Farm Gate

A new report, the RegenCompass Version 1.0, developed by EARA (Euro Alliance for Regen Agriculture), offers the first comprehensive, farmer-led evaluation of the systems designed to identify and distinguish genuine regeneration while remaining accessible and valuable to the farmers doing the work. The report evaluated 29 monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems.ffinlo Costain joined by report author, Simon Kraemer, co-founder and policy steward at the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture - by regen farmer, Clare Hill, from Planton Farm - and by Adele Jones from Rooted Strategies who worked for many years with the Sustainable Food trust on the Global Farm Metric.Read the report here: https://8point9.com/eara-releases-first-farmer-led-assessment-of-regen-verification-systems/https://8point9.com/eara-releases-first-farmer-led-assessment-of-regen-verification-systems/

At its heart, regenerative agriculture is an opportunity to reset a farm's relationship with both nature and economics. Most farmers who take the time to re-think their system, to reduce their use of expensive inputs, to mix livestock and crop production into long rotations, and to maximise the efficacy of free natural resources (such as sunlight and water), find that they are more economically resilient, that nature thrives in their fields and that they're just happier and healthier people.In this programme we hear from four UK farmers who've unleashed the power of regeneration on their farms - we'll hear their stories, and we'll ask what tools have enabled their success.With Graham Rutherford from Viewlaw Farm in Northumberland, Verity Megginson from Kirkburn Manor Farm in East Yorkshire, Rhys Jones from Pearson Gape Farming Partnership in Cambridgeshire, and Sian Jones from Moelogan Fawr in North Wales.This programme has been sponsored by Regenerate Outcomes.Farm Gate is part of 8point9.com.Listen to the edited audio version by searching for Farm Gate wherever you get your podcasts.

Antibiotics are critical medicines for humans and livestock - but profligate use has led to rapidly increasing resistance, which is a threat for animal and human health. How then do we replace, reduce and refine the use of antibiotics in farm settings? And what are the opportunities for livestock producers?ffinlo Costain is joined two southwest dairy farmers - Sophie Alexander from Hemsworth Farm, and Karolina Klaskova from Higher Mere Park Farm - and by two livestock vets, Rebecca Price and Lucy Hepworth, both from Friars Moor Livestock Health.

Brazil has lifted 40 million people out of food insecurity in just two years. This historic achievement was driven by political choices that put family farmers and food access first. ffinlo Costain is joined by Elisabetta Recine, the President of the Brazilian National Food and Nutrition Security Council - and by Raj Patel, a professor of food systems from the University of Texas.

Integrated pest management is about establishing a farm as a connected ecosystem. To investigate the subject ffinlo Costain is joined by horticulturalist, Andy Dibben, the head grower at Abbey Home Farm near Cirencester - by Patrick Barker an arable farmer from Lodge Farm near Westhorpe in Suffolk - and by Angus Walton, a livestock producer from Peelham Farm in the Scottish Borders.

Martin's Farm: February. ffinlo Costain finds out about integrated pest management and a hedge-laying competition run by Martin Lines at Papley Grove. Martin and ffinlo are also joined by Peter Craven, head of agriculture at Natural England, who’s talks through Natural England's new strategy and what it means for farmers and food production. ffinlo Costain is the editor of 8point9.com and producer of the Farm Gate podcast.Martin Lines is Chief Executive of the Nature Friendly Farming Network.

Dr. Jonathan G Lundgren is an agroecologist, the founder and director of the Ecdysis Foundation, and Chief Executive of Blue Dasher Farm. He's the author of 107 peer-reviewed journal articles, he received the Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering at the White House, and served as an advisor for regulatory agencies on pesticide and GM crop risk assessments. On GM, Lundgren says, "I'm not saying ban stuff. As soon as you say, 'Farmer, I'm taking something away from you...', it's like, 'Oh yeah, get ready...' But if you say, 'Why're you buying all that crap - that's dumb,' then suddenly that gets their attention - because they don't want to be used by anybody, certainly not the government, but also not by large corporations. "

In this month's Wheat from the Chaff, ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Joe Stanley (GWCT Allerton Project) discuss:Venezuela, Greenland and world securityMinette Batters' Farm Profitability ReviewSustainable Farming Incentive back in JuneInheritance tax climb downRFK's call to 'Eat real food'Farmers back nature-friendly farmingFarm Gate is the world's highest ranking food security podcast, and we're part of 8point9.com, the land use news channel. 8point9 is supported by First Milk, Pelican Ag, the Nature Friendly Farming Network, Friar's Moor Livestock Health, Agrolo and individual donors.Search for ‘Farm Gate’ wherever you get your podcasts - and visit https://8point9.com/https://8point9.com/

Stuart Rogers has found the sweet spot - by focussing on herd health and the overall health of his system, Rogers' dairy herd at Longmoor Farm in Dorset is both high yielding and regenerative. Listen now to find out how he does it.This is the latest in our Farm Gate Leaders series in which ffinlo Costain meets remarkable regen food and farming innovators.Farm Gate is part of 8point9.com, the land use news channel, which is supported by First Milk, Pelican Ag, Friars Moor Livestock Health, the Nature Friendly Farming Network, Agrolo and individual donors.

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) talks to Martin Lines (Nature Friendly Farming Network) to find out what's happening this January at Papley Grove farm.The pair also meet Alice Groom (RSPB) and Vicki Hird (The Wildlife Trusts) to review what's happened in food, farming and nature policy in 2025 - and to peer into the crystal ball for 2026.

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Joe Stanley (GWCT Allerton Project) meet for Farm Gate’s monthly news discussion programme.This time:Christmas round-upSuccession planning, IHT and SFICOP30 and food systemsBacksliding on environmental policySoil carbonFinding lights in a dark age

What's it like living next door to Britain's most notorious rewilder? The new movie, Derek vs Derek investigates.In this programme ffinlo Costain meets the two Dereks - rewilder, Derek Gow, and dairy farmer, Derek Banbury - alongside the film's director James Dawson.#derekvsderek

What’s happening this December on Papley Grove Farm, St Neots? ffinlo Costain talks to Martin Lines from the Nature Friendly Farming Network – and meets Michael Meharg, who farms near Dundrod in Northern Ireland. Michael is a past chair of the NFFN in Northern Ireland.The trio discuss farming's contribution to Christmas, Irish Moiled cattle, the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh (the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles), and the funding situation for farmers in Northern Ireland.#farming #food #regenerativefarming #organicfarming #northernireland #loughneagh #irishmoiledcattle #cattle #nifarming #irishfarming

The farm vet is critical for farmers navigating the transition to food and ecological security. In this programme we find out what that means in practice. How is the veterinary profession changing? Can a business model built on meds and emergency care pivot to preventative health and farm system advice? ffinlo Costain is joined by The Regenerative Vet, Claire Whittle - by Lee-Anne Oliver from Ruminant Revival - and by Helen Rogers, a regenerative farmer and a director of Friars Moor Livestock Health.

ffinlo Costain talks to author Chris Smaje, whose new book, Findings Lights in a Dark Age, is the perfect Christmas gift for anyone with a vested interest in the future of humanity.Now is the time, says Smaje, for local communities - not multinational corporations or centralised government - to reorganise economy, land, energy and food production, so that the light at the end of the tunnel is lit, and when we fall into a global multiverse of crises, we can find our way more easily to a better world.Findings Lights in a Dark Age, by Chris Smaje, is published by Chelsea Green, and is available wherever good books are sold.

We focus on natural capital opportunities for farmers in Scotland. How can farmers and other land owners get support and earn an income by improving nature and selling natural capital outcomes.ffinlo Costain is joined by Bruce Wilson, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Scottish Wildlife Trust - by David Robertson, Director of Investment and Business Development at Scottish Woodlands Limited - and by Johnnie Balfour, Managing Partner at Balbirnie Home Farms.#soilcarbon #carbonfarming #regenerativefarming #resilience #biodiversity #rivers #watermanagement #forests #timber #forestcarbon #trees #nature #naturefriendly

Professor Sir Dieter Helm's recent paper - The future of British farming - has received applause and consternation on social media. For Helm, British farming stands on the brink of its most profound transformation "since the coming of tractors and fertilisers" - but the vision he sets out is disturbing. The paper describes the technical and financial forces shaping modern agriculture, while treating regenerative farming with a sceptic's eye. Is Helm right? Is data-enabled precision ag, AI and vertical farming the future? Should the polluter pay? Is regen poorly defined and glyphosate dependent? And - what does all this mean for the family farm?ffinlo Costain meets Professor Sir Dieter Helm alongside regenerative and organic farmer, Patrick Holden, the Chief Executive of the Sustainable Food Trust. * Farm Gate is the world's highest ranking food security podcast* More land use news at 8point9.com

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Joe Stanley (GWCT Allerton Project) meet for Farm Gate's monthly discussion programme. This time:They discuss:Radical war-scale transformation needed in UK food systemHow food security depends on geopoliticsProf. Sir Dieter Helm's new paper: The Future of British FarmingLloyds report aims to help farmers reduce climate and nature risks"Extreme weather is making our bread less British"Class action style legal claim on the River WyeUsing nature to help tackle mental health issuesMore land use news at 8point9.com

What's happening on Papley Grove Farm this November? ffinlo Costain talks to Martin Lines from the Nature Friendly Farming Network - and meets Ifan Davies, who farms with his daughter at Carreg-y-Bîg in Wales, to talk about the pressures of social media and the Welsh Sustainable Farming Incentive.More land use news at 8point9.com

What's the business model for regenerative dairy? What sort of financial models are required to help deliver regeneration through the dairy value chain.This conversation is based on a panel at Land Alive at The Dairy Show at the Bath & West Showground.ffinlo Costain is joined by:Nick Hindle, First Milk's Communications DirectorTamara Giltsoff, Senior Associate at the Soil Association Exchange and co-founder of Land AliveNiels Corfield, an independent farming advisor & trainerHarry Farnsworth, who works on financial innovations within the food and agriculture supply chain at RabobankThomas Slattery, a comms specialist working with the ADOPT Support Hub.Land Alive at The Dairy Show was curated by Tom Pycraft from Ark Events.