Agri Culture

Kenneth Bone: Diversifying for a Thriving Island Community

Kenneth Bone farms Glenkiln Farm on the Isle of Arran with his family. They won the Diversified Farm of the year award at last year’s Scottish Agriculture Awards, as well as taking home the Champion of Champions trophy. The business has an impressive portfolio, from the farming business to hydro scheme, pub, equestrian centre and housing. Kenneth tells us where it all began, and how the business diversified to be the success it is today.

Agri Culture – Jim Chapman: Adapting to Life After an Accident

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.

Agri Culture – Stephanie Berkeley: Yellow Wellies

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.

Agri Culture – Cathy Magee: Delving into Dyslexia

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. 

Agri Culture – Pete Black: The Superpower of Dyslexia

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.

Agri Culture – Fred Swift & Stella Stewart: From Sheep to Shop – Increasing the Value of Wool

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…

Lesley Mitchell: Building a thriving family business, the importance of work life balance and converting to organic

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…

Claire Taylor: Positive perceptions of Agriculture

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…

Jenn Stewart: Successful Succession

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…

Kirsten Williams: Let your determination grow stronger

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…