SFT Podcast: Storm Goretti impact on farmers, SFI updates & 'nutrient dense' food ranges

What's really going on in food and farming? Two farmers – Patrick Holden, founder of the Sustainable Food Trust, and Stuart Oates, founder of the Fossil Free Farm project – get behind the headlines to unpack the biggest stories shaping what we eat, how we farm and the future of the planet. Expect lively debate, real-world experience, and unique insights from some of food and farming's top voices. For our first episode of 2026, Patrick and Stuart talk about the extreme weather we've experienced, just days into the new year – reflecting on the disruption that Storm Goretti caused, particularly in Cornwall where Stuart farms, they discuss the incredible display of community resilience in response to shocks like this. Elsewhere in the conversation, Patrick also talks about his time at the Oxford farming conferences – both Oxford Real Farming Conference and Oxford Farming Conference – where the environment secretary announced updates to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) schemes; Stuart discusses Marks & Spencer's new range of nutrient dense food, and the two also debate the importance of measuring farming system outcomes and explore the challenges that come with this. To join in the conversation, get in touch with us at [email protected] – let us know what you'd like to hear Patrick and Stuart talk about next time.   Timestamps: 0:00: Welcome! 0:13: The overproduction of milk affecting price per litre 2:32: The aftermath of Storm Goretti and show of community spirit 6:48: Local procurement vs exports 8:31: ORFC and OFC 13:00: Are big food companies comitting greenwash or should we embrace their regen efforts? 20:38: Defra's recent announcement on SFI and FiPL 24:07: Should we and how can we measure farming system outcomes? 29:50: M&S's 'nutrient dense' food range 31:48: McDonald's efforts to champion higher quality food 35:06: What's Stuart up to in Brazil? 36:08: Patrick's message on health for 2026 37:17: Global dependence on roundup 41:03: Goodbye!   Follow Patrick and the Sustainable Food Trust: https://www.instagram.com/susfoodtrust/ | https://www.instagram.com/hafodcheese/ https://bsky.app/profile/susfoodtrust.bsky.social https://www.facebook.com/SusFoodTrust https://www.linkedin.com/company/sustainable-food-trust/   Find out more about Stuart and the Fossil Free Farm project: https://fossilfreefarm.com/ https://www.instagram.com/camelstu/ https://www.youtube.com/@farmerstu