The naturethrive podcast
The naturethrive podcast is here to inspire and connect you with nature, while exploring practical solutions to the environmental and planetary challenges we face.
Through engaging conversations with expert guests, we’ll delve into the issues affecting our world in a way that’s accessible and uplifting, not overwhelming. We’ll highlight real stories and experiences that bring hope and optimism, showcasing a wide range of current and future solutions—from large-scale initiatives to everyday actions—that can help ease eco-anxiety and drive positive change.
Our guests include farmers, organisations, and solution providers who are making a difference in nature restoration, sharing their journeys and the impactful work they’re doing.
Each episode will also feature three recurring questions that explore the first, best, worst, and weirdest moments in nature, giving you an authentic and personal glimpse into the experiences that shape our connection with the natural world.
The naturethrive podcast
naturethrive podcast episode 5 - Farmers Tom Church & Hazel Towler
In this episode we speak to Tom Church and Hazel Towler of Scald End Farm in Bedfordshire.
They discuss the challenges and opportunities facing farmers today, particularly regarding nature restoration and diversification.
Tom and Hazel share their personal stories of getting into farming and the farm's transition from arable to organic livestock farming. They explain the process and benefits of converting to pasture, including increased biodiversity and the return of farmland birds. They also delve into the complexities of environmental subsidy schemes, highlighting their importance for farm resilience while also expressing concerns about their long-term security.
The conversation explores the couple's entrepreneurial approach to diversifying income streams, including rental cottages and a farm shop (now transitioning to commercial let), emphasizing the need for financial stability in the face of fluctuating market prices and disease outbreaks. They discuss the farming community's varying attitudes towards diversification and environmental schemes, acknowledging the skepticism of some while recognizing the growing openness of younger generations. The challenges of navigating land options and the impact of national infrastructure projects on farmland are also addressed.
The episode touches on the controversial topic of reintroducing apex predators like lynx and wolves, with Tom expressing a nuanced view, acknowledging potential benefits while also considering the risks to livestock and other wildlife. The discussion also covers the reintroduction of beavers and the potential ecological and societal impacts.
Finally, Tom and Hazel share their "first, best, worst" nature experiences. Hazel recounts childhood memories of playing in a bluebell wood, while Tom describes a cherished recent memory of a campfire gathering with his son and other children in a small woodland (a "spinny"). Hazel's "worst" experience highlights the challenges of managing wet fields, particularly their impact on ground-nesting birds, and the delicate balance of nature. The podcast concludes with a reflection on the importance of farmers as key stakeholders in nature restoration and the mission to make such efforts profitable for all.