RASE Farm of the Future

Solving Staffing in Ag: What we've learnt

For this episode we’re looking back upon series two of RASE Farm of the Future Podcast. Host Iory is joined by series producer Natasha Smith for a reflection upon some of the key takeaways from the series. They share their thoughts on recruitment in the farming industry today, their learnings from Iory’s conversations with guests throughout the series and the concepts and ideas where they see real potential for change.
 
RASE Farm of the Future Podcast will return for a third series. If there are any particular topics you’d like to hear explored on the podcast, please do let us know by sending a message to any of RASE’s socials.
 
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For more information about recruiting, training and retaining great people and developing farming teams, find the Teams bitesize guide on the reports page of the Royal Agricultural Society of England website.

The basics that make a big difference

For this episode we’re joined by Paul Harris, founder and MD of Real Success Ltd. which offers recruitment consultancy, HR advice, succession planning and leadership training. Paul shares his ten foundation stones that underpin the recruitment process basics and outlines what farm businesses can do to ensure they’re hiring the very best people.
Paul speaks at a wide variety of major farming industry events, writes for Farmers Weekly and Farmers Guardian, and his latest book Happy Team, Happy Farm was a finalist in the Business Book of The Year 2024 Awards.
For more information about recruiting, training and retaining great people and developing farming teams, find the Teams bitesize guide on the reports page of the Royal Agricultural Society of England website
 

A formula for family business success

For this episode we are joined by Peter Craven, Head of Agriculture at Natural England, to focus on running a family business.
Peter, who has focused his career on helping others to succeed, provides simple and universal advice for navigating the complexities of running a family business, from family charters, crucial questions at the core of the business, to management, leadership, and succession.
Peter completed a Nuffield on how to turn a family farming business and from his findings is able to simplify an often intimidating topic that is close to home for many businesses in agriculture.
For more information about recruiting, training and retaining great people and developing farming teams, find the Teams bitesize guide on the reports page of the Royal Agricultural Society of England website.

How to become a farming employer of choice

For this episode we’re joined by Richard Hooper, director of The Future Farm at Harper Adams University, which provides teaching and research of mixed farming operations across arable, pigs, sheep, poultry, beef and dairy over its 493 hectares, whilst operating as a commercial farm.
Richard is also an agricultural management specialist with over three decades of experience. He’s a Nuffield scholar and has proven track record in improving all aspects of unit production. In this episode Richard shares his views on ways in which an agricultural business can be a great employer.
For more information about recruiting, training and retaining great people and developing farming teams, find the Teams bitesize guide on the reports page of the Royal Agricultural Society of England website.

Inspiring the next generation of dairy entrepreneurs

For this episode we’re joined by Ifan Roberts, a contract dairy farmer originally from North Wales, who brings a sense of positivity when talking about dairy farming. His mission is to openly share the positives of his experiences as a dairy farmer, through his Nuffield report to help inspire others into the sector.
 
Ifan’s experience of dairy farming has surpassed his expectations leaving college, where he was led to expect real hardship and challenges. His upcoming Nuffield report shares how different approaches and mindsets from around the world, including in New Zealand, can help inspire those interested in the industry, and bring about a change in communication that is far more positive about the dairy industry.
 
For more information about recruiting, training and retaining great people and developing farming teams, find the Teams bitesize guide on the reports page of the Royal Agricultural Society of England website.

Why everyone needs a mentor

For this episode we’re joined by Helen Wyman, founder of TwoCan Mentor, a company that connects individuals across the food, farm and horticultural ecosystems, to pass on knowledge and skills. Helen’s belief is that everyone in the ag industry needs a mentor.
Helen’s excellent understanding of both the industry and the people working within it stems from her work in farming and renewables sectors, as well as her 2022 Nuffield scholarship in which she explored how mentoring can bring positive change in agriculture.
For more information about recruiting, training and retaining great people and developing farming teams, find the Teams bitesize guide on the reports page of the Royal Agricultural Society of England website.
 
 

Leadership starts with you

For this episode host Iory Hughes is joined by Chris Manley, founder of consultancy Traction Limited, which leads sustainability strategies and supply chain initiatives for some of the UK’s biggest retailers including M&S, Müller, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. Chris did a Nuffield Scholarship in which he researched what great leadership looks like in farming teams.
Chris is also the pioneer of Walk With Me, a mental health campaign which encourages farmers and others in the rural community to open up through the simple act of walking and talking. Chris’ mission in his work is to champion people first leadership to build stronger and more sustainable food systems.
This episode is about what truly excellent leadership looks like on a farm, and how it can enrich the lives and work of everyone working on farms.
For more information about recruiting, training and retaining great people and developing farming teams, find the Teams bitesize guide on the reports page of the Royal Agricultural Society of England website.

Neurodiversity in agriculture

For this episode host Iory Hughes is joined by dairy farmer Liz Haines, who works with Farmers Weekly on the Level Field campaign. Liz undertook a Nuffield Scholarship to help the industry better understand the needs of those in agriculture who are neurodivergent, and how they can be better supported in their work. Prior to farming Liz worked in publishing, specialising in autism and special educational needs. She moved on to take up a contract farming opportunity in Shropshire. Now having moved to Staffordshire, Liz is a tenant dairy farmer, milking 375 spring calving cattle. Liz is also a non-executive director of Mole Valley Farmers.
The episode is all about what neurodiversity means, how conditions may impact someone at work and how we can improve interaction with people who are neurodivergent.
For more information about recruiting, training and retaining great people and developing farming teams, find the Teams bitesize guide on the reports page of the Royal Agricultural Society of England website.

Doing better at attracting talent

For this episode host Iory Hughes is joined by Dan Smith, an agroecological farmer and consultant from the Wye Valley who is driven by cultivating both healthy eco-systems, and the next generation who will build and continue to care for them. Dan works with land managers to transition to more environmentally conscious systems of land management. In this episode he gives us excellent insight and practical actions, and challenges the agricultural sector to take them, to make the sector more accessible for all.
Dan and Iory discuss equity, diversity and inclusion and bringing new people into the industry, as well as showing the opportunities in agriculture. This includes invigorating the industry with fresh ideas and perspectives while preserving and respecting the rich culture of UK farming.
For more information about recruiting, training and retaining great people and developing farming teams, find the Teams bitesize guide on the reports page of the Royal Agricultural Society of England website.

Coming soon! Solving Staffing in Ag - A new series of the Farm of the Future podcast

Introducing the new series of the Farm of the Future podcast: Solving Staffing in Ag.
Hosted by Iory Hughes, this season explores how to build, retain, and support high-performing farm teams. From next-gen labour to leadership pipelines, each episode features conversations with farmers, Nuffield scholars and industry experts exploring fresh thinking and real-farm solutions to the staffing challenge. Whether you're managing a family enterprise, shaping policy, or seeking your future role in agriculture, this series is for you.