Hosted by Becks Smith, a farmer, vet, social entrepreneur and mother to three young girls, this is a podcast inspiring holistic sustainability in agriculture in...
31. Pest Control & Biodiversity with Sam the Trap Man
In this episode I catch up with Sam the Trap Man about pest control and biodiversity. Sam insists he is “just a bush man” but there is no “just” about it, a bushman, a hunter, a father, an author, a connector, a catchment group coordinator, humble public speaker and a man pretty fond of getting a good feed in his puku Sam is a storyteller and educator bringing biodiversity conservation into our farming systems.Not only do we dig into the nitty gritty over who should pay for the cost of sustainability on farms, but he shares the best definition of Sustainability I think I’ve ever come across. Last but not least Sam shares some epic low cost, low barrier to entry take home tips around pest control to get the biodiversity pumping on your farm.Episode Resources:Sam the Trap Man | Instagram | LinkedIn📖 Purchase Sam’s book here! 🎙️ Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.🌱 For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website!🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud
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30. Te Ao Māori & Agriculture with Mavis Mullins
In this episode I am joined by Mavis Mullins. Mavis has a long history in agribusiness. She is a mother of four and a grandmother to 14, and she is a fifth generation farmer, as well as alongside her husband Koro and wider whānau running and being actively involved at every level of the family shearing business over the last 30 plus years. In 2002 she was made a New Zealand Order of Merit. She has won the Rural category at the Westpac Women of Influence Awards and has been inducted into the New Zealand Business Hall of Fame.The list of organisations that she has been involved in at a governance level across our sector is extensive. From Landcorp to the Aohanga Incorporation, Two Degrees Mobile to Rangitahi Tu Mai Ra, Atihau Whanganui Incorporation, Agri Women's Development Trust, Taratahi Learning Institute, the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union, UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand, the Environmental Protection Agency and Nga Whenua Rahui, just to name a few….and she's not done yet.This conversation is about connection - connection to land, connection to each other, and breaking down the barriers between people so that we can harness our unique strength as a primary sector nation, our deep cultural heritage. And how we lean into that with authenticity to the opportunities for greater understanding and progress. It's an open and a frank discussion and just the start of a journey.Episode Resources: Mavis Mullins | https://www.linkedin.com/in/mavismullins/🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out our Website!🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
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29. Farmstrong with Gerard Vaughan
In this episode Becks sits down with Gerard Vaughan from Farmstrong. Gerard is Farmstrong’s programme director and he helped design and establish the programme in 2015 . He now oversees its research and education initiatives and is passionate about turning the science of wellbeing into practical tools and resources for busy farmers.Farmstrong is a nationwide wellbeing programme for the rural community with the aim of supporting farmers to “live well to farm well” and in this episode Gerard shares with us why looking after your mental wellbeing is not a positive for you, but also a positive for your business! We dig deep into the research but also the practical experiences of farmers, so this episode is full of great stories and takeaway tips.Episode Resources:Farmstrong |WebsiteRural Support Trust |WebsiteDisclaimer: This podcast contains language around mental health. If you feel like you need support please reach out to these support networks.Rural Support Trust:0800 787 254Lifeline:0800 543 354 (available 24/7)Suicide Crisis Helpline:0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)Youthline:0800 376 633Kidsline:0800 543 754 (available 24/7)Whatsup:0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)Depression helpline:0800 111 757 (available 24/7)🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.For further information about what we do at The Whole Story check out ourWebsite!🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
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28. Amanda Hasselman - Temple Peak Station
In the episode Becks sits down with Amanda Hasselman from Temple Peak Station, a Toitū Certified Carbon Zero Sheep and Beef farm at the head of the Wakatipu Valley. As well as farming alongside her husband Mark, Amanda has been a trustee on the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust for 10 years since its inception, and is part of the Southern Lakes Sanctuary and within both roles is deeply passionate about predator management for the restoration and protection of our native biodiversity.
Having farmed Temple Peak since 1979 through the era of Livestock Incentive Schemes, Tenure Review, a change in breed and now the shift to Regenerative Agriculture and becoming a Toitū Carbon Zero farm they sure have seen some change, challenge and opportunity in their time.
I hope you enjoy this episode and the perspectives of someone who after walking the hills for many years, is "now starting to hear the music of the valley", who sees a real role for farming and conservation to occur in the same space, and is excited about farm succession and the potential within our industry with the continued opportunity to learn.
Episode Resources:
• Campaign for Wool video on Temple Peak Station | Watch here
• Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust | Website
• Southern Lakes Sanctuary | Website
• Book Mention | Aroha - Dr Hinemoa Elder
• Nicole Masters | Soil Resilience Tour - North Island
• Nicole Masters | Soil Resilience Tour - South Island
Within this episode Amanda refers to AF8 - this stands for Alpine Fault 8 which is the alpine fault running down the Southern Alps which is overdue for rupture and will have a catastrophic impact on New Zealand, especially the Glenorchy region as they are sitting directly on the Alpine Fault.
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
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27. Alexis Wadworth - Bare Hill Farming
In this episode Becks is joined by Alexis Wadworth, Alexis is farming with her husband Nick and 2 year old daughter Addison down at Bare Hill Farming in Central Southland. Bare Hill is a sheep and beef property running almost 8000 stock units with a significant portion of ineffective land area. In all her spare time Alexis is also Chairwoman of the Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group.
With farming heritage and a banking background Alexis has brought a significant skillset into the farming team, but likewise engineer Nick is pretty handy to have around too. They are passionate about being responsible land stewards and building a sustainable farming business; creating an environment that future generations can thrive in. But not doing this alone, ensuring they are growing alongside their community, valuing partnerships within the business and holding space for their own values and interests alongside their wishes for quality time together as a family.
Nick and Alexis were 2023 finalists in the Balance Farm Environment Awards and worthy recipients of the Norwood Farming Efficiency Award. This episode is a must-listen as Alexis shares with us the unique challenges faced by a property where under half the total land area is effective hectares, their changing stock policies to manage this challenge and learn about the Japanese Lean Management principle of Kaizen which is pivotal to their business.
Episode Resources:
Alexis Wadworth LinkedIn
Bare Hill Farming Instagram
2023 Ballance Farm Environment Awards - Bare Hill Farming Story
DJI Drones for Agriculture
More information about Kaizen
🎙 Podcast brought to you by The Whole Story, with support from FMG Insurance.
🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud https://soundcloud.com/nobody535 or Instagram @n0__b0dy____
Hosted by Becks Smith, a farmer, vet, social entrepreneur and mother to three young girls, this is a podcast inspiring holistic sustainability in agriculture in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Each week we discuss the Goals(SDGs) and talk to someone making progress towards them within agriculture.
We will talk about people’s funny on-farm stories, their views on the opportunities for sustainability in agriculture, and every one of them will leave us with a practical take-home sustainability tip!
Brought to you with support from FMG Insurance.
New Zealand