'You can't live off nature's capital forever'

Martin's Farm: February. ffinlo Costain finds out about integrated pest management and a hedge-laying competition run by Martin Lines at Papley Grove. Martin and ffinlo are also joined by Peter Craven, head of agriculture at Natural England, who’s talks through Natural England's new strategy and what it means for farmers and food production. ffinlo Costain is the editor of 8point9.com and producer of the Farm Gate podcast.Martin Lines is Chief Executive of the Nature Friendly Farming Network.

Dr. Jonathan G Lundgren is an agroecologist, the founder and director of the Ecdysis Foundation, and Chief Executive of Blue Dasher Farm. He's the author of 107 peer-reviewed journal articles, he received the Presidential Early Career Award for Science and Engineering at the White House, and served as an advisor for regulatory agencies on pesticide and GM crop risk assessments. On GM, Lundgren says, "I'm not saying ban stuff. As soon as you say, 'Farmer, I'm taking something away from you...', it's like, 'Oh yeah, get ready...' But if you say, 'Why're you buying all that crap - that's dumb,' then suddenly that gets their attention - because they don't want to be used by anybody, certainly not the government, but also not by large corporations. "

In this month's Wheat from the Chaff, ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Joe Stanley (GWCT Allerton Project) discuss:Venezuela, Greenland and world securityMinette Batters' Farm Profitability ReviewSustainable Farming Incentive back in JuneInheritance tax climb downRFK's call to 'Eat real food'Farmers back nature-friendly farmingFarm Gate is the world's highest ranking food security podcast, and we're part of 8point9.com, the land use news channel. 8point9 is supported by First Milk, Pelican Ag, the Nature Friendly Farming Network, Friar's Moor Livestock Health, Agrolo and individual donors.Search for ‘Farm Gate’ wherever you get your podcasts - and visit https://8point9.com/https://8point9.com/

Stuart Rogers has found the sweet spot - by focussing on herd health and the overall health of his system, Rogers' dairy herd at Longmoor Farm in Dorset is both high yielding and regenerative. Listen now to find out how he does it.This is the latest in our Farm Gate Leaders series in which ffinlo Costain meets remarkable regen food and farming innovators.Farm Gate is part of 8point9.com, the land use news channel, which is supported by First Milk, Pelican Ag, Friars Moor Livestock Health, the Nature Friendly Farming Network, Agrolo and individual donors.

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) talks to Martin Lines (Nature Friendly Farming Network) to find out what's happening this January at Papley Grove farm.The pair also meet Alice Groom (RSPB) and Vicki Hird (The Wildlife Trusts) to review what's happened in food, farming and nature policy in 2025 - and to peer into the crystal ball for 2026.

ffinlo Costain (8point9.com) and Joe Stanley (GWCT Allerton Project) meet for Farm Gate’s monthly news discussion programme.This time:Christmas round-upSuccession planning, IHT and SFICOP30 and food systemsBacksliding on environmental policySoil carbonFinding lights in a dark age

What's it like living next door to Britain's most notorious rewilder? The new movie, Derek vs Derek investigates.In this programme ffinlo Costain meets the two Dereks - rewilder, Derek Gow, and dairy farmer, Derek Banbury - alongside the film's director James Dawson.#derekvsderek

What’s happening this December on Papley Grove Farm, St Neots? ffinlo Costain talks to Martin Lines from the Nature Friendly Farming Network – and meets Michael Meharg, who farms near Dundrod in Northern Ireland. Michael is a past chair of the NFFN in Northern Ireland.The trio discuss farming's contribution to Christmas, Irish Moiled cattle, the ecological crisis in Lough Neagh (the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles), and the funding situation for farmers in Northern Ireland.#farming #food #regenerativefarming #organicfarming #northernireland #loughneagh #irishmoiledcattle #cattle #nifarming #irishfarming

The farm vet is critical for farmers navigating the transition to food and ecological security. In this programme we find out what that means in practice. How is the veterinary profession changing? Can a business model built on meds and emergency care pivot to preventative health and farm system advice? ffinlo Costain is joined by The Regenerative Vet, Claire Whittle - by Lee-Anne Oliver from Ruminant Revival - and by Helen Rogers, a regenerative farmer and a director of Friars Moor Livestock Health.

ffinlo Costain talks to author Chris Smaje, whose new book, Findings Lights in a Dark Age, is the perfect Christmas gift for anyone with a vested interest in the future of humanity.Now is the time, says Smaje, for local communities - not multinational corporations or centralised government - to reorganise economy, land, energy and food production, so that the light at the end of the tunnel is lit, and when we fall into a global multiverse of crises, we can find our way more easily to a better world.Findings Lights in a Dark Age, by Chris Smaje, is published by Chelsea Green, and is available wherever good books are sold.