<![CDATA[Scythe Community Podcast]]>We’re bringing the worldwide scythe community together. Where we can hear from — and learn from — each other.

 

Whether you’re new to using a scythe and want to know more about this incredible hand tool… or whether you’re already an experienced mower and would like to hear from other accomplished scythe users… this podcast is where that happens.

​

We'll also discuss how to restore and maintain meadows for wildlife habitat, and how the scythe is an ideal tool for that purpose.

 

Please join us as we interview some of the leading figures in the scythe community.

 

Happy Mowing!

]]>https://www.scythecommunity.orgRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:19:27 GMTTue, 25 Nov 2025 19:59:09 GMT60Steve Smith<p>We’re bringing the worldwide scythe community together. Where we can hear from — and learn from — each other.</p><p> </p><p>Whether you’re new to using a scythe and want to know more about this incredible hand tool… or whether you’re already an experienced mower and would like to hear from other accomplished scythe users… this podcast is where that happens.</p><p>​</p><p>We'll also discuss how to restore and maintain meadows for wildlife habitat, and how the scythe is an ideal tool for that purpose.</p><p> </p><p>Please join us as we interview some of the leading figures in the scythe community.</p><p> </p><p>Happy Mowing!</p>episodicSteve Smithsteve@scythecommunity.orgno<![CDATA[Rachel Remnant of Land Lore Consulting and Scythe Instructor]]>In this episode of the Scythe Community Podcast, ecologist Rachel Remnant shares her deep expertise in meadow restoration, traditional land management, and why biodiversity depends on how we cut and remove grass.

With over 20 years managing nature reserves and now founder of Land Lore Consulting, Rachel breaks down the science and tradition behind wildflower meadows—from floodplains in England to traditional farming practices in Transylvania.

Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Rachel Remnant
04:00 – Why technique matters more than sharpness
05:40 – Transylvania & the Churchill Fellowship experience
09:20 – The shocking loss of wildflower meadows
13:00 – Why LOW soil fertility creates more biodiversity
19:20 – Meadow vs pasture
28:50 – How to turn pasture into a wildflower meadow
32:20 – How to reduce soil fertility (step-by-step)
35:40 – Rachel’s meadow management course
43:00 – The “Magnificent Meadows” project

Links & Resources
Meadow conservation work:
https://www.cprehampshire.org.uk/meadows
Rachel’s consulting business:
https://www.landloreconsulting.com
Follow Rachel on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rachelremnant
Churchill Fellowship report (Transylvania study):

https://www.churchillfellowship.org/ideas-experts/ideas-library/from-transylvania-to-the-itchen-valley-reviving-traditional-meadow-skills/

]]>0e6f9149-22f3-42fa-bd8b-ce0c1bf11dd3Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:37:24 GMT<p>In this episode of the Scythe Community Podcast, ecologist Rachel Remnant shares her deep expertise in meadow restoration, traditional land management, and why biodiversity depends on how we cut and remove grass.<br /><br />With over 20 years managing nature reserves and now founder of Land Lore Consulting, Rachel breaks down the science and tradition behind wildflower meadows—from floodplains in England to traditional farming practices in Transylvania.<br /><br />Chapters<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwp6UiXR24Q">00:00</a> – Introduction to Rachel Remnant<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwp6UiXR24Q&amp;t=240s">04:00</a> – Why technique matters more than sharpness<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwp6UiXR24Q&amp;t=340s">05:40</a> – Transylvania &amp; the Churchill Fellowship experience<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwp6UiXR24Q&amp;t=560s">09:20</a> – The shocking loss of wildflower meadows <br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwp6UiXR24Q&amp;t=780s">13:00</a> – Why LOW soil fertility creates more biodiversity<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwp6UiXR24Q&amp;t=1160s">19:20</a> – Meadow vs pasture <br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwp6UiXR24Q&amp;t=1730s">28:50</a> – How to turn pasture into a wildflower meadow<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwp6UiXR24Q&amp;t=1940s">32:20</a> – How to reduce soil fertility (step-by-step)<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwp6UiXR24Q&amp;t=2140s">35:40</a> – Rachel’s meadow management course<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwp6UiXR24Q&amp;t=2580s">43:00</a> – The “Magnificent Meadows” project<br /><br /> Links &amp; Resources<br /> Meadow conservation work:<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cprehampshire.org.uk/meadows" target="_blank">https://www.cprehampshire.org.uk/meadows</a><br />Rachel’s consulting business:<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.landloreconsulting.com" target="_blank">https://www.landloreconsulting.com</a><br />Follow Rachel on Instagram:<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/rachelremnant" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/rachelremnant</a><br />Churchill Fellowship report (Transylvania study):</p><p>https://www.churchillfellowship.org/ideas-experts/ideas-library/from-transylvania-to-the-itchen-valley-reviving-traditional-meadow-skills/</p>no00:44:2313Rachel Remnant of Land Lore Consulting and Scythe Instructorfull<![CDATA[Janne Wester of Sweden - Scything, Meadow Restoration & the Nordic Snath]]>Janne Wester: Scything, Meadow Restoration & the Nordic Snath

Host Steve Smith talks with Sweden-based scything teacher and entrepreneur Janne Wester (Slåttergubben) about scything technique, meadow restoration, and the development of his Nordic snath for better ergonomics and control. Janne shares how he got started, why peening and sharpening are the biggest challenges for beginners, and how scythes fit into modern meadow management in Sweden. They also cover workshop teaching, municipal meadow contracts, why removing cuttings matters for biodiversity, and how to avoid misleading “meadow” seed mixes.

00:00 Welcome + Janne’s Background

02:12 Swedish Scythes, Ergonomics & the Nordic Snath

08:03 Scything Revival, Peening & Sharpness

19:10 Teaching Workshops + Common Beginner Mistakes

30:23 Meadow Contracts, Mowing Work & Tools

35:32 Scythe vs Brush Cutter 

39:38 Starting a Meadow + Restoration Basics

42:31 Avoiding Fake Meadow Seed Mixes

46:34 Why Scything Feels Right

55:59 Final Thanks and Wrap


https://www.youtube.com/@slattergubben6702/videos

slattergubben.se

slattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/the-nordic-snath?tm=home


]]>80f71ce5-3dc7-4cf9-adea-30922b4bf5e7Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:28:52 GMT<p><b>Janne Wester: Scything, Meadow Restoration &amp; the Nordic Snath</b></p><p>Host Steve Smith talks with Sweden-based scything teacher and entrepreneur <b>Janne Wester</b> (Slåttergubben) about scything technique, meadow restoration, and the development of his <b>Nordic snath</b> for better ergonomics and control. Janne shares how he got started, why <b>peening and sharpening</b> are the biggest challenges for beginners, and how scythes fit into modern meadow management in Sweden. They also cover workshop teaching, municipal meadow contracts, why removing cuttings matters for biodiversity, and how to avoid misleading “meadow” seed mixes.</p><p>00:00 Welcome + Janne’s Background</p><p>02:12 Swedish Scythes, Ergonomics &amp; the Nordic Snath</p><p>08:03 Scything Revival, Peening &amp; Sharpness</p><p>19:10 Teaching Workshops + Common Beginner Mistakes</p><p>30:23 Meadow Contracts, Mowing Work &amp; Tools</p><p>35:32 Scythe vs Brush Cutter </p><p>39:38 Starting a Meadow + Restoration Basics</p><p>42:31 Avoiding Fake Meadow Seed Mixes</p><p>46:34 Why Scything Feels Right</p><p>55:59 Final Thanks and Wrap</p><p><br /></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@slattergubben6702/videos" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@slattergubben6702/videos</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://slattergubben.se" target="_blank">slattergubben.se</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://slattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/the-nordic-snath?tm=home" target="_blank">slattergubben.se/produkter/kopa-lie/the-nordic-snath?tm=home</a></p><p><br /></p>no00:49:4812Janne Wester of Sweden - Scything, Meadow Restoration & the Nordic Snathfull<![CDATA[Richard Brown of the Scythe Association of Britain and Ireland]]>Richard Brown on Scything, Meadows, and Biodiversity

Host Steve Smith introduces the Scythe Community Podcast and welcomes Richard Brown — botanist, ecologist, wildflower seed expert, and longtime scythe instructor. He's also led the Scythe Association of Britain and Ireland since its founding over 15 years ago. Richard shares how he got into scything while helping people manage meadows that were too small for tractors but too large for garden tools, and how discovering modern Austrian scythes changed everything.

The conversation explores what makes a true meadow versus pasture, why biodiversity depends on active management, and why simply leaving land alone often leads to scrub and woodland. Richard explains the importance of mowing timing, the risks of misunderstood “no mow” messaging, and how staggered “mow-saic” management can better support wild flowers and biodiversity.

Links

wildscythe.co.uk.

https://www.youtube.com/@wildseed01/featured


00:00   Welcome & Guest Intro

01:04   Richard’s Scythe Journey

04:02   Meadow vs Pasture

10:40   Mowing Timing & “No Mow” Confusion

16:29   “Mow-saic” Management for Biodiversity

18:51   Fertility, Cuttings, and Wildflowers

21:55.  Meadow Restoration in Practice

27:05   The Experience of Scything & Learning the Skill

36:36   Scything Community, Efficiency, and Courses

43:32   Sub Aqua Scything & Where to Learn More


#scything #scyther #scythe #pasture #meadow #restoration #biodiversity #wildflowers #conservation #mowing


]]>f992b278-cd11-45dd-9802-fa7b66ac2f0eWed, 04 Mar 2026 20:51:19 GMT<p>Richard Brown on Scything, Meadows, and Biodiversity<br /></p><p>Host Steve Smith introduces the Scythe Community Podcast and welcomes Richard Brown — botanist, ecologist, wildflower seed expert, and longtime scythe instructor. He's also led the Scythe Association of Britain and Ireland since its founding over 15 years ago. Richard shares how he got into scything while helping people manage meadows that were too small for tractors but too large for garden tools, and how discovering modern Austrian scythes changed everything.</p><p></p><p>The conversation explores what makes a true meadow versus pasture, why biodiversity depends on active management, and why simply leaving land alone often leads to scrub and woodland. Richard explains the importance of mowing timing, the risks of misunderstood “no mow” messaging, and how staggered “mow-saic” management can better support wild flowers and biodiversity.<br /></p><p>Links</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://wildscythe.co.uk" target="_blank">wildscythe.co.uk</a>.</p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@wildseed01/featured" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@wildseed01/featured</a></p><p><br /></p><p>00:00   Welcome &amp; Guest Intro</p><p>01:04   Richard’s Scythe Journey</p><p>04:02   Meadow vs Pasture</p><p>10:40   Mowing Timing &amp; “No Mow” Confusion</p><p>16:29   “Mow-saic” Management for Biodiversity</p><p>18:51   Fertility, Cuttings, and Wildflowers</p><p>21:55.  Meadow Restoration in Practice</p><p>27:05   The Experience of Scything &amp; Learning the Skill</p><p>36:36   Scything Community, Efficiency, and Courses</p><p>43:32   Sub Aqua Scything &amp; Where to Learn More</p><p><br /></p><p>#scything #scyther #scythe #pasture #meadow #restoration #biodiversity #wildflowers #conservation #mowing</p><p><br /></p>no00:46:5711Richard Brown of the Scythe Association of Britain and Irelandfull