Best Sustainablefood Podcasts (2025)

1
SFT Podcast: Supporting small abattoirs, the demise of small dairy farms and developments in agri-tech 1:05:08

3d ago1:05:08

1:05:08

What's really going on in food and farming? Two farmers – Patrick Holden, founder of the Sustainable Food Trust, and Stuart Oates, founder of the Fossil Free Farm project – get behind the headlines to unpack the biggest stories shaping what we eat, how we farm and the future of the planet. Expect lively debate, real-world experience, and unique ins…

1
SFT Podcast: Live from COP30 and Agritechnica 25:42

20d ago25:42

25:42

What's really going on in food and farming? Two farmers – Patrick Holden, founder of the Sustainable Food Trust, and Stuart Oates, founder of the Fossil Free Farm project – get behind the headlines to unpack the biggest stories shaping what we eat, how we farm and the future of the planet. Expect lively debate, real-world experience, and unique ins…

1
SFT Podcast: Patrick Holden & Stuart Oates 48:47

29d ago48:47

48:47

What's really going on in food and farming? Two farmers – Patrick Holden, founder of the Sustainable Food Trust, and Stuart Oates, founder of the Fossil Free Farm project – get behind the headlines to unpack the biggest stories shaping what we eat, how we farm and the future of the planet. Expect lively debate, real-world experience, and unique ins…

1
India Hamilton on Jersey's food and farming culture and the impact of events like the Regen Gathering 39:57

2M ago39:57

39:57

At this year's Regen Gathering on the island of Jersey, our CEO, Patrick Holden, had the chance to meet with the event's co-founder, India Hamilton, for the latest episode of the SFT Podcast. Alongside founding Jersey's Regen Gathering – an annual event which brings together a diverse range of people and ideas to discuss the innovative food, farmin…

1
Molly Biddell on rewilding at Knepp estate and measuring social impacts 38:47

3M ago38:47

38:47

After both appearing on the Grazing for Good: Livestock and Biodiversity in the UK panel at ORFC earlier this year, SFT CEO, Patrick Holden, sat down once again with Molly Biddell, Head of Natural Capital at Knepp Estate – a 3,500-acre rewilding project in West Sussex – for an episode of the SFT Podcast. Her work involves leveraging nature markets …

1
Rupert Sheldrake on bridging science and spirituality 54:40

4M ago54:40

54:40

Following their session together at this year's Oxford Real Farming Conference – Land, Food and Spirit – SFT CEO, Patrick Holden, and renowned biologist and author, Rupert Sheldrake, reconnected to record an episode of the SFT Podcast. Rupert's impressive career started at Cambridge University where he studied Natural Sciences, before receiving a s…

1
Dr Federica on the link between environmental health and nutrition and the importance of improved public food education 1:22:28

5M ago1:22:28

1:22:28

This month we bring you a special edition of the podcast, recorded at London Climate Action Week as part of Extreme Hangout's live podcast series. Our CEO Patrick Holden is joined by Dr Federica Amati, Head Nutritionist at ZOE, with a special guest appearance from Professor Tim Spector, Founder of ZOE, for the first half of the episode. Dr. Federic…

1
Max Jones on the importance of preserving traditional food practices and knowing the story behind our food 42:46

6M ago42:46

42:46

For this episode of the SFT podcast, Max Jones – transhumance guide and traditional foods archivist – visits our CEO, Patrick Holden, on Patrick's farm in Wales. Alongside his work as a transhumance guide – the practice of moving livestock from one grazing ground to another in accordance with the seasons – Max Jones is also a writer, photographer, …

1
Nic Renison on her approach to regenerative grazing 38:40

7M ago38:40

38:40

To coincide with the release of our new report, Grazing Livestock: It's not the cow but the how, the latest guest on the SFT Podcast this month is Nic Renison. Nic is a regenerative farmer based in Cumbria where she farms alongside her husband, Paul (Reno), at Cannerheugh Farm. The daughter of dairy farmers, Nic grew up within the conventional, hig…

1
Richard Higgins on the influence of Sir Albert Howard and why we should be using human manure as fertiliser 33:46

8M ago33:46

33:46

Richard Higgins, chairman and CEO of Good Gardeners International, is our guest on the latest episode of the SFT Podcast. Alongside being CEO of Good Gardeners International (GGI), Richard is also a philosopher, fungi specialist, holistic scientist, and Director of Sustainable Agriculture London. He grew up on a mixed farm in Somerset and studied h…

1
Jamie Feilden on the transformational power of farm visits for young people and the value of an educated public 29:33

9M ago29:33

29:33

Joining our CEO, Patrick Holden, for this episode of the podcast is Jamie Feilden, founder of Jamie's Farm. Jamie Feilden founded Jamie's Farm in 2009, a charity which seeks to transform the lives of vulnerable children through farming, food and therapy. 15 years later, Jamie's Farm works with over 2,300 children a year across seven farms, and aims…

1
Dani Nierenberg on US agricultural policy shifts and the future of sustainable farming 42:39

10M ago42:39

42:39

Kicking off series five of the Sustainable Food Trust podcast, Patrick Holden, SFT CEO and organic dairy farmer, catches up with Dani Nierenberg, President of Food Tank. Dani Nierenberg is a world-renowned researcher, speaker, and advocate, on all issues relating to our food system and agriculture. In 2013, Dani co-founded Food Tank with Bernard Po…

1
Iain Tolhurst on 40 years of organic horticulture: Lessons, trials and triumphs (part two) 20:16

1+ y ago20:16

20:16

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…

1
Iain Tolhurst on 40 years of organic horticulture: Lessons, trials and triumphs (part one) 55:49

1+ y ago55:49

55:49

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…

1
Julius Roberts on re-connecting people with the story behind their food 46:37

1+ y ago46:37

46:37

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…

1
John and Alice Pawsey on their journey from conventional to organic agriculture 51:37

2y ago51:37

51:37

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…

1
Prue Leith on her passion for cooking and the importance of food provenance 42:56

2y ago42:56

42:56

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 …

1
Dave Chapman on the history and evolution of the organic movement 1:05:11

2y ago1:05:11

1:05:11

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…

1
Ian Wilkinson on organic seeds and the importance of knowledge sharing 49:04

2y ago49:04

49:04

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…

1
Sarah Langford on getting back to the land through regenerative farming 46:41

2y ago46:41

46:41

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…

1
Helmy Abouleish on greening the desert and COP28 49:08

2y ago49:08

49:08

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…

1
Sophie Gregory on the future of organic farming and food education 41:58

2y ago41:58

41:58

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…

1
Sebastian Pole on healing herbs and better business 36:26

3+ y ago36:26

36:26

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…

1
Dr Claire Whittle on dung beetles and preventative medicine 39:08

3+ y ago39:08

39:08

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…

1
Tim Spector on microbiomes, human and soil health 37:25

3+ y ago37:25

37:25

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…

1
Sustainable Food Trust's Fir Farm Conference Special 30:49

3+ y ago30:49

30:49

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

1
Arizona Muse on sustainable fashion and biodynamic farming 44:41

3+ y ago44:41

44:41

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…

1
Doug Gurr on natural history and our broken planet 37:17

3+ y ago37:17

37:17

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…

1
Dan Saladino on saving foods from extinction 40:20

3+ y ago40:20

40:20

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…

1
Dr Michael Antoniou on gene editing and pesticide use 39:15

3+ y ago39:15

39:15

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.…

1
Anya Hindmarch on compostable leather and non-toxic fashion 32:52

3+ y ago32:52

32:52

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 …

1
Simon Fairlie on getting started in farming 21:48

3+ y ago21:48

21:48

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…

1
Satish Kumar on planetary peace and regeneration 35:14

4y ago35:14

35:14

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,…

1
Sustainable Food Stories featuring Andy Cato 30:54

4y ago30:54

30:54

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.By Patrick Holden and Andy Cato

1
Thomasina Miers on responsible restauranting and food waste 30:37

4y ago30:37

30:37

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…

1
Josiah Meldrum on self-sufficiency and food resilience 28:43

4y ago28:43

28:43

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.By Patrick Holden and Josiah Meldrum

1
Gunhild Stordalen on sustainable food system success 29:36

4y ago29:36

29:36

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…

1
Sustainable Food Stories featuring Sue Pritchard 33:06

4y ago33:06

33:06

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,…

1
Sustainable Food Stories featuring Lord Benyon 33:33

4y ago33:33

33:33

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 …

1
Sustainable Food Stories featuring Nicolette Hahn Niman 30:57

4+ y ago30:57

30:57

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.…

1
Sustainable Food Stories featuring Tom Watson 36:10

4+ y ago36:10

36:10

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…

1
Sustainable Food Stories featuring Anna Jones 27:04

4+ y ago27:04

27:04

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…

1
WARD THOMAS & BUSKING FOR THE PLANET 57:53

4+ y ago57:53

57:53

My sisters, Catherine & Lizzy form the popular country duo, Ward Thomas and they are about to busk in a different city each week in the run up to Cop 26, raising money for environmental charities and awareness for the climate crisis. I decided to get them onPlanet & The Peopleto find out more and to enjoy a meandering conversation where we discusse…

1
FASHION FOR THE PLANET 1:01:52

4+ y ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Fashion is something we all enjoy, whether purely as a function or as a passion, but it's impacts on the environment have only relatively recently started to be talked about. I wanted to dive deep into this topic to find out why and in what ways the fashion industry is bad for the planet, and also how we can turn things around, and to help me with …

1
RIDDING THE OCEANS OF PLASTIC 32:33

4+ y ago32:33

32:33

Plastics are swamping our oceans. This is one of the most talked about issues but what are we doing about it? The Ocean Cleanup, led by inventor and entrepreneur Boyan Slat are pioneers in technology that is clearing our oceans of plastic and also stopping plastics entering our oceans through river interceptors. I spoke to Rachel Richardson from Th…

1
THE FUTURE OF AIR TRAVEL 28:08

4+ y ago28:08

28:08

Some time ago I was speaking to a friend of mine Chip Yardly all about the impacts of air travel on the planet. Chip is a pilot who flies for Tui, and had quite a lot to say about the topic, having had to swat up on it for his job interviews. So I decided to have him on Planet & The People for a bite sized chat where he gave me the low down on how …

1
CAN BIOCHAR PROTECT THE PLANET 38:33

4+ y ago38:33

38:33

I spoke to Henrietta Moon, co-founder of Carbo Culture all about Biochar. Biochar is one of the lesser known climate solutions. It's not as talked about as renewable energy or trees or direct air capture technology, which was why I was so pleased that Carbo Culture contacted me and asked me to come on the podcast. For more information about carbo c…

1
THE THEATRE OF CLIMATE CHANGE 49:15

4+ y ago49:15

49:15

Having made a career in theatre and film as a writer and actor, I like to think the arts can be pretty powerful in lots of ways, but how can it be used to inspire us about climate change? I spoke to playwright April De Angelis whose 20 year career has seen her plays produced at the National Theatre, The Royal Court and the RSC among many others. In…

1
LETS REALLY TALK ABOUT CARBON OFFSETTING? 48:22

4+ y ago48:22

48:22

The concept of Carbon Offsetting, or carbon credits is often met with mixed views. Is it simply an excuse to carry on as normal but look like you're doing good? Or is it maybe a valuable tool? In fact, what is it? Where does the money go? What does it actually do? And what else are the big businesses doing to save the planet? Tom explores all and m…

1
THE ORIGINS OF PANDEMICS 44:52

4+ y ago44:52

44:52

The emergence of a new pandemic is something that has impacted us all in varying degrees of hell. But where do pandemics come from? Where do they start and how are we responsible? Can we call this year an ecological event? From Measles, to Ebola to Sars to covid 19, Tom talks to Zoonotic disease specialist Dr David Redding, and Reader in Environmen…

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