Think Outside The Fence (Amy Hughes & Arron Nerbas)

We have a seriously special guest to kick off season 2... David Irvine!

David has more than 40 years experience as a family therapist, workshop facilitator, lecturer and advisor. Raised in rural central Alberta, David is no stranger to farming and the people that go with it. His work with Holisitic Management has helped and inspired farming families across North America.

We don't think that there is one person in farming that won't relate to something that David says in this podcast. From digging out the root cause of family unrest, letting go of blame and dealing with those who's identity is 'the farm' We hope you enjoy - we certainly did. 

David will be speaking at the MFGA annual regenerative agriculture conference in Brandon, Manitoba on Nov 12 - 13, 2024. If you're at that side of the water - don't miss out on that! https://mfga.net/regen-ag-conference

Thanks, as always, to our sponsors

Manitoba Forage and Grassland association https://mfga.net/

Covers & Co  https://www.coversandco.ca/

We have a new sponsor for season 2 of Think Outside The Fence! Thank you to Covers & Co for their support.

In this episode we speak to Joe Gardiner, Agronomy and Research manager at Covers & Co, to find out more about where it all started, what the team are trying to achieve with their work and how farmers all over the world can get involved. 

Covers & Co. have some amazing resources and are super busy providing education opportunities to farmers and ranchers across Canada, who want to improve their soil health and profitability through plant diversity. 

For those of you listening in the UK - they have so much amazing stuff online as well.

Take a look at their website to find out more.

https://www.coversandco.ca/

Welcome to this special episode, with our sponsors, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association. 

The MFGA Regenerative Ag conference is coming up folks! This year's theme is 'open minds - open opportuities' and the committee have put together a great line up for you all. 

In this podvertorial (Arron's new word) we chat to MFGA Executive Director, Duncan Morrison, about what they have in store for you, where the conference originated and what the committee are aiming for with regards messaging and opportunity for attendees. 

If you haven't booked your tickets yet, get on it! The line up looks amazing, we'll see you there! 

https://mfga.net/regen-ag-conference

Marking 1 whole year of Think Outside The Fence...here it is! Episode 12! 

In this episode we speak to Lucy Williamson. Lucy is a vet turned award winning, human nutritionist. With over 30 years experience in health, food and farming, she's part of a passionate community of health professional and food producers, learning from natural ecosystems, to make better health a reality. 

We talk about the science of nutrient density, gut health, the wider food system and the role of the farmer in communicating with consumers to reconnect the gap. 

Visit Lucy's website here https://lwnutrition.co.uk

As always, thanks to our sponsors, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association https://mfga.net

Our first in-person interview, recorded at the MFGA Regenerative Ag conference in Brandon, Manitoba!

 In this episode, we have a lively conversation with Brian Harper, a professional land manager and cow-calf producer from Brandon, Manitoba. This interview explores Brian's farm operations, his innovative agricultural practices, and his insights into regenerative farming. Brian shares his journey towards sustainable farming, his experiences with cattle breeding, and his plans for succession and future transitions.

Thanks, as always, to our sponsors Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association and Covers & Co.

www.mfga.net

www.coversandco.ca

Welcome to the first ‘proper’ episode of Think Outside The Fence! In this episode we chat to Michael Blanche, farmer and podcast royalty in the UK. Michael is a first generation farmer in Scotland and the host of the Pasture Pod podcast. We chat about the mindset needed to get into farming as a new entrant, Nuffield scholarships, podcasting and a few other random things…

Michael has played a huge part in the development of Think Outside The Fence, from the initial idea through to the technicalities involved in production, so thank you Michael!

Take a listen to the brilliant Pasture Pod podcast https://thepasturepod.libsyn.com

Welcome to episode 2 of the new season! We're bucking the trend this month with our wonderful guest, Ben Harman. Ben is a beef farmer from Buckinghamshire, England, who is very specific about his meat...

This episode really is all about the cows! We chat breeding, meat quality, marketing and branding with our usual dose of mindset too. Buckle up for a hillariously funny episode with the great mind that is Ben. 

Thanks as always to our sponsors

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association https://mfga.net/

and

Covers and Co. https://www.coversandco.ca/

Here it is! Episode 2 of Think Outside The Fence. On this one we welcome Holistic Rancher and Educator, Don Campbell. Don along with his wife, 2 sons and their families operate the B-C ranch in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. Don has been instrumental in bringing Holistic Management to prominence in Western Canada.

We chat candidly about his lifetime of learning, the 3 legs of the stool, empowerment, asking questions and why we have 2 ears and 1 mouth. And so much more!

To find out more about Holistic Management visit https:https://holisticmanagement.ca/

It's officially the start of 2024. What a great time to reflect on our personal well being, both mental and physical. Our special guest for episode 6 is Lewellyn Melnyk who is from the same home town as Arron in Manitoba. She is self described as an Author, Farmer & Mental Health Advocate, although we truly believe the latter is her true passion. 

Here it is, episode number 5 - the one where Amy got too excited and didn't let Arron get a word in edgeways (sorry, Arron!) 

In this episode we speak to Carol Glover "The Maverick Maker" Carol is a Ginger, Punk Inspired Maverick, Senior Leadership & Team Coach & Mentor, Intrapreneur and Edutainer (Carol's words, not ours)

We talk about why knowing your purpose is so important, why 'soft skills' are really super powers, and what it really means to be a maverick.

Delving into Carol's years of experience and training in positive psycology, high level coaching and embracing the 'F' word, we find out how we can all identify and aim for our 'North Star' through the power of mindset.

Carol was incredibly generous with her time and has sent us some amazing links to look at and books to read. Take a look below.

As always, thanks to our sponsors - Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association.

Adam Grant

Hidden Potential Assessment (qualtrics.com)

Grant, A: Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things: Amazon.co.uk: Grant Adam: 9780593656976: Books

https://www.amazon.com/Think-Again-Power-Knowing-What/dp/1984878107

Mind Valley

https://www.mindvalley.com/

Alongside Purpose, a key aspect of Psychological Wellbeing and Personal Growth is knowing what you strengths are.

https://www.viacharacter.org/

Influencial books

 https://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585

https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322

Carol's website

https://www.carolglovercoaching.com/

It's time for episode 11! Join us as we chat to Helen Wyman, Nuffield Scholar and founder of Cultivate Success, an agricultural mentorship programme in the UK.

We talk through what mentorship actually is, what it can do for people in Ag and how making connections can battle loneliness and breed creative thinking. 

For those in the UK thinking about becoming a mentor or mentee, take a look at the Cultivate Success website https://cultivate-success.com

And for our listeners in Canada, Helen has kindly supplied the details of a programme which she learnt about whilst on her Nuffield travels https://ontariosoil.net/

As always, thanks to our sponsors - Manitoba Forage and Grassland association https://mfga.net/

This March episode is a mid month release and a very special feature episode!

In early February, Think Outside the Fence podcast was invited to join the Holistic Management Canada annual conference as MCs and presenters. Amy made the trip from the UK to join Arron in Valleyview, Alberta for the weekend conference on Feb 10-11. The theme for the conference was “Discover, Adapt, Connect”.

In episode 3 we speak to Heather Wildman of Saviour Associates in Scotland. Heather is a firecracker of a woman with a no-nonsense attitude towards change. If you want something, make it happen. We chat about her work with farming families across the UK and the mindset that has helped her overcome difficult times during her life, enabling her to come back stronger and build a life and career that she loves.

Heather's website http://www.saviourassociates.co.uk/

The link to Heather's video on Twitter that's mentioned in the episode 

https://x.com/wildmanheather/status/1684820818507780096?s=46&t=CJ69nxntdPBSqejw4QP6SA

A big thank you, once again, to the first sponsors of Think Outside The Fence - Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association. Check out their website and, if you're in Canada, make sure you book on to their Regenerative Ag Conference in November. https://mfga.net/

A little 'bonus' episode for you all - Amy's "Embracing Change" talk from the Holistic Management Canada conference in Valleyview, Alberta earlier this year. 

We put this talk on our YouTube channel with the slides, but we've had reports of YouTube not playing nice with some of our listeners and have been asked to release it as a podcast episode. So...here you go!

Amy spoke about her own experience of embracing change, both in her personal life and in her work with farmers in the UK. 

Trigger warning - this talk contains experiences of mental ill health and post natal depression.

To watch the talk with the slides, visit our YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/@TOTFpodcast

Here it is! The pilot episode of Think Outside The Fence podcast. Arron and Amy give you a little insight into themselves, where it all started, what they hope to achieve and a glimpse at the kinds of topics they'll be covering and the guests they’ll be chatting to.

Huge shout out to Emerson Nerbas who created the podcast logo, thank you so much, it's awesome. To take a look at more of Emerson’s work, visit her Instagram page @itsgingerjam

Don't forget to follow and share the podcast on Twitter @TOTFpodcast

And on Instagram @thinkoutsidethefence

We made it! Think Outside The Fence is 1 year old! 

In this episode, Arron and Amy take a look back at their guests over the last year and put their own spin on things. Giving their thoughts on the conversations and ideas for the future. 

Thanks as always to our sponsors, Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association https://mfga.net/

Wow, it’s already episode 4! Joining us from Eastern Canada is Brian Maloney of Ferme Brylee. Brian operates a beef and sheep farm with a direct to consumer shop in Quebec, along side his wife Lise and his daughter Kim. Brian is a self admitted “Free Thinker”, and regularly puts out his own musings in the form of his “Saturday Ruminations” (which you can check out on his Facebook page).

 

Join us for some interesting conversation whilst we discuss grazing, value chains, knowledge transfer, creative thinking and lots of other tid bits!

 

Brians Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.maloney.142?mibextid=LQQJ4d

 

Ferme Brylee Instagram: https://instagram.com/bryleefarms?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

 

Thanks, as always, to our sponsors.

https://mfga.net/

 

 

 

Happy New Year everyone!

Here's our coverage of the MFGA 2024 Regen Ag conference in Brandon, Manitoba. 

We both attended the conference and thought it was great - all of the speakers were engageing, interesting and relevant. 

Thanks to our sponsors, MFGA, for having us and for organising and hosting such a great conference.

These highlight clips really don't do the speakers justice, so keep and eye out on social media as MFGA will be putting the full recordings on their YouTube channel. 

Thanks, as always, to both our sponsors.

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association www.mfga.net

Covers & Co. www.coversandco.ca

This month we chat to Rhys Williams. A farmer, consultant and founder and organiser of Da Byw, the sustainable livestock farming conference.

We cover the dos and don'ts of a joint venture, regenerative sheep businesses (yes, sheep!), and the lineup for this year's Da Byw conference in North Wales. 

It's set to be a great conference, so take a look at the programme on the website and get your ticket booked! https://www.dabywlivestock.com/

Thanks, as always, to our sponsors.

Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association www.mfga.net

Covers & Co. https://www.coversandco.ca/