Best The James Hutton Institute Podcasts (2024)

1
Scottish soft fruit health benefits - with SEFARI and the James Hutton and Rowett Institutes 40:15

7d ago40:15

40:15

We all know Scottish soft fruits are good for us - but in this OnFARM, experts explain exactly how and why Scottish berries have such brilliant health benefits - including some we are still learning about. From potential to combat diabetes and dementia, to helping with obesity, researchers from the Rowett and James Hutton Institutes share some very…

1
Barley: Scotland's most valuable crop - with SEFARI's Rowett and James Hutton Institutes 37:54

1h ago37:54

37:54

Barley is by far Scotland's most important crop, and the world's fourth most important cereal crop. Anna hears about Dundee's new International Barley Hub, a centre for research excellence within the James Hutton Institute. We also meet Alison Milne who grows and malts barley at Crafty Maltsters in Auchtermuchty, and Professor Wendy Russell at the …

1
Farming and AMR (anti-microbial resistance) - with SEFARI's Moredun and Rowett Institutes 36:42

7d ago36:42

36:42

AMR - anti-microbial resistance - is the name for the growing number of infections that are becoming difficult or impossible to treat with antibiotics. It affects livestock, wildlife, and humans alike. It's a global concern - considered by the World Health Organization and others to be among the world's top public health threats. In this episode, A…

1
Is Solar Energy a Commons Belonging to Everyone or Private Property only for the Well-off? with Professor Kathryn Milun of the Solar Commons Project 1:04:23

20h ago1:04:23

1:04:23

The light and energy from the sun falls on us all, humans, animals and plants. That light is what sustains life on Earth. But that light can also be transformed into electricity by solar photovoltaics that are not cheap. Is solar energy the common property of everyone on Earth or is it the exclusive property of those who can afford the technology t…

1
What do students eat? Salads! with staff and students from Esperanza Community Farms and Pajaro Valley High School 52:38

7d ago52:38

52:38

Students eat. But what do they eat? And where does that food come from? Both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture are trying to help small farms sell more of their organic produce to public schools, shortening the supply chain between farms and consumers and encouraging students to eat more salads…

1
Should you be farming hemp? - with SEFARI and the Rowett Institute 42:37

7d ago42:37

42:37

Barley, wheat, oilseed rape... Should hemp be considered alongside these as viable crops for Scottish growers? Researchers at the University of Aberdeen's Rowett Institute are championing hemp as a healthy and sustainable food crop. It's a rich source of protein, dietary fibre, and other healthy fats and minerals. So, should hemp be your next diver…

1
The alien truffle, the invasive tree and the Scottish rainforest restoration project 19:56

15d ago19:56

19:56

Today we’re talking truffles and a super rare truffle discovery that’s been made recently in Scotland by one of our scientists. It’s discovery in an ancient Scottish rainforest restoration site – where the spruce tree the truffle lives in symbiosis with is being removed – does raise some interesting conservation questions. Host: Elaine Maslin, Medi…

1
Willie Logan: OnRECORD and RHASS 240 years of stories 50:57

21d ago50:57

50:57

Since we first aired this wonderful interview with Willie Logan from East Lothian, the 91-year old East Lothian farmer has been adopted as a 'poster boy' for RHASS's new 240 Years of Stories campaign. 240 Years of Stories aims to highlight and explore people's tales from living and working in the agricultural community. We will be working with RHAS…

1
Being in the World with Bees (or, What is it to Be a Bee?) with Professor Eve Bratman 51:16

26d ago51:16

51:16

Bees are in danger; what can we do? Tune into a Sustainability Now! rebroadcast from 2021 to hear a conversation with Eve Bratman, an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Franklin & Marshall College, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Bratman is a political ecologist with interdisciplinary training utilizing social science to explore conservati…

1
The Green Energy Resource Rush and the American West with Professor Dustin Mulvaney 56:37

1M ago56:37

56:37

Solar electricity is the fuel of the future. But can we go solar without damaging the environment? Solar farms in distant places need transmission lines to get their product to the market. Storage batteries, and especially electric vehicles, require lithium and the stuff must be mined somewhere. And all the while, its seems that the solar enterpris…

1
Blueberries on steroids: Scotland’s new super fruit – the honeyberry 25:40

2M ago25:40

25:40

In our latest Hutton Highlights, we speak with experts and growers about what could be Scotland’s fifth soft fruit – the honeyberry. We hear how it’s not only a superfood, but one that’s also well suited to Scotland’s climate. It could help farms diversify as well as bring benefits to their land, from an environmental perspective. We found out how …

1
Monty's brain tumour: a health update 40:18

2M ago40:18

40:18

Seven months after suffering a seizure, and being diagnosed with brain cancer, Monty and his wife Moira chat with Anna and producer Dave about how things have been. This episode has heaps of gratitude for helpful and supportive people, from Monty's friends, family and neighbours, to the wonderful rural charity RSABI - and even OnFARM's sponsors Sco…

1
Lachlan Heysen at the the 2022 World Potato Congress Dublin Ep. 007 11:04

2M ago11:04

11:04

In 2022 PotatoLink hosted a grower tour to the 2022 World Potato Congress (WPC) in Dublin, Ireland. Lachlan Heysen, a grower from south east South Australia, attended. In this podcast he speaks with PotatoLink team member Ryan Hall about their experiences and learnings from the congress. They also discuss the upcoming congress in Adelaide. Read mor…

1
'The Black Farmer' Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE (thanks to FAS Agri Culture) 38:39

2M ago38:39

38:39

Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, aka The Black Farmer, describes his difficult start to life in the UK, before starting work for the BBC and discovering a passion for food. He left TV to start a food and drink marketing company, which gave him the opportunity to realise his dream of owning a farm. 'The Black Farmer' is now a successful brand selling sau…

1
The Climate Change Resilient Vegetable Garden With Kim Stoddart 55:26

2M ago55:26

55:26

All of us—well, many of us—are backyard gardeners. And it’s planting season. Backyard gardens are not immune from the impacts of violent and unpredictable weather or the longer-term effects of climate change. Join host Ronnie Lipschutz for a conversation with Kim Stoddart, editor of Amateur Gardening and author of The Climate Change Resilient Veget…

1
Jim Smith farm tour (2 of 2, repeat) 29:43

2M ago29:43

29:43

Farmer Jim, AKA Jim Smith the Stand-up Farmer, welcomes Anna back to his home in the Perthshire hills. In this second part of their chat, recorded back in 2020, there's talk of Jim's ambitions in both farming and comedy. (Hands up who wants to see Jim on 'Live At The Apollo'?!) There is decent footballing promise shown by Floss the dog, advice from…

1
Jim Smith farm tour (1 of 2, repeat) 30:38

3M ago30:38

30:38

Jim Smith's comedy career has come on in leaps and bounds since Anna first spoke to him in the springtime of 2020. He is also a staunch supporter of Scottish farming charities particularly the RSABI's #keeptalking campaign. He says farming will always be his number one passion. When Anna went to visit him at his Perthshire farm, they talked about h…

1
Can we square our need to consume with sustainability? with Dr. Jean Boucher, James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland 51:32

3M ago51:32

51:32

We live in a Consumer Society. Rising consumption is good, since it makes the economy grow. At the same time, we face a Climate Crisis. Rising consumption is bad, since it makes carbon emissions grow. People across the Global North believe we must reduce emissions but they are reluctant to reduce their consumption. What can we do? Some advocate eco…

1
"Extreme" fly-tipping: legal advice from Gillespie Macandrew 35:08

3M ago35:08

35:08

Fly-tipping is something all too many farmers and landowners will be aware of. If "extreme" fly-tipping is new to you, we're talking about bigger things being dumped, like caravans or vehicles. Anna is joined by Elaine Kennedy-Walton and Conner McConnell from our wonderful sponsors, Gillespie MacAndrew to offer information and advice. Mentioned in …

1
A view from Argentina (thanks to FAS Stock Talk) 41:39

3M ago41:39

41:39

Thanks to the Farm Advisory Service (FAS) for sharing this Stock Talk episode on farming in Argentina. Argentinian farmer Allan Cameron talks with presenter Robert Ramsay about cropping and beef production, as well as the importance of soil health, and the need for increased production. The episode is produced by Kirsten Blackwood. FAS have kindly …

1
The Elephant Seals are Back! with Dr. Theresa Keates 54:58

3M ago54:58

54:58

The elephant seals are back! The elephant seals have made their annual trip back to the California Coast! During the winter months, Elephant Seals turn to love...and fighting... and feeding... and laying around in the sun and rain. This is the prime viewing season at Año Nuevo State Park and Point Reyes National Seashore, where you can watch the tw…

1
Getting the most out of mycorrhizae: 2023 biological product demonstration at Springbank, Vic - Ep. 006 22:09

3M ago22:09

22:09

Back in 2023 the PotatoLink team ran a biological product demonstration at the PotatoLink Springbank demonstration site. A mycorrhizal fungi product was applied. Following the results from the 2022 Bolwarrah demonstration site, changes to the fertiliser and fungicide programs were made. Join PotatoLink team members Stephanie Tabone and Kelvin Monta…

1
Andrew Arbuckle: champion pole vaulter (repeat) 31:22

4M ago31:22

31:22

After lots of lovely feedback on last week's episode with 91-year-old East Lothian farmer Willie Logan, and the launch of OnRECORD to capture memories of Scottish agriculture, we are re-sharing this chat from our archive. Andrew Arbuckle is a well kent name in Scottish farming. The former Scotsman and Dundee Courier farming editor, ex MSP, author a…

1
California Against the Sea With Rosanna Xia of the LA Times 54:36

4M ago54:36

54:36

Climate change is transforming what scientists call the land-sea interface, with crumbling cliffs, falling structures, tidal and storm flooding and loud homeowners demanding government action. Should that interface be buttressed and built up to prevent further coastal erosion or is managed retreat a better strategy? Join host Ronnie Lipschutz for a…

1
OnRECORD: Willie Logan on 91 years (and counting) of farming life 55:21

4M ago55:21

55:21

Willie Logan from East Lothian shares memories of farming, horses and families, from his 91 years (so far!) living and working in Scottish agriculture. This conversation between Willie and Anna marks the launch of our exciting new OnRECORD project. With OnRECORD, you can book the OnFARM team to record and preserve precious voices and stories, that …

1
Introducing OnRECORD: preserving precious memories 6:45

4M ago6:45

6:45

Introducing OnFARM's exciting new sister project - OnRECORD. Thanks to OnRECORD, you can book the OnFARM team to record and preserve precious voices and stories, that you can keep forever, with professionally captured and edited audio recordings. Perhaps you'd like us to record the memories and stories of one of your family members, a long serving …

1
Farming Funny podcast: Nick and Jim swap notes with OnFARM 36:55

4M ago36:55

36:55

Nick Thomson and James Fairlie from the 'Farming Funny' podcast join Anna for a good blether about life, farming, and podcasting - and why James always has something, in every episode, to get angry about. Find Nick, Jim and Sandy on Farming Funny in podcast players here. Huge thanks to rural business specialists Bell Ingram for sponsoring this epis…

1
The Path to an Energy Efficient, Electric Future, with Amory Lovins 49:31

4M ago49:31

49:31

Energy has been with us for a long time and, over the past 100 years, fossil fuels have been cheap and plentiful. Now we are going to have to pay the piper if we want to limit the future impacts of climate change. How could that happen. Tune in to hear Amory Lovins, cofounder of the Rocky Mountain Institute and long time energy policy analyst and a…

1
RSABI's Carol McLaren speaks to OnFARM 29:55

4M ago29:55

29:55

Carol McLaren chats with Anna about her time so far as CEO of Scottish farming support charity RSABI. There is some discussion of mental ill health - including feeling suicidal - in this episode. Find RSABI online at www.rsabi.org.uk or call them on 0808 1234 555. We are grateful to Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew for their support of this ep…

1
Flooding: a costly catchment-scale challenge, but one we can prepare for 18:18

4M ago18:18

18:18

Flooding is an issue that’s increasingly high on the agenda. What’s behind these events, what exacerbates them, why are the obvious solutions maybe not so easy to implement and what can we do to be more prepared for the next one? We take a dip into these stormy waters with scientists from across our environmental and social sciences teams. Host: El…

1
What's in Your Water? Nitrate Pollution on California's Central Coast with Chelsea Tu of Monterey Waterkeeper 49:34

4M ago49:34

49:34

Monterey Waterkeeper is part of a coalition of organizations seeking to reduce nitrate pollution in the region’s groundwater. Nitrate contamination, the result of over-application of fertilizers, can cause the “blue baby syndrome” and various cancers in adults. The State Water Board recently issued rules that allow growers to continue over-applicat…

1
Firepower and Global Security: Past, Present and Future, with Professor Simon Dalby 58:20

5M ago58:20

58:20

According to Simon Dalby, Professor in the Balsillie School of International Affairs at Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, global politics over the past 70 years has been driven by an overabundance of "firepower," both nuclear and carbon-based. The first was used by Great Power to threaten incineration of the world, by intention or acci…

1
Farmstrong, a Nuffield Scholarship, and Moray farming: Jock Gibson 36:04

5M ago36:04

36:04

Jock Wilson is a busy guy! In this episode, producer Dave visits Jock to learn about the various projects and enterprises he's involved in - from beef and sheep farming at Edinvale Farm in Moray, to running Macbeth's butcher and game dealer. Jock is also leading on introducing wellbeing and resilience initiative FarmStrong in Scotland, and is about…

1
OnFARM: Four more years... 15:57

5M ago15:57

15:57

This short episode reflects on 4 years (so far) of the OnFARM podcast - and looks at ways businesses and organisations can come on board to sponsor or partner with OnFARM, to keep the podcast going into the future. We produce episodes in partnership with RHASS, the Moredun Research Institute, law firm Gillespie Macandrew, rural business specialists…

1
Will Small Modular Reactors Save the Nuclear Industry? with Prof. Allison Macfarlane, former chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 53:14

5M ago53:14

53:14

Nuclear power is being touted as a way of providing clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and paving the way to a zero-emission future. There is talk of a “nuclear renaissance,” with small modular reactors (SMRs) replacing the gigawatt nuclear behemoths of the past, quickly and at much lower cost. But the United States’ experience with nu…

1
Farmer-led charity Pickups For Peace (updated episode) 42:18

6M ago42:18

42:18

Farmer-led charity Pickups For Peace collect farm trucks and 4x4 vehicles, pack them with aid, supplies, and equipment, and then drive them in convoy to Ukraine. The trucks are left to help in the war effort - moving people, recovering casualties, or transporting supplies. In this episode, Monty speaks with one of the founders of Pickups for Peace,…

1
Clay – the super material that links life of Mars, medicine and cat litter 16:38

6M ago16:38

16:38

Day to day, few give much thought to clay. But it’s a substance that goes a long way – literally and metaphorically. It’s a natural material with ever expanding qualities and uses, from showing if there was life on Mars to complex medicinal delivery systems. It’s all pervasive in our lives – it’s in everything from packing material and cat litter t…

1
"No fungi, no us": mycologist Neville Kilkenny 34:06

6M ago34:06

34:06

A teaspoon of healthy soil can contain over 3 miles of fungus - if stretched out end-to-end. That's just one of the fascinating fungi facts shared in this episode - as Anna goes foraging with East Lothian mycologist Neville Kilkenny. Neville offers guided forays, talks and events, and teaches identification workshops at Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Ga…

1
Would the world beat a path to your door for a fully compostable plastic? with Raegen Kelly of Better for All 48:38

5M ago48:38

48:38

Long-time listeners to Sustainability Now! know that we periodically turn to a focus on plastic, whose production is predicted to skyrocket over the next few decades, as fossil fuel companies look for ways to sell their product. Plastics are not forever, although they last a long time in the environment and are piling up across the world’s lands an…

1
Anna and Dave interviewed by the Radio Academy podcast 23:53

6M ago23:53

23:53

Behind the scenes insight, as Anna and producer Dave chat with Hayley Hayes, host of the Radio Academy podcast, about the making on OnFARM. The Radio Academy is the UK radio and audio industry charity. They promote excellence in UK radio and audio (so it is only natural they would want to speak to the makers of the very excellent OnFARM!). Truth be…

1
The Great Glen Cattle Ranch at Spean Bridge 39:53

6M ago39:53

39:53

Elspeth and Paolo Berardelli farm the Great Glen Cattle Ranch at Spean Bridge. They have a wide spread of enterprises on the farm, ranging from sheep and cattle, to deer stalking, and renewable energy. They also are custodians of an important site of special scientific interest of species-rich Nardis grassland at Glencoe. Elspeth has also recently …

1
Monty's health: an update from the team 6:02

6M ago6:02

6:02

You may have noticed that Monty's voice has been absent from recent episodes of OnFARM. Unfortunately, this is because he has been receiving medical treatment for a brain tumour. He begins a six-week course of intensive chemo and radiotherapy today (mid-November 2023), so it's a good time to give our first official update on Monty's health. Mention…

1
Replanting Burned Over Sequoia Groves in the Sierras, with Dr. Christy Brigham, National Park Service, and Dr. Chad Hanson, John Muir Project 49:14

6M ago49:14

49:14

Sequoias are among the oldest living things on Earth, and most of the world’s sequoias are in Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks. Since 2020, according to the National Park Service, almost 20% of that iconic species have been destroyed by wildfires. The parks’ management is planning to repopulate the burned-over areas with thousands of sequoi…

1
Cairngorm Alpacas at Lochbuie Croft 33:01

7M ago33:01

33:01

Despite being a fourth-generation crofter, Robert Mackenzie has been on a steep learning curve since he took over Lochbuie Croft in Newtonmore five years ago. He and his partner Jenni MacDonell have not been shy of a challenge - inviting BBC Scotland's 'This Farming Life' to film their life and work, and starting alpaca trekking alongside the beef …

1
Eagle predation: are 'guardian dogs' an answer? 30:23

7M ago30:23

30:23

As eagle numbers grow in parts of Scotland, so do farmers' concerns over livestock predation. At Rothiemurchus falconry outside Aviemore, Jonny Ames believes he might have an answer. He is training two Italian Maremma 'guardian dogs' - called Luigi and Peaches - to live 24/7 in fields with livestock, to guard sheep from birds-of-prey. He is looking…

1
The Life Beneath Our Feet, with Dr. Chelsea Carey, Point Blue Conservation Science 53:50

6M ago53:50

53:50

When you go out into the world and walk on the Earth, have you ever wondered what was beneath your feet? Animals and plants, of course, but mostly soil. Soil is a wonderful substance, an essential element in the riot of life that covers the planet’s continents. But soil is not without life of its own: a handful of fertile soil is home to more organ…

1
Reversing nature loss in Scotland – a complex challenge with surprisingly global implications 31:50

7M ago31:50

31:50

In the final episode of our three-part pod on the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss, we’re joined again by NatureScot to look more at who gets a say in the changes we need to make, who can we trust and who benefits from doing things differently. Do we need a different type of democracy to tackle biodiversity loss? Host: Elaine Maslin, Media O…

1
Reversing nature loss in Scotland – a complex challenge across how we use land, what we buy and eat 23:01

7M ago23:01

23:01

In our second pod in a three-part series looking at what’s really driving biodiversity loss in Scotland, we’re again joined by NatureScot and this time look at how doing the right thing isn’t as straight forward as it seems, not least around land use, our food systems, the increasing demands on farming and how choices made in Scotland could impact …

1
Scottish Ploughing Championships 2023 35:31

7M ago35:31

35:31

All things ploughing – ahead of the 59th Scottish Ploughing Championships taking place in Ayrshire on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th October. Producer Dave is joined by Hugh Currie, Derek MacIver, and Lizzy Baxter, all from the Scottish Ploughing Championships 2023 organising committee. The championships are taking place at Monktonhill Farm, Prestwi…

1
“You’re going to have to change the priorities of your life if you love this planet” With Dr. Helen Caldicott 47:07

7M ago47:07

47:07

Join host Ronnie Lipschutz for this Blast from the Past with Dr. Helen Caldicott. According to Dr. Caldicott, the nuclear doomsday clock of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists is set at 100 seconds to Midnight, but 20 seconds is closer to the mark. Dr. Caldicott has devoted the last forty-two years to an international campaign to educate the publ…

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