From The Soil Up Podcast

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Conan interviews Louise Gibson, managing director of The Sharefarming Consultants. They discuss the unique challenges and opportunities in share milking and contract milking, the need for specialized consulting in this area, and the current state of legislation affecting these practices. Louise shares insights from a recent survey on the experiences of contract milkers, highlighting issues of abuse and mental health in the industry. The conversation emphasizes the importance of communication, understanding contracts, and the pathways to farm ownership, while also exploring future opportunities in agriculture.
 
https://www.thesharefarmingconsultants.com/

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Conan Moynihan interviews Olivier de Schaetzen, a coach focused on regenerative agriculture in Estonia and Finland. Olivier shares his journey from architecture to agriculture, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and nutrient cycling. He discusses the challenges farmers face, the regulatory pressures from the industry, and innovative project aimed at creating a local food system. The conversation also touches on the significance of coaching and personal development in fostering systemic change within agriculture.
www.gens.eu ⁠

In this episode of The Force of Nature Podcast, Conan sits down with Daniel Eb, the founder of Dirt Road Comms, Nuffield New Zealand Scholar, writer for Farmers Weekly, and a passionate advocate for reshaping the way we think about food and farming.
 
Daniel’s story blends urban and rural worlds, giving him a unique perspective on New Zealand’s agricultural future. From launching Dirt Road Comms to his Nuffield Scholarship journey, Daniel shares insights on how global events ripple through local agriculture, why food systems are inseparable from public health, and how localised, resilient food networks could transform communities.
 
We explore why New Zealand is uniquely positioned to lead the agricultural transition, the role of Millennials in driving change, and why food should be treated as a public good just like healthcare. Daniel also makes a powerful case for a national food strategy, local procurement programs, and the moral imperative to address food insecurity in a resource rich nation.
 
This conversation is packed with stories, strategies, and bold ideas for building thriving rural communities, reimagining the future of food, and harnessing people as a powerful force of nature for systemic change.
 
https://www.dirtroadcomms.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-eb/?originalSubdomain=nz

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Conan speaks with Dom Walker, a coach with Resource Consulting Services (RCS) in Australia. They explore Dom's journey from a city kid to an agricultural coach, discussing his experiences in Guatemala, the importance of connecting farmers to consumers, and the role of resilience in agriculture. The conversation delves into the significance of coaching versus consulting, the challenges of succession in family farms, and the need for effective communication and trust within agricultural businesses. Dom shares insights on holistic approaches to farm management, systems thinking, and the importance of mentorship and personal growth. They also discuss innovative financing solutions in agriculture and the future trends shaping the industry, emphasizing the role of youth and the need for a cultural shift in agriculture towards curiosity and connection with nature.
 
https://www.rcsaustralia.com.au/

In this episode of the Force of Nature Podcast, Conan sits down with Helen Beattie, veterinarian, advocate and founder of Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa (VAWA).
With a rich background spanning mixed animal practice, animal welfare inspection, and national-level policy work, Helen brings a bold and compassionate lens to one of agriculture’s most complex topics: animal welfare. 
Helen doesn’t hold back as she unpacks the reality behind farming systems, the importance of systems thinking, and why "a good life for all" means animals, people, and the environment must thrive together.
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-beattie-vawa/?originalSubdomain=nz

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, Dan Smith shares his journey from conventional farming to establishing a consultancy and charity farm in the UK. He discusses the importance of mentorship, the impact of the Nuffield Scholarship, and the need for diversity and inclusion in agriculture. We also cover  the significance of purpose in farming, the challenges faced in New Zealand agriculture, and the role of technology in enhancing farming practices while maintaining  for integrity and sustainability in farming practices in NZ.
 
Dan's Linkedin
https://www.instagram.com/roots_in_/

In this episode of the Force the Nation podcast, host Conan Moynihan speaks with Matt Haggerty, a young farmer from Western Australia, about his experiences in agriculture, particularly focusing on regenerative practices and natural intelligence farming. Matt shares insights from his upbringing under his parents Di and Ian Haggerty on a mixed arable farm, what Natural Intelligence Farming is, and the challenges faced in Australian farming, including rainfall and land management. Matt emphasizes the importance of education, advocacy, and building a personal brand in agriculture to connect with consumers and the significance of health and nutrition in relation to farming practices. 
 
⁠https://naturalintelligencefarming.com/
⁠https://www.instagram.com/matthaggerz/?hl=en

In this episode of the Force of Nature podcast, host Conan Moynihan speaks with Nicole Masters, an agroecologist and founder of Integrity Soils. They discuss the importance of human dynamics in agriculture, the global trends in agricultural transformation, and the catalysts for change in farming practices. Nicole shares insights from her experiences in Montana, highlighting community innovation and the CREATE program, which focuses on experiential learning and personal development in agriculture.We also explore the themes of uniqueness, coaching, curiosity, community, and the future of agriculture in New Zealand. They discuss the importance of embracing one's individuality, the transformative power of coaching over traditional consulting, and the role of curiosity in driving change.
Links to Integrity Soils events and Create below
CREATE Australia
3 day workshops in NZ & Australia