In-the-field at Groundswell: Water and the soil sponge

ffinlo Costain's guest today is John Kempf - an Amish farmer, entrepreneur and host of The Regenerative Agriculture Podcast. We discover what makes Kempf tick - who is he - what are his personal values? How does being Amish influence his view of the world - and what does he really think of Bobby Kennedy?QUESTIONS INCLUDE:What was Kempf's 'aha' moment?How has being part of the Amish community shaped his approach to the land?How does podcasting fit within the Amish worldview?Why is sharing his voice different to sharing his face?What does Kempf value most in society?How does Kempf feel about the state of the USA today?What does Kempf make of Bobby Kennedy and the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report?What does Kempf think are the greatest risks facing human beings today?***This is the fourth of our Farm Gate Leaders programmes.Farm Gate is now Britain's top-ranked regenerative agriculture podcast - globally ranked 2nd for food security; 3rd for regen.Watch the rough cut of this audio podcast on YouTube - search 'Farm Gate podcast'.#johnkempf #bobbykennedy #regenfarming #regenag #robertfkennedy #amish

This programme is the last in our series of impromptu in-the-field podcasts, recorded at Groundswell 2025.In this episode we discuss memorable sessions, what we've taken away from the regenerative farming festival. ffinlo Costain is joined by Joe Stanley (Allerton Project) - Jez Fredenburgh (journalist) - and Rowan Phillimore (Gaia Foundation).

This programme is part of our series of impromptu in-the-field podcasts, recorded at Groundswell 2025.In this episode we The Wildlife Trusts' new vision for the future of farming in England. ffinlo Costain is joined by Vicki Hird (Strategic lead on agriculture, The Wildlife Trusts).

This programme is part of our series of impromptu in-the-field podcasts, recorded at Groundswell 2025.In this episode we discuss water's role in restoring the land and managing climate extremes. ffinlo Costain is joined by Didi Pershouse (Land and Leadership initiative and author of Ecology of Care) - and Nick Viney (Landscape Reimagineer).

This programme is part of our series of impromptu in-the-field podcasts, recorded at Groundswell 2025.In this episode we discuss how to finish beef cattle on grass.ffinlo Costain is joined by Johnnie Balfour (Pasture for Life; Balbirnie Home Farms) and Kate Martin (Treway Farm).

This programme is part of our series of impromptu in-the-field podcasts, recorded at Groundswell 2025.In this episode we ask what role food companies play in supporting and accelerating growth in regenerative food and farming systems?ffinlo Costain is joined by Øistein Thorsen (FAI Farms) - Emma Keller (Nestlé) - and Harriet O'Regan (Arla).

This programme is part of our series of impromptu in-the-field podcasts, recorded at Groundswell 2025.In this episode we discuss funding for innovation in regenerative and agroecological funding. We look back on Innovative Farmers - and discuss the new ADOPT fund.ffinlo Costain is joined by Helen Browning (Soil Association) and Prof Tom MacMillan (Royal Agricultural University).

This programme is part of our series of impromptu in-the-field podcasts, recorded at Groundswell 2025.In this episode we discuss how to regenerate the soil and the microbiome - and how food growing and eating are interconnected.ffinlo Costain is joined by Dr Lucy Williamson and John Pawsey.

This programme is part of our series of impromptu in-the-field podcasts, recorded at Groundswell 2025.In this episode, we discuss opportunities for young people in regenerative food and farming - and the Emergent Generation network. ffinlo Costain is joined by Becky Grove, founder of Emergent Generation), and network members: Amy Chapple, Tristan Leslie and Melissa Walker.

This programme is part of our series of impromptu in-the-field podcasts, recorded at Groundswell 2025.In this episode we discuss whether farming can ever escape its glyphosate dependency? ffinlo Costain is joined by Ian Wilkinson (FarmED) - Prof Andy Neal (Rothamsted) - and Tim Parton (Intelligent Farming)