EcoFarm Aotearoa – Détails, épisodes et analyse

An EcoFarmers Discovery Chapter 10: ScienceWelcome to An EcoFarmer's Discovery: The Companion Podcast, where every Friday we dive deep into one chapter of Ewan Campbell's journey.You're invited to read along – get the audiobook via Spotify (search An EcoFarmer's Discovery) or grab it on Kindle – and explore each chapter with us as we unpack the stories, ideas, and principles of regenerative farming. A new episode drops each Friday, covering 26 chapters across 26 weeks.

In This Episode:

Chapter 10 dives into the “simple” observations that led Ewan to uncover one of the biggest missing pieces in modern farming: soil is electrically driven. By revisiting school science, comparing reactivity charts, and talking with engineers, Ewan realised why minerals move the way they do, why plants absorb nutrients in different ratios than the soil holds, and why water-soluble fertilisers often create more problems than they solve.

From potassium corrosion to aluminium toxicity, cation exchange capacity, humus, and seasonal electrical switches inside trees, this chapter exposes the hidden electrical currents that shape soil health, plant growth, animal performance, and even the weeds that appear on your farm. Once you understand the electrical language of nature, the whole system starts making sense.

We explore:
• Why nutrients flow through plants electrically, not by solubility
• How water-soluble fertilisers trigger animal health issues
• The real meaning of CEC and why humus transforms soil capacity
• How electricity reveals toxicity, mineral imbalance & soil weakness
• What poplar trees, Redwood giants & solar-charged greenhouses teach us about natural electrical flow

Packed with humour, clarity, and practical insights, this episode shows why understanding electricity in the soil changes everything about how we farm.

Follow along: Watch full episodes on YouTube and Spotify Video.
Useful links:
• Learn more at EcoFarm Aotearoa (efa.nz)

• Our FREE E-Book! HERE• Listen To An EcoFarmers Discovery:

Cyanobacteria: The Hidden Engine Driving Your Soil The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (Ep. 10)

Most farmers know about clover, fungi, and fertiliser… but very few understand the microscopic lifeform that actually built the planet and is still driving soil fertility today. In this episode, Stephen and Ewan uncover the extraordinary role of cyanobacteria, the organisms that oxygenated Earth, created the first soils, and remain the biggest untapped force in New Zealand farming.

Building on last week’s conversation, we explore why farmers who understand cyanobacteria gain deeper topsoil, stronger nutrient cycling, explosive winter growth, and long-term fertility without expensive inputs. From tissue salts to nitrogen fixation, worm castings to carbon gains, this episode connects the smallest biology to the biggest on-farm results.

We discuss:
• Why cyanobacteria are the true “regenerating motor” of the soil
• How they build carbon, release nitrogen, phosphorus & sulphur, and deepen topsoil
• The mineral imbalance (silicon vs aluminium) that determines pasture vs weeds
• Why chemical sprays collapse soil biology and stop carbon from recovering
• How worms, tardigrades & microbes digest cyanobacteria into long-lasting humus

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell
Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – www.efa.nz

Our FREE E-Book!

https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen To An EcoFarmers Discovery:

https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=4caf7169d6eb4d97

Subscribe for weekly episodes exploring soil biology and regenerative farming solutions transforming the way we farm in New Zealand.

An EcoFarmer’s Discovery Chapter 5: Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire

Welcome to An EcoFarmer's Discovery: The Companion Podcast, where every Friday we dive deep into one chapter of Ewan Campbell's journey.

You're invited to read along – get the audiobook via Spotify (search An EcoFarmer's Discovery) or grab it on Kindle – and explore each chapter with us as we unpack the stories, ideas, and principles of regenerative farming. A new episode drops each Friday, covering 26 chapters across 26 weeks.

In This Episode:

In this episode of “An Eco Farmer’s Discovery,” Ewan and Stephen discuss the next big leap in Ewan’s farming story, leaving the flat peatlands behind and starting over on a rugged 200-hectare hill-country block in Waihi.

Trading the dairy shed for open pastures, Ewan discovers that the challenges of new land bring valuable lessons in observation, adaptability, and soil understanding. Between runaway tractors, waterlogged paddocks, and hard-earned experiments, this chapter is about learning by doing and letting nature become the teacher.

We explore:

• The move from dairy farming to beef and the freedom it brought

• Early lessons from farming on hill country and managing rainfall

• Using livestock to control weeds and improve pasture health

• The first on-farm fertilizer trials that sparked a lifelong curiosity

• Why soil biology, not chemicals, is the key to fertility

• Understanding that profit comes from balance, not production

• How turning mistakes into experiments shaped the EcoFarm philosophy

  
  

Full of humour, humility, and hands-on wisdom, this episode marks a turning point in Ewan’s journey, where his farm became his classroom, and his curiosity became his greatest tool.

Subscribe or follow to hear more from Ewan’s 26-chapter journey into natural farming wisdom from his book An EcoFarmer’s Discovery.

Watch us on video: Episodes are also published in full on YouTube and Spotify Video.

So, grab the audiobook on Spotify or Kindle and read along with each chapter as we expand, reflect, and add context.

Useful Links & Info
• Listen / read along on Spotify (Audiobook): An EcoFarmer's Discovery: How the Soil Really Works — available here: On Spotify

• Book / Audiobook details: check out the official page at EcoFarm Aotearoa (www.efa.nz)

What Really Saved My Cows

The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (Ep. 5)

When 25-year-old Ewan Campbell faced a devastating facial eczema outbreak on his dairy farm, it nearly cost him everything. Cows were dying, money was vanishing, and the standard advice wasn’t working, until one old farmer’s suggestion changed everything: “Just put some lime on.”

In this episode, Ewan and Stephen revisit the story that shaped a lifetime of discovery. What began as a crisis became a turning point, revealing how soil health, not quick fixes, holds the true key to animal wellbeing and farm success.

We discuss:
• The shocking impact of facial eczema and how it nearly broke the farm
• The moment lime proved to be the unexpected cure
• Why soil balance and complete proteins matter more than chemicals
• How high nitrates and poor soil structure fuel disease
• Why prevention, not reaction, is the real solution

With honesty, humour, and hard-earned lessons, this episode unpacks how one farmer’s challenge became a breakthrough in understanding the deep connection between soil health, livestock vitality, and farming resilience.

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan Campbell
Powered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – www.efa.nz

Subscribe for weekly conversations exploring soil health, biology, and regenerative farming solutions.

An EcoFarmers Discovery Chapter 4: The Land Of Milk And Honey

Welcome to An EcoFarmer's Discovery: The Companion Podcast, where every Friday we dive deep into one chapter of Ewan Campbell's journey.

You're invited to read along - get the audiobook via Spotify (search An EcoFarmer's Discovery) or grab it on Kindle - and explore each chapter with us as we unpack the stories, ideas, and principles of regenerative farming. A new episode drops each Friday, covering 26 chapters across 26 weeks.

In This Episode:

In this episode of “An Eco Farmer’s Discovery,” Ewan and Stephen revisit the turning point where Ewan’s independence and his philosophy on farming truly began.

With his brother gone south, Ewan takes full ownership of the herd and begins questioning the endless grind of conventional dairying. Through long days, hot summers, and hard lessons, he discovers that more work doesn’t always mean more success.

We explore:

• The simplicity and success of a neighbouring “model farm”

• How overwork and high inputs trap modern farmers in debt and stress

• The shocking revelations from a maize seminar that changed Ewan’s thinking

• Why healthy soil and earthworm life are worth more than any chemical input

• How questioning authority (and asking the right questions) leads to real progress

• The moment Ewan decided to break free, sell up, and start again on new ground

Full of honesty, humour, and practical insight, this episode marks the moment Ewan stopped farming by convention and started farming by observation.

Subscribe or follow to hear more from Ewan’s 26-chapter journey into natural farming wisdom from his book An EcoFarmers Discovery.

Watch us on video: episodes are also published in full on YouTube and Spotify video.

So, grab the audiobook on Spotify or Kindle and read along with each chapter and listen or watch the episode after reading the chapter as we expand, reflect, and add context.

Useful Links & Info
• Listen / read along on Spotify (Audiobook): An EcoFarmer's Discovery: How the Soil Really Works — available here: on Spotify

Book / Audiobook purchase & details: check out the official page at EcoFarm Aotearoa www.efa.nz

Minerals For The Genetic Code

The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast (Ep. 4)

Minerals don’t just build soil, they build life.

In this episode, we explore how the arrangement of minerals forms the foundation of DNA, shaping the health of our soil, animals, and ourselves. From Walter Russell’s revolutionary “10 Octaves” concept to the surprising harmony between elements and biology, this conversation reveals the deep connection between soil chemistry, energy, and life itself.

We discuss:

• How minerals create the structure and rhythm of DNA

• Why too much of a “good thing” can throw everything off balance

• The real link between soil minerals and human or animal health

• How understanding harmony in nature outperforms chemical “sledgehammer” fixes

• Why a healthy environment is the key to genetic strength and farm resilience

  
  

With science, storytelling, and a touch of humour, this episode uncovers the elegant design of nature’s mineral code and how farmers can work with it rather than against it.

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan CampbellPowered by:

EcoFarm Aotearoa - www.efa.nz

Subscribe for weekly conversations that explore soil health, biology, and regenerative farming solutions.

An EcoFarmers Discovery Chapter 3: Trying Times

Welcome to An EcoFarmer's Discovery: The Companion Podcast, where every Friday we dive deep into one chapter of Ewan Campbell's journey.

You're invited to read along - get the audiobook via Spotify (search An EcoFarmer's Discovery) or grab it on Kindle - and explore each chapter with us as we unpack the stories, ideas, and principles of regenerative farming. A new episode drops each Friday, covering 26 chapters across 26 weeks.

In This Episode:

In this episode of “An Eco Farmer’s Discovery,” Ewan and Stephen unpack a turbulent chapter in Ewan’s farming journey — one marked by hard lessons, brotherly banter, and a devastating outbreak of facial eczema.

We explore:

• The two-herd solution that kept family harmony (and sanity!) intact

• How facial eczema exposed deep issues in soil management

• Why short-term “Band-Aid fixes” like fungicides fail long-term

• The crucial role of lime in healing both soil and livestock

• How one student’s science project proved what the system ignored

• Real-world proof that regenerative methods dramatically reduce nitrate runoff

  
  

Through crisis, experimentation, and classic Kiwi humour, this chapter reveals how Ewan turned frustration into innovation — showing that nature’s solutions are often simpler, cheaper, and far more effective than we’ve been told.

Subscribe or follow to hear more from Ewan’s 26-chapter journey into natural farming wisdom from his book An EcoFarmers Discovery.

Watch us on video: episodes are also published in full on YouTube and Spotify video.

So, grab the audiobook on Spotify or Kindle and read along with each chapter and listen or watch the episode after reading the chapter as we expand, reflect, and add context.

Useful Links & Info
• Listen / read along on Spotify (Audiobook): An EcoFarmer's Discovery: How the Soil Really Works — available here: on Spotify

Book / Audiobook purchase & details: check out the official page at EcoFarm Aotearoa www.efa.nz

What Is An Atom, And Why Does It Matter: The Science Beneath It All (Ep. 3)

Episode 3:

Everything from the soil underfoot to the food on your plate starts with atoms. But how do these invisible building blocks actually shape the health of our land, animals, and ourselves?

In this episode, we explore how the tiniest particles in the universe form the foundation of farming, life, and balance. From the role of subatomic energy and magnetism to the biology of soil microbes and cyanobacteria, this conversation connects the dots between physics, nature, and everyday food production.

We unpack:

• What atoms and subatomic particles really are

• How minerals in the soil create harmony or chaos in plants and animals

• Why “more” isn’t always better when it comes to fertiliser

• The surprising connection between soil biology, DNA, and farm health

• How understanding atoms can make farming simpler, more natural, and more profitable

  
  

It’s part science, part philosophy, and a reminder that every great farm and every healthy ecosystem begins with the smallest things done right.

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan CampbellPowered by:

EcoFarm Aotearoa - www.efa.nz 

Subscribe for weekly conversations that explore soil health, biology, and regenerative farming solutions.

An EcoFarmers Discovery Chapter 2: Time To fly

Welcome to An EcoFarmer's Discovery: The Companion Podcast, where every Friday we dive deep into one chapter of Ewan Campbell's journey.

You're invited to read along - get the audiobook via Spotify (search An EcoFarmer's Discovery) or grab it on Kindle - and explore each chapter with us as we unpack the stories, ideas, and principles of regenerative farming. A new episode drops each Friday, covering 26 chapters across 26 weeks.

Episode - Chapter 2:

In this episode of "An Eco Farmer’s Discovery," Ewan shares his eye-opening experiences as a young farmer spreading his wings — both figuratively and literally. 

From flying the family plane across the North Island to working the land in rural Britain, Ewan reflects on the lessons, observations, and cultural contrasts that shaped his unconventional approach to farming.

We follow his journey through:

• The early days of dairy farming in New Zealand

• Learning to fly and running the farm solo

• Working on English and Welsh farms and seeing striking differences in soil, grass growth, and farm culture

• Discovering the power of observation, timing, and community collaboration in agriculture

• First signs of deeper ecological patterns that would later guide his regenerative journey

  
  

Packed with humour, insights, and surprising anecdotes, this episode reveals how a curious young Kiwi began connecting the dots between soil health, farm systems, and what nature was quietly trying to show him all along.

Subscribe or follow to hear more from Ewan’s 26-chapter journey into natural farming wisdom from his book An EcoFarmers Discovery.

Watch us on video: episodes are also published in full on YouTube and Spotify video. 

So, grab the audiobook on Spotify or Kindle and read along with each chapter and listen or watch the episode after reading the chapter as we expand, reflect, and add context.

Useful Links & Info • Listen / read along on Spotify (Audiobook): An EcoFarmer's Discovery: How the Soil Really Works - available here: on Spotify

Book / Audiobook purchase & details: check out the official page at EcoFarm Aotearoa www.efa.nz

Nitrate Poisoning: Farmers Blamed, but What’s the REAL Cause?

The EcoFarm Podcast (Ep. 2)

Is nitrate really the villain behind blue baby syndrome, sick livestock, and rising cancer rates, or have we been pointing fingers in the wrong direction? In this episode, Ewan Campbell and Stephen Brunton dive into New Zealand’s nitrate crisis and ask the hard questions no one else will.

From Environment Canterbury’s recent “nitrate emergency” to the ongoing debate between professors and farmers, we unpack the real science behind nitrate poisoning, synthetic nitrogen use, and how it is impacting our water, soil, animals, and human health.You’ll discover: - The difference between nitrate and ammonia in healthy soil systems.

- Why livestock suffer from oxygen deprivation and what that means for methane production.

- How synthetic nitrogen and irrigation create toxic imbalances in our food chain.

- What “blue baby syndrome” reveals about our water quality

- Real on-farm results showing how regenerative practices can fix the nitrate problem quickly.

- This episode isn’t about blame. It’s about truth, responsibility, and practical solutions that start in the soil. If you care about clean water, healthy animals, and food you can trust, this conversation will change the way you see farming.

Hosted by: Stephen Brunton & Ewan CampbellPowered by: EcoFarm Aotearoa – www.efa.nz

Subscribe for weekly conversations that explore soil health, biology, and regenerative farming solutions.

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