37: Richard Perkins | The Art Of The Small Mixed Regenerative Farm

In this episode, we speak with Richard Perkins, farmer & educator at Ridgedale Permaculture, and author of Regenerative Agriculture, about the deeper layers of farming, culture, and meaning. Richard shares the story behind his decision to open a historic restaurant, Sillegarden, in rural Sweden as a way to reconnect people to place, food, and each other. He reflects on the role of farmers as community builders, the dangers of seed oils and grain-based diets, and why he’s more interested in soil-building than buzzwords. The conversation dives into mentorship, the mental and emotional toll of farm life, and the joy of doing hard things with people you care about. The episode wraps with a rapid-fire Q&A touching on wild food, trauma, nutrient density, and the classic farming book he's updating for a new generation of land stewards.

Sillegarden Restaurant: https://www.sillegarden.com/

Timestamps

[2:14] The role of chefs and the fitness industry in changing the food system.

[10:13] Richard’s journey into farming, from working in the UK to settling in Sweden.

[13:07] Ridgedale Farm's functions: being a profitable farm and a learning platform for new farmers.

[16:08] The role of YouTube and social media in Richard's work and documenting his journey.

[29:21] The origin story of the Sillegarden restaurant and Richard's goal to create cultural experiences.

[44:39] The importance of local, seasonal food and the value of old-fashioned farming methods.

[1:00:44] Diet and health journey, animal-based eating and avoiding seed oils, sugar, and unfermented grains.

[1:17:30] The co-opting of the word "regenerative" by big agriculture and Richard's perspective on the term.

[1:24:10] P.A. Yeomans's keyline design and scale of permanence on farm planning.

[1:35:30] REKO Rings model: an efficient, community-driven sales and marketing system for local food.

[1:54:42] Rapid Fire: Quick questions on books, advice, and personal experiences.

Sponsors

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Links/Resources

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The Old Mill: https://www.espaceoldmill.com/en/

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Guest Social Media Links

Richard Perkins:

Website: https://www.richardperkins.co/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@regenerativeagriculture

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardperkins.co/?hl=en

Ridgedale Farm website: https://www.ridgedalepermaculture.com/

JM:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmartinfortier
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