A NEW podcast lifting the lid on Dorset’s countryside has been launched, giving residents a behind-the-scenes look at how farmers, communities and organisations are working together to restore nature and produce local food.

Second Nature: Down in Dorset is co-hosted by farmer Tim Gelfs and nature podcaster Lizzie McLaughlin and explores the realities of farming with nature in today’s rural landscape.

The mini-series goes behind the farm gate to examine both the opportunities and the pressures facing Dorset’s countryside.

The podcast is a Dorset-focused spin-off of Second Nature, a popular series connecting listeners to stories about food, farming and the countryside.

Tim, who farms free-range hens and pedigree Aberdeen Angus cattle near Beaminster, brings more than 40 years of hands-on experience to the series.

Having started work on farms at the age of 14, he says he is keen to challenge misconceptions about farming and rural life.

“I want these podcasts to be informative but fun,” says Tim. “There are so many myths about farming and the countryside.

“By sharing what’s really happening on the ground, right on the doorstep of most Dorset residents, I hope people will gain a clearer understanding of the work farmers are doing for food, wildlife and the landscape.”

Lizzie, an experienced nature storyteller, guides listeners through each episode, leading conversations with guests from across the county.

Episodes explore topics including local food production, wildlife and biodiversity, water pollution and river health and the practical steps farmers are taking to improve soils, boost wildlife and restore landscapes.

The series has been produced with support from Nature Recovery Dorset, a Dorset Council-led initiative bringing together communities, landowners and organisations to help nature recover across the county.

Council’s leader and cabinet member for climate Cllr Nick Ireland said: “Protecting and restoring Dorset’s natural environment is vital for our future, and that starts with understanding what’s really happening across the landscapes we all share.

“This podcast gives residents the rare chance to hear directly from the farmers, land managers and experts working on the ground, offering an inside look at both the pressures our countryside faces and the opportunities to improve it.

“By learning more about the issues affecting our rivers, soils, wildlife and food systems, we can make better choices and work together to ensure nature in Dorset thrives for generations to come.”

The first episode of Second Nature: Down in Dorset is now available on podcast platforms.

To listen, visit https://www.second-nature.co.uk/listen