Agricology Podcast

Agroecology Around Arran: Beyond the Farm Gate 25.06.2026 47min

In the final episode of the series, we explore how the island's farmers have diversified their businesses to adapt to changing markets and build resilience for the future. Along the way, we'll discover how these new enterprises are creating benefits that extend far beyond the farm gate, supporting local jobs, producing essential goods and services, creating educational opportunities, and helping people reconnect with the land and the food they eat. Episode guests Alisa Currie Ailsa Currie set up and runs the visitor and education programme at Bellevue Farm, a family-run beef, sheep and arable farm located near Blackwaterfoot. The farm welcomes tourists, families and students to learn about farming, experience local food and build a deeper connection with Arran's landscape and natural environment. Bellevue also hosts a regular farmer's market in partnership with other local food producers. Kenny Bone Kenny Bone is a mixed farmer at Glenkiln Farm who also runs a livery business, indoor riding arena, holiday lets, a hydroelectric energy scheme, and is the co-owner of The Drift Inn in Lamlash - alongside several other enterprises! Kenny is interested in caring for Arran's environment and is involved with many local organisations, including Arran Economic Group, Arran Development Trust and the local Forestry Commission panel as well as hosting the Arran Farmers Show. He was awarded Diversified Farm of the Year and the Champion of Champions award at the Scottish Agriculture Awards in 2024. Colin Mackenzie Colin Mackenzie successfully transitioned his family farm business away from dairy and now runs Mackenzie Logs - supplying seasoned firewood across the island. He also has a small herd of beef breeding cattle and store lambs. Alistair Dobson Alongside his role of Managing Director at Arran Dairies which he runs with his son Matthew, Alistair Dobson is Managing Director of Taste of Arran, a collaborative business that promotes, sells, and distributes food and drink from 10 SME producers on Arran to markets in the UK and abroad. Alistair is also the founding Chairman of VisitArran and a founding member of the Arran Economic Group focused on fostering community development and preserving Arran's cultural and natural heritage.

Agroecology Around Arran: Growing Community 18.06.2026 42min

In this episode we meet four inspiring guests who are championing small-scale horticulture, alternative food systems and pollinator conservation on Arran. We learn how market gardens, community growing projects and foraging initiatives are helping to celebrate local produce, reconnect people with the land and strengthen social wellbeing. We also explore the important role that bees and honey production play in supporting biodiversity and food production across the island. Episode guests Simon Ross-Gill Simon is the Director and Project Coordinator of The Arran Pioneer Project CIC, a project working to regenerate Scotland's wild and natural landscapes in a way that incorporates rural communities while securing jobs and livelihoods for young people. The Pioneer Project runs several community gardens around Arran. Simon also works as a graphic designer specialising in books, handbooks, flyers and interpretive materials focussed on landscape, environment and community. He is passionate about working with local people to build a more sustainable and self-sufficient food system. Robin Gray Robin is a chef, grower and owner of Robin Gray's Island Gourmet, a take-away food business in Whiting Bay demonstrating how sustainably produced, seasonal ingredients can be used to celebrate the unique flavours of Arran. Zoë Hughes Zoë is a Wild Food Educator who runs Wild Food Arran and has been teaching foraging and wild food identification for over 4 years. She is a member of the Association of Foragers and completely obsessed with mushrooms! Andy Walker Andy has been keeping bees on Arran for more than 20 years. He moved to the island with his family in 1999 to work for the Forestry Commission and, although now retired, continues to work part-time in timber production. Alongside producing a range of award-winning honeys, Andy also uses beeswax from his hives to create a variety of natural products sold across the island under the label of Arran Bee Products.

Agroecology Around Arran: Following the Grain 11.06.2026 46min

In this episode, we explore arable farming on Arran, tracing the journey of locally grown grain from field to fork and glass. We begin at Bellevue Farm, where farmer Donald Currie grows malting barley on Arran's fertile soils. From there, we follow the grain north to Lochranza Distillery, where Brand Ambassador Fred Baumgärtner explains how locally grown barley is transformed into the island's world-renowned whisky. We finish our journey at Blackwater Bakehouse, where baker George Grassie shares his passion for artisan breadmaking, heritage grains, sustainability, health and nutrient-dense food. The phrase "follow the grain" is often used to describe the process of working with the natural direction of a material, or within the constraints of your environment, rather than forcing a direction that leads to resistance and damage. We learn how this ethos is reflected in the agroecological approach embraced across Arran. From the field to the distillery and bakery, we hear how farmers, bakers and distillers work with the opportunities and constraints of the island's climate, soils and landscapes, allowing the local environment to shape their practices rather than trying to overcome it. Episode guests Donald Currie Donald Currie is an arable and beef farmer who produces barley for malting at Bellevue Farm and other sites around the island. Fred Baumgärtner Fred Baumgärtner is the Brand Home Ambassador for the Isle of Arran Distillers, the company responsible for producing award-winning whisky at both Lagg Distillery and Lochranza Distillery. Born and bred on Arran, Fred now leads whisky tasting tours and experiences at the distillery for hundreds of visitors each year, and travels the world showcasing the island's products. George Grassie George Grassie is an artisan baker who has been running Blackwater Bakehouse for the past five years. Born and raised on Arran, George spent several years living on the mainland and abroad before returning to the island with his young family. Today, the Bakehouse produces fresh artisan bread using high-quality Scottish-grown organic flour and heritage grains, and has recently expanded into a new site in Brodick.

Agroecology Around Arran: Arran's Dairy Story 04.06.2026 36min

The episode features farmers, artisan food producers, and the distributers working to connect the two and create a thriving hyper-local milk market. We learn how collaboration and adding value is key to keeping dairy at the heart of the community. Milk production on Arran has a somewhat turbulent history, with external pressures such as pasteurisation legislation pushing the industry to the brink of collapse at the end of the twentieth century. However, thanks to the determination and creativity of a small number of islanders, the last remaining dairy herd on Arran survives to this day, and the industry is going from strength to strength. Episode guests: Matthew Dobson Matthew Dobson is the Production Manager at Arran Ice Cream. He has worked in the family business for over 13 years, during which time he has played a vital role in the growth and development of the brand. Having grown up on the island, Matthew is passionate about creating a high-quality product that really shows off the taste of Arran's milk, supports local farmers, and creates memorable experiences for visitors and residents alike. Calum Chaplin Calum Chaplin is an artisan cheese maker producing award-winning Arran Blue, Arran Mist (Brie) and Camembert cheeses for Arran Cheese Shop at their factory in Blackwaterfoot. The cheese is made using milk from the island, and sold in shops, markets, delis, and restaurants both on Arran and around Scotland. John Murchie John Murchie is a farmer who cares for the island's last remaining dairy herd at Tigheanfraoch Farm. Tigheanfraoch Farm has been part of the Murchie family since 1953 and is now home to 59 cows, with 47 milked twice a day, 365 days a year. The cows enjoy a natural, seasonal lifestyle, grazing on Arran's rich pastures in summer and fed on homegrown silage in the colder months.

Agroecology Around Arran: Meat and Livestock Farming 28.05.2026 52min

From the early days of crofting and subsistence farming to the present day, animal protein has provided an essential and highly valuable source of nutrients for Arran's population. While sheep and beef production have always been central to Arran's farming economy, venison is now also being embraced as a sustainable protein source that can help to combat the growing threat that the wild deer population poses to island ecosystems. In this first episode of our new series Agroecology Around Arran, we explore how the production of meat on Arran embraces the ethos of agroecology, how farmers are working together to reduce carbon emissions from livestock farming, and what we can learn from their example. Guests Alistair Currie Alistair talks to us about his livestock farm based in the Shiskine Valley. He maintains a herd of around around 30 native-breed beef cattle which are fed on pasture and home-grown silage. Colin Currie Colin Currie is an upland hill farmer who has been farming sheep and beef at Bridge Farm with his wife Laura since the 1970s. Bridge Farm is situated within a SSSI-designated site that is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Colin uses his innate knowledge of the land to create a low-input livestock system that has allowed him to reduce reliance on external markets, maximise animal welfare, and work in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem. Zoë Hughes Zoë Hughes runs Wild Isle Venison with her partner Chris. Their work aims to honour the deer that are harvested alongside protecting the natural landscape on Arran and strengthening the local food chain. Zoë is passionate about sustainable, affordable meat that has a positive impact on the environment. Wild Isle Venison works to reconnect producers and consumers, processing venison in small batches and selling to local residents, chefs and businesses across the island. Alec Pirie Alec Pirie is a Senior Consultant and Area Manager for SAC Consulting. Alec works with over 120 clients across Scotland and has a particular interest in carbon, climate and conservation. He has also recently completed a Master's degree in Wildlife, Conservation and Management. Alec started the Net Zero Arran group in 2019. This aim of this group of farmers is to quantify the island's agricultural carbon footprint and take collective action to improve it. Find out more about the series here.

Introducing Agroecology Around Arran - New Season Trailer 25.05.2026 3min

In this new season trailor, podcast host Wallace Currie and Alice Farmery from the Agricology team introduce themselves, explain the concept behind our new podcast season and give listeners a taste of what is to come. This short introduction provides some background to Arran to give context to the series, and provides an overview of the key terms and ideas used throughout.

Rethinking Oilseed Rape - The Promise of Companion Cropping 22.01.2026 28min

In this special edition of the Agricology Podcast, we introduce an exciting new research project investigating how companion cropping can support pest, weed, and disease management in oilseed rape (OSR). Head of Agricology Matt Smee is joined by Duncan Coston (Entomological Research Consultant and Project Lead) and Lynn Tatnell (Weed Biologist at ADAS) to explore why OSR can be such a challenging crop for UK farmers and how companion cropping could offer a more resilient, regenerative way forward. They discuss topics such as: What companion cropping involves in practice. How this technique could help manage pests such as cabbage stem flea beetle. The benefits of working in partnership with farmers and researchers in Sweden. What the project is hoping to achieve over the next three years. How farmers in the UK can follow the research or get involved in trials. We hope you enjoy listening! Show notes This podcast is part of a three-year research project investigating how companion cropping can support pest, weed, and disease management in winter OSR in Sweden and the UK. Running from January 2025 to December 2027, the study 'Companion Cropping in Winter Oilseed Rape' aims to develop integrated pest management (IPM) strategies that reduce reliance on pesticides, offering growers practical and organic crop protection techniques. The project has been generously funded by the Ekhaga Foundation and is a collaboration between ADAS, Agricology and Agrovast. Read more about the project and how you can get involved in the trials here.

Agroforestry Through the Elements - People 11.12.2025 57min

This is the last episode of a new series exploring agroforestry, in which we use the elements as a framework to deepen understanding and challenge assumptions around trees on farms. The overarching aim is to explore how trees on farms contribute to more than just individual functions, holding the ability to transform whole landscapes and ecosystems. This episode dives into the human element of agroforestry. Wallace Currie welcomes Andy Dibben, Bid Webb and Dr Jonathan Code who focus on the educational and social dimensions that shape how agroforestry is understood and adopted. We explore the importance of co-design, community networks, shared knowledge, and long-term relationships in building agroforestry systems that work for both land and livelihoods. Show notes: Find out more about the series here. Explore the Agricology Agroforestry Hub here.

Agroforestry Through the Elements - Air 04.12.2025 55min

This is the penulitmate episode of a new series exploring agroforestry, in which we use the elements as a framework to deepen understanding and challenge assumptions around trees on farms. The overarching aim is to explore how trees on farms contribute to more than just individual functions, holding the ability to transform whole landscapes and ecosystems. In this episode we take a detailed look at the theme of 'Air' - an ethereal element with very tangible impacts for farmers, growers and livestock. Wallace Currie is joined by The Agroforestry Research Trust founder and world-renowned forest gardener Martin Crawford, Chief Executive of the Soil Association and agroforestry pioneer Helen Browning, and Dr Will Simonson, Principal Researcher in Agroforestry at the Organic Research Centre. They explore how trees can shape airflow, shelter crops and livestock, and support vital pollinators. They discuss how agroforestry can change local conditions dramatically, and how this can benefit the health of the soil and livestock. Show notes: Find out more about the series here. Explore the Agricology Agroforestry Hub here. Find out about the Agroforestry Handbook here.

Agroforestry Through the Elements - Earth 20.11.2025 56min

This is the third episode of a new series exploring agroforestry, in which we use the elements as a framework to deepen understanding and challenge assumptions around trees on farms. The overarching aim is to explore how trees on farms contribute to more than just individual functions, holding the ability to transform whole landscapes and ecosystems. This episode investigates how trees improve soil biology, structure and fertility. Wallace Currie is joined by Lincolnshire farmer Thomas Gent and Professor Paul Burgess to explore how agroforestry systems can play a fundamental role in supporting life below ground, supporting nutrient cycling, and offering knock-on benefits for landscape productivity, ecology and climate resilience. Show notes: Find out more about the series here. Explore the Agricology Agroforestry Hub here.

Agroforestry Through the Elements - Fire 13.11.2025 53min

This the second episode of a new series exploring agroforestry, in which we use the elements as a framework to deepen understanding and challenge assumptions around trees on farms. The overarching aim is to explore how trees on farms contribute to more than just individual functions, holding the ability to transform whole landscapes and ecosystems. This episode focuses on the element of 'fire.' Guest host Wallace Currie is joined by Northumberland-based farmer Tom Fairfax and "hedge geek" Megan Gimber from People's Trust for Endangered Species. They dive into the role of energy in agroforestry systems; from firewood and biomass to nutrient cycling and carbon flow. They chat passionately about how trees and hedgerows can play a major role in creating low-input, circular systems that support life above and below ground, providing lasting returns for the farm and farmer. Show notes: Find out more about the series here. Explore the Agricology Agroforestry Hub here. Explore these other useful resources: Hedgerow Masterclass with James Robinson and Megan Gimber and Productive Hedges.

Agroforestry Through the Elements - Water 06.11.2025 52min

This is the first episode of a new series exploring agroforestry, in which we use the elements as a framework to deepen understanding and challenge assumptions around trees on farms. The overarching aim is to explore how trees on farms contribute to more than just individual functions, holding the ability to transform whole landscapes and ecosystems. 'Water' includes exploring how trees impact flood risk, rainfall, and soil moisture. Guest podcaster Wallace Currie is joined by Ben Raskin, Head of Agroforestry at the Soil Association and co-organiser of the Agroforestry Show, who brings a wealth of knowledge about using trees effectively to manage extremes of water in a changing climate. Colin Tosh, Senior Agroforestry Researcher at the Organic Research Centre talks about his work modelling agroforestry systems to understand how trees impact water on farms through their influence on rainfall interception, soil characteristics, and microclimates. Vicki Hird, a lady of many hats, including being Strategic Lead on Agriculture at The Wildlife Trusts, touches on the challenges of water pollution caused by agriculture and sewage companies and how agroforestry can help tackle these issues, and talks about her work with lowland peat soils. Find out more about the series here. Explore the Agricology Agroforestry Hub here.

To Till or Not to Till - In Conversation with Jonathan Storkey 22.05.2025 44min

In the last episode of the series, plant ecologist Jonathan Storkey treats us to fascinating insights on biodiversity in production systems and soil microbial communities, emphasising how context is crucial when choosing your tillage approach. He shares his journey from birdwatching ecologist to leading weed scientist at Rothamsted Reseach, where he has been studying tillage and biodiversity interactions for over two decades. He dives into the concept of "functional biodiversity"- pollinators, predators, and microbes that support food production, and how tillage impacts those delicate systems. We explore the Rothamsted long-term systems trials, where contrasting tillage approaches across different soil types are revealing nuanced shifts in yield, weed pressure, soil carbon, and microbial succession. Jonathan explains how early-stage bacteria-dominated soils differ from more stable fungal systems, and how physical disturbance resets succession. He also explores glyphosate reliance (including glyphosate-resistant weeds), weed control trade-offs, IPM potential, and the resilience of different systems to extreme weather events.

To Till or Not to Till - In Conversation with John Pawsey 15.05.2025 45min

In this episode with farmer John Pawsey, we talk about the role of tillage in organic systems, balancing weed and pest pressures, how regenerative overlaps with organic, and how diversity drives success. John shares his journey from conventional spraying to organic, mixed farming (over 25 years ago). He explains why he ploughs selectively (once or twice in a six-year rotation) and how organic farming pushes innovation through the limits of its standards. His approach is rooted in observation, adaptability, and profitability. We explore how he adjusts tillage depth based on weed type and the importance of bringing complexity into your rotation and not letting one problem dominate – in relation to weeds, pests and diseases. John reflects on reducing his sheep flock, soil health gains (now having up to 6% organic matter), and embracing Groundswell and regenerative ideas with an organic mindset. He describes a farming system built on context: some years min-till, others plough, all underpinned by leys, cover crops, and diversity in crops and drilling dates. His honesty about the learning curve, headspace shifts, and financial sustainability gives real-world clarity to the tillage debate.

To Till or Not to Till - In Conversation with Julia Cooper 08.05.2025 51min

The third episode of the series welcomes the Organic Research Centre's Julia Cooper who shares her expertise as a soil scientist. We look at soil health from a scientific perspective, focusing on nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and the nuanced role of tillage across different soil types and farming systems. Julia explains how soil health is context-specific, emphasising the importance of balancing biology, water management, and soil structure, rather than seeking one-size-fits-all solutions. We dive into how tillage affects water retention, soil productivity and microbial life, and discuss trade-offs between conventional and reduced tillage, looking at how practices such as direct drilling and cover cropping interact with climate and soil type, rather than existing as binary choices. We also touch on glyphosate versus plough-use in regenerative and organic systems, with Julia advocating for pragmatic, context-led decisions. Her insights offer a roadmap for farmers to make informed, resilient choices suited to their own land and goals...

To Till or Not to Till - In Conversation with Mark Measures 01.05.2025 37min

This second episode with Mark Measures explores the role of tillage in organic systems, the misunderstood relationship between tillage and soil carbon, the balance between weed control and nutrient cycling, and how tillage fits into wider farming systems. Mark reflects on 40 years in organic advice, with deep roots in research, education, and farmer engagement. He argues that tillage, especially shallow and strategic, plays a crucial role in organic farming; not only for weed control and seedbed preperation, but also for stimulating nutrient release and building long-term stable carbon. He explores common misconceptions such as the oversimplified view that all tillage depletes soil organic matter, and explains that tillage can mineralise nutrients and stabilise humus, which is essential for carbon sequestration and water retention. He also challenges the belief that zero-till is the pinnacle of organic, pointing to climate and system-specific limitations. Mark advocates for strong rotations, fertility-building leys, and shallow, context-sensitive ploughing. He emphasises that tillage must be considered as part of a broader ecological, economic, and agronomic strategy - balanced, site-specific, and always evolving.

To Till or Not to Till - In Conversation with Tom Martin 01.05.2025 54min

The first episode of our latest series introduces both Wallace Currie, guest podcaster from the Isle of Arran (search R2Kast), who will be chatting to guests throughout the series, and Cambridgeshire farmer Tom Martin. They discuss transitioning to no-till, the emotional and practical side of regenerative farming, redefining success through mistakes, and the value of community and biodiversity in agroecological systems. Tom shares his life journey from Universal Pictures to working back on the family farm, explaining how those soft skills transferred to his role as a regenerative farming advocate. The farm has gradually moved from full inversion tillage to almost no-till – driven by soil health, improving drainage and weed pressure, and a desire to farm more efficiently. The conversation explores how Tom integrates companion cropping, livestock grazing, and molasses and biochar to support the soil microbiome. Mimicking nature and context-driven change are key to his success and philosophy.

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Dan Stevenson 12.12.2024 43min

The penultimate episode of this season sees us in conversation with Dan Stevenson, the Head of Integrated Farm Management (IFM) at LEAF. Dan comes to this topic with nearly 20 years' experience as a farm animal vet. He discusses his veterinary background and the arc his career has followed; moving on to working with LEAF, and along the way starting to think more holistically about livestock production, with a focus on a whole systems approach. We explore the key role nutrition plays within livestock systems and finding the balance between nutrition and animal health. Further to this, Dan touches on mental health, we explore the challenges of adopting extensive systems, and the importance of setting objectives on farms to help support optimal carrying capacity.

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Robert Barbour 05.12.2024 43min

We are joined by the Sustainable Food Trust's Senior Researcher Robert Barbour for our sixth episode of this season. Tune in to discussions surrounding methane, carbon footprints, and the complexities and challenges of measuring environmental impacts associated with livestock. Robert draws on his experiences as a researcher and his family farm (an upland beef and sheep farm that also produces timber in Highland Perthshire, just north of Pitlochry), to dive into the positive role livestock can play from a food systems and environmental perspective. He considers grazing strategies, livestock breeds, and the role herbal leys can play, whilst emphasising the productivity levels that can be achieved in pasture-based systems. He points out his family farm is running a system that has very low levels of inputs so what determines their carrying capacity is largely what the land can naturally support, and one limiting factor for them is a lack of early season grass growth. Show notes: Explore the two papers by Hannah Van Zanten, the paper Robert wrote with Richard Young and Michael Wilkinson that looks at the production of meat and milk from grass, the Agricology profile of his family farm, and learn more about GWP and GWP* here: https://tinyurl.com/5dr8kv75

Optimal Carrying Capacity - In Conversation With Simon Fairlie 29.11.2024 28min

The fifth episode of the season finds us in conversation with Simon Fairlie, recorded earlier this summer when he was still running his dairy operation at Monkton Wyld Court in Dorset. Simon, who was once described by the Guardian as "the most influential and unusual eco-activist you might not have heard of", brings us a wide ranging conversation that looks at the micro and the macro of carrying capacity. You'll find us discussing how he managed his herd of two as he produced a range of dairy products for the 'intentional community' at Monkton, and how he dealt with grazing and hay production whilst improving grasslands and considering the ecological benefits his approach brought to the 8 acres under his management. This couples with a wider food systems discussion around the role of livestock, rewilding, methane emissions, and the issues associated with an unbalanced production system where he argues the case for a return to mixed farming being required.