Second Nature

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Hello and welcome back! I have a very special episode for you today—one that has been on my podcasting bucket list since the very beginning. I finally headed to Diddly Squat Farm to sit down with the team everyone knows and loves: Jeremy Clarkson, Kaleb Cooper, and Charlie Ireland.
With the massive Cereals event coming to the Cotswolds this year, I wanted to find out what it’s really like for Jeremy to play "host farmer" for 25,000 visitors. From digging trenches to study root structures to how the event caters to both new and experienced farmers, this conversation was exactly as lively, argumentative, and insightful as you’d expect!
On the menu today:
The "Hobby Farming" Debate: Kaleb and Jeremy go head-to-head on the latest additions to the farm. Are two donkeys, a handful of pigs, and a two-acre herb garden a genius diversification move or just "hobby farming"? 🥕🐖
Learning on the Job: Jeremy shares why every day is still a learning day for him—including the "math" of oilseed rape and his new-found appreciation for soil health.
The Arable Reality: Charlie gives us a candid look at the challenges facing the industry over the next 12 months, from rising fuel costs to the volatility of the wheat markets.
The Next Generation: We discuss why the "Clarkson effect" is so important for first-generation farmers. As someone who joined the industry from a non-farming background myself, I loved hearing the team's advice for anyone looking to make their mark in agriculture.
Exploring the Plots
After catching up with the team, I took a wander through the crop plots to chat with the experts on the ground. I caught up with Andrew Creasy from RAGT to talk about the future of wheat varieties and Lee Gilbert from Fowler & Gilbert, who shares his amazing journey from car mechanic to one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of agricultural buildings. 🏗️🌾
I also sat down with Sandy Kilpatrick to talk about the power of social media.
Whether you’re a lifelong farmer or just love a bit of Diddly Squat drama, grab a cuppa and join us for a proper look at life on the farm. The new episode is waiting for you now! ☕️🎧
Quick Links:
Farm Fest Tickets: Use code LIZZIE for a discount!
Follow the journey: Check out the videos from my day at Diddly Squat on Instagram @LizzyMuddyHeelsMac.
Website: www.second-nature.co.uk
Email us: [email protected]
Social media: @second_natureuk
Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

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Hello and welcome back! It has been such a whirlwind of a week. I’ve officially travelled down to Dorset to host a session for the Dorset Local Nature Partnership Annual Forum, where Tim was actually one of our guests! It was such an inspiring morning, seeing everyone from farmers and gardeners to the NHS coming together to talk about nature recovery.
That spirit of collaboration leads us perfectly into today’s episode, thew third instalment of the Down in Dorset series. 
We’re moving on from our "aquatic pair" (the beavers and otters!) to talk about the very thing that connects them: Water. I’ll admit, I thought I knew a fair bit about water, but sitting down with our three incredible guests—Sarah Williams and Hannah Martin from Wessex Water, and farmer and advisor Claire Eastam—was a total eye-opener.
In this episode, we’re wading into:
The "300-Litre" Surprise: Did you know the average household uses 323 litres of water a day? Most of us think it’s only 60! We talk about where that water actually goes and how our "modern" habits are putting pressure on an archaic system.
Dorset’s Underground Treasure: 75% of our water here comes from a massive chalk aquifer. It’s basically a giant underground sponge, and we discuss why protecting these "boreholes" is so vital.
The Truth About Spills: We tackle the tough conversations around sewage spills and stormwater. Sarah and Hannah explain the £8 million-a-month investment going into "Olympic-sized" storage tanks and green reed beds to keep our rivers clean.
Chalk Stream Magic: Why 85% of the world's chalk streams are right here in England, and why their "crystal clear" calcium-rich water is like a superpower for local wildlife (including some record-breaking fish!).
Farming & Phosphates: Claire shares how local "Farmer Clusters" are saving money and the environment just by looking at the data—and how one farmer stopped an entire "Arctic" of phosphate from entering the water system.
Dorset Delights & Top Tips
Of course, it wouldn't be Second Nature without a few fun facts! We chat about our favourite Dorset escapes—from sunrise swims at Man o’ War Bay (with a very specific French toast recommendation!) to the hidden bluebell woods of West Dorset.
Plus, I got a top gardening tip that I’m definitely using: Why you should actually empty your water butt in the winter to make room for the next downpour!
A huge thank you to Nature Recovery Dorset for supporting this series. 
Grab a cuppa, get comfortable, and let’s dive into the story of Dorset’s water. ☕️🎧
This podcast mini-series has been produced with help from Nature Recovery Dorset, a Dorset Council led initiative helping communities, landowners and organisations work together to restore nature across Dorset. Any views or opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and should not be taken as representing Dorset Council.
Website: www.second-nature.co.uk
Email us: [email protected]
Social media: @second_natureuk
Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

Send Lizzie a message!
It officially feels like spring! The sun has finally made an appearance here in the UK, and there is nothing quite like that shot of positivity that makes you want to get back into the garden and out onto the farm.
I’ve been busy in my own greenhouse—planting "tennis ball" melons and edible flowers (fingers crossed they actually grow!)—but I knew I couldn't let March pass without visiting a farming friend to see the real stars of the season.
In this episode, I’m heading over to the Midlands to catch up with fellow Great British Farm Fest ambassador, Bizza Walters. Bizza is a third-generation farmer managing her own flocks of Grey Faced Dartmoors and Romneys, and she truly lives and breathes this busy time of year.
We’re diving into the heart of the lambing shed to talk about:
The "Superman" Pose: Why some lambs need a helping hand to make their grand entrance. 🦸‍♂️
Bizza’s High-Tech Shepherdess: How she uses remote cameras to check her ewes every few hours (while still working a day job!). 📱
Wigs and "Pet" Lambs: Meet Brenda, the sheep who occasionally pops into the house for a piece of toast. 🍞
The Reality of 2026: How global conflicts and rising costs are hitting the farm gate, and why we need to stay positive about the future of British agriculture.
A Milestone Moment: Stick around until the end of the episode for something truly special. For the first time ever, I got to step in and help deliver a lamb! It was a raw, emotional, and slightly slippery experience that I will never forget. From clearing airways with a bit of straw to that first "sneeze" of life, it was a beautiful reminder of the dedication that goes into every single animal you see in the fields.
Grab a cuppa, enjoy the sunshine, and join Bizza and me for a real taste of spring on the farm.
Love the show?
Get your Farm Fest tickets: Use code LIZZIE for a discount!
Join the conversation: Have you been lambing this year? I’d love to hear your stories! Message me using the link in the description or email [email protected].
Follow the journey: See the video of me helping deliver the lamb over on Instagram @LizzyMuddyHeelsMac.
Website: www.second-nature.co.uk
Email us: [email protected]
Social media: @second_natureuk
Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

Send Lizzie a message!
It is officially March! 🌷 The sun has finally made an appearance (though my greenhouse plans are currently on hold thanks to the rain!), and I have been so excited to share this week’s episode with you.
A few weeks ago, I was scrolling through social media and saw an incredible video of a rider on the set of the new Wuthering Heights movie. I went down a total rabbit hole researching his work on The Witcher and Bridgerton, and I just knew I had to get him on the show.
This week, I’m chatting with horse trainer and performer Freddy Steele. We’re talking about:
Meeting Margot Robbie & Jacob Elordi: What are they really like on set?
Horse Makeup & Wigs: Yes, the horses have hair extensions too! 🐴💅
The "Broken Eggs" Mystery: Freddie reveals the top-secret code name they used on set.
The "Border Collie" of Horses: Why he’s obsessed with the Lusitano breed.
If you’re stuck inside hiding from the March rain like me, this is the perfect escape. It’s a fascinating look at what it actually takes to bring these massive stories to life. Grab a cuppa and dive into the wild world of the Wuthering Heights set on the Moors with us—listen to the episode now!
Website: www.second-nature.co.uk
Email us: [email protected]
Social media: @second_natureuk
Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

Send Lizzie a message!
Following the incredible response to our launch, we are back with the second episode of our Down in Dorset mini-series! This month, I’m joined once again by my guest co-host, local farmer Tim Gelfs, for a deep dive into the wild side of the county.
In partnership with Nature Recovery Dorset, we are exploring the delicate balance between productive agriculture and thriving wildlife. From the "Big Five" mammals roaming our fields to the shifting tides of government farming policy, this episode gets to the heart of how Dorset is leading the way in conservation.
In This Episode: The Big Five & The New Frontier of Farming
We are joined by two fantastic guests who represent the two halves of the nature recovery puzzle:
The Ecologist’s Lens: Ian Alexander, an ecologist with over 40 years of experience (Natural England, Dorset Wildlife Trust), shares his passion for species reintroduction—specifically his 20-year journey to bring Beavers back to our waterways.
The Farmer’s Perspective: James Cousins, a fifth-generation farmer at Tarrant Rawston, manages a 2,000-acre mixed farm. James gives us a candid look at life on a working farm, from the joy of seeing Brown Hares box in the spring to the practical realities of managing deer populations.
Key Discussion Points:
Dorset’s "Big Five": We talk through the status of Deer, Badgers, Foxes, Beavers, and Otters. Ian explains why the Sika deer is so abundant in Purbeck and why the tiny Muntjac is the new kid on the block.
The Deer Management Debate: Why is culling necessary? James explains how deer management supports his local butchery with sustainable venison, while Ian discusses the impact of overpopulation on woodland regeneration.
The Post-War Legacy: A look back at how the drive for food security after WWII shaped our landscape, and why we are now shifting toward "public money for public good."
Farmer Cluster Groups: James highlights the power of "cluster groups"—where local farmers collaborate on carbon capture, soil health, and bird identification to create wildlife corridors across the county.
Nature Recovery Success Stories: We hear from Tom Monroe (National Landscapes) and Imogen Davenport (Dorset Wildlife Trust) on how collaboration in areas like the Isle of Purbeck is successfully reversing decades of nature decline.
Down in Dorset episodes are available on the last Friday of every month. 
Which of Dorset’s "Big Five" is your favourite to spot in the wild? We’d love to hear your stories! Reach out at [email protected] or find us on social media.
This podcast mini-series has been produced with help from Nature Recovery Dorset, a Dorset Council led initiative helping communities, landowners and organisations work together to restore nature across Dorset. Any views or opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and should not be taken as representing Dorset Council.
Website: www.second-nature.co.uk
Email us: [email protected]
Social media: @second_natureuk
Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac