An EcoFarmer’s Discovery Chapter 15: What Is This Shiny Stuff?
The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast

Welcome to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery: The Companion Podcast, where every Friday we dive into one chapter of Ewan Campbell’s journey.

Read or listen along by searching An EcoFarmer’s Discovery on Spotify, or find the book on Audible and Kindle. Each episode unpacks the stories and principles behind regenerative farming, with 26 chapters released across 26 weeks.

This episode covers Chapter 15 and explores the hidden structure of soil, aluminium toxicity, and why misunderstanding soil chemistry puts entire farming systems at risk.

In This Episode

Ewan explains why most farmers have never been taught what soil is actually made of, unpacking aluminosilicates, pH behaviour in volcanic soils, and how soluble aluminium quietly shuts down biology. The discussion introduces the importance of the SW07 soil test, why traditional fertiliser advice often makes problems worse, and how misreading soil data leads to escalating inputs and declining function.

The conversation connects soil chemistry to plant expression, human health, and historical fertiliser use. From hieracium infestations and shiny aluminium-loving plants to phosphate binding, silicon lock-up, and calcium availability, this episode shows how toxicity, not deficiency, is often the real issue.

We explore:• Why aluminium toxicity, not deficiency, shuts down soils

• How soil tests like SW07 reveal hidden system failures
• The link between aluminium, silicon, calcium, and phosphorus
• Why hieracium and “shiny” plants signal toxic conditions
• How sea minerals and biology help restart the soil system

This episode is about understanding structure over inputs, biology over chemistry, and why healthy soils depend on removing toxicity, not adding more product.

Follow along. Watch full episodes on YouTube and Spotify Video.

Useful links:

• Learn more at EcoFarm Aotearoa (efa.nz)

Our FREE E-Book: https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery: https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=7f68bd8183ea46ae

An EcoFarmer’s Discovery Chapter 14: The BeachThe EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast

Welcome to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery: The Companion Podcast, where every Friday we dive into one chapter of Ewan Campbell’s journey.

Read or listen along by searching An EcoFarmer’s Discovery on Spotify, or find the book on Audible and Kindle. Each episode unpacks the stories and principles behind regenerative farming, with 26 chapters released across 26 weeks.

In This Episode
This episode covers Chapter 14 and explores the role of seawater, cyanobacteria, and marine minerals in soil, plant, animal, and human health.

Ewan reflects on the research of Dr Maynard Murray and others, drawing connections between ocean health, mineralisation, and biological function on land. The discussion explains why seawater cannot be replicated synthetically, how cyanobacteria underpin carbon accumulation, and why biology fails when exposed to chemicals and aluminium.

The conversation moves from theory to practice, covering early on-farm seawater trials, logistical challenges, mineral interactions, and surprising results such as explosive pasture growth and worm activity. The episode also touches on serpentine, historical fertiliser choices, and why relying on short-lived products can leave farmers stuck when tools disappear.

We explore:
• Why seawater is biologically alive and cannot be manufactured
• The role of cyanobacteria in carbon, soil structure, and nutrient flow
• Links between ocean health, soil health, and animal performance
• Seawater as fertiliser, fungicide, and biological inoculant
• Practical lessons from early trials and mineral interactions
• Why nature-based systems consistently outperform chemical fixes

This episode is about first principles, biological intelligence, and understanding that healthy farms, animals, and people all begin with functioning soil biology.

Follow along. Watch full episodes on YouTube and Spotify Video.

Useful links:
• Learn more at EcoFarm Aotearoa (efa.nz)

Our FREE E-Book:
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=d5fd8cf669b14be0

An EcoFarmer’s Discovery Chapter 13: Products
The EcoFarm Aotearoa Podcast

Welcome to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery: The Companion Podcast, where every Friday we dive into one chapter of Ewan Campbell’s journey.

Read or listen along by searching An EcoFarmer’s Discovery on Spotify, or find the book on Kindle. Each episode unpacks the stories and principles behind regenerative farming, with 26 chapters released across 26 weeks.

In This Episode

This episode covers Chapter 13, Products, and how soil decisions shape real-world outcomes.

Ewan reflects on the rapid growth of his soil biology work and the challenges of scaling something entirely new. The discussion looks at knowledge transfer, burnout, and what happens when innovation moves faster than structure.

The conversation then turns practical, linking soil imbalance, mineral deficiencies, and chemical legacies directly to animal health, farm costs, and product quality. Ewan explains why fixing problems in the soil consistently delivers better results than treating symptoms in livestock.

We explore:• The challenges of scaling new ideas in farming• How mineral imbalances affect soil and animal health• Why soil solutions outperform animal supplements• The long-term impacts of chemicals like DDT and atrazine• How testing and observation guide better decisions• Why products reflect the health of the whole system

This episode is about learning from mistakes, taking responsibility, and understanding that farm products are built from the soil up.

Follow along. Watch full episodes on YouTube and Spotify Video.

Useful links:
• Learn more at EcoFarm Aotearoa (efa.nz)

Our FREE E-Book:
https://www.ecofarmaotearoa.nz/download-our-ebook/

Listen to An EcoFarmer’s Discovery:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3wIgUUghlsKIje76E5tjBA?si=d5fd8cf669b14be0