Welcome to another episode of the Farming Connect Ear to the Ground podcast. We are staying on the topic of soil health for this episode as we were keen to expand on the foundations and principles heard in our latest podcast with Joel Williams, do go back to listen to that episode if you haven’t yet had an opportunity.
Today, we're talking to a farmer whose journey proves that sometimes, the drive for profit is the best route to environmental stewardship. Our guest is Stuart Johnson, a fifth-generation tenant farmer from West Wharmley Farm near Hexham.
For years, like many others, Stuart focused on high inputs and high yields, barely giving the soil a second thought. But about a decade ago, a simple need to save money on the farm led to a major operational shift.
What began as a financial decision quickly unlocked a profound revelation about the land beneath his feet. Join us as Stuart walks us through how that single change became the surprising catalyst for a full transition to regenerative farming, increasing his farm's resilience.
In Stuarts own words, his farming system is planned and purposeful but doesn't necessitate perfection, and It's a much nicer way to farm! Listen in to hear the details.