A PODCAST about cows, countryside and conservation might not sound like an obvious chart hit but one Dorset show is proving otherwise.

Second Nature: Down in Dorset, hosted by farmer Tim Gelfs and nature podcaster Lizzie McLaughlin, has become an unexpected success story, climbing into the UK podcast top 20 and ranking among the top 10% to 25% worldwide.

Originally planned as a short four-part series, the podcast has proved so popular that Dorset Council has agreed to keep funding it until at least November with more episodes potentially on the way.

The series explores the often complicated relationship between food production, farming and the natural world, bringing together farmers, residents and environmental groups to discuss everything from biodiversity and river pollution to wildlife conservation and sustainable food.

For co-host Tim Gelfs, a free-range egg and cattle farmer near Beaminster, the response has been surprising.

“It’s been brilliant to see how well the podcast has been received in such a short space of time,” he said.

“Reaching the UK top 20 shows there’s real appetite for honest conversations about farming and the countryside and we’re really pleased that most of the listeners are also based in Dorset or the wider Southwest.

“There’s a serious side to it too – it’s about bringing farming and nature closer to people and helping us all better understand both.”

Recent episodes have tackled Dorset’s “big five” species, water quality and soil health, while also spotlighting local farmers trying to balance food production with restoring wildlife.

Co-host Lizzie McLaughlin said future episodes would dig deeper into the issues shaping Dorset’s landscape.

“Future episodes will dive deeper into some of these topics and highlight the people shaping the future of Dorset’s landscapes,” she said.

The latest episode looks at ways people can learn more about farming, including Open Farm Sunday on June 7, when farms across Dorset will open their gates to the public.

The podcast is available on major streaming platforms by searching Second Nature: Down in Dorset.