Bringing the fourth series of the SFT podcast to a close, Patrick Holden caught up with longtime friend and one of the pioneers of the UK’s organic farming movement, Iain ‘Tolly’ Tolhurst. “We need to bring farming back into society. It’s become completely divorced from society.” Tolhurst Organic, located on the Hardwick Estate between the Chiltern…

Bringing the fourth series of the SFT podcast to a close, Patrick Holden caught up with longtime friend and one of the pioneers of the UK’s organic farming movement, Iain ‘Tolly’ Tolhurst. Tolhurst Organic, located on the Hardwick Estate between the Chilterns and the river Thames, is a model of sustainability, and one of the longest running organic…

Julius Roberts – a first-generation farmer and chef with a passion for seasonal cooking and self-sufficiency – joins Patrick Holden for this episode of the SFT podcast. After studying sculpture at university, Julius worked as a full-time chef in London before moving to a smallholding in Dorset where he now farms. He keeps a range of livestock, incl…

In this episode of the SFT podcast, Patrick Holden sat down with John and Alice Pawsey, pioneering organic farmers of Shimpling Park Farm in Suffolk. As well as farming 650 hectares of arable land and 1,000 New Zealand Romney breeding ewes, Shimpling Park also farms an additional 980 hectares of land for neighbouring farmers, all of which are manag…

For this episode of the SFT podcast, Patrick Holden travelled to the Cotswolds to catch up with Dame Prue Leith – renowned restaurateur, cook, novelist and judge on the hugely popular Great British Bake Off. Prue recounts the incredible life she has led, from growing up in South Africa during Apartheid, to living in France where she discovered her …

As we reach the halfway point in this current series of the SFT podcast, Patrick Holden becomes the interviewee in a conversation with Dave Chapman on all things organic. Dave is the co-founder of the Real Organic Project, a farmer-led movement based in the US which aims to strengthen people’s understanding of the organic movement, including the tr…

Kicking off the new year and marking our fourth episode in the latest SFT podcast series, Patrick Holden meets with Ian Wilkinson at this year’s Oxford Real Farming Conference. Ian is the Managing Director of Cotswold Seeds which boasts a bespoke seed catalogue, supplying 15,000 farmers across the UK with green manures, cover crops, herbal leys and…

For the third episode of the SFT podcast, and closing out 2023, Patrick Holden caught up with Sarah Langford – a criminal and family barrister, turned organic farmer and author of the critically acclaimed book, Rooted: How Regenerative Farming Can Change the World. Sarah spent 10 years as a barrister living in London, during which time she also wro…

While in Dubai at COP28, Patrick caught up with Helmy Abouleish, who – through his work as CEO of sustainable development initiative, SEKEM – has launched a soil carbon credit scheme in Egypt, bringing together around 40,000 farmers who are mainly smallholders farming biodynamically and organically. With food and agriculture a central theme at this…

In this first episode, Patrick Holden meets Sophie Gregory – one of the UK’s most prominent first-generation dairy farmers. With a passion for connecting more people with the origins of their food, Sophie talks to Patrick about how she first got into farming, her plans for her Nuffield scholarship on the future of organic, and why she feels educati…

Sebastian Pole is a herbalist, best known for establishing organic tea and supplement brand Pukka herbs. In this episode, Sebastian describes his journey from ‘WWOOF’ (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) volunteer to herbalist, finding inspiration in India after experiencing the healing powers of herbs first hand. He explains the value high q…

Dr Claire Whittle is a farm vet, Nuffield scholar, but above all, a dung beetle enthusiast. In the UK, there are 60 species of dung beetle, which fall into the categories of 'dwellers', 'stealers' and 'tunnellers'. Each beetle plays a vital part in breaking down dung, improving soil health, suppressing pests, and even reducing greenhouse gas emissi…

This week Patrick is joined by Tim Spector, professor of Genetic Epidemiology, author, and co-founder of personalised microbiome and nutrition analysis company ZOE. They discuss the microbiome of the human gut and its similarities to the microbiome of soil, exploring how farmers might influence the diversity of several microbiomes through their pra…

A special edition podcast covering our 2022 Fir Farm Conference: A Roadmap to Sustainable Farming. Find out about more events on our website.Oleh Sustainable Food Trust

Arizona Muse is considered an icon in the modelling world and has starred in campaigns for the world’s best-known fashion houses. She is an activist, educator and founded DIRT, a charity that promotes and supports biodynamic farming. Arizona has also spent time as an impact-consultant for brands looking to lower their environmental impact. Muse joi…

Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, sits down with Patrick to discuss the challenges facing the world, key among them the impact of agriculture. In a wide ranging conversation, they consider what needs to be done to fix ‘our broken planet’, to borrow a phrase from the museum’s current exhibition looking at ways to repair the world. G…

Journalist and broadcaster Dan Saladino joins us for this episode. Dan is best known for his work as a food writer, and for his long-term contribution to the BBC's Food Programme. Dan’s recently published book Eating to Extinction:The World’s Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them, involved 10 years of travel and research, exploring the plight o…

Patrick is joined by Dr Michael Antoniou, leading Molecular Geneticist and Head of the Gene Expression and Therapy Group at Kings College London. A must-listen for anyone interested in learning more about the impact genetic modification, gene editing and pesticides are having on our personal and planetary health.…

Climate friendly farming doesn't just impact the food on our plates. This week's guest, fashion designer Anya Hindmarch, recognises that the fashion industry's huge part to play in reducing waste and the use of toxic chemicals, and sourcing materials in a more sustainable way. Anya explains to Patrick how she was inspired by the closed-loop system …

In this episode, Patrick Holden speaks to Simon Fairlie, farmer and former co-editor of The Ecologist magazine. The two discuss Simon’s new book, Going to Seed, plus advice on how anyone can get involved in the world of agriculture. Simon advises, “Go WWOOFing and make connections, plus renting land is a lot cheaper than buying. Younger people come…

In the first episode of our new podcast series, Patrick Holden, CEO of the Sustainable Food Trust is joined by life-long activist and former monk, Satish Kumar, who has been inspiring global change for over 50 years. In his 20s, Satish undertook a peace-pilgrimage for nuclear disarmament, walking without money from India to America. Now in his 80s,…

In this latest episode, Patrick Holden is joined by Andy Cato, musician and farmer. From gigs to diverse grains, Andy describes his journey into farming and why he founded Wildfarmed.Oleh Patrick Holden and Andy Cato

In this week’s podcast, Patrick Holden is joined by Thomasina Miers, co-founder of restaurant chain Wahaca, which has won numerous awards for its food and sustainability credentials. Thomasina’s passion lies in food and the environment, co-founding the Pig Idea in 2015 in an effort to tackle food waste, she is a trustee of Chefs in Schools and is a…

This week, Patrick is joined by Josiah Meldrum, co-founder of East-Anglia based Hodmedods, known for their UK grown grains and pulses, but who are also pioneers of food resilience, advocates of a return to long-forgotten crops and initiators of innovation in kitchens across the country.Oleh Patrick Holden and Josiah Meldrum

Gunhild Stordalen, founder and executive chair of the EAT Foundation and one of the world’s leading environmentalists and food campaigners joins the podcast. Recorded on the eve of COP26, Patrick and Gunhild discuss how the world can transition into a more sustainable food system, and how by working together, we can all help advance this transition…

In this latest Sustainable Food Trust podcast, Patrick Holden talks to Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (FFCC) and a fellow, organic farmer in Wales. On the premises of Fir Farm in the Cotswolds, Patrick talks to Sue about her journey into farming, from her Welsh heritage, to attending Atlantic College,…

In this week’s podcast, Patrick is joined by Lord Benyon, the UK’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at DEFRA. Lord Benyon is himself a farmer and landowner and was a Member of Parliament for 15 years, serving as Minister for the Natural Environment and Fisheries during the coalition government. During the conversation, Lord Benyon shares his …

In our latest episode, Patrick is joined by Nicolette Hahn Niman, author of the recently re-published book Defending Beef. Nicolette began her career as an environmental lawyer and was a vegetarian for 33 years before becoming a cattle rancher and an advocate for the role of livestock in sustainable farming systems.…

In episode two of our second podcast series, Patrick is joined by Tom Watson, former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. Tom was also a speaker at The Sustainable Food Trust's 2019 Farming and Climate Change event at Fir Farm in Gloucestershire, during which he shared his health journey. Tom and Patrick discuss challenging orthodoxies around nutriti…

In the opening episode of our new podcast series, Patrick Holden is joined by vegetarian cook and bestselling author, Anna Jones. The conversation begins by exploring a question that is on the minds of many, ‘what should I eat to be healthy and sustainable?’. While Anna and Patrick’s responses to the question differ slightly, they remain for the mo…

In the final podcast of the series, Patrick Holden speaks to John Sauven, the Executive Director of Greenpeace, about transforming food and farming systems in order to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss - touching on the land sparing vs land sharing debate, as well as true cost accounting and sustainable diets.…

In this week’s podcast, Patrick speaks to Dr Harpinder Sandhu – global expert in food and farming systems, based at the University of South Australia, in Adelaide. Harpinder talks about his pioneering work on measuring farm sustainability, before moving on to address the ongoing farmer's protests in India.…

In this week’s podcast, Patrick speaks to Alice Waters – founder of Chez Panisse restaurant in Berkeley, California, International Vice President of the Slow Food Movement, and widely celebrated for her work with the Edible Schoolyard Project. Alice's revolutionary understanding of food as a political act and a tool to influence positive change und…

In this week’s podcast, Patrick Holden speaks to Dr Zach Bush – the internationally renowned, multi-disciplinary physician, founder of Farmers’ Footprint. Together, they discuss the intricate intersections between the microbiome, nutrition and chronic diseases, highlighting the devastating impact of chemical herbicides and pesticides on both soil a…

In this week’s podcast, Patrick talks to Tim Mead, founder and CEO of Yeo Valley - the UK's largest organic dairy brand, based just outside of Bristol, at Holt Farm. Tim starts by telling us how it all began, from when his parents bought the family farm in North Somerset, over 60 years ago, to Yeo Valley becoming the 3rd largest yoghurt brand in th…

In our first podcast of 2021, Richard Dunne, The Harmony Project’s Director of Education, speaks to a very special guest - Lord John Bird, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Big Issue who in 2015 became a people’s peer in the House of Lords. With the Future Generations Bill, Lord Bird hopes to challenge the status quo around education, and introduc…

In this pre-Christmas podcast, Patrick speaks to a very special guest - his daughter, Alice Holden. Currently working as head grower at Dagenham farm, Alice is considered one of the UK’s pioneering female growers.Oleh Patrick Holden and Alice Holden

In this week’s podcast, Patrick speaks to Guy Hayward, the Director and Co-Founder of the British Pilgrimage Trust, a charity dedicated to renewing the ancient tradition of pilgrimage in Britain. Patrick and Guy discuss the intersections between pilgrimage, food and farming and explore the idea of journey across agricultural landscapes that ‘makes …

In this week’s podcast, Patrick talks to Darina Allen, renowned chef, best-selling author, and co-founder of the Ballymaloe Cookery School on the South coast of Ireland. ‘Ballymaloe Cookery School was born out of desperation’, explains Darina, as she recounts the heart-warming story of how it all began, and what first brought her to Ballymaloe Hous…

In this week’s podcast, Patrick talks to Sophie Throup, the Head of Agriculture, Fisheries and Sustainable Sourcing for Wm Morrison plc. Morrisons is the UK’s 4th largest supermarket chain, with almost 500 stores across the country. Patrick is keen to gain a clearer understanding of one of the major influencers of our food systems: the consumer. Ar…

In this week’s podcast, Patrick talks to James Rebanks, farmer and best-selling author of The Shepherd’s Life: A Tale of the Lake District (2015) and English Pastoral: An Inheritance (2020). Starting off with James’ own story - which is simultaneously traditional and quite exceptional for a Cumbrian shepherd - the conversation then turns towards th…

In this week's podcast Patrick talks to Livia Firth MBE, Co-founder and Creative Director of Eco-Age and founder of the Green Carpet Challenge (GCC). During the conversation, Patrick and Livia discuss the parallels between the social and environmental footprints of food and fashion, and how consumers can use their purchasing power to affect change …

In this podcast, Patrick speaks to his long time friend, fellow environmentalist and campaigner Jonathon Porritt, Co-Founder of Forum for the Future, and former Director of Friends of the Earth. The conversation touches on differences in opinion between conservation organisations and farming groups, and the ways in which this may have led to a sepa…

In this week's episode Patrick speaks to author and former Conservative member of the European Parliament Stanley Johnson. Since 1951 his family has farmed on Exmoor, on the Devon-Somerset border, and Stanley still manages the farm there today. During the conversation, Stanley and Patrick discuss agricultural trade with the European Union, the oppo…

This week Patrick is joined by scholar and environmental activist Dr Vandana Shiva. Together they discuss the influence of Sir Albert Howard on sustainable farming principles, the de-colonisation of agriculture as well as the importance of biodiversity and true cost accounting. "If you change the metric, you realise that cultivating biodiversity ca…

In this episode, Patrick speaks to author and wellbeing entrepreneur, Liz Earle, who has been a familiar face in the world of health and wellbeing for over thirty years, building brands from beauty to publishing, based on living well in every sense. Liz is a passionate advocate for sustainable and regenerative agriculture and how this impacts our o…

In this week's podcast, Patrick speaks with young horticulturalist Huw Richards, who tends an 11 acre plot in West Wales and shares his growing experiences with a large online audience. Huw shares what led to his childhood passion for growing, his ambition to "make food growing less complicated" and his belief that "seasonal and local diets are the…

During this special podcast, The Harmony Project's Richard Dunne speak to Serena Murdoch, a 16 year old from Kent, passionate about climate justice and environmental activism. Serena is a volunteer for the UK Student Climate Network and the Teach the Future Campaign. She is also involved with the charity Action for Conservation, and is part of the …

In this episode, Richard Dunne speaks to the founder of Square Food Foundation, Barny Haughton - a chef, teacher and food educator who believes that food education should be playing a central role in health and education policy both at local and national government level. "If we want resilient food systems, we need resilient communities and if we w…

In this episode, Patrick is joined by Isabella Tree, an award-winning author and travel writer, who lives with her husband, the environmentalist Charlie Burrell, in the middle of a pioneering rewilding project in West Sussex. During the conversation, Isabella explains why the Knepp experience challenges conventional ideas about our past and present…