Agri Culture

Listener Advisory Note : This episode contains a mention of suicide, please listen with care.  Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Jim Chapman, farmer and farm safety ambassador.  Jim talks openly about the farm accident that changed his life when he lost his arm in a PTO shaft.  He talks about the impact that had on him, and how he got through the dark times.  He tells us how important the support he received from friends, family and young farmers was to him.  He went on to do a Nuffield scholarship on farm safety and is now an ambassador for the Farm Safety Foundation.    If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about the topics we mentioned you can find links in the show notes.  This episode was presented by Mary-Jane Lawrie, produced by Kerry Hammond and edited by Cameron Waugh, in association with the Scottish Government. Resources Farm Safety Foundation / Yellow Wellies - YellowWellies.org Farm-Emergency-Plan-Template_1020.pdf (yellowwellies.org) LittleBookOfMindingYourHead_10YearEdition_0424.pdf (yellowwellies.org) Farmstrong-Scotland-Leaflet-Five-Steps-to-Wellbeing-FINAL.pdf (farmstrongscotland.org.uk) Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK Hear our other Farm Safety episode with Stephanie Berkeley from Yellow WelliesFor more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Stephanie Berkeley from the Farm Safety Foundation Stephanie Berkeley is Manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, which you might know also as Yellow Wellies.  The Farm Safety Foundation was established in 2014 with the aim of improving farm safety in the UK.  The Foundation runs successful campaigns such as Farm Safety week and educates young farmers across the UK in colleges and young farmer clubs.  Stephanie talks to us about the importance of the charity, and resources available to all farmers.  If you’d like to get in touch or find out more about The Farm Safety Foundation and sources of support you can find links in the show notes.  This episode was presented by Mary-Jane Lawrie edited by Cameron Waugh and produced by Kerry Hammond, in association with the Scottish Government. Resources Farm Safety Foundation / Yellow Wellies - YellowWellies.org LittleBookOfFarmSafety_1stEdition_0624.pdf (yellowwellies.org) Build your Own Health & Safety Policy Digital Tool (yellowwellies.org) Farm-Emergency-Plan-Template_1020.pdf (yellowwellies.org) LittleBookOfMindingYourHead_10YearEdition_0424.pdf (yellowwellies.org) Farmstrong-Scotland-Leaflet-Five-Steps-to-Wellbeing-FINAL.pdf (farmstrongscotland.org.uk) Access to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK  Hear our other episode on Farm Safety, 'Jim Chapman: Adapting to Life After an Accident' hereFor more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

In this episode, Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Cathy Magee from Dyslexia Scotland.Cathy Magee is the chief executive of Dyslexia Scotland.  We talked about what dyslexia is, how it can affect you, and how to go about getting an assessment.  Dyslexia Scotland have a range of resources available to support people with dyslexia. Cathy also tells us about the technologies and adaptations that might be helpful for people with dyslexia.  RSABI have partnered with Dyslexia Scotland to offer free dyslexia assessments to farmers and crofters.  We also talked about the ways that dyslexia might make some aspects of farming challenging but also has some benefits in the way that people think and work in different ways.  ResourcesTo arrange a free assessment, which typically costs around £500, people involved in farming or crofting in Scotland should contact RSABI’s 24-hour freephone helpline - 0808 1234 555.Dyslexia Scotland Helpline: 0344 800 84 84Assessing dyslexia in adults (youtube.com)Library | Dyslexia Scotland - Dyslexia ScotlandPost-assessment pack for adults | Dyslexia Scotland -Dyslexia ScotlandAccess to Work: get support if you have a disability or health condition: What Access to Work is - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)For more information,visit www.FAS.scotTwitter: @FASScotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: advice@fas.scot

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Pete Black of Collessie Feeds and Newton of Colessie Farm. Pete Black farms at Newton of Collessie with his parents and brother.  They run a successful diversified farming business with arable, commercial cattle, pedigree sheep and Clydesdales, alongside Collessie Feeds.  We chatted about the farm business and the various enterprises and the family’s time on This Farming Life.  Whilst appearing on This Farming Life Pete mentioned that he had dyslexia which led to him becoming an ambassador for RSABI to help them promote their dyslexia in farming campaign.  Pete talks openly about how dyslexia affects his day-to-day life and how he has adapted to find ways to make running his business easier.   To arrange a free dyslexia assessment, which typically costs around £500, people involved in farming or crofting in Scotland should contact RSABI’s 24-hour freephone Helpline - 0808 1234 555 Resources Collessie Feeds - Pro-Equine Ltd To arrange a free dyslexia assessment, which typically costs around £500, people involved in farming or crofting in Scotland should contact RSABI’s 24-hour freephone Helpline - 0808 1234 555 Home - RSABI Dyslexia ScotlandDyslexia Scotland - Empowering people with dyslexia to reach their full potential For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Fred Swift from South Clunes Farm and Highland Clip, and Stella Stewart from Anta.  Fred Swift farms South Clunes Farm near Inverness in the Highlands with his wife Sofi and his father.  They run a traditional upland farm with cattle and sheep.  Fred and his family have transformed the farm over the last 40 years, increasing biodiversity and introducing mob grazing.  He was looking for an opportunity to add value to the wool from his sheep, and together with Scottish luxury brand Anta, they established the Highland Clip.  The Highland Clip is working to add value to wool, whilst also creating a fully traceable product, which is important to Anta.  Stella Stewart, a director of Anta, tells us why traceable wool and working with South Clunes is important to their business.   Resources FAS TV: S2 E9 –South Clunes Farm Cluster (youtube.com) History of the farm | South Clunes Farm | Inverness Luxury Home Furnishings & Gifts Made in Scotland | ANTA Protecting Highland Wool – ANTA For more information, visit www.fas.scotTwitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

Mary-Jane Lawrie visits Whitriggs Farm in the Scottish Borders to speak to Lesley Mitchell.  They chat about the family farm and how it has evolved over the years, their openness to challenges and change, and how that has allowed Lesley and her family to build a business that supports the family whilst also allowing a good work life balance.  Once key change has been converting the business to organic and following a more regenerative agriculture approach, which has required a change in mindset.  The farm now runs cattle and deer alongside their organic arable enterprise, making the most of their skills, time and farm assets.  Lesley also talks about how she personally makes time for learning, which recently resulted in a trip to Antartica. FAS Resources  Organics For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot  

I'm Mary-Jane Lawrie, and in this episode I’m joined Claire Taylor.  Claire is a journalist and describes herself as an agricultural communicator.  She has recently finished her travels as part of her Nuffield Farming Scholarship and is now in the process of compiling all the information from her travels.  We talk about her career and how that led her to applying for the scholarship, what she learned from it, and how we, as farmers, can work together to engage with the public to tell positive farming stories. She shares with us some of her amazing experiences from her travels and gives us a real insight into what farming is like in other countries. Warning: This episode contains themes of political unrest, suicide, gender-based violence and murder. Listen with caution.Resources Nuffield Farming Scholarships - https://www.nuffieldscholar.org/  Claire Taylor Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-taylor-4135714a/ For more information, visit www.FAS.scotTwitter: @FASScotFacebook: @FASScotNational Advice HubPhone: 0300 323 0161Email: advice@fas.scot

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Jenn Stewart.  Jenn Stewart, partner & Head of Rural and Landed Estates at Johnston Carmichael, joined the company in 2019. Jenn has extensive experience in advising owner managed businesses and provides counsel to a wide-ranging portfolio of clients across multiple sectors. Jenn was brought up in her own family farming business and is now involved in her husband’s farming business. Jenn talks to us about the topic and theme of succession. A succession plan provides a level of certainty for everyone to ensure the ongoing sustainability and financial sustainability of the business, therefore the earlier this topic is brought to the table the better.   Related FAS Resources  You can get funding for succession planning through FAS.  See Specialist Advice | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)  Other Resources  Johnston Carmichael | Chartered Accountants  Jenn Stewart LinkedIn  Jenn Stewart - Partner, Head of Rural & Landed Estates & Dundee Office Head - Johnston Carmichael Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers | LinkedIn  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot  

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by Kirsten Williams.  Kirsten is a livestock specialist with SAC Consulting and she also runs a farm business on Ranna Farm in Aberdeenshire with her husband Ross.  They have sheep, cattle, and a turkey enterprise on their rented farm.  They were new entrants, working hard to secure a tenancy and build up their business to support them and their family.  Kirsten has a really positive outlook on life and she tells us how determination and hard work have helped them succeed.    FAS Resources  Women in Agriculture (WiA) Discussion Group at Farm Advisory Scotland (fas.scot) For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

Mary-Jane Lawrie is joined by some of the team at Glenrinnes Estate at the foot of Ben Rinnes in Moray.  Estate manager Ali Laing tells us about the estate as a whole, and we are joined by head keeper Gordon Aitchison, distillery manager Martin Peroni, trainee farm worker Alex Shearer and head gardener Damon Powell.  They all share their stories of working on Glenrinnes Estate and how their skills and enthusiasm come together to help run a successful community focused Scottish Estate.      Other Resources  Glenrinnes Organic Estate Eight Lands Organic Spirits (eight-lands.com)  Pre-Apprenticeship | Ringlink Scotland   For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email:  advice@fas.scot 

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to John Scott and Jock Gibson from Farmstrong Scotland.  Farmstrong Scotland is a new initiative which is inspired by Farmstrong New Zealand and Doug Avery’s visit to Scotland a couple of years ago.  John and Jock tell us what Farmstrong is, why they want to be involved in it, what wellbeing means to them, and give examples of how they implement Farmstrong’s five steps to wellbeing in their own lives.   FAS Resources  Mental Health and Wellbeing in Agriculture | Information helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) What's Stopping You - Wellbeing | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Resources  Farmstrong Scotland - Live Well, Farm & Croft Well Step-Guide.pdf (farmstrongscotland.org.uk)  For more information, visit  www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot  

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Lawrence Martin who was a new entrant to farming. After doing an HNC in agriculture at college, he started an apprenticeship with Lantra and SRUC. The apprenticeship gave him the opportunity to get out on farm and ultimately became a farm manager. He tells us of his farming journey, how the apprenticeship scheme works and how you can get involved in the scheme.  FAS Resources  Managing People | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot) Other Resources  Carbeth Home Farm – an an adventure in ecology, agriculture and tourism From apprentice with no farming background to farm manager | The Scottish Farmer Apprenticeships - Lantra Study at SRUC | Apprenticeships Modern Apprentice Lawrence Martin tells us how much he enjoys his career in farming - YouTube  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot  National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Lucy Mitchell.  Lucy was an active member of Young Farmers from her early twenties and went on to become national chair of SAYFC from 2022 to 2023.  Lucy has recently handed over this role, and she tells us about what Young Farmers is, what sort of opportunities it gives young people, and what her year as national chair was like. Related Resources: Lucy Mitchell | LinkedIn The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs | SAYFC You searched for lucy mitchell - Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (sayfc.org) Scottish Rural Leadership Programme | Elevator UK Challenge of Rural Leadership - Worshipful Company of Farmers (farmerslivery.org.uk) For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Ana Allamand. Ana grew up in Chile before moving to Scotland. She tells us about agriculture in Chile and her work over here with the Soil Association. Ana works to bring farmers together to learn from each other and foster innovation, and has great knowledge about how culture and agriculture fit together. FAS Resources FAS Connect | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory ServiceOther Resources Agreocology project series: Facilitating the Transition; Enabling the Transition; Strengthening Livelihoods. Soil Association Scotland Our Work In Scotland (soilassociation.org)Twitter: Soil Association Scotland (@SoilAssocScot) / X (twitter.com)Soil Association (UK wide) Soil AssociationTwitter: Soil Association (@SoilAssociation) / X (twitter.com) Other organisations Ana mentioned: Nourish Nature Friendly Farming Network Landworkers Alliance Pasture Fed Livestock Association Scottish Crofting Federation Parkhill Farm Aipple cider For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, aka The Black Farmer.  Wilfred is of the Windrush Generation and describes his difficult start to life in the UK, before he eventually found his chance working at the BBC, where he found his passion for food.  He left television to start his own food and drink marketing company which gave him the opportunity to finally realise his dream of owning his own farm.  The Black Farmer is now a successful brand which sells a range of products including sausages and deli products.  Wilfred tells us about his life and his determination to become a farmer, and how the danger of playing it safe can hold us back from success.    https://www.theblackfarmer.com/   For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot  

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Charlie Burrell, a farmer and environmentalist, farming 3,500 acres at Knepp Estate, in West Sussex.  Over the last twenty years, he has transformed the farm from an intensively managed dairy and arable unit into a rewilded biodiversity hotspot.  He has recently co-authored a book “The Book of Wilding: A Practical Guide to Rewilding, Big and Small” with his wife, award-winning author, and environmentalist, Isabella Tree. FAS Resources  https://www.fas.scot/publication/natural-capital-highlands-rewilding/  Other Resources  Knepp - Rewilding Pioneers The Book of Wilding: A Practical Guide to Rewilding, Big and Small: Amazon.co.uk: Tree, Isabella: 9781526659293: Books Host Farmers - Groundswell Groundswell (groundswellag.com)  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to David and Wilma Finlay from Rainton Farm, Gatehouse of Fleet.  They are authors of the book “Our Dairy Story”, in which they tell their farming story from traditional farming, through various diversification projects, to starting a cow with calf dairy system, which they call The Ethical Dairy.  They are forward thinking and not afraid to take on new challenges, and they openly talk about their business and their personal goals. FAS Resources  Stock Talk | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Other Resources  Ethical Dairy Website.  Welcome to The Ethical Dairy | The Ethical Dairy Amazon book link. A Dairy Story eBook : Finlay, David and Wilma: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store  This episode was hosted by Mary-Jane Lawie, produced by Kerry Hammond, Executive Producer Kerry Hammond, edited by Ross MacKenzie, in association with The Scottish Government.  For more information, visit www.FAS.scot Twitter: @FASScot Facebook: @FASScot   National Advice Hub Phone: 0300 323 0161 Email: advice@fas.scot 

Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Mike Duxbury, the Blind Farmer, about his life in agriculture, and how he set up the Inclusive Farm, a working farm with the aim of making agriculture accessible to all. Mike tells us about how he was knocked back by all the agricultural colleges he applied to, apart from one, and how that one chance has given him the knowledge, skills and opportunity to help others into farming. He eventually realised his dream of owning his own farm when he started the Inclusive farm on an acre of rented ground in 2021. Since then, he has opened up his farm to students with disabilities, to give them the chance to learn about farming in an inclusive environment.FAS ResourcesDeveloping Safe Farming Practices | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Health & Safety [BE.RA.HS] | Helping farmers in Scotland | FASOther Resources Inclusive Farm | Cultivating Ideas for Growth | Home

Peter Eccles is a farm manager from East Lothian.  He started out as an agricultural consultant with SAC, before taking on the farm manager job at Saughland Farm, Midlothian.  There he changed the farming system quite dramatically and went on to win the Farmers Weekly farm manager of the year and farmer of the year, and AgriScot Sheep farm of the year.  He recently moved jobs to Dalmunzie Estate, and upland farm estate in Perthshire 

*Content Warning: This episode discusses themes of suicide and may not be suitable for all listeners* Mary-Jane Lawrie talks to Nigel Owens, a Welsh former international rugby union referee, who retired in December 2020 after a 17-year career. He currently holds the world record for the most test matches refereed and is one of five international referees listed as professional within the Welsh Rugby Union.  Nigel has recently purchased his own farm and has started a pedigree Hereford herd.  He talks about his early involvement in agriculture, his rugby career, his mental health struggles and his sexuality, and what he enjoys about farming.  FAS ResourcesHealth is Your Wealth: Physical and Mental Resilience | Helping farmers in Scotland | Farm Advisory Service (fas.scot)Other ResourcesSamaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listenRSABI: Home PageStonewallSwitchboard LGBT+ Helpline