The Quorum Sense Podcast

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May 2025

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About the show

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. 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. For more information, visit the Quorum Sense Podcast webpage (https://www.quorumsense.org.nz/podcasts).

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57 recent

May 28, 20251 hr 4 min

Getting off your ass with John King

In this episode Jono sits down with educator and author John King.You may have read some of John's articles in various publications or his books. John is passionate about helping farmers help themselves through dialogue. John has found that getting farmers together in a room or out in a paddock (or on a bus so they can't run away!) is one of the most powerful ways to stimulate conversation and knowledge sharing. He's a no-nonsense kind of guy with a sharp wit, as you'll hear in this conversation.John tells it how it is and believes that it's up to farmers to make the changes they want to see. As he says: "No-one is coming to save you. You just have to get off your ass and do it!" Sit down, grab a cuppa, get that tractor radio turned up and enjoy this classic and compelling yarn with John King and host Jono Frew.🪴 Quorum Sense website (www.quorumsense.org.nz)🤙 Quorum Sense Farming Network Facebook Group👣 The Quorum Sense Podcast🦋 Quorum Sense Facebook page🌸 Quorum Sense Instagram✨  Quorum Sense NewsletterDisclaimer: 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 (<a href="https://www.quorumsense.org.nz/disclaimer"...

May 2, 202528 min

Farming, family and motherhood with Ruby Frew

In this episode of the Quorum Sense podcast, Jono interviews his wife Ruby Frew!Ruby is a farmer and a mother among many other things. However, family and farming are what matters most for Ruby.In this short and sweet conversation, Ruby shares her journey from an early interest in sheep and beef farming to a career in dairy, and also how becoming a mother has shaped her life. Ruby shares some challenges and setbacks in her journey as well as some pleasant surprises she has encountered along the way.We hope you enjoy the conversation.🪴 Quorum Sense website (www.quorumsense.org.nz)🤙 Quorum Sense Farming Network Facebook Group👣 The Quorum Sense Podcast🦋 Quorum Sense Facebook page🌸 Quorum Sense Instagram✨  Quorum Sense NewsletterDisclaimer: 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 on the Quorum Sense website).2023 Quorum Sense

March 26, 202550 min

Tapping into the retail market with Logan Wait

In this episode, Jono sits down for a pre-sunrise yarn with Logan Wait.Logan's family have been dairy farming in the Waikato for a century and a half, but this conversation is not so much focused on the family dairy farm...Instead, Logan shares a brand new concept: Earth First Food.Earth First Food creates the opportunity to buy high quality, direct-to-consumer meat products from farmers transitioning to regenerative agriculture. And in doing so support the local food system whilst investing in the health of our soil.Tune in to hear Logan's story, from being asked to provide meat for a corporate event to developing this system. It changes the way we market meat as farmers, allowing for better story telling and giving consumers a way to build relationships with the farmers who supply them with meat.🪴 Quorum Sense website (www.quorumsense.org.nz)🤙 Quorum Sense Farming Network Facebook Group👣 The Quorum Sense Podcast🦋 Quorum Sense Facebook page🌸 Quorum Sense Instagram✨  Quorum Sense NewsletterDisclaimer: 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 (<a href="https://www.quorumsense.org.nz/disclaimer" rel="noopener...

February 26, 202527 min

A celebration of soil and connection: Conversations at Underground

In this episode, Jono takes the podcast kit to North Canterbury to check out Underground Festival.This was a great opportunity to capture some of the conversations happening while people mingled between presentations at this wonderful celebration of soil.There were some stand-out themes like community and connection, and also practical takeaways that came through from festival goers, presenters and organisers. How many of the voices in this episode can you name?🪴 Quorum Sense website (www.quorumsense.org.nz)🤙 Quorum Sense Farming Network Facebook Group👣 The Quorum Sense Podcast🦋 Quorum Sense Facebook page🌸 Quorum Sense Instagram✨  Quorum Sense NewsletterDisclaimer: 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 on the Quorum Sense website).2023 Quorum Sense

January 22, 202541 min

People, economics and environment with Otto Dogterom

In this episode Jono jumps in the tractor cab with dairy farmer and president of Federated Farmers' North Otago Provincial Executive, Otto Dogterom.Otto has been dairy farming for over 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge to share from how he got started, to navigating family farming ups and downs, to simple principles he uses to monitor farm performance. Otto talks about how looking after your finances, your people and your environment pays dividends in farming. And he says you have to love farming to make it work- and Otto sure loves farming!!There is some background tractor noise in this one as Jono and Otto drive around chopping and carting silage on one of Otto's support farms, but we're sure you'll agree it doesn't get any more authentic than that!This may even be the start of a whole new trend of episodes recorded on the farm?Let us know your thoughts and we hope you enjoy!🪴 Quorum Sense website (www.quorumsense.org.nz)🤙 Quorum Sense Farming Network Facebook Group👣 The Quorum Sense Podcast🦋 Quorum Sense Facebook page🌸 Quorum Sense Instagram✨  Quorum Sense NewsletterDisclaimer: 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 <em...

December 19, 202453 min

Banging on about soil health with Matthew Evans

We decided to sneak one more podcast in for 2024!!In this episode Jono sits down with food fanatic and farmer Matthew Evans from Fat Pig Farm in Southern Tasmania.Matthew started his career as a chef and food critic, and through a love for food - and noticing a link between good food flavour and soil health - he began a life-changing journey into the world of soil health. For eight years Matthew ran a 'soil to stomach' operation where he grew, harvested and prepared food with his own on-farm restaurant. Matthew has also written several books and recently hosted the Grounded festival, Australia's first regenerative agriculture festival, at his farm in Tasmania.Tune in to hear this fascinating story about how Matthew went from wondering why farmers who grew the best tasting food were "banging on about soil health" to now being the guy who bangs on about soil health!🪴 Quorum Sense website (www.quorumsense.org.nz)🤙 Quorum Sense Farming Network Facebook Group👣 The Quorum Sense Podcast🦋 Quorum Sense Facebook page🌸 Quorum Sense Instagram✨  Quorum Sense NewsletterDisclaimer: 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 (<a...

December 2, 202448 min

Optimising life with Rachel and Greg Hart

In this episode Jono sits down with Rachel and Greg Hart from Mangarara Station in central Hawke's bay.Greg and Rachel are passionate about nature, community and farming, and this is very easy to pick up in this wonderful conversation. It's a conversation that covers the farm's journey from sheep farming to the haven of life it is today, covering the 28 years that Rachel and Greg have been on the farm.Mangarara is mainly a beef farm nowdays, coupled with other complementary enterprises that include an eco-lodge and a lot of trees!! Hear how they're managing tree planting in grazing land using single wire fences to protect the trees as they get established, and how they're maximizing the life on their farm.Tune in and enjoy listening to these two kiwi regen legends.🪴 Quorum Sense website (www.quorumsense.org.nz)🤙 Quorum Sense Farming Network Facebook Group👣 The Quorum Sense Podcast🦋 Quorum Sense Facebook page🌸 Quorum Sense Instagram✨  Quorum Sense NewsletterDisclaimer: 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 (<a href="https://www.quorumsense.org.nz/disclaimer" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"...

November 25, 20241 hr 1 min

Helping people transition in agriculture with Darren Doherty

With this release, we celebrate episode 50 of the Quorum Sense podcast!!Jono sits down with Darren Doherty from over the ditch in Australia. Darren is a farmer and an educator, well known for his vast knowledge of farm systems function, design and management.In this conversation we hear how about Darren's journey to where he is now. He and Jono discuss what kinds of hurdles are common in practice, and also in mindset. This is a conversation of perceptive and personality as well as practice. 🪴 Quorum Sense website (www.quorumsense.org.nz)🤙 Quorum Sense Farming Network Facebook Group👣 The Quorum Sense Podcast🦋 Quorum Sense Facebook page🌸 Quorum Sense Instagram✨  Quorum Sense NewsletterDisclaimer: 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 on the Quorum Sense website).2023 Quorum Sense

November 19, 20241 hr 5 min

Shifting the global agricultural paradigm with Allen Williams

In this special episode of the Quorum Sense podcast going abroad, Jono sits down to chew the fat with 6th generation family farmer Allen Williams.Allen was a university professor with 24 years in academia under his belt when he decided that he needed to go back to his roots on the farm. Since this challenging step, Allen has been on an incredible learning journey.He has taken his experience and teamed up with Gabe Brown and formed the Soil Health Academy and Understanding Ag. Together, he and Gabe have impacted over 50 million acres globally!Tune in to this inspiring podcast to hear how Allen has altered the agricultural conversation worldwide.🪴 Quorum Sense website (www.quorumsense.org.nz)🤙 Quorum Sense Farming Network Facebook Group👣 The Quorum Sense Podcast🦋 Quorum Sense Facebook page🌸 Quorum Sense Instagram✨  Quorum Sense NewsletterDisclaimer: 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 on the Quorum Sense website<em...

November 8, 202448 min

Beyond the basics of pasture management with Jim Elizondo

In this special episode - which is part 1 in the mini series of the Quorum Sense podcast going abroad - Jono sits down with Jim Elizondo to discuss grazing management and nutrition.Jim has vast experience trialing different types of grazing management over his long career as a cattleman and educator. Jim is trained in accountancy and yet he also likes to keep things simple on his farms.This conversation goes deep into how plants behave under different forms of management and how there is more to root exudates than most realise.Grab a cuppa and a note pad, this is a goodie! 🪴 Quorum Sense website (www.quorumsense.org.nz)🤙 Quorum Sense Farming Network Facebook Group👣 The Quorum Sense Podcast🦋 Quorum Sense Facebook page🌸 Quorum Sense Instagram✨  Quorum Sense NewsletterDisclaimer: 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 on the Quorum Sense website).2023 Quorum Sense