair, and now serves as Agri & Rural Affairs Vice Chair nationally. His leadership style combines humility, hard work, and a genuine love for bringing people together. From GoPros to grain carts, his journey is one of growth, grit, and giving back. 🎥❤️

Enjoy! 😊

Thank you to Howden Rural for the continued support.

#MixedFarming #ScottishFarming #YoungFarmers #ArableLife #BASISTraining #SAYFC #FarmRevival #AgriLeadership #OilseedRape #WinterBeans #FarmEfficiency #ClubrootRecovery #FarmingPassion #AgEducation #FarmLifeUK #RegenerativeFarming #NextGenFarming #FarmerStories #HowdenRural #R2Kast #JamesKennedy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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