Deep Seed Podcast

Astrid Vargas has spent her life helping bring endangered species back from the brink of extinction, from the black-footed ferret in North America to the Iberian lynx in Spain.But over the years, her focus expanded from saving individual species to something much bigger: restoring entire ecosystems and landscapes.In this episode, we follow that remarkable journey. We explore the silent decline of butterflies and insects, the extraordinary recovery of the Iberian lynx, what happens when predators return to an ecosystem, and why restoring nature ultimately means working with the people who live within it.Astrid also shares the story of AlVelAl, a pioneering landscape restoration initiative in southern Spain bringing together farmers, conservationists, entrepreneurs and local communities to regenerate a region threatened by desertification.We talk about rewilding, trophic cascades, regenerative agriculture, the politics of environmentalism, the power of community, and why hope and inspiration may be just as important to restoration as ecology itself.At its heart, this is a conversation about something surprisingly hopeful: nature can come back. And we know more about how to help it recover than we might think.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯In this episode, we explore:• The extraordinary recovery of the Iberian lynx• Why top predators can transform entire ecosystems• Trophic cascades, explained simply• The silent decline of butterflies, insects and pollinators• Why conservation must move beyond saving individual species• Rewilding vs ecological restoration• How Astrid helped catalyse AlVelAl in southern Spain• Regenerative agriculture and landscape restoration• Commonland's 4 Returns and 3 Zones frameworks• Why restoration must create livelihoods as well as biodiversity• The importance of local ownership and community• How restoration can happen at bioregional scale• Why hope may be one of conservation's most important tools⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯✨ASTRID VARGASAstrid Vargas is a conservation biologist whose career has taken her from endangered-species recovery programmes to large-scale landscape restoration. Her work has included the black-footed ferret in North America and the Iberian lynx in Spain, where she played a major role in the species' captive-breeding programme.She later worked with Commonland and helped catalyse AlVelAl, the large-scale landscape restoration initiative in south-eastern Spain that brings together ecological restoration, regenerative agriculture, entrepreneurship and community development.⸻

What does it actually take to restore nature? Not just on individual farms or through isolated projects, but across entire landscapes?For more than a decade, ecologist and Commonland founder Willem Ferwerda has been working on exactly that question.In this episode, Willem takes us inside the thinking behind Commonland and the Four Returns framework: a long-term approach to landscape restoration that brings together ecology, agriculture, communities, business and finance.We explore why restoring ecosystems requires thinking in decades; why technical knowledge is often not the biggest barrier to change; what Willem learned from decades working in conservation around the world; and why farmers and landowners can become what he beautifully describes as “islands of hope” within degraded landscapes.We also get into the economics of regeneration: long-term finance, the role of farmers and communities, and why our economies ultimately need to operate within the ecological systems on which they depend.At its heart, this is a conversation about moving from loss to return: restoring not only biodiversity, soil and water, but livelihoods, communities, purpose and hope.

What if humanity already knows how to restore the ecosystems we have degraded?For more than three decades, filmmaker and ecologist John D. Liu has documented some of the world's most ambitious efforts to bring damaged landscapes back to life.His work documenting the restoration of China's Loess Plateau showed him something that would shape the rest of his life: large-scale ecological degradation is not necessarily irreversible.So if restoration is possible, why aren't we doing it everywhere?In this conversation, John takes us from the Loess Plateau to the possibility of restoring the Sinai Peninsula. We explore how vegetation, soil, biodiversity and the water cycle interact, why degraded landscapes struggle to retain water, and what happens when ecological function becomes the starting point for how we manage land.But John's argument goes much further than ecosystem restoration.We discuss why our economic system often rewards extraction rather than ecological health, why GDP is such an incomplete measure of wealth, whether perennial polycultures and regenerative agriculture could reshape our food system, and what it would mean to organise human civilisation around restoring the living systems on which we depend.John also reflects on ageing, responsibility, his friendship with Jane Goodall, the creation of the Ecosystem Restoration Communities movement, and his work as an Ecosystem Ambassador for Commonland.At 73, after decades spent documenting both ecological destruction and extraordinary recovery, John remains convinced of something profoundly hopeful:Humans don't have to be a destructive force on this planet. We can become a restorative one.This episode was produced in partnership with Commonland, a global organisation working to enable large-scale landscape restoration through its holistic Four Returns approach.⎯⎯⎯

A few years ago, Anna Wynants decided to combine her two biggest passions: farming and cooking.She opened ‘De Keukentafel', which is both a small organic regenerative farm and a fine dining restaurant.Every morning, she walks into the gardens with her coffee to see what's thriving, what's ripe, and which ingredients are ready to find their way onto the menu.For a creative chef like her, it's like paradise: a whole range of fresh and delicious ingredients to choose from. She then expertly and lovingly harvests, transforms and elevates these ingredients to create beautiful, original and delicious dishes. I had the pleasure of trying some of her food, and it's truly exceptional.I left De Keukentafel deeply inspired by both the place and the person behind it. I hope this conversation leaves you feeling the same.✨TOP 50 FARMERSAnna is one of 50 farmers selected for Top 50 Farmers 2026, a farmer-first accelerator program designed to empower, connect, and elevate regenerative farmers across Europe.  This episode was produced in collaboration with Top 50 Farmers to bring you an example of how regeneration is being pursued in many contexts and many ways. Discover more - www.top50Farmers.com✨DE KEUKENTAFELhttps://www.de-keukentafel.com/✨DEEP SEED PODCASTFollow us for more stories about regenerative pioneers, scientists and experts (click on the ‘subscribe' button under the video)Email us at raphael@deepseed.euHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Et si notre santé ne commençait pas dans l'assiette… mais bien plus bas, dans les sols ?Dans cet épisode, je reçois Pierre Weill, agronome, auteur de Une seule santé et pionnier d'une approche qui relie santé des sols, santé des plantes, santé animale, alimentation humaine et santé publique.On parle de One Health, de densité nutritionnelle, d'agroécologie, de maladies chroniques, d'oméga-3, de polyphénols, de goût, de prévention, mais aussi d'un sujet essentiel : comment créer un nouveau contrat entre agriculteurs, citoyens, scientifiques, entreprises et décideurs pour produire une alimentation qui régénère les écosystèmes au lieu de les épuiser.Pierre explique pourquoi une tomate peut avoir le même nombre de calories qu'une autre, mais pas du tout la même richesse en micronutriments. Pourquoi la vie du sol influence la qualité nutritionnelle des aliments. Pourquoi la diversité est une clé fondamentale du vivant. Et pourquoi la transition agricole ne peut pas reposer uniquement sur les épaules des agriculteurs.DANS CET EPISODE• Le concept de One Health : pourquoi la santé des sols, des plantes, des animaux et des humains est indissociable.• Pourquoi la densité nutritionnelle de nos aliments est l'un des grands enjeux de santé publique du XXIᵉ siècle.• Comment les pratiques agricoles influencent directement la qualité nutritionnelle de notre alimentation.• Pourquoi les maladies chroniques explosent et quel rôle joue notre alimentation.• Les preuves scientifiques derrière les bénéfices de l'agriculture régénérative.• Peut-on produire une alimentation plus saine sans la rendre inaccessible ?• Comment reconnaître des aliments réellement nutritifs en tant que consommateur.• Pourquoi la santé pourrait être le moteur le plus puissant pour accélérer la transition agricole.PARTENAIRES DE CET EPISODE

In this episode of Deep Seed, regenerative farmers Naomi Oakley and Gunnar Thelin explore what modern agriculture could become if we stopped treating nature as a machine and started listening to living systems again.This is not another conversation about agricultural policy, carbon markets, subsidies or food system bureaucracy.It is a deeply human conversation about regenerative farming, biodiversity, grazing animals, soil health, ecosystem restoration, community, belonging… and joy.For Naomi, farming is the privilege of waking up every morning to work alongside animals, landscapes and local communities she deeply loves. For Gunnar, regenerative agriculture is rooted in a profound feeling of connection to place: the understanding that the land does not belong to us — we belong to the land.Together, they discuss how regenerative grazing systems can restore ecosystems, improve water cycles, increase biodiversity, rebuild soil health and strengthen climate resilience, while also giving farmers back something many have lost: meaning, dignity and hope.This episode explores:• regenerative agriculture and holistic grazing• biodiversity and ecosystem restoration• soil regeneration and water retention• rewilding vs regenerative farming• how cows and grazing animals shape landscapes• why observation matters more than rigid agricultural recipes• farmer mental health, purpose and community• the role of farmers in solving climate and ecological crises• why many young people are rediscovering farming and land stewardshipAt the heart of the conversation is a powerful idea: farmers are not simply producers trapped inside industrial systems. They are observers, experimenters and caretakers of living ecosystems.Naomi and Gunnar speak honestly about how modern agriculture often disconnects farmers from nature, from their communities and even from themselves. Against that, they offer another path: one rooted in curiosity, humility, ecological intelligence and relationship with the living world.It is hopeful without being naïve.A conversation about farming, yes — but also about how humans might find their way back to meaning, resilience and connection in an increasingly fractured world.

Let me ask you this: do you think Europe can feed itself in 20–30 years under current conditions?In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, I sit down with Ivo Degn (Re:source) to unpack a reality very few people are willing to face:Europe's food system is becoming more fragile, more volatile, and less resilient every year.We talk about rising food insecurity, collapsing soil health, fertiliser dependency on fossil fuels, ageing farmers with no one to replace them, and a system that was never designed for the world we now live in.This conversation reframes regenerative agriculture from a “nice idea” to a serious response to food system risk.Because at the end of the day, agriculture is not just another sector. It is the foundation of civilisation.—In this deep-dive masterclass, we explore:• Why the modern agrifood system depends on assumptions that no longer hold• How climate volatility (droughts, floods, shifting baselines) is destabilising food production• Why fertiliser, energy and geopolitics are tightly linked• The hidden structural barriers blocking regenerative agriculture in Europe• Why farmers are often trapped in a system they know isn't working• How soil biology, biodiversity and regenerative practices are emerging as a viable alternative• What needs to change at a system level to unlock the transition—If you care about food security, climate change, regenerative agriculture, soil health, biodiversity, the future of Europe, or simply where your food comes from, this is one of the most important conversations you can listen to right now.—

What if restoring our soils isn't just a scientific challenge… but an emotional, even spiritual one? What if the future of farming depends as much on beauty, connection, and intention as it does on data, yields, and carbon? In this powerful episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, landscape architect Marian Boswall takes us on a journey that starts with dead soil… and leads to a completely new way of seeing land, food, and life itself. This is not your typical conversation about agriculture. It's deeper. Slower. More human. And, honestly, more hopeful.

What if the future of food isn't high-tech… but ancient wisdom?We've built a global food system on just four crops... and it's starting to crack! The real question is: what happens when it breaks?In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, Professor Sayed Azam-Ali (University of Nottingham, Crops For the Future) reveals why the key to resilient, nutritious, and truly sustainable food systems might already exist—hidden in so-called “forgotten crops.”We unpack how modern agriculture became dangerously dependent on a handful of commodity crops like wheat, rice, maize, and soy—and why this lack of diversity is driving soil degradation, biodiversity loss, climate vulnerability, and hidden hunger.But this isn't just a problem story. It's a roadmap for transformation.You'll discover:Why crop diversity is the foundation of regenerative agriculture and food system resilienceHow underutilised crops like Bambara groundnut and fonio can outperform industrial staples in harsh climatesThe hidden link between ultra-processed food, micronutrient deficiency, and chronic diseaseWhy global supply chains (COVID, Ukraine, Suez Canal) exposed the fragility of our food systemHow indigenous knowledge and farmer-led innovation hold critical solutions we're at risk of losingWhat needs to change—from seed systems and subsidies to consumer behavior and food cultureWe also dive into the bigger picture:Can regenerative agriculture scale without cultural change?What role should corporations, governments, and consumers really play?And why “cheap food” might be the most expensive mistake we've ever madeThis conversation sits at the intersection of agroecology, climate change, nutrition, and food sovereignty—and challenges everything we think we know about what we should grow and eat.Because the future of farming might not be about producing more……but about growing differently.“We cannot fix the food system by tweaking it. We have to transform it.”⸻

What happens when a farmer publicly admits that modern agriculture might be broken?In this episode, British farmer David Wheatley joins the Deep Seed Podcast to share the unfiltered reality of modern farming. After losing almost everything in a devastating farm fire and facing years of financial losses during COVID, David started posting honest videos about life on his farm — and unexpectedly built an audience of millions.Today, his content offers a rare window into the real economics of agriculture: volatile weather, rising input costs, global commodity markets, and the constant risk farmers face every season.David is a fourth-generation farmer from Cambridgeshire, UK, managing around 450 acres of arable crops, orchards and flowers. In this conversation we go beyond the viral videos to explore the deeper forces shaping farming today — and the new opportunities emerging through direct-to-consumer food systems, social media, and regenerative agriculture.You'll hear:• how David nearly lost his farm after years of financial losses• why many farmers feel trapped in a system where “the more you grow, the less you get paid”• how social media unexpectedly became a lifeline for his farm• why he sells flowers and apples directly to consumers instead of supermarketsWe also discuss David's heritage orchards with over 250 apple varieties, why he refuses to certify them organic even though they are grown without sprays or fertilisers, and how customers are rediscovering what real food tastes like.The conversation also explores David's first experiments with regenerative agriculture, cover crops, direct drilling, biodiversity and diversified farming systems, and the real risks farmers face when transitioning away from conventional agriculture.This episode is for anyone interested in:• regenerative agriculture• sustainable farming• soil health and biodiversity• the future of food systems• farm economics and agricultural policy• food security and resilienceAt its heart, this conversation reminds us that the future of agriculture may depend on rebuilding the relationship between farmers, land and the people who eat the food.⎯

What happens when a former hedge fund trader walks away from finance… survives a near-fatal accident… and rebuilds his farm using regenerative agriculture?In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, James Butcher shares how he transformed his Suffolk farm from a high-input, chemical-dependent system into a diversified regenerative farming model using:Companion croppingLivestock integrationAgroforestryReduced synthetic nitrogenBiological soil health principlesAnd here's the kicker:He slashed growing costs from £1,500–£2,000 per hectare to under £600 per hectare — while increasing resilience and, in some cases, yields.Including one wheat field that yielded 2 tonnes per hectare MORE after being grazed by sheep.Yes, really.⸻

What if the future of regenerative agriculture won't be decided in Europe… but in India, Africa, and the Global South?In this powerful Deep Seed mini-episode, we sit down with Professor Nitya Rao, leading gender and climate researcher and contributor to the Lancet Commission on Food Systems, to explore a perspective we rarely hear in the regenerative agriculture movement.Because here's the uncomfortable truth:

Can regenerative agriculture really restore biodiversity, rebuild soil health, increase farmer profits and still feed the world? Or is it just a powerful story we want to believe?In this evidence-based Deep Seed conversation, biodiversity scientist Professor Lynn Dicks shares groundbreaking real-world research from commercial farms in the UK and India — revealing what the science actually says about regenerative agriculture, agroecology, nature-based solutions, and the future of our food system.This episode is essential listening for farmers, policymakers, sustainability professionals, researchers, and anyone working to transform agriculture.

In this episode of Deep Seed, I sit down with Andrew Voysey, Chief Impact Officer at Soil Capital, to go beyond slogans and dig into what it actually takes to scale regenerative agriculture in a world built for short-term output.We unpack why most farmers feel trapped, why markets alone won't fix our food systems, and how credible impact measurement — paired with smart policy and aligned incentives — could unlock transition at scale.Whether you're a farmer, a food-chain professional, a policymaker, an investor, or someone who eats food every day (which is all of us), this conversation reframes regenerative agriculture as economic reality rather than idealistic aspiration.In plain language and big ideas, we cover:Why soil is a hidden systemic lever - and why degraded soil is behind so many global crisesThe real reason farmers are stuck - risk, cashflow pressures, and fragile livelihoodsHow Soil Capital is forging real economic pathways - paying farmers for measurable impact, not just good intentionsWhy big companies actually care - resilience, supply-chain security, and risk managementBeyond carbon - how soil, biodiversity, water, and farm resilience can be credibly measured at scaleThe limits of markets - why policy and public finance still matterHeadwinds and opportunities - political shifts, economic pressures, and the resilient core of the transitionThis is not another “optimistic farming chat.” This is a real-world, systems-level, deeply practical conversation about how change actually happens when you remove the fantasy, face the bottlenecks, and structure incentives that work.If you care about food, climate, landscapes, rural economies, or simply how the world actually works beneath the headlines, this episode is for you! 

Our food system is on the verge of collapse — but we can fix it.In this episode, we're joined by Tim Benton, one of the world's leading experts on food security, to unpack the deep systemic drivers behind the crisis… and what a truly regenerative future could look like.We cover:Why the food system is fundamentally unsustainableThe 3 “lock-ins” keeping us stuckHow planetary boundaries apply to farming and dietsThe myth of green growthWhat gives Tim hope — and what needs to change nowThis is one of the most powerful and important episodes we've recorded. If you care about the future of food, farming, or the planet, you need to hear this.

What if every bite of cheap food you eat is secretly costing society triple the price you paid at checkout?In this eye-opening episode, food systems expert Adele Jones (former Executive Director of the Sustainable Food Trust) pulls back the curtain on the true cost of our food. From soil health and ecosystem collapse to diet-related disease and skyrocketing healthcare costs, Adele explains how we're already paying the true price of industrial farming. And it's way more than what we spend at the supermarket! But it's not all bad news. Adele lays out a hopeful, inspiring roadmap to a regenerative food system where farmers are rewarded for improving soil, boosting biodiversity, and producing truly nutrient-dense food. We cover groundbreaking concepts like True Cost Accounting, the Global Farm Metric, and why livestock farming might just be part of the solution.If you've ever wondered how to fix food, protect nature, and improve public health all at once: this episode is a must-listen! It's one of the most mind-expanding conversations we've ever had.⎯⎯⎯

In one of the driest, most degraded landscapes in Europe, farmer and agroforester Antonio Coelho has built 60 cm of fertile topsoil, raised organic matter to 7.4%, and slashed irrigation by 85% - all in just six years! In this #REWIND episode, Antonio shares his deeply inspiring journey into entropic agroforestry, a form of regenerative agriculture that mimics forest ecosystems to grow food, restore land, and rebuild water cycles. He explains how complex, layered polycultures can outcompete monocultures - not just ecologically, but economically too - if we shift how we define productivity.You'll learn:Why dense, multi-species systems don't compete — they cooperateHow to retain water and thrive even with 8-month droughtsWhat it means to feed the soil first, not just the cropWhy economic models must account for real planetary costsHow biomass, pruning, and photosynthesis create energy loops that regenerate land over timeThis episode challenges conventional logic about competition, inputs, and profitability — and offers a bold, hopeful vision for the future of farming.

What if you could bring a dead river back to life by working with farmers, not against them? In this powerful #REWIND episode, Silvia Quarta shares the story of a forgotten valley in one of Europe's driest regions, where springs stopped flowing, wells ran dry, and the river disappeared. But through radical listening, community trust, and regenerative agriculture, a new vision is starting to emerge. Rooted in hope, soil, and local food systems. This episode is about reimagining what rural life can be, and showing that farmers, shepherds, and citizens can become stewards of large-scale ecological restoration.

What if we stopped just talking about regeneration… and started measuring it? In this #REWIND episode, Peter Fröhlich, engineer, farmer, and co-founder of AgriPurpose, lays out a powerful, outcome-driven approach to regenerative agriculture. No fluff! Just clear, data-informed tools to guide land restoration at scale. Peter explains how satellite data, targeted soil testing, and simple metrics like biomass productivity, plant cover, and input efficiency can help farmers, funders, and policymakers align around real impact — not vague promises. This is regeneration with roots. Practical, radical, and full of hope. ⸻

This episode will change the way you think about farming, food, and fairness. When we talk about regenerative agriculture, we often focus on soil. But what about value? What about money, structure, and power in the food system?In this #REWIND episode, agronomist and regenerative ag pioneer Nicolas Verschuere unpacks how we can rebuild fair, functional value chains that truly reward farmers without making food more expensive. From launching a barley-to-beer cooperative in Belgium to scaling regenerative grains across Europe, this is a powerful look at what it takes to make regeneration viable and scalable.If you've ever wondered how we connect healthy soil to a healthy economy -> this one's for you!

Farmers aren't the problem... they're the solution! In this eye-opening episode, agronomist Nicolas Verschuere dismantles common myths about soil health, tillage, and agrochemicals. He reveals what actually works to make farming more regenerative, resilient, and profitable.Drawing on decades of hands-on experience with European farmers, he explains why cover crops, minimal disturbance, and smarter input use are not about perfection but about progress. It's practical, grounded, and surprisingly hopeful. If you're curious about how we can heal soils without blaming farmers, this is a must-listen.

Notre agriculture va droit dans le mur.C'est ce que rappelle, sans détour, le biologiste et mycologue Marc-André Selosse dans ce #REWIND coup de poing.Il nous livre un éclairage saisissant sur le coût réel de l'agriculture conventionnelle : dégradation de la santé des sols, explosion des coûts de dépollution de l'eau, perte de matière organique, émissions de CO₂, et dépendance aux engrais chimiques.Mais il montre aussi qu'un autre chemin est possible — moins coûteux, plus fertile, et plus vivant.En défendant les pratiques de non-labour, de couvre-sol, ou encore la culture des blés pérennes, il bouscule nos croyances et rappelle que les alternatives existent — et fonctionnent.

Et si l'agriculture de demain passait par un retour aux racines? Dans cet épisode, le professeur Marc-André Selosse, biologiste, mycologue et vulgarisateur hors pair, nous emmène dans l'univers fascinant du sol vivant et des réseaux mycorhiziens, ces alliances secrètes entre champignons et racines qui façonnent la fertilité de nos terres. Avec passion et précision, il nous explique pourquoi la santé des sols est la clé de notre santé à tous, comment l'agriculture conventionnelle a sauvé l'humanité… mais aussi pourquoi elle atteint aujourd'hui ses limites. Ce n'est pas une leçon de morale. C'est un appel à la lucidité. À la science. Et à la responsabilité collective. Un épisode indispensable pour comprendre les fondations biologiques de l'agriculture régénérative, de l'agriculture de conservation, et du lien intime entre santé des sols et avenir de l'humanité.

What if farms were owned by communities... and managed for generations to come?

What if “weeds” could become the future of farming?

Wolves are returning to Europe... and it's stirring up powerful emotions! Can we learn to coexist with predators in a human-dominated landscape?

In this episode, I sit down with Simon Kraemer from the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture (EARA) a fast-growing, farmer-led network that's quietly shaking the foundations of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).Simon takes us inside the movement's origins, its mission to regenerate both ecosystems and democracy, and the groundbreaking farmer-led report that could redefine how we measure agricultural success in Europe. 

 According to Thomas Lecompte of Soil Capital Farming, the answer is a resounding yes! If you embrace complexity, plan for the long term, and treat the farm as a living system, not a factory.In this episode, we dive deep into what it takes to transition large-scale conventional farms into regenerative systems without sacrificing profitability. Thomas shares powerful case studies from Argentina and Belgium, where farmers reduced inputs like synthetic fertilizer and herbicides, improved soil health, integrated livestock using holistic grazing, and still maintained (or improved!) gross margins.He breaks down how long-term crop rotation planning, the smart use of cover crops, and tools like land equivalent ratios are reshaping the economic model of farming. Plus, he offers hard-won wisdom on the emotional and strategic complexity of real-life regenerative transitions.

What happens when a farmer becomes a microbiologist? Adrian Rubi shares how compost tea, leaf sap analysis, and on-farm ferments can help you cut inputs, strengthen crops, and speed up your regenerative agriculture transition. From recipe design and dissolved oxygen to trace-element tweaks and manure management, this is soil microbiology you can actually use. Why listen: Reduce fertilizer costs, improve plant health, and scale nature-based solutions with tools you can brew and measure on-farm. Inside This Episode:

What if wolves were your farming allies, not your enemies? What if chickens could replace pesticides and do a better job? In this episode, we step into the world of Marco Carbonara, a regenerative farmer and ecologist who has spent the last 20 years building a thriving, self-sustaining farm ecosystem in the wild heart of central Italy.

What role does policy play in shaping the future of farming?

Can rice farming be both productive and regenerative?

What if conventional farming is failing us, and the solution lies hidden in the soils beneath our feet?In this first part, we dive into the personal journey behind one of Europe's most ambitious regenerative agriculture projects. Ariane Lotti returned to her family farm in Tuscany, determined to transform more than 500 hectares of conventional farmland into a model for organic and regenerative farming. Against droughts, financial pressures, and skepticism from her peers, she bet everything on a vision of farming built on soil health, biodiversity, and resilience.

Palermo's legendary Conca d'Oro was once a lush mosaic of citrus groves, vegetables, and ingenious water systems — a living example of regenerative agriculture centuries before the term existed. Today, only fragments remain, but they still hold powerful lessons for the future of farming, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration.In this episode, we meet Tommaso La Mantia, ecologist, farmer, and member of the Valdibella Cooperative, who has spent his life studying and caring for these unique gardens. Tommaso explains how the Conca d'Oro worked like a natural forest: layered crops, closed nutrient cycles between animals, plants, and soil, and irrigation systems so advanced that they still impress modern scientists. He also shares why sustainable farming here now faces serious threats — from climate stress and honey fungus (Armillaria) to urban sprawl and political neglect — and what it will take to revive this heritage.You'll hear surprising insights into how soil health and nutrient density were once safeguarded through circular systems, why farmers are forced to become water engineers, and how agroecology is inspiring a new generation of young Sicilians. At the heart of the conversation is Tommaso's deeply personal story of learning from his father in the fields and his hope that Palermo will rediscover its roots before they are lost.Follow the podcast for more stories from the Valdibella mini-series, and share this episode with a friend who cares about the future of food and farming.⎯⎯⎯⎯❤️ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯

This episode will change how you think about soil forever! Microbiologist Eleonora Chiri takes us deep into the fascinating, invisible world beneath our feet - where microbes form vast underground networks, plants and fungi co-parent ecosystems, and well-managed livestock can kickstart a regenerative revolution. Whether you're a farmer, an ecologist, a food system reformer, or just someone who cares about the planet, this episode connects the dots between soil microbiology, regenerative agriculture, agroecology, and the future of farming. It's smart, fun, and surprisingly emotional.

In this inspiring episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, ecologist and researcher Rafael Bueno reveals why the future of farming depends on reconnecting with nature. From the deserts of Sicily to the forests of Brazil, Rafael shows how biodiversity, soil health, and trees hold the secret to building farms that are not only more resilient to climate change but also more productive and profitable. His stories from Valdibella offer proof that farmers can transform degraded land into thriving ecosystems, while producing abundant, high-quality food.Rafael challenges the biggest myths in agriculture: that trees steal land from farmers, that chemicals are necessary for productivity, and that nature and farming are destined to be in conflict. Instead, he shares powerful examples of agroforestry, food forests, and soil restoration that increase yields, store water, and protect against desertification. Along the way, we dive into the economics of farming, exploring how subsidies, policies, and payment for ecosystem services could reshape the future of food systems worldwide.If you care about the future of farming, food, and our planet, this conversation is a must-listen. It's a deep dive into the science, practice, and hope of regenerative agriculture and why the choice we face is clear: return to the forest, or slide into desertification.⎯⎯⎯⎯

What if transitioning to regenerative agriculture wasn't just about changing farming techniques, but about shifting power, reclaiming autonomy, and rebuilding communities?In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode, Carlotta Ebbreo (rural sociologist at Valdibella Practical School of Agroecology) joins us from the heart of Sicily to reimagine everything we think we know about learning, farming, and social change.Carlotta takes us inside a groundbreaking project where farmers, scientists, technicians, and activists come together to build a new kind of school. One that's horizontal, context-based, radically participatory, and deeply rooted in the land. From real-life case studies and peer-to-peer learning to fighting market dependency and reshaping the agri-food system, this is agroecology in action!Whether you're a farmer, educator, policymaker, student, or simply someone who dreams of a healthier, fairer future -> this conversation is a must-listen!

What happens when a group of Sicilian farmers stand up to the Mafia, choose cooperation over fear, and build a future rooted in justice, community, and the land itself?In this episode of Deep Seed, we sit down with Massimiliano Solano, co-founder of Valdibella, one of Sicily's most inspiring agricultural cooperatives. From organic wine to social projects for migrants, Valdibella is proving that farming can be both regenerative for the soil and transformative for society.

What happens when an engineer swaps corporate life for a life regenerating the land? Meet Sergi Caballero of Mas Les Vinyes in Catalonia: a farmer who turned an abandoned, degraded property into a lush, biodiverse food paradise. It's a masterclass in regenerative agriculture, where fruit trees, animals, and soil biology work together in perfect symphony. In this episode, you'll hear how Sergi produces food that tastes like it did generations ago, all while boosting soil health, building biodiversity, and proving that sustainable farming can be both profitable and deeply fulfilling. If you care about the future of food, you won't want to miss this conversation.From seed saving and pasture-raised eggs to on-farm composting and integrated fruit tree guilds, Sergi shares practical insights for anyone dreaming of farming in harmony with nature. We explore how animal integration in farming supercharges soil fertility, why microbiology is the unsung hero of agriculture, and how thoughtful water design keeps crops thriving in hot, dry summers. Plus, discover how Mas Les Vinyes feeds local markets and retirement homes, bringing nutrient-dense food to those who need it most.Whether you're a grower, researcher, policymaker, or simply a curious eater, this episode is packed with real-world solutions for creating resilient, climate-positive food systems. Join us for a deep dive into the practices and the mindset that make regeneration possible.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful links: Mas Les Vinyes - https://www.maslesvinyes.com/enDeep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this eye-opening episode of Deep Seed, we travel to a humble farm in northwest Italy that's quietly becoming a blueprint for regenerative agriculture. Agroecologist Tommaso Gaifami takes us deep into the heart of a four-year transformation where degraded monocultures gave way to complex, biodiverse systems that are resilient, productive, and deeply rooted in community. Tommaso shares how he and his team at Marsilea reimagined a conventional arable farm at Cascina Romanengo by integrating regenerative practices like cover cropping, minimum tillage, agroforestry, and soil biology mapping. We also explore how stakeholder collaboration, regional policy support, and diversified food chains can drive a successful and scalable agroecological transition. ⎯Expect a deep dive into:

What if you could bring a river back from the dead, rebuild a valley, restore hope, and revive the local community?In this episode, Silvia Quarta shares the extraordinary story of a grassroots effort to revive the Quipar River in one of Europe's driest regions: Murcia, Spain. Through a community-led, science-backed approach to ecosystem restoration, Silvia is showing that even the most degraded landscapes can become living, thriving places again - with the right people, the right tools, and the will to listen.From soil to water to social fabric, this conversation touches on every layer of regeneration. Silvia's work with local farmers, international partners like Commonland, and the Regeneration Academy offers a powerful model for dryland farming, bioregional restoration, and long-term ecological resilience.Whether you're a regenerative farmer, policymaker, activist, or simply a human being trying to make sense of our environmental moment -> this episode is for you! —

What happens when a family leaves the city behind to restore 562 hectares of degraded land using nothing but regenerative agriculture, resilience, and relentless creativity?In this unmissable episode, we take you inside Terramay, a pioneering farm in southern Portugal where Anna and David de Brito, along with livestock manager Elias Gellweiler, are transforming exhausted soils into abundant ecosystems. From soil-free hillsides turned market gardens to chickens making compost at speed, this is regenerative agriculture at its most ambitious and inspiring. You'll hear how agroforestry, holistic grazing, and circular food systems come together to form a living, breathing model for farming in the age of climate crisis.

What if the most chemically intensive, high-density farms - systems many see as the enemy of regenerative agriculture - could actually become climate champions?In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, we sit down with Dimitri Tsitos, co-founder of AgroSystemic, to explore how Mediterranean super-intensive olive, almond, and citrus orchards can regenerate degraded soils, restore biodiversity, boost resilience, and improve long-term farm profitability - all without sacrificing yield.Dimitri shares hard-won insights from years of trial, failure, and success in transitioning conventional, input-heavy orchards into regenerative, climate-smart systems. Whether you're a farmer, agronomist, orchard manager, sustainability consultant, investor, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of food and climate solutions, this conversation offers a roadmap you won't find anywhere else.

What if your olive oil could fight disease, your soil could store water like a sponge, and your sheep could restore biodiversity? This episode takes you to the heart of Portugal's Monte Silveira farm, where cutting-edge science meets ancient ecosystems,... and the results are mind-blowing! Join us as we sit down with Diogo Pinho, the farm's Research Manager, to uncover the data-driven secrets behind one of Europe's most innovative regenerative farms.From boosting soil organic matter by astonishing numbers, to producing high-polyphenol olive oil that's great for your heart, to showing that regenerative grazing can actually outperform conventional almond plantations - this conversation is packed with insight, hope, and practical inspiration for anyone interested in the future of farming.Whether you're a researcher, policymaker, farmer, or foodie, this is one episode you do not want to miss.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

What happens when a tobacco empire transforms into a thriving regenerative farm? In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, we visit Monte Silveira, a 1,000-hectare farm in central Portugal, where João Valente has revived one of Europe's oldest agro-silvopastoral systems.From 0.7% soil organic matter to over 5%, and from monocultures to thriving biodiversity, João shares how nature became his most profitable business partner. You'll learn how rotational grazing, intercropping, and keyline design are helping regenerate both land and livelihoods in one of Europe's driest regions.This conversation is full of timeless lessons for farmers, scientists, and land stewards alike.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Two fine-dining chefs moved to rural Portugal to build a regenerative agriculture project focused on market gardening, nutrient-dense food, and soil health. Meet The Farming Chefs!

This week, we visit Culy Creek Ranch in northern Spain and meet the unstoppable Meghan Sapp, a holistic grazing expert and co-founder of the Savory Institute's hub for Spain.Learn how holistic grazing, soil biodiversity, and smart ecosystem design created a farm so resilient it feeds itself — and the local economy.⎯⎯In this episode, we dive into:

Biodiversity is not just about saving bees… it's about saving ourselves! In this episode, Oliver Dauert joins us to explore why protecting biodiversity is essential to human survival, food security, and climate resilience. From beavers engineering entire wetland ecosystems to soil microbes collaborating with plants, this is your crash course in how nature actually works  and how we can rewild it before it's too late.Whether you're a regenerative farmer, climate optimist, soil geek, or just looking to reconnect with nature, this conversation will rewild your thinking and get you excited about what's still possible.

Un épisode fascinant à ne pas manquer ! On part en immersion dans le sud-ouest de la France, sur une ferme d'amandes bio-régénérative à la vision radicale. Martin d'Archimbaud, co-fondateur de GreenPods, nous ouvre les portes de La Granja, un projet agricole unique qui pourrait bien changer le visage de la filière amande en Europe.Moins d'eau, plus de biodiversité, zéro chimie, des couverts végétaux colorés et une passion débordante pour les arbres : ici, on ne se contente pas de planter, on régénère les sols, on construit un modèle agricole résilient et local, et on s'attaque à l'hégémonie californienne sur la production d'amandes.Si vous pensez que l'agriculture peut être à la fois belle, rentable et régénératrice, cet épisode est pour vous.Dans cet épisode, on parle de :L'histoire d'une reconversion de monoculture de maïs vers une ferme d'amandes bio régénérativeComment l'arbre devient un allié du climat et un levier de relocalisation alimentaireLes secrets agronomiques pour créer un verger résilient : irrigation de précision, taille, variétés, fumier, biochar…L'impact des couverts végétaux et des pratiques bio sur la santé des solsEt pourquoi la résilience long terme est bien plus rentable que la productivité court terme⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful links: GREENPODS / LA GRANJA - LinkAcheter des amandes - LinkMartin d'Archimbaud - LinkedinHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.