The Whole Story

• 34. Dung Beetles with Shaun Forgie

  Today on the podcast I am joined by Shaun Forgie from Dung Beetle Innovations. Shaun is a self-professed insect geek, a man with an endless amount of passion the mighty dung beetle but who spends most of his days talking sh*t and shovelling sh*t to feed his millions of resident dung beetles at their breeding site north of Auckland. This conversation covers what Dung Beetles are, what they do, their importance in the ecosystem - why we need to introduce them, and the many different sustainability roles they play. We get into some specifics around the riparian management and nutrient runoff reductions, drench resistance and the impact of dung beetles in reducing pasture larval contamination, the increase in crop yields you can see as a result of having a saturation of these little critters in the soil horizon. The most harrowing part about this conversation is how our “art of procrastination” in this country may lead us to seeing an opportunity pass us by, an opportunity that many other countries around the world have cottoned onto and are seeing the economic benefits of the ecosystem services that dung beetles provide. They impact each of the 3 pillars of soil health and as we know sustainable farming starts with healthy soil, so grab a cuppa and enjoy what I think is a really engaging and passionate chat about recruiting an underground workforce to get the job done for you.Episode Resources: Dung Beetles Innovations Website | https://dungbeetles.co.nzShaun Forgie LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-forgie-08539b24/🎙️ 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: www.thewholestory.co.nz🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud

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• 33. Empowering farmers through farm data with Resolution

  Today on the podcast we have a special treat; we have not one, but two guests from the Resolution - the farming app team! Paul Ruddenklau: co-founder and director and Emma Smith: Agritech collaborator and support lead are together in the office joining me for this convo Take a listen as we dive into probably a bit of the unheard background of these two epic humans and the app’s journey to where it is today. We also dig into the nuts and bolts of the need for simple and effective data collection and communication on farm, the values behind the team at resolution and their work empowering farmers with their farm data. Make sure you listen through to the end to hear a bit of a teaser about what’s up and coming for the Resolution team this year and lean into sustainable development goal industry, innovation and infrastructure….Episode Resources:Resolution | https://www.resolutionapp.co.nzPaul Ruddenklau | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ruddenklau-635454286/Emma Smith | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-smith-20a608aa/🎙️ 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: www.thewholestory.co.nz🎵 Music by nobody, check them out on SoundCloud

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• 32. Wilding Pine Control with Pete Oswald

  Today on the podcast I am joined by Pete Oswald. Pete grew up on a high country farm in the Awatere valley in Marlborough, he got into cutting down trees young to fund his highly addictive, big mountain, free-skiing habit. Skiing then turned into a professional career which has taken him all over the world and he shifted out of competing into brand partnerships where he made content for some of the big global names like Icebreaker. Between just being an all round ethically conscious human, suffering some climate guilt over the travelling he did through his skiing career and as a father raising his own children Pete has always been involved in sustainability initiatives. Whether that be through him and his wife’s greeting card and paper goods business Little Difference, his Ski for Trees initiative or now as the project manager for the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group where Pete has come back full circle into cutting down trees - but this time in the name of preserving and regenerating our natural environment. We cover why Wilding Conifers are such a big problem, we discuss the practical support available to farmers from the Wilding Conifer Control Group, the importance of learning from the past, the impact of empowering communities as well as the challenges associated with government funding structures, carbon tunnel vision and afforestation with exotics into farmland…she’s a big one! So settle in an enjoy today’s episode…Episode Resources:Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control GroupWilding Pine NetworkLittle Difference Ski for Trees InitiativePete Oswald | LinkedIn 🎙️ 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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• 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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