Care leaver Danielle McKinnon runs Eat Sleep Ride, a social enterprise in Lamberton, East Berwickshire, in the Scottish Borders. Her work, with horses focuses on empowering young people and amplifying often unheard voices, especially from low-income and rural communities. Find Eat Sleep Ride online here . This episode is sponsored by Scottish legal firm Gillespie Macandrew .
A less typical episode of OnFARM this week, as we chat with fashion designer and keeper of two clothing stores - one for gents and one for ladies - Christine Ann De Agostini. However, it will become more than clear why we are spotlighting Christine's work and business - her two clothes store businesses are located in Forres in rural Morayshire, and cater to a broad range of fashionable country living folk! Visit Logie Steading, where Christine's two fashion stores are located near Forres, at thi...
Maddie Thomson learned her skills in digital communications in London - but has returned to Scotland, to create a new future for her family's Perthshire fruit farm. Maddie tells Anna how her farm - Thomsons of Blairgowrie - is a blank canvas, and that she is being encouraged by her family to dream big! Find Maddie's business Thomas Thomson in Blairgowrie here . For more on how the RBS Business Accelerator supports small businesses like Thomsons of Blairgowrie, find info here . Mentioned in this ...
The second half of our kitchen table chat about RHASS and how the charity strives for new ways to preserve, educate and support Scottish agriculture. Anna speaks with RHASS director Louise Elder, and Ally Caulfield and Annie Wheeler from the staff team. We also hear about RHASS's investment in innovation, education, wellbeing and the environment. Throughout 2024, OnFARM has partnered with RHASS to celebrate the charity's 240th year. 240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore people's tal...
A kitchen table chat about RHASS and how the charity strives for new ways to preserve, educate and support Scottish agriculture. Anna speaks with RHASS director Louise Elder, and Ally Caulfield and Annie Wheeler from the staff team. We also hear about RHASS's investment in innovation, education, wellbeing and the environment. Throughout 2024, OnFARM has partnered with RHASS to celebrate the charity's 240th year. 240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore people's tales from living and wo...
Something a bit different this week... We're pleased to share a recent episode of the Lantern Scottish Poetry podcast, presented by Scotland's Makar (National poet) Kathleen Jamie and co-host Alistair Heather. The theme of the episode is 'Place' with readings in Scots and Doric from Aberdeenshire's Shane Strachan and Hugh McMillan from Dumfries and Galloway. If you enjoy the episode, find the entire series of 12 episodes here or by searching 'Lantern Scottish Poetry' in your podcast player. The ...
At East Lothian's picturesque Balgone Estate , Anna meets David Grant-Suttie and Alex Humphreys, young entrepreneurs driving Balgone's diversification into pumpkins, sunflowers and events. David and Alex show Anna around the sunflower maze, pumpkin patch, and brand new Herd cafe. They share their challenges and triumphs so far, and explain how this diversification is supporting the rest of the farm – and vice-versa. Many thanks to our sponsors for this episode, Scottish law firm Gillespie Macand...
The last of three episodes from the Royal Highland Show that we are resharing as they were published over the summer holidays. This time, three stories of food and farm businesses about how they connect with consumers - our latest partnership with RHASS's 240 Years of Stories. Recorded live in the 2024 Royal Highland Show 'Food for Thought' cookery theatre, Anna hears from: Jock Gibson of Macbeth's butchers and Edinvale Farm in Forres Jo McNicol from North Berwick's Drift cliff edge cafe Jackie ...
We're republishing this episode for folk that might have missed it over the summer. It's part 2 of Anna and producer Dave's challenge to record 50 stories from the 2024 Royal Highland Show. This is part of RHASS's 240 Years of Stories initiative, and the second of two episodes (because we couldn't make all 50 stories fit into just one!) Huge thanks to Bespoken Media 's Katie Revell, who took on the mammoth task of editing these stories together! 240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore...
With the kids back at school, we (and you?) are back into a podcast listening routine. So we thought we'd re-share these packed and fun-filled episodes recorded at the 2024 Royal Highland Show Anna and producer Dave set themselves a challenge: to record 50 stories from the Show, as part of RHASS's 240 Years of Stories project. This is the first of two episodes (because we couldn't make all 50 stories fit into just one!) Huge thanks to Bespoken Media 's Katie Revell, who took on the mammoth task ...
Part 2 of Anna and producer Dave's challenge to record 50 stories from the 2024 Royal Highland Show. This is part of RHASS's 240 Years of Stories initiative. This is the second of two episodes (because we couldn't make all 50 stories fit into just one!) Huge thanks to Bespoken Media 's Katie Revell, who took on the mammoth task of editing these stories together! 240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore people's tales from living and working in agricultural communities. We are working w...
Anna and producer Dave have set themselves a challenge: to record 50 stories from the 2024 Royal Highland Show, as part of RHASS's 240 Years of Stories project. This is the first of two episodes (because we couldn't make all 50 stories fit into just one!) Huge thanks to Bespoken Media 's Katie Revell, who took on the mammoth task of editing these stories together! To support the amazing cyclists riding from Lands End to John O'Groats for the My Name5 Doddie Foundation, please visit their JustGiv...
Meet Russell and Catriona Brown, a brother and sister from Bonnington Farm near Peebles, in our latest OnRECORD partnership with RHASS's 240 Years of Stories. 21-year-old Russell and Catriona, 25, share stories of working together alongside their parents on the family farm. 240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore people's tales from living and working in the agricultural community. We will be working with RHASS through our OnRECORD Memories initiative which focuses on recording storie...
Three stories of food and farm businesses about how they connect with consumers - our latest partnership with RHASS's 240 Years of Stories. Recorded live in the 2024 Royal Highland Show 'Food for Thought' cookery theatre, Anna hears from: Jock Gibson of Macbeth's butchers and Edinvale Farm in Forres Jo McNicol from North Berwick's Drift cliff edge cafe Jackie McCreery of Yester Farm Dairies , who is also a RHASS director and a legal advisor at Scottish Land & Estates. 240 Years of Stories ai...
Meet the nutritionist team behind the first ever Scottish Eatwell Guide. The guide is designed to reflect how foods grown and produced in Scotland fit into a healthy balanced diet. It is co-produced by Scottish Regional Food Tourism Ambassador Dr Laura Wyness and Suzanne Fletcher of community nutrition social enterprise Nutrition Scotland . Laura has also written a book called Eating Well for Menopause, so the chat also delves into how diet and nutrition can support women living through menopaus...
What is needed to keep Scottish farming competitive, and who should lead on that work? Alison Milne co-owns Crafty Maltsters, a barley malting plant on her family's farm in Fife. This episode starts as a chat with Alison about her work, and ends with this big question, that faces the whole industry and sector. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. The company are looki...
Falkirk-based Rebecca Smith's first book is called Rural: The Lives of the Working-Class Countryside . As a forester's daughter, Rebecca grew up in tied housing on a Lake District estate, then became a journalist, broadcaster and author. Rural is an often personal, always unflinching, exploration of life in today's UK countryside. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Skye. ...
Barley is by far Scotland's most important crop, and the world's fourth most important cereal crop. Anna hears about Dundee's new International Barley Hub , a centre for research excellence within the James Hutton Institute. We also meet Alison Milne who grows and malts barley at Crafty Maltsters in Auchtermuchty, and Professor Wendy Russell at the University of Aberdeen's Rowett Institute . =============== This is the final episode in a 4-part OnFARM mini-series showcasing the world-leading wor...
AMR - anti-microbial resistance - is the name for the growing number of infections that are becoming difficult or impossible to treat with antibiotics. It affects livestock, wildlife, and humans alike. It's a global concern - considered by the World Health Organization and others to be among the world's top public health threats. In this episode, Anna speaks with: Dr Nuno Silva - who leads the AMR research group at the Moredun Research Institute Dr Eleanor Watson - also at the Moredun, studying ...
We all know Scottish soft fruits are good for us - but in this OnFARM, experts explain exactly how and why Scottish berries have such brilliant health benefits - including some we are still learning about. From potential to combat diabetes and dementia, to helping with obesity, researchers from the Rowett and James Hutton Institutes share some very exciting findings. There is also an update on new soft fruit varieties to help growers cope with the challenges of climate change, and tips for anyon...
Barley, wheat, oilseed rape... Should hemp be considered alongside these as viable crops for Scottish growers? Researchers at the University of Aberdeen's Rowett Institute are championing hemp as a healthy and sustainable food crop. It's a rich source of protein, dietary fibre, and other healthy fats and minerals. So, should hemp be your next diversification? For this episode, Anna and producer Dave visit Barns of Airlie Farm near Kirriemuir to meet Hemp It Up! founders Alison and John Easson, a...
Since we first aired this wonderful interview with Willie Logan from East Lothian, the 91-year old East Lothian farmer has been adopted as a 'poster boy' for RHASS's new 240 Years of Stories campaign. 240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore people's tales from living and working in the agricultural community. We will be working with RHASS through our OnRECORD Memories initiative which focuses on recording stories and memories from rural Scotland. In this episode, Willie shares memorie...
Seven months after suffering a seizure, and being diagnosed with brain cancer, Monty and his wife Moira chat with Anna and producer Dave about how things have been. This episode has heaps of gratitude for helpful and supportive people, from Monty's friends, family and neighbours, to the wonderful rural charity RSABI - and even OnFARM's sponsors Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskin...
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, aka The Black Farmer, describes his difficult start to life in the UK, before starting work for the BBC and discovering a passion for food. He left TV to start a food and drink marketing company, which gave him the opportunity to realise his dream of owning a farm. 'The Black Farmer' is now a successful brand selling sausages, deli items and other produce. Wilfred tells Mary-Jane Lawrie from the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) about his life and his determination to becom...
Farmer Jim, AKA Jim Smith the Stand-up Farmer, welcomes Anna back to his home in the Perthshire hills. In this second part of their chat, recorded back in 2020, there's talk of Jim's ambitions in both farming and comedy. (Hands up who wants to see Jim on 'Live At The Apollo'?!) There is decent footballing promise shown by Floss the dog, advice from Anna on Jim's impending parenthood, and a general blether about life and farming. Thanks to rural business specialists Bell Ingram for support for th...
Jim Smith's comedy career has come on in leaps and bounds since Anna first spoke to him in the springtime of 2020. He is also a staunch supporter of Scottish farming charities particularly the RSABI's #keeptalking campaign. He says farming will always be his number one passion. When Anna went to visit him at his Perthshire farm, they talked about his comedy roots; trying to relieve the boredom of roguing tatties, then writing pantomime scripts for his beloved Bankfoot YFC. We only meant to recor...
Fly-tipping is something all too many farmers and landowners will be aware of. If "extreme" fly-tipping is new to you, we're talking about bigger things being dumped, like caravans or vehicles. Anna is joined by Elaine Kennedy-Walton and Conner McConnell from our wonderful sponsors, Gillespie MacAndrew to offer information and advice. Mentioned in this episode: Meet OnFARM sponsors SkyeSkyns SkyeSkyns is a traditional tannery, and luxury sheepskins and home accessories business on the Isle of Sk...
Thanks to the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) for sharing this Stock Talk episode on farming in Argentina. Argentinian farmer Allan Cameron talks with presenter Robert Ramsay about cropping and beef production, as well as the importance of soil health, and the need for increased production. The episode is produced by Kirsten Blackwood. FAS have kindly agreed to share episodes from their podcasts to help OnFARM out while Monty is receiving treatment for brain cancer. We are hugely grateful for their ...
After lots of lovely feedback on last week's episode with 91-year-old East Lothian farmer Willie Logan, and the launch of OnRECORD to capture memories of Scottish agriculture, we are re-sharing this chat from our archive. Andrew Arbuckle is a well kent name in Scottish farming. The former Scotsman and Dundee Courier farming editor, ex MSP, author and farmer has raised over £100,000 for the RSABI with proceeds from his books. What's less well-known about Andrew is that he is also a champion pole ...
Willie Logan from East Lothian shares memories of farming, horses and families, from his 91 years (so far!) living and working in Scottish agriculture. This conversation between Willie and Anna marks the launch of our exciting new OnRECORD project. With OnRECORD, you can book the OnFARM team to record and preserve precious voices and stories, that you can keep forever, with professionally captured and edited audio recordings. Get in touch if you’d like us to record with one of your family member...
