{"podcast":{"title":"R2Kast - People in Food and Farming/All In","slug":"r2kast-people-in-food-and-farming-all-in-6734636","podcast_index_feed_id":6734636,"rss_url":"https://feeds.acast.com/public/shows/65885e0cfa5a340016e3e287","website_url":"https://Facebook.com/RURAL2KITCHEN/","image_url":"https://assets.pippa.io/shows/65885e0cfa5a340016e3e287/1764772431493-95ca55a0-ea3b-4956-9c99-8c79411c3bc9.jpeg","author":"Wallace Currie","episode_count":467,"summary":"Brought to you from Rural2Kitchen. The podcast where agricultural minds open up. Sponsored primarily by Howden Rural Insurance as well as the Scottish Farmer Follow us on all platforms here - https://linktr.ee/rural2kitchen To get in touch email rural2kitchen@gmail.com Complete this survey to help out the show! Thank you so much - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBDRnGerPw2w-nNBT6st4wCI2ldi4OZPrIIrJ-_rsRWCKq1A/viewform?usp=sf_link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-14T08:19:23.897985+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/r2kast-people-in-food-and-farming-all-in-6734636"},"episode":{"title":"Agroecology around Arran - Arable Episode","slug":"agroecology-around-arran-arable-episode","published_at":"2026-06-26T18:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/r2kast-people-in-food-and-farming-all-in-6734636/agroecology-around-arran-arable-episode","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/r2kast-people-in-food-and-farming-all-in-6734636","url":"https://shows.acast.com/r2kast/episodes/agroecology-around-arran-arable-episode","audio_url":"https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/65885e0cfa5a340016e3e287/e/6a3306df2a769315ba044137/media.mp3","summary":"In this episode, we explore arable farming on Arran, tracing the journey of locally grown grain from field to fork and glass. We begin at Bellevue Farm, where farmer Donald Currie grows malting barley on Arran’s fertile soils. From there, we follow the grain north to Lochranza Distillery, where Brand Ambassador Fred Baumgärtner explains how locally grown barley is transformed into the island’s world-renowned whisky. We finish our journey at Blackwater Bakehouse, where baker George Grassie shares his passion for artisan breadmaking, heritage grains, sustainability, health and nutrient-dense food. The phrase “follow the grain” is often used to describe the process of working with the natural direction of a material, or within the constraints of your environment, rather than forcing a direction that leads to resistance and damage. We learn how this ethos is reflected in the agroecological approach embraced across Arran. From the field to the distillery and bakery, we hear how farmers, bakers and distillers work with the opportunities and constraints of the island’s climate, soils and landscapes, allowing the local environment to shape their practices rather than trying to overcome it. Episode guests Donald Currie Donald Currie is an arable and beef farmer who produces barley for malting at  Bellevue Farm  and other sites around the island. Fred Baumgärtner Fred Baumgärtner is the Brand Home Ambassador for the Isle of Arran Distillers, the company responsible for producing award-winning whisky at both  Lagg Distillery  and  Lochranza Distillery . Born and bred on Arran, Fred now leads whisky tasting tours and experiences at the distillery for hundreds of visitors each year, and travels the world showcasing the island’s products. George Grassie Geor…","meta_description":"In this episode, we explore arable farming on Arran, tracing the journey of locally grown grain from field to fork and glass. We begin at Bellevue Farm, w…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2811,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/r2kast-people-in-food-and-farming-all-in-6734636/episodes/agroecology-around-arran-arable-episode/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/r2kast-people-in-food-and-farming-all-in-6734636/agroecology-around-arran-arable-episode.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}