The Quorum Sense Podcast
“Exploring how New Zealand farmers and growers are creating resilient, regenerative and enjoyable farming systems.”
The Quorum Sense Podcast is a series of conversations with farmers and those working in the rural sector. We’re exploring the variety of experiences, perspectives and ideas coming from the creation of resilient, regenerative and enjoyable farming systems in New Zealand.
It addition to the latest episode, you can browse a full list of previous podcasts below. Enjoy!
The setup and first years of this podcast were supported by MPI’s Productive & Sustainable Land Use - Extension Services fund. Since July 2023, the Quorum Sense Podcast has been produced independently by the podcast team..
Meet your hosts
Disclaimer: The information, opinions and ideas presented in this content is for information purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Any reliance on the content provided is done at your own risk (click here to view full disclaimer).
All episodes
Tasmania farmer and food fanatic Matthew Evans shares his journey from chef and food critic to farmer-to-plate restaurant-owner via the wonders of soil health.
Hawke's Bay beef farmers and regen legends Rachel and Greg Hart share the story of how they've transformed their farm into a haven of life.
Australian farmer and educator Darren Doherty discusses farm systems function, design and management, and the common hurdles in practice and mindset.
Allen Williams shares his inspiring learning journey, returning to farming after 24 years in academia and teaming up with Gabe Brown to impact millions of acres.
Cattleman and educator Jim Elizondo discusses his experience trialing different grazing management regimes, and how plant behaviour changes as conditions change.
Kiwifruit orchard manager Levi Belcher shareds how he got started in the industry, and why he was attracted to soil health and regenerative practices.
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Organic dairy farmer and Quorum Sense board member Willie White shares the impact going 'organic regen' is having on farm health, resilience and bottom line.
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A leading voice on GE / GMOs, Professor Jack Heinemann (University of Canterbury) talks through the issues and shares insights around proposed changes to NZ regulations.
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Waikato beef producers Carrie and Tom Andrews are creating a farm and butchery business built on the fundamentals of transparency, connection, responsibility, quality and resilience
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An in-depth and personal conversation with third generation sheep and beef farmer Zeb Horrell, who openly discusses the challenges and opportunities facing our farming communities.
Manawatū dairy farmers Charlotte & Russell Heald talk about how their transition to farm ownership, to regenerative then to organic has them "living their dream life".
Kaukapakapa farmer Stephen Newman shares his journey in and out of dairy farming, discovering regenerative agriculture, growing kiwifruit and the power of farm discussion groups.
A fascinating discussion with multi-generational farmer David Musgrave about what's shaped our pastoral farming systems and what resilience to common problems can look like.
Part of our Wintering Innovations Series, join Deane Parker, Duncan Humm and Jono Frew as they discuss their experiences with new approaches to livestock wintering.
Dylan Graves discusses the powerful uses and functions of biochar, the wonders of soil and how anyone can make biochar on any scale.
This month, Jono speaks to Claire McKenzie, producer of Six Inches of Soil - a grassroots British documentary which Quorum Sense is bringing to New Zealand screens.
From his off-grid cabin, Northland-based beef farmer and Quorum Sense Team member Nick Tucker dives deep into the opportunities of having more, with less.
We talk to Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research's Peter Edwards and Open Farms founder Daniel Eb about social license and public perceptions of the ‘good farmer’.
Coromandel drystock farmer Ewan Campbell’s unorthodox approach to farming has seen him battle the system, revitalise his soils and win national food awards.
Renowned eco-nutritionist Phyllis Tichinin speaks passionately about the links and parallels between human health and the health of our food systems.
Manager of Motatapu Station, Central Otago, Brad Rudd’s excitement for farming is expressed in trying new things, and breeding resilience into his flock of sheep.
Passionate about food, farming and people, Australia's Charlie Arnott shares insights from his regenerative journey to create a more diverse, resilient and authentic farming system.
Cherryle Prew founded NZ’s only Soil Food Web lab 20 years ago. You’ll want to grab a cup of tea and a biscuit for this conversation!
The tables have turned for arable farmer Peter Legg, from initially learning off others’ knowledge and experience to now being someone others are learning from!
Father and daughter duo Shane Birchall and Meghan Schutt share their learnings and experiences in transitioning to a self-sufficient, low waste dairy and beef farm operation.
Canterbury farmer and Quorum Sense team member Sam Lang talks about the relationship between science and farmer experience, risk, and the importance of support networks.
New farm, new home, new partner, new baby! A whole lot has transformed for Jake Herron in the last two years. A real and refreshing story.
Winner at the 2022 New Zealand Sausage Awards, Canterbury sheep and beef farmer Adam Rivett talks about getting creative with farm enterprises to suit his context.
South Otago sheep and beef farmer Hamish Bielski authentically talks about marriage, managing expectations, failure, continuously adapting, creating opportunities, and celebrating your wins.
Award-winning biological arable farmer David Birkett shares a whole pot of gold as he explains how he built the confidence to try something new.
Young farmer Marran (Maz) Tuckwell talks food and health independence, tapping into nature’s abundance, plus the importance of community and boots on the ground.
Richard Leaske and Nick Paulin discuss the shift in customer attention from product to process, the need for critical questioning, and embracing a bit of chaos!
Lake Hawea Station's Geoff Ross talks about his return to farming, learning from nature and the opportunities in reducing the divide between farm and city.
Michael Reilly shares the ups and downs of his journey from Sydney suburbia to regenerative Hawkes Bay farmer, and what's changed along the way.
Dairying team Janette and Carla Perrett discuss how regenerative organic has cut health costs, improved soil fertility and created deep connection with stock and land.
Tim and Camilla Rutherford explore the benefits and balance of regenerative high country Merino production, healthy family life and Camilla's professional photography career.
Regenerative market gardener Jodi Roebuck on generating $250k from one tenth of a hectare, learning from others and the role relationships play in building resilience.
The McKerchars discuss the evolution of their beef and sheep breeding, their relationship to the soil and the changes delivering improved livestock health, fertility and well-being.
Dairy farmer and filmmaker Deane Parker shares his passion for the outdoors and water, and the learning mindset that's central to his transition to regenerative farming.
Regenerative coach, pastoral farmer and market gardener Jules Matthews explores the challenges and opportunities within complexity, and the uncertainty it calls us to embrace.
South Canterbury’s Duncan Humm shares his fascination with deer, and the importance of observation and diversity when applying regenerative farming practices.
North Island meets South as two dairy farming couples explore the positive impact regenerative farming systems have had on the soil, animals, profits and humans!
Three arable farmers deep-dive into the specifics of regenerative tools, inputs and techniques for crop production.
Pastoral farmer and grazing coach Siobhan Griffin shares her passion for regenerative pastoral farming, the opportunity to benefit farmers, consumers and our climate.
Greystone Wine's Nick Gill and Mike Saunders share the challenges of innovation and the benefits of introducing regenerative systems into their wine growing business.
Regenerative hill country farmers Laura Page and Mark Koopmans explain how they’re applying nature-based management to land that’s ‘80% steep, 50% bush’.
From farming wild sheep to developing branded products, farming entrepreneurs Roger and Nickie Beattie have leveraged regenerative principles to create a business ecosystem that’s complex, yet simple.
In this wide-ranging discussion, regenerative advocate, educator and coach Nicole Masters talks about the unique opportunity facing New Zealand farmers looking to introduce regenerative farming practices.
Dairy farmer Mark Anderson talks about the link between soil health, food quality and human health, monitoring progress, and the power of being supported by like-minded farmers.
Young livestock farmer Jakeb Herron explores the challenges of stepping outside the norm, the lessons learned, and the opportunities that exist for those bold enough to ask.
Organic farmer Tim Chamberlain chats about the genesis of the Quorum Sense network and how it’s evolved to become the network it is today.
Canterbury cropping farmer Mike Porter talks about how his early experiences with soil erosion on the family farm led to the adoption of alternative approaches to arable production.