Six Inches of Soil - The Podcast

FARMING MENTAL SUPPORT RESOURCES:If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available. In the U.S., you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In the UK, you can call 111 and select option 2 to access urgent mental health support. If you’re elsewhere, please seek out local crisis services in your country. You’re not alone. It’s okay to ask for help. Other resources:UKRABI https://rabi.org.uk/ 0800 188 4444LensLight: https://lenslight.co.uk/ Young Farmers set up Mental health support Farming Community Network: https://fcn.org.uk/ 03000 111 999Yellow Wellies https://www.yellowwellies.org/We are Farming Minds: https://www.wearefarmingminds.co.uk/RSABI https://www.rsabi.org.uk (Scotland): 0808 1234 555YANA (You Are Not Alone) https://www.yanahelp.org/ 0300 323 0400The DPJ Foundation (Wales) https://www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk/ 0800 587 4262USAFarm Aid Hotline: 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243)Call: 988 Agrisafe: agri stress helping 833-897-2474https://www.agrisafe.org/agristress-helpline/National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):https://www.nami.org/ 800-950-6264.SAMHSA National Helpline: https://www.samhsa.gov/ 1-800-662-HELP(4357)Regional Resources: Many agricultural states, such as Minnesota (833-600-2670) NZFARM STRONG https://mentalhealth.org.nz/our-work/farmstrongCanadahttps://ccaw.ca/ Call 1-866-FARMS01Farm talk care: https://farmtalkcare.ca/care/EPISODE 12: Unraveled – Mental Health in FarmingThis episode explores the often-unseen mental health challenges faced by farmers around the world. Through personal stories, expert insight, and urgent calls to action, we examine the deep connections between mental health, soil health, and community—and how regenerative systems can help heal both land and people.Host & Producer: Richard TuftonCo-host & Producer: Claire MackenzieEditor: Meg ChathamOriginal Score: Matt Griffin (poet & farmer) – Instagram: @neidpath_farmsFeatured Partners & ResourcesSix Inches of SoilWebsite: www.sixinchesofsoil.orgBook & socials available via websiteMicrobzmicrobz.co.ukGet 20% off with code LOVESOILGuestsTom MorphewFounder of Full Circle Farms Sussex and The Garden Army CIC, Tom is a regenerative farming pioneer working at the intersection of soil health, social impact, and circular economy. His closed-loop farms turn food waste into compost and chemical-free food, while also serving as care farms and outdoor classrooms. A two-time TED Talk speaker, Tom is proving that farming can restore soil, support people, and remain commercially viable.Hugh AddisonRaised on an organic dairy, beef, and sheep farm in Cumbria, Hugh is passionate about strengthening the mental health and resilience of the farming community. In 2025, he co-founded The Borderline Challenge, a UK and Ireland ultratriathlon raising awareness and funds for farmer mental health in partnership with RABI.Instagram: @theborderlinechallengeDr Michael RosmannA psychologist and farmer, Michael Rosmann is a global leader in agricultural mental health. Through his work with AgriWellness, he helped shape the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network in the U.S. Farm Bill. His research and writing, including the amazing book Meditations on Farming, laid the foundation for the field of agricultural behavioral health. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host and producer: Richard TuftonCo-host and producer: Claire MackenzieEditor: Meg ChathamScore: Matt GriffinSix Inches of SoilWebsite: www.sixinchesofsoil.orgBook: sixinchesofsoil.org/bookInstagram: @sixinchesofsoilLinkedIn: six-inches-of-soil-b75059234Sponsored byFielden: fielden.comCode SOIL10 gives 10 percent off all whisky.Microbz: microbz.co.ukCode LOVESOIL gives 20 percent off.IntroductionWe welcomed Michael Kennard, Jeff Allen, Erin Martin, and Evan Buckman into the studio. We talked about soil health, human health, and how microbes link everything together. We explored composting, farming practices, nutrient-dense food, and the connection between soil and gut health.Jeff AllenJeff and his wife Sue co-founded Microbz. Jeff grew up on a farm in Kenya and built a strong connection to land and wildlife. In 2008 he travelled across the US, Europe, and Australia in search of environmental solutions and discovered microbial technology. He has since pioneered fermenting microbes with herbs and minerals for health and agriculture. He runs the Microbz brewery in Wiltshire and focuses on scaling microbial solutions.Website: microbz.co.ukInstagram: @microbzprobioticsFacebook: MicrobzProbioticsTikTok: @microbzMichael KennardMichael Kennard is a Soil Association Ambassador and founder of Regenerative Soils Consultancy and Compost Club, makers of Biolife Compost in East Sussex. This World Soil Day, Compost Club expands to Hailsham, Herstmonceux, and Heathfield. He now farms regeneratively at Furnace Brook’s Meliora Farm and will launch his podcast Soil, Seed, and Soul in the new year.Use code COMPOSTCLUB15 for 15 percent off at agriton.co.uk.Instagram: @compost_michael @compost_clubWebsite: compostclub.onlineFarm: furnacebrook.org.ukErin W MartinErin Martin’s drive to help others started at fifteen while working in a retirement community. She later earned a master’s in Gerontology from USC. Certified in Regenerative Soil Advocacy, she focuses on food as medicine and its link to soil. She serves as President of the Tulsa Urban Ag Coalition, Director of Oklahoma’s FreshRx program, and co-leads the state’s Food is Medicine Policy Coalition. Her work brings regenerative agriculture into care for people with chronic disease.Instagram: @expertonaging @freshrxokFacebook: FreshRx Oklahoma, Erin W. MartinYouTube: @freshrxok @erinwmartinX: @erinwmartinTikTok: @foodasmedicineLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erinwmartinFreshRx: linkedin.com/company/freshrxEvan BuckmanEvan Buckman is Executive Director at Soil Food Web. He works at the intersection of science, food systems, and regenerative land projects. He earned a Permaculture Design Certificate in 2014 and later a BS in Applied Chemistry from Minerva University, focusing on Biological and Earth Systems. Evan has supported clean water and sanitation projects for rural and Indigenous communities and worked on regenerative bio-economies in the Amazon. Now based in Texas, he produces commercial bio-amendments for farmers, landscapers, and land stewards.Living Legacy webinar series: community.soilfoodweb.comYouTube: youtube.com/soilfoodwebschoolFacebook: Soil Food Web SchoolLinkedIn: soilfoodwebschoolInstagram: @soilfoodwebschool Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host, producer: Richard TuftonCo-host, producer: Claire MackenzieEditor: Meg Chatham Six Inches of Soil: Website: https://www.sixinchesofsoil.org/Book: https://www.sixinchesofsoil.org/bookInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sixinchesofsoil/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/six-inches-of-soil-b75059234/IntroductionDr Grandin and Gabe Brown explore how uniting animal welfare with regenerative agriculture and combining soil practices with Temple’s farming solutions, you have nature and nurture working together as one big metaphorical “hug machine”. This offers a communal hug, if you will, by enveloping the animal’s life with a safe, healthy, happy and tranquil environment, which we know will undoubtedly provide a better life for them. Their conversation explores integrating livestock with crops, consumer expectations, youth involvement, climate change, and the role of innovation and visual thinking in food production.FeaturingDr. Temple GrandinTemple Grandin is a leading scientist, author, and speaker whose autism experience shaped her groundbreaking work on reducing stress for humans and animals. Now a Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, she also consults on livestock handling and welfare.Her life has been highlighted by NPR (National Public Radio), the BBC film "The Woman Who Thinks Like a Cow" and HBO’s Emmy-winning Temple Grandin. She was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2016. Websites:https://www.templegrandin.com/https://agsci.colostate.edu/ag_stories/temple-grandin/Gabe Brown is a pioneer of the soil health movement. With his family, he transformed Brown’s Ranch, a 5,000-acre North Dakota farm, by working in nature’s image. Now run by his son Paul and wife Jazmin, the ranch reflects his legacy. Author of Dirt to Soil, Gabe is a Regenified board member, founding partner of Understanding Ag, and co-founder of the Soil Health Academy, which trains farmers worldwide in ecosystem-based practices.Websites:https://brownsranch.us/https://regenified.com/about-us/https://understandingag.com/partners/gabe-brown/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brownsranch/?hl=en Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

EPISODE 7 PART 1 UNCURDLEDThis is the first time we have featured the dairy industry. We decided to start with two family farms in the UK, one producing for their local community and the other running a highly successful yoghurt business.  They both have a deep connection to their soils and are caring for their land and communities. James Robinson: James farms at Strickley Farm, a 300-acre organic dairy farm that has been free from artificial fertilisers or pesticides for the past 16 years. James’ approach to supporting nature includes planting woodland, leaving areas of grassland ungrazed, maintaining sensitive hedgerow management and fencing off watercourses to improve water quality, so there is less silt and soil from his cattle on the banks. His farm’s hedgerows are seven miles long, some 20-22ft tall.Website: https://www.strickleydairy.co.uk/Instagram:@jrfromstrickley @strickleydairy@nffnukL’in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-robinson-7a2816273/Tim Mead: Tim was born into a dairy-farming family in 1963. He lives with his wife Sarah on the original farm in the Yeo Valley on the edge of Blagdon Lake, Somerset. After qualifying as a chartered accountant in London, Tim joined the Yeo Valley business in 1987, Yeo Valley Organic is the UK’s largest organic brand and celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2024.The business is still family controlled, with 20% held by an employee benefit trust. In 2017 after 30 years as a yogurt maker, Tim turned his attention to the farming side of the business and is still learning…..Website: https://www.yeovalley.co.uk/Instagram: @yeovalleySponsored by Fielden:The discount code is SOIL10 and gives 10% off all whisky on fielden.com.Six Inches of Soil film - find links here to watch it: https://www.sixinchesofsoil.org/ Six Inches of Soil book: https://www.sixinchesofsoil.org/bookFinally if you have enjoyed listening to this podcast please do rate it - many thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host, producer: Richard TuftonCo-host, producer: Claire MackenzieEditor: Meg Chatham Episode 5 - Unbred - Heritage Grains - this episode takes us back to the arable fields, this time we are focussing on crops that are closely related to the first-ever cultivated grasses. Our guests are working with these varieties to bring them to our plates and glasses, “these fields full of life” benefit our soil, health, and the planet. Guests: Luke Jones, Impact Family Farms, IllinoisLuke and his family operate a diverse livestock and cropping operation in western Illinois. He now values diversity and bringing life back to the acres he manages along with making a profit. https://www.facebook.com/share/12Mn7pBnpCS/?mibextid=wwXIfrhttps://understandingag.com/team/luke-jones/Dave Smith, Fielden Whisky Dave Smith is Fielden’s CEO. With over thirty years of experience, Dave has worked internationally with both mature and challenger brands. https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-smith-69120513?originalSubdomain=ukhttps://fielden.com/Samuel Taylor, Longtable PancakesSamuel Taylor is the founder of Long Table Pancakes, a company dedicated to creating artisan pancake mixes that celebrate local and sustainably sourced ingredients. http://linkedin.com/in/pancakesamuelhttps://longtablepancakes.com/pages/aboutFred Price, Gothelney Farm, Somerset Fred is a farmer reimagining his practices and place within our food system.  He’s a passionate advocate for agroecology, working with UK Grain Lab and the South West Grain Network to reimagine our food system.Instagram: @gotheleyfarmer @fieldbakery @swgrainnetwork @uk_grain_labWebsites: https://www.gothelneyfarmer.co.uk/https://www.fieldbakery.com/https://www.ukgrainlab.com/https://www.southwestgrainnetwork.co.uk/Sponsored by Fielden:https://fielden.comThe discount code is SOIL10 and gives 10% off all whisky on fielden.com.Finally, if you have enjoyed listening to this podcast please rate it - many thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host, producer: Richard Tufton Co-host, producer: Claire Mackenzie Editor: Meg Chatham  Unground - World of Coffee, in this episode we are diving into something many of us enjoy every day—coffee. But how often do we stop to think about where it comes from? What impact does coffee have on the soil, the farmers who grow it, and the ecosystems that sustain it?Guests: Gally Mayer of Buena Vida Specialty Coffee, who works directly with farmers to bring regenerative coffee to consumers.Roberto Mata from Costa Rica, who is growing coffee regeneratively and can share what that looks like on the ground.Heather Terry, founder of Good Sam, a company committed to transparent, regenerative supply chains.Roberto Matahttps://www.caferobertomata.com/https://www.instagram.com/laslajascafe/Gally Mayer https://buenavida.coffee/pages/our-storyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gally-mayer/Heather Terry https://goodsamfoods.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-k-terry-44b81828/Sponsored by Fielden:https://fielden.comMost grains in whisky are grown industrially, with chemicals: same grain, same height, same flavour. Not on our farms. We’re regenerating England’s fields with heritage grains, grown in clover (we never, ever use chemicals). It’s a more sustainable way of farming that’s better for the soil, the grain and the wildlife. And it makes a whisky full of flavour.The discount code is SOIL10 and gives 10% off all whisky on fielden.com.Six Inches of Soil The Documentary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Intro:Richard Tufton, podcast host, and Claire Mackenzie, producer. @rtufton & @clai.remackenzie Featuring: Anna Jackson, star of the film Six Inches of Soil, farmer in N Lincs, UK:  https://www.pinkpigfarm.co.uk/@annaracheljacksonTim Parton, farmer, consultant, and co-founder of Green Farm Collective, based in Staffordshire, UK: http://timpartonfarming.com https://www.greenfarmcollective.com/ and look out for his book in 2025 via https://unbreaking.eco/Rick Clark, Rick is a 5th generation farmer who resides in Warren County, Indiana https://www.farmgreen.land/ @farmgreen13Bertie Matthews, miller running the family company, Matthews Cotswold Flour: https://cotswoldflour.com/@bertiematthewscf Valerie Netherton, Director of Sustainability, Higher Purpose, Partnerships at Makers Mark Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you watched Six Inches of Soil? Have you ever felt that there were not enough podcasts in your life?! Do you wish there was a place to engage in further discussion around the documentary?Well, wish no more and get ready for Season 1. This will be a place for the community built around the film to gather and dig deeper into Regenerative Agriculture in the UK and the USA.We have unearthed a global network of experts to have more in-depth discussions, packed with learnings and inspirations for you. We hope to keep the film's momentum growing to enable real change in how we grow our food and treat our soil. Hosted by Richard Tufton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.