In this season finale, we journey beneath our feet to explore the living world of soil in the Tamar Valley. From centuries of orchards and market gardens to today’s regenerative farming practices, soil has always been the foundation of community, economy, and biodiversity. But with climate change, intensive farming, and shifting land use, how healthy is the soil that sustains us now, and what choices will shape its future?

This episode features Sarah Richardson, Land Management Officer with the Tamara Landscape Partnership, who shares insights on soil health, regenerative practices, and how farmers are adapting to new priorities like carbon storage and ecosystem services. We also hear from Bonny and Tim Lightfoot, Duchy of Cornwall farm tenants, award‑winning beef producers, and key players in a thriving farm cluster group in Stoke Climsland, Cornwall. They discuss their journey toward healthier soils, the challenges they’ve faced, and the benefits for business, community, and nature.

The conversation explores soil as a living archive of history and heritage, while examining the pressures of intensive tillage, monoculture, pesticides, and erosion. It highlights the role of healthy soils in climate resilience, helping communities adapt to floods, droughts, and extreme weather. Market forces and policies shaping soil stewardship are discussed, alongside the rise of regenerative farming and collaborative initiatives such as Farm Net Zero and the Farm Carbon Toolkit. The episode also reflects on the personal connections farmers feel to their land, and how sustainable practices enhance wellbeing and strengthen community ties.

The Common Toad is a quiet but vital resident of the Tamar Valley. With its brown, warty skin and golden eyes, it may seem unremarkable at first glance, yet it plays a crucial role as a natural pest controller, feeding on slugs, worms, beetles, and spiders. Despite its importance, the toad faces threats from habitat loss, pesticides, road crossings during migration, and the impacts of climate change. Simple actions such as creating wildlife ponds, avoiding pesticides, leaving log piles and leaf litter, or joining local toad patrols can make a big difference in supporting this species and the wider web of life.

This episode is both a reflection and a call to action. By caring for soil and species like the Common Toad, we are caring for the web of life that connects us all. Expect practical advice, inspiring farmer stories, and a deeper understanding of how the choices we make today shape the resilience of tomorrow.

Explore more through these resources:

Farm Carbon Toolkit

Farm Net Zero

Soil Association

Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN)

Tamar Valley National Landscape

- TAMARA LANDSCAPE Nature Recovery Plan - Tamar Valley National Landscape Tamar Valley National LandscapePARTNERSHIP

Stoke Climsland Farm Cluster - Westcountry Rivers Trust