Podcasts about Agroecology

The episode features farmers, artisan food producers, and the distributers working to connect the two and create a thriving hyper-local milk market. We learn how collaboration and adding value is key to keeping dairy at the heart of the community.Milk production on Arran has a somewhat turbulent history, with external pressures such as pasteurisation legislation pushing the industry to the brink of collapse at the end of the twentieth century. However, thanks to the determination and creativity of a small number of islanders, the last remaining dairy herd on Arran survives to this day, and the industry is going from strength to strength.Episode guests:Matthew DobsonMatthew Dobson is the Production Manager at Arran Ice Cream. He has worked in the family business for over 13 years, during which time he has played a vital role in the growth and development of the brand. Having grown up on the island, Matthew is passionate about creating a high-quality product that really shows off the taste of Arran's milk, supports local farmers, and creates memorable experiences for visitors and residents alike.Calum ChaplinCalum Chaplin is an artisan cheese maker producing award-winning Arran Blue, Arran Mist (Brie) and Camembert cheeses for Arran Cheese Shop at their factory in Blackwaterfoot.The cheese is made using milk from the island, and sold in shops, markets, delis, and restaurants both on Arran and around Scotland.John MurchieJohn Murchie is a farmer who cares for the island's last remaining dairy herd at Tigheanfraoch Farm. Tigheanfraoch Farm has been part of the Murchie family since 1953 and is now home to 59 cows, with 47 milked twice a day, 365 days a year.The cows enjoy a natural, seasonal lifestyle, grazing on Arran's rich pastures in summer and fed on homegrown silage in the colder months. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the early days of crofting and subsistence farming to the present day, animal protein has provided an essential and highly valuable source of nutrients for Arran's population. While sheep and beef production have always been central to Arran's farming economy, venison is now also being embraced as a sustainable protein source that can help to combat the growing threat that the wild deer population poses to island ecosystems.In this first episode of our new series Agroecology Around Arran, we explore how the production of meat on Arran embraces the ethos of agroecology, how farmers are working together to reduce carbon emissions from livestock farming, and what we can learn from their example.GuestsAlistair CurrieAlistair talks to us about his livestock farm based in the Shiskine Valley. He maintains a herd of around around 30 native-breed beef cattle which are fed on pasture and home-grown silage.Colin CurrieColin Currie is an upland hill farmer who has been farming sheep and beef at Bridge Farm with his wife Laura since the 1970s. Bridge Farm is situated within a SSSI-designated site that is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Colin uses his innate knowledge of the land to create a low-input livestock system that has allowed him to reduce reliance on external markets, maximise animal welfare, and work in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem.Zoë HughesZoë Hughes runs Wild Isle Venison with her partner Chris. Their work aims to honour the deer that are harvested alongside protecting the natural landscape on Arran and strengthening the local food chain. Zoë is passionate about sustainable, affordable meat that has a positive impact on the environment. Wild Isle Venison works to reconnect producers and consumers, processing venison in small batches and selling to local residents, chefs and businesses across the island.Alec PirieAlec Pirie is a Senior Consultant and Area Manager for SAC Consulting. Alec works with over 120 clients across Scotland and has a particular interest in carbon, climate and conservation. He has also recently completed a Master's degree in Wildlife, Conservation and Management. Alec started the Net Zero Arran group in 2019. This aim of this group of farmers is to quantify the island's agricultural carbon footprint and take collective action to improve it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gugs Mhlungu talks to Dr Lerato Matsaunyane, Research Team Manager at Agricultural Research Council, (ARC), about how the importation of fertiliser and disruptions linked to the US–Iran conflict have destabilised supply chains, impacting food security across Africa, and how alternative approaches such as agroecology could help ease this pressure by promoting more sustainable, locally driven and climate-resilient farming systems. Gugs Mhlungu gets you ready for the weekend each Saturday and Sunday morning on 702. She is your weekend wake-up companion, with all you need to know for your weekend. The topics Gugs covers range from lifestyle, family, health, and fitness to books, motoring, cooking, culture, and what is happening on the weekend in 702land. Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu. Listen live on Primedia+ on Saturdays and Sundays from 06:00 and 10:00 (SA Time) to Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/u3Sf7Zy or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/BIXS7AL Subscribe to the 702 daily and weekly newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Today's guest is the woman I call when I have a real soil question.Jen Aron is a regenerative farmer and soil agronomist at Blue Raven Farm in Corbett, Oregon, and she has spent the last decade quietly proving that soil is its own ecosystem with its own voice. In this episode we walk through what is actually happening beneath our feet, why compost may not be the answer you have been told it is, and the mantra she has taught me to repeat when farming feels too slow: trust and stay the course.In this episode: Why "no-till" is not the one-size-fits-all answer the internet wants it to be The ball pit analogy that finally made soil structure click for me Why too much compost can actually invite disease into your plants The single tool Jen would buy on day one if she could start her farm overGuest BioJen Aron is the founder of Blue Raven Farm in Corbett, Oregon, where she has been farming regeneratively for ten years. She is an agroecologist, farmer, and educator. Before Blue Raven, Jen spent seven years with Oregon State University Extension, running a beginner urban farming program where she trained over a thousand new farmers. Today she consults with flower farmers, food farmers, and growers across the Pacific Northwest, helping them build soil that can actually hold a farm up.Connect with Jen Website: https://www.blueravenfarm.org Instagram: @blue_raven_farmRelated Episode With Marion Boswall: Episode 52 with Marian BoswallSign Up For Podcast Newsletter: https://thefloweringfarmhouse.myflodesk.com/backyardbouquetpodcast

Most conversations about sustainable agriculture focus on practices—what to plant, how to till, or cover crop secrets. But what if the future of healthy soils and resilient farms hinges on something deeper? Dr. Natalie Sturm, Dakota Lakes Research Farm's new farm manager, reveals how long-term crop rotations—and specifically the power of crop residue—are shaping the next generation of regenerative farming. Discover how Dakota Lakes is pioneering research that shows soils with consistent root biomass and high-residue crops outperform even the most diverse rotations at building organic matter and restoring soil function. Natalie shares behind-the-scenes insights from 30+ years of no-till management and her own scientific journey from suburban Chicago to the heart of South Dakota. She explains how farm-scale systems, like five-year perennial sequences and livestock integration, can drastically reduce soil erosion, combat salinity, and increase farm profitability without relying on the latest chemical fixes. You'll learn about innovative strategies such as virtual fencing for livestock, energy independence through on-farm biodiesel, and the critical importance of research that cuts through the marketing noise of the “ag industrial complex.” Natalie delves into how long-term, systems-based research can serve as a blueprint for farms across the country—whether you're in the Midwest trying to restore saline soils or a California grower exploring perennial grasses. Timestamps: 0:01:18 - The legacy of Dwayne Beck and the importance of long-term research 0:04:32 - Cropping systems diversity and crop management practices 0:06:25 - The role of crop rotation and residue in soil health 0:13:13 - Agroecology principles and ecological benefits in farming 0:16:21 - Livestock integration, virtual fencing, and animal management innovations 0:19:26 - Summer field days and farmer engagement 0:22:45 - Equipment innovations for no-till and residue management 0:39:01 - Residue management and its impact on soil health 0:47:36 - Education events and farm tours for farmers and researchers 0:49:46 - Innovations in energy independence and renewable energy on the farm 0:52:20 - Replicating Dakota Lakes' model in other regions 0:54:18 - Building networks for collaborative research and adaptation 0:55:37 - Dr. Sturm's visionary outlook for the next 20-40 years About our Guest (credit: https://www.sdstate.edu/news/2026/03/sturm-returns-dakota-lakes-research-farm-next-farm-manager) Dr. Natalie Sturm conducts agronomic field research at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Sturm conducted research at the Dakota Lakes Research Fam as part of her master's degree. She is now replacing her former mentor, Dwayne Beck, who retired after more than 35 years of service. Sturm completed her bachelor's degree in sustainable food and bioenergy systems at Montana State University, her master's in plant science at South Dakota State University and her doctorate in soil science at Washington State University. In her first few months on the job, she plans on learning as much as possible about the farm's daily operations and meeting the local farmers, scientists and stakeholders that support the Dakota Lakes mission. The Dakota Lakes Research Farm is a unique partnership between the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the Dakota Lakes Corporation, a nonprofit, farmer-led organization that owns the farmland and provides input on how research performed on the farm can best impact farmers. The research is conducted by SDSU faculty and staff through South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station funding. Both entities are committed to conducting research that allows South Dakotans to make more informed decisions on their operations. Annually held on the last Thursday in June, this year's Dakota Lakes Research Farm Field Day is on June 25, beginning at 3 p.m. More info: https://dakotalakes.com/

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.—

Small farmers around the world are building an agro-ecological revolution based on self-sufficiency, food security, and freedom from fossil fuels and corporate control. In this program, we hear from two visionary agroecology innovators. Miguel Altieri is an agroecologist and entomologist at UC Berkeley who's showing how farmers who embrace agroecology are building a movement based on self-sufficiency, food security and freedom from fossil fuels and corporate control. Alex Eaton is the founder of “Sistema Bio”. This game-changing company helps farmers implement a simple technology that converts waste to energy, builds healthy soils, and holds the promise of massively reducing greenhouse gases and lifting people out of poverty. This is an episode of the Bioneers: Revolution from the Heart of Nature series. Visit the ⁠radio and podcast homepage⁠ to learn more.

Song: We Will Not Stand Down Music by: Grace Oedel   Notes: This song came directly out of protective action, as Grace was asking herself how to develop a chant into a song -- it's got a groove, it's alive, and it's adaptable. Sing it with only a few words, or add some lyrics. Get people moving on the parts they resonate with and help them hear the collective pulse that underlies it all. Add what feels good in your body and voice -- and next week, join Grace and me for a wide-ranging conversation that asks questions about how can we keep showing up with and for each other for the long haul? How can we use rage as a fuel that doesn't burn us out, but helps us to not stand down, to not go home, to do what scares us because love is underneath that rage, moving us on!   Songwriter Info: Grace is a doula for change and an enthusiast for collective action. She's an ordained rabbi who organizes with the L'Chaim Collective and serves as the executive director of NOFA-VT, building power for a just and delicious future. She sits on the boards of Rights and Democracy, Milk with Dignity, National Family Farm Coalition, National Sustainable Ag Coalition, the Better Selves Fellowship, and is an affiliate for the Institute for Agroecology. She leads a monthly community sing for resistance and hope that is a real banger, is a fan of desserts, and is mama to three little ones.    Sharing Info: The song is free to share in oral tradition groups - use it anywhere it can be helpful! - but please contact Grace for recording and/or performing permission.   Song Learning Time Stamps: Start time of teaching: 00:03:44 Start time of reprise: 00:15:29   Links: Grace's Substack: https://graceoedel.substack.com/    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, 3-layers   Join this community of people who love to use song to help navigate life? Absolutely: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/335811/81227018071442567/share   Help us keep going: reviews, comments, encouragement, plus contributions... we float on your support. https://www.abreathofsong.com/gratitude-jar.html

The healthiest economies will show up with drinkable rivers. That is the image Laura Ortiz Montemayor works backwards from — every Monday morning, every investor meeting, every slide deck.Laura is a regenerative finance strategist, founder of SVX Mexico, and co-founder of LARIS — the Latin American Regenerative Investment Summit. This is her third time on the show, and a lot has happened since we last spoke. LARIS 2025 sold out — more than 200 people, billionaires, farmers, and practitioners in the same room, conversations moving from spreadsheets to love and frequencies. LARIS 2026 is coming bigger: hosted on a wetland in Bogotá, May 12–14, with WATER as the central theme. We also talk about the collapse of USAID and the damage it did across Latin America, how the sector is rebuilding with local capital, and the question this whole conversation keeps circling: how do you make investors fall in love with life — without losing them on the spreadsheets?More about this episode.Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!LARIS 2026Latin American Regenerative Investment Summit (Cumbre de Inversiones Regenerativas de América Latina). Be part of the movement that is regenerating the way we learn, invest, and live.Bogotá, ColombiaMay 12 - 14https://regenerativo.org/en/laris/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/Support the show=======In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.

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.

Today we welcome Matt Smee to the R2Kast

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.”⸻

Turns out socialism, cybernetics and agroecology might actually just be the same thing Reading: 'Potatoes Made of Oil': Eugene and Howard Odum and the Origins and Limits of American Agroecology (1997) by Mark Glen Madison Send us a question, comment or valid concern: auxiliarystatements(at)gmail.com DISCORD: https://discord.gg/WxJx6gkrt

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.⎯

The panel critiques grass-fed meat, explains agriculture's role in mass extinction, and promotes scalable plant-based alternatives. #BiodiversityLoss #RegenerativeMyths #PlantBasedSolutions #ExtinctionCrisis

It's a very interesting time for African agriculture and food, the continent is realising it's potential to help feed the world, money is flowing into infrastructure to unlock this, more and more talent is coming into the space and the realisation that agro ecology or regenerative agriculture is no longer a nice niche with big margins but has the potential to become the predominant way of agriculture is performed. After putting over $20 million to work in East Africa, Ivan Mandela, founder of SHONA Group, has learned the hard way: chasing Western style so called unicorns might not be the right approach for a predominantly agricultural society. So he shifted his approach and started investing in real companies, to help create a functioning main street a functional real economy where unicorns will naturally start to occur. We discuss why Ivan ends up mostly backing female entrepreneurs, his tips for young students and his takes on nutrient density and quality.More about this episode.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================

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:

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Rosinah Mbenya, the Country Coordinator for PELUM Kenya, a network dedicated to advancing agroecological principles among smallholder farmers and pastoralists. They discuss policy developments protecting farmers rights, agroecology as a climate solution, and the innovations that are drawing a new generation to the agriculture sector. While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" wherever you consume your podcasts.

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.

This week on American Family Farmer, host Doug Stephan sits down with Jack Algiere, Director of Agroecology at Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture in New York's Hudson Valley.Jack has been actively farming for more than two decades and was Stone Barns' very first official employee back in 2004. Since then, he's helped build one of the country's most innovative four-season regenerative farming operations—bringing together multi-species grass-fed livestock, grains and field crops, greenhouse production, orchards, flowers, composting systems, and even wild landscape stewardship under one integrated approach.In this conversation, Jack shares what it really takes to run a holistic farm system that supports biodiversity, soil health, animal welfare, and long-term resilience—while also serving as a training ground for young farmers, chefs, and changemakers. Doug and Jack also explore how Stone Barns is working with partners like the Rockefeller State Park Preserve to manage hundreds of acres of public land through rotational grazing and ecological monitoring.From cover crops and seed trials to composting, conservation planning, and the future of sustainable farming, this episode is packed with real-world insight from someone doing the work at the highest level—every single day.Website: AmericanFamilyFarmerShow.com Social Media: @GoodDayNetworks

The difference between agroecology and regenerative agriculture is the deep social change we need in the food and agriculture system. As Laura Ortiz Montemayor told us once "ecology without social justice is just gardening". Million Belay, who leads the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa, the largest social movement on the African continent, is very clear stop intervening with agriculture on the continent, stop imposing all kinds of rules, practices, seeds, inputs etc, which don't serve in this context (and we could argue in the context we come from as well, how many European banned pesticides are exported to the continent?)We talk about the shut down of the USAID which was actually a good shock to the system. And finally donors, which unfortunately dictate quite a bit the direction, are talking and slowly also acting around agroecology. We discuss how through lobbying they managed to get many countries to adopt agroecology policies in the last few years, what Million would do with a billion dollar and what his message for investors is.More about this episode.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================

What priorities excite you? Heirloom Chrysanthemums, soil health, and contributing back to the community are exciting priorities for Harmony Harvest Farm. In the previous episode, we learned the vision of Harmony Harvest Farm and their overarching aim to help people live and experience a better life through fresh flowers. Our returning guest, Jessica Hall, talks with us about her passion for growing heirloom mums and building healthy soil, and how these are two essential ingredients for achieving their vision.Jessica emphasizes the importance of engaging your roots and making them stronger. For Jessica and her team, the farm business roots started with research, collection, and cultivation of heirloom mums. Mums are dear to Jessica's heart and are a phenomenal crop with great potential for small-acreage flower farmers in Virginia and beyond.To learn about their heirloom chrysanthemums, plan a pick-your-own flower trip, experience a virtual mum summit and on-farm educational events, or order a floral bouquet, please visit Harmony Harvest Farm's website. To register for the Virginia No-Till Alliance (VANTAGE) Winter Conference scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, please visit https://www.virginianotill.com/winter-conference. Speakers of note include Dr. Ray Weil and James Hoorman.     We can all be 4 The Soil, for the future! Here is how with four principles:1) Keep the soil covered -- with living plants and residue. Cover crops are our friends and allies; avoid leaving soil bare.2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage as much as possible in your field or garden.3) Maximize living roots -- for the longest time to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil.4) Energize with diversity -- aboveground and belowground with high-quality food for soil and plants, and integration of livestock on cropland. If you are interested in art and framing the 4 The Soil posters for your office or home, the 16” by 20” posters are available for purchase and printing as single posters or a set of five posters.If you have questions about soil and water conservation practices, soil health principles, and composting practices to restore the life in your soil, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

This explosive opening segment exposes how meat production is accelerating climate collapse through biodiversity loss, deforestation, land misuse, and ocean dead zones. #AnimalAgriculture #ClimateCrisis #PlanetaryHealth

What does “sustainable agriculture” actually mean, and why do scientists disagree about it? This episode explores how two influential scientific discourses - Agroecology and Sustainable Intensification - start from different values, ask different questions, and often talk past each other. Drawing on an interdisciplinary study at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, ecologist Riccardo Bommarco and ethicist Helena Rocklinsberg examine how those different approaches shape research, priorities, and solutions. The conversation turns to what might change when scientists begin to listen to each other across divides.For more info, transcript and resources, visit: https://tabledebates.org/podcast/episode94Want to share your reflections on the episode? Send us an email or voice memo to podcast@tabledebates.orgEpisode edited and hosted by Matthew Kessler. Music by Blue dot sessions.

Agroecology is often framed as an environmental solution - but today, it's also a business opportunity.As climate pressures reshape food systems, agroecology offers a climate-resilient model that reduces risk, strengthens supply chains, and opens new sustainable markets. Early adopters aren't just protecting the planet - they're positioning themselves for long-term commercial gain.We are joined by Joachim Ewechu Co-Founder & CEO, SHONA Group,  Ivan Mandela, CFACEO & Co-Founder, SHONA Capital and  Fabio Leippert Co-Head of Policy & Advocacy at Biovision

This is a short-form episode featuring Natalie Sturm, pulled from our recent interview and focused on one of the most important—and often overlooked—drivers of soil health: crop rotations.We're launching these short-form episodes to better serve our audience. Instead of listening to a full 60–90 minute conversation, you can now jump straight into the most valuable insights—practical, research-backed takeaways you can apply immediately.In this segment, Natalie explains why the tillage vs. no-till debate misses the bigger picture. Drawing from her research at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, she shares how two side-by-side no-till fields—managed with the same equipment and soil type—can perform completely differently based on rotation history alone. The difference shows up not just in yields, but in soil structure, organic matter, and resilience.For the full interview with Natalie, please stream the long-form episode here.Natalie Sturm didn't grow up in agriculture—she's originally from suburban Chicago. Her early concern for climate, biodiversity, and human health led her to Montana State University, where she earned a B.S. in Agroecology through the Sustainable Food and Bioenergy Systems program.She went on to complete her M.S. at South Dakota State University, studying long-term no-till crop rotations at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Her thesis demonstrated that rotation diversity, small grains, cover crops, and livestock are key to improving soil quality and yields—not just no-till.Natalie is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Washington State University, where she studies the effects of cropping systems on soil compaction in the Palouse region. In 2025, she will return to Dakota Lakes as its new Research Farm Manager.

Guest: Natalie SturmHosts: Dr. Buz Kloot and Dr. Gabe KenneRunning time: 62 mins“We could take a shovel, and shovel up some soil in one field, and then just go across the dirt road, and the soils would look completely different... it kind of blew my mind that the only difference between those two fields was the crop rotation they had been under for the past 20 to 30 years.”—Natalie SturmEpisode Summary:Natalie Sturm is a rising voice in cropping systems and soil health. She joins us to reframe the tillage conversation—not as a binary between conventional and no-till, but as part of a broader system that includes crop rotation, residue management, livestock integration, and long-term soil function. Drawing on her M.S. research at the Dakota Lakes Research Farm, Natalie shares insights about why no-till alone isn't enough and how thoughtful rotation design can drive both soil quality and profitability.We talk about:Why two side-by-side no-till fields can look dramatically differentHow biomass, not just crop diversity, builds better soilsThe drought resilience of long rotationsHow longer rotations can reduce herbicide and pesticide useThe economics of dryland vs. irrigated systemsPractical tips for transitioning into more resilient systems, one step at a timeNatalie's journey from suburban Chicago to the helm of Dakota LakesFeatured Guest Bio:Natalie Sturm didn't grow up in agriculture—she's originally from suburban Chicago. Her passion for climate, biodiversity, and human health led her to Montana State University, where she earned a B.S. in Agroecology. She then completed her M.S. at South Dakota State University studying long-term no-till crop rotations at Dakota Lakes Research Farm. Natalie is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Washington State University on the effects of cropping systems on soil compaction in the Palouse region. In 2026, she will return to Dakota Lakes as its new research farm manager.

Are funders in the agroecology sector effectively communicating within the capital markets to secure the necessary funding? We'll also explore the progress of policy development across the continent and what this means for the thriving agroecology community. 

Innovation is the driving force behind all progress; as the saying goes, you either evolve or become obsolete. Agroecology, like every other discipline, is undergoing transformation. We will challenge CEOs and policy leaders to share their perspectives on how innovation is shaping the future. 

In this episode, we bring you a thought-provoking discussion on agroecology. What do you know about agroecology? Is it just a passing trend, or is it here to stay? We have assembled a roundtable of CEOs and top experts to break down the concept. Joining us are: - Joachim Ewechu, Co-Founder & CEO of SHONA Group - Ivan Mandela, CFA, CEO & Co-Founder of SHONA Capital - Lucy Asiimwe, Programs Manager at AfriFood Founders, SHONA Group - Fabio Leippert, Co-Head of Policy & Advocacy at Biovision - Francis Shivonje, Country Coordinator at Biovision - Herbert Thuo, CEO & Founder of ANSA Africa We will start by exploring the fundamentals of agroecology and the components that make up an agroecological enterprise.

This week, the 30th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP30) kicks off in Belem, Brazil; a new report reveals that hundreds of millions of people have been displaced by changing weather patterns in the last decade; and East Africa countries take steps to boost trade of agroecological produce. While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to "Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg" wherever you consume your podcasts.

Join agricultural economist Joseph Kau from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) as he explores how indigenous crops can thrive profitably through agroecology. Kau explains how agroecology balances ecological sustainability, social justice, and economic viability. He shares insights on how crops like rooibos tea and Karoo lamb demonstrate the power of respecting local knowledge, securing premium prices through geographic indicators, and building niche markets. Discover how agroecology not only enhances soil health and biodiversity but also empowers local farmers, preserves indigenous knowledge, and opens doors to long-term profitability.

Even before the publication of Paul Ehrlich's The Population Bomb in 1968, we heard warnings that humanity would be doomed to a future of famine, hunger and starvation unless industrial agriculture were unleashed to grow food as efficiently as possible in every nook and cranny of the world's arable lands to feed the “ten billion.” Those warnings continue today. But is it correct? In “The Enduring Fantasy of ‘Feeding the World',” a recent article in the journal Spectre, four members of the Agroecology Research-Action Collective challenge those who make this claim.  Join host Ronnie Lipschutz for a conversation about feeding the world with Dr. Adam Calo, Assistant Professor in the Geography, Planning and Environment group at Radboud University in the Netherlands, and Dr. Maywa Montenegro, Associate Professor of Agroecology and Critical Technology Studies in the UCSC Environmental Studies Department.

Is the economic rationale of soil health always the top priority for farmers? Or, do other soil values rise to the top of farmers' minds, for example, having a healthy habitat for soil fungi? Kasper Krabbe, a doctoral student at Aarhus University in Denmark and a visiting guest scholar at Virginia Tech, returns to talk with Mary, Jeff, and Eric about his research into understanding farmers' intrinsic and extrinsic values in caring for soil. Kasper states that a deeper understanding of farmers' values and motivations is needed because of the degraded condition of agricultural soils globally. For instance, peer pressure to maintain and strive for tidy fields can inhibit experimentation with alternative minimum till systems and diverse cropping mixtures because of neighboring farmers' perceptions of certain aesthetics.    The videos Kasper created of his interviews and interactions with cooperating Danish farmers as part of the Soil Values research initiative can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxwHRB9ybRM As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends and allies;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil; and4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation, farm enterprises, and/or livestock integration.More details about the Virginia Farm-to-Table Feast and Harvest Celebration scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at On Sunny Slope Farm in Rockingham, Virginia, can be found at https://virginiafarmtotable.org/2025vaf2tharvestcelebration/To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional soil health resources, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and the financial rationale of soil health, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

Kai Heron, Keir Milburn and Bertie Russell discuss Radical Abundance, transition and public-commons partnerships. Shownotes Heron, K., Milburn, K., Russell, B. (2025). Radical Abundance. How to Win a Green Democratic Future. Pluto Press. https://www.plutobooks.com/product/radical-abundance/ Kai Heron at Lancaster University: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/lec/about-us/people/kai-heron Keir Milburn's contributions at Novara Media: https://novaramedia.com/contributor/keir-milburn/ Bertie Russell at the Autonomous University of Barcelona: https://portalrecerca.uab.cat/en/persons/bertie-thomas-russell Abundance (the collective): https://www.in-abundance.org/ on Marta Harnecker: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marta_Harnecker on Michael A. Lebowitz: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_A._Lebowitz Lebowitz, M. A. (2013). Contested Reproduction and the Contradictions of Socialism. Socialist Project. https://socialistproject.ca/2013/09/b877/ on Yevgeni Preobrazhensky: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yevgeni_Preobrazhensky Preobrazhensky, Y. (1965). The New Economics. Oxford University Press. https://files.libcom.org/files/%5bPreobrazhensky%2C_Evgeny_Alekseevich%5d_The_New_Econo(BookZZ.org).pdf Nunes, R. (2021). Neither Vertical nor Horizontal. A Theory of Political Organization. Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/772-neither-vertical-nor-horizontal on Public-Commons Partnerships: https://www.in-abundance.org/what-is-a-public-commons-parntership https://www.in-abundance.org/reports/public-common-partnerships-building-new-circuits-of-collective-ownership for case studies on Public-Commons Partnerships, see: https://www.in-abundance.org/case-studies on Public-Private Partnerships: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public%E2%80%93private_partnership on council farms in the UK: https://www.cpre.org.uk/explainer/county-farms-explainer/ Common Wealth (the organization): https://www.common-wealth.org/ Common Wealth's recent project on privatization and Public-Private Partnerships in the UK: https://www.common-wealth.org/interactive/who-owns-britain/home on Che Guevara: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_Guevara on Stuart Hall: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Hall_(cultural_theorist) on Hugo Chávez: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Ch%C3%A1vez Gilbert, C. (2023). Commune or Nothing! Venezuela's Communal Movement and its Socialist Project. Monthly Review Press. https://monthlyreview.org/9781685900243/ on agroecology: https://agroecology-coalition.org/what-is-agroecology/ SCOP-TI: https://www.scop-ti.info/ the Berlin Housing Campaign: https://dwenteignen.de/en on the Wards Corner Market: https://www.in-abundance.org/case-studies/wards-corner Amarnath, S. et al. (2023): Varieties of Derisking. Phenomenal World. https://www.phenomenalworld.org/interviews/derisking/ on the Great Replacement conspiracy theory in the US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Replacement_conspiracy_theory_in_the_United_States on marronage communities and their role in slave rebellions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maroons on the coal strikes in Appalachia in the late 19th and early 20th century: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_Wars on the Black Panther Party: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Panther_Party on SYRIZA and their development: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/rethinking-populism/the-systemic-metamorphosis-of-greeces-once-radical-left-wing-syriza-party/ on Erik Olin Wright's “Transition Troughs” concept, see chapter 9 and 10 of: Wright, E. O. (2010). Envisioning Real Utopias. Verso. https://www.versobooks.com/products/2143-envisioning-real-utopias the “Abundance” report on the social property of water in the UK: https://www.in-abundance.org/latest/beyond-bailouts on the 2023 strike in France where workers cut energy to certain sectors: https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/03/30/robin-hood-electricians-and-oil-blockades-the-radical-tactics-of-frances-striking-energy-w van Dyk, S. & Haubner, T. (2021). Community-Kapitalismus. Hamburger Edition. https://www.hamburger-edition.de/buecher-e-books/artikel-detail/community-kapitalismus/ van Dyk, S. (2018). Post-Wage Politics and the Rise of Community Capitalism. Work, Employment and Society, 32(3), 528-545. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0950017018755663 on municipalism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipalism Bianchi, I. & Russell, B. (eds.) (2026). Radical Municipalism. The Politics of the Common and the Democratization of Public Services. Bristol University Press. (forthcoming) https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/radical-municipalism on the Occupy Movement: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_movement on Climateflation: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/26/tuesday-briefing-how-climateflation-is-pushing-food-prices-ever-higher-and-changing-how-we-eat on hernani burujabe (the tripartite economic planning system in the city of Hernani): https://hernaniburujabe.eus/es/que-es/ Egia-Olaizola, A., Villalba-Eguiluz, U. and Gainza, X. (2025), Beyond the New Municipalism. Towards Post-Capitalist Territorial Sovereignty in the Case of Hernani Burujabe. Antipode, 57: 1448-1469. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/anti.70030 on the Commons (concept): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commons on Evergreening: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evergreening Klein, E. & Thompson, D. (2025). Abundance. Avid Reader Press. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Abundance/Ezra-Klein/9781668023488 on Marx's concept of the realm of necessity and freedom: https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/subject/hist-mat/capital/vol3-ch48.htm on David Graeber: https://davidgraeber.org/ Suits, B. (2005). The Grasshopper. Games, Life and Utopia. Broadview Press. https://kevinjpatton.com/teaching/phil_3230/readings/Bernard%20Suits%20-%20The%20Grasshopper.pdf on the socialist ecomodernism and degrowth debate: https://www.resilience.org/stories/2023-01-23/ecomodernism-on-its-own-terms/ Future Histories Episodes on Related Topics S3E44 | Anna Kornbluh on Climate Counteraesthetics https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e44-anna-kornbluh-on-climate-counteraesthetics/ S03E30 | Matt Huber & Kohei Saito on Growth, Progress and Left Imaginaries https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e30-matt-huber-kohei-saito-on-growth-progress-and-left-imaginaries/ S03E29 | Nancy Fraser on Alternatives to Capitalism https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e29-nancy-fraser-on-alternatives-to-capitalism/ S03E19 | Wendy Brown on Socialist Governmentality https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e19-wendy-brown-on-socialist-governmentality/ S03E03 | Planning for Entropy on Sociometabolic Planning https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s03/e03-planning-for-entropy-on-sociometabolic-planning/ S02E51 | Silvia Federici on Progress, Reproduction and Commoning https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s02/e51-silvia-federici-on-progress-reproduction-and-commoning/ S02E13 | Tine Haubner und Silke van Dyk zu Community-Kapitalismus https://www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blog/s02/e13-tine-haubner-und-silke-van-dyk-zu-community-kapitalismus/ --- If you are interested in democratic economic planning, these resources might be of help: Democratic planning – an information website https://www.democratic-planning.com/ Sorg, C. & Groos, J. (eds.)(2025). Rethinking Economic Planning. Competition & Change Special Issue Volume 29 Issue 1. https://journals.sagepub.com/toc/ccha/29/1 Groos, J. & Sorg, C. (2025). Creative Construction - Democratic Planning in the 21st Century and Beyond. Bristol University Press. [for a review copy, please contact: amber.lanfranchi[at]bristol.ac.uk] https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/creative-construction International Network for Democratic Economic Planning https://www.indep.network/ Democratic Planning Research Platform: https://www.planningresearch.net/ --- Future Histories Contact & Support If you like Future Histories, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/join/FutureHistories Contact: office@futurehistories.today Twitter: https://twitter.com/FutureHpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurehpodcast/ Mastodon: https://mstdn.social/@FutureHistories English webpage: https://futurehistories-international.com   Episode Keywords #KaiHeron, #KeirMilburn, #BertieRussell, #JanGroos, #Interview, #FutureHistories, #FutureHistoriesInternational, #futurehistoriesinternational, #Transition, #SocioecologicalTransition #DemocraticPlanning, #DemocraticEconomicPlanning, #Capitalism #BerlinHousingCampaign, #DWE, #Economics, #Socialism, #Socialisation, #Commons, #PublicCommonsPartnerships, #RadicalAbundance, #Abundance, #Municipalism, #Agroecology, #Derisking, #Investment, #Degrowth, #SocialistEcomodernism, #Ecomodernism

When you close your eyes, how do you envision your farm and soil ecosystem? What ideals, values, and priorities are part of your vision and farm business model? Kasper Krabbe, a doctoral student at Aarhus University in Denmark and a visiting guest scholar at Virginia Tech, talked with Mary, Jeff, and Eric about these questions and his research interest in farmers' perceptions and decision-making. Kasper is particularly intrigued by the human and cultural elements of farming and how context informs and shapes the agroecological system and soil health of individual farms and regional farming. Kasper's ongoing inquiry into the agroecological dynamics of farming, soil health, and specific values-based business models aligns with the objectives of the European Union's Soil Values project https://soilvalues.eu/. Additionally, Kasper has created videos based on his interviews and interactions with cooperating Danish farmers. This sample Soil Values video is with a Danish farmer who owns and operates a community-supported agriculture farm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxwHRB9ybRM As always, we encourage you to cooperate with other farmers, graziers, and gardeners for peer-to-peer learning and to follow the four core soil health principles: 1) Keep the soil covered -- Cover crops are our friends and allies;2) Minimize soil disturbance -- Practice no-till or gentle tillage in your field or garden as much as possible;3) Maximize living roots year-round -- to improve biodiversity, soil structure, and life in the soil; and4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation, farm enterprises, and/or livestock integration.More details about the Virginia Farm-to-Table Harvest Celebration scheduled for Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at On Sunny Slope Farm in Rockingham, Virginia, can be found at https://virginiafarmtotable.org/2025vaf2tharvestcelebration/To enjoy recent 4 The Soil blog posts and additional soil health resources, please visit https://www.4thesoil.org/blog and https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices, natural resource concerns, and farm decision-making dynamics you may be facing, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office.  4 the Soil: A Conversation is made possible with funding support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and The Agua Fund. Other partners include the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Virginia Cooperative Extension; Virginia State University; Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation; and partners of the Virginia Soil Health Coalition.Disclaimer: Views expressed on this podcast are those of each individual guest.To download a copy of this, or any other show, visit the website 4thesoil.org. Music used during today's program is courtesy of the Flip Charts. All rights reserved. 4 the Soil: A Conversation is produced by On the Farm Radio in collaboration with Virginia Tech. The host and co-hosts are Jeff Ishee, Mary Sketch Bryant, and Eric Bendfeldt.

Agroecology focuses on sustainably managing agricultural systems by applying ecological principles.  The goal is to optimize the interactions between plants, animals, humans, and the environment. A four-year study by the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology found that incorporating nature-friendly practices within farming increases biodiversity, pollination by bees, natural pest control, and the numbers of […]

Elspeth Hay is the author of the new book Feed Us With Trees: Nuts and the Future of Food. The book helps us understand how many in Western society lost their relationship to nut producing trees. It explains how integral trees such as oaks, chestnuts, black walnuts and hazelnuts are to forest ecosystems and how their nuts were once a staple in North American diets.Hay, lives on Cape Cod and has been reporting on food and the environment for the past 15 years with The Local Food Report, a segment that has aired on a regional New England NPR station. Despite growing up on a farm in Maine, it was a revelation when she found out that acorns were edible and it sent her down a rabbit hole of curiosities that reshaped her understanding of food production, not to mention how she understood the world. In our conversation, we talk about the things in the way of returning tree nuts into our food supply, from land rights to a focus on yields that do not account for external costs.Coincidentally, I've been on a nut tree rabbit hole myself for the past few years. It started with the chestnut trees I have on my land, which drop so many nuts each year I don't always know what to do with them. Chestnuts have become a part of my seasonal diet, and I've now planted a few hazelnut trees as well. Meanwhile, I've been researching Brazil nuts for the book I'm working on in the Amazon, and in some communities I have visited, they remain a staple food. So the possibilities of how we can shift what we eat towards more sustainable solutions are a reality. Elspeth writes and talks about polyculture and how the yields of nut trees paired with other complementary crops are not far off from the amount of food produced in industrial agriculture, with few of the negative external factors.-- Host: Nicholas GillCo-host: Juliana DuqueProduced by Nicholas Gill & Juliana DuqueRecording & Editing by New Worlder https://www.newworlder.com Read more at New Worlder: https://www.newworlder.com

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Nébil Bourguiba, the Vegetal Sourcing Manager for Groupe Berkem, a French company focusing on innovative, plant-based solutions for the nutraceutical, cosmetic, and construction industries.

Exploring Regenerative Agriculture and Advanced Nutraceuticals with Nébil Bourguiba, the Vegetal Sourcing Manager for Groupe Berkem, a French company focusing on innovative, plant-based solutions for the nutraceutical, cosmetic, and construction industries. The conversation delves into the issues surrounding industrial chemicals, the importance of regenerative agriculture, and ethical sourcing. Bourguiba discusses the scientific approach his company takes to develop high-quality, organic nutraceutical ingredients and cosmetic products. They also explore the potential of plant-based materials in creating sustainable construction products and the challenges posed by current European regulations. Tune in to learn more about how regenerative practices can lead to healthier, more sustainable products across various industries.

SUMMARY In this episode of the Faith & Work Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Abram Bicksler, agroecologist and leader of ECHO, to explore how science, faith, and stewardship intersect in the world of sustainable agriculture. As part of our Voices from the Workplace series, Dr. Bicksler shares how his calling has led him from rural farms to the United Nations, all rooted in a commitment to creation care and serving the poor. Together, we discuss what faithful scientific work looks like, the church's role in supporting those in the sciences, and why every occupation—including agroecology—can be a gospel-centered vocation. Do you like The Faith & Work Podcast? Be sure to subscribe! Now available on iTunes and Spotify. HIGHLIGHTS On Your Skills "We need every occupation to be a gospel-center occupation and to use your skills, your god-given gifts, the way that god has wired you to bring about the kingdom of God, right here and right now." On the Role of the Church "I'd love to see the church get more worked up about what's right in front of our faces, in terms of how is our pollution, how are the greenhouse gasses which we are polluting in the world, affecting our neighbors in Bangladesh? How are they affecting the ecosystems and the species that we are losing everyday? How are they leading increased droughts and unpredictability of rain that are causing famine and starvation of our global neighbors." Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV) "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."     RESOURCES Download the Episode Transcript Here Join us on July 19, 2025 in Denver at the American Scientific Affiliation public event to hear more from Dr. Bicksler. Open to all! Check out Biologos for more resources to support the integration of faith and the sciences Other Organizations mentioned: World Relief, World Vision 

In this episode of the Soil Sisters Podcast, we chat with our friend Chris Jones, an R&D project manager and designer at Symbiosis in central Texas. Chris shares his compelling journey from a career in finance to regenerative land management, inspired by his mental health struggles. He explains how changing how and what he ate and connecting with nature guided his path to health, clarity, and ecology. The discussion dives into his transition, the importance of healthy local food, and his work on developing universal soil amendments at scale to restore degraded lands. Chris also recounts his recent survival trek experience, underscoring the essential roles of food and community. This conversation leans into holistic well-being, community efforts, and restorative agricultural practices.TIME STAMPS & LINKS:00:00 Welcome to Soil Sisters Podcast00:48 Meet Chris Jones02:10 Chris's Journey to Mental Health Through Healthy Eating04:15 From Finance to Farming: Chris's Transition05:26 Exploring Regenerative Agriculture Across the U.S.09:15 Symbiosis: Regenerative Landscape Design13:11 The Importance of Organic Matter in Soil Health16:17 Mental Health and Regenerative Practices22:06 Principles Over Practices28:34 The Importance of Local and Regenerative Food Systems31:38 Survival Trek Experience with Earth Native43:22 Symbiosis Soil Amendments53:02 Conclusion and Message to Elon Musk

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Daniel Moss, Co-Director of the Agroecology Fund. They discuss what it means to build a model of trust-based philanthropy, the benefits that agroecology offers to women and youth, and the flexibility that allows for the experimentation inherent in agriculture. Plus, here about progress being made to halt deforestation in the Amazon rainforest, Kenya's plan to address the rising rate of diet-related diseases, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s decision to remove all members of the CDC's vaccine advisory committee, and the key crops that could lose half their best land for their production by 2100.  While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” wherever you consume your podcasts.

This week you'll hear our chat with the author of Countering Dispossession: Reclaiming Land: A Social Movement Ethnography, the political ecologist David E Gilbert (not to be confused with the former Weather Underground prisoner in the US). For this episode, David and I speak about the book, the small community in south Sumatra, Indonesia known as Casiavera, the legacy of colonial land grabs, the people who live there and the agro-ecology of the rainforest at the base of the Arin volcano. You can find more of David's work at https://DavidEGilbert.Com Links: The Black Snake: Standing Rock, the Dakota Access Pipeline, and Environmental Justice by Katherine Wiltenburg Todrys Via Campesina: https://viacampesina.org/ Landless Workers Movement (MST): https://mst.org.br/ Sarakhat Patani Indonesia (SPI): https://spi.or.id/ Mentions of Tan Malaka in the Southeast Asian Anarchist Library (https://sea.theanarchistlibrary.org/search?query=tan+malaka ) or writings on Marxists.Org (https://www.marxists.org/archive/malaka/ ) Feed'em Freedom Foundation (Detroit): https://feedemfreedom.org/ Our interviews on the ZAD: https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/?s=zad Grassroots Indonesian Eco-movement Wahli: https://www.walhi.or.id/ Announcement May Day Happy upcoming May Day, comrades known and unknown! I hope that wherever you are and whatever you do, you're surrounded by siblings in love and struggle, you can take pleasure in the beauty of the world around you, take strength from our predecessors who share our vision of a life unencumbered by state / capital & the other anchors foisted upon our shoulders, and with the energy to create a path towards our desires Ángel Espinosa Villegas We had an interview scheduled with Ángel Espinosa Villegas, a trans masc butch dyke, formerly a 2020 uprising prisoner who was transferred to ICE detention for deportation, however the screws seem to have decided to escalate the deportation to Chile rather than let hir continue to speak to the media. Keep an eye out for upcoming interviews with Ángel, and consider checking out hir GoFundMe. At the end of this post there are some statements from Angel... Supporting The Show Hey listeners… we've had a string of early releases with more on the way coming out through our patreon for supporters at $3 or more a month, alongside other thank-you gifts. If you can kick in and help, the funds go to our online hosting, and creation of promotional materials like shirts and stickers, but MOSTLY to funding our transcription efforts. We hate to ask for money, but if you have the capacity to kick us a few bucks a month, either through the patreon or via venmo, paypal or librepay or by buying some merch from us (we have a few 3x, 4x & 5x sized tshirts in kelly green coming soon), we'd very much appreciate the support. We're hoping to make a big sticker order in the near future. If you need another motivator, the 15th anniversary of The Final Straw Radio is coming up on May 9th, 2025 and we are not above accepting birthday presents. That's 15 years of weekly audio (albeit at the beginning it was more music than talk), including 8 of which 7 of which aren't in our podcast stream (you can find some early show examples in this link _by skipping to the last page of posts on our blog). Other ways to support us include rating and reviewing us on google, apple, amazon and the other podcasting platforms, printing out and mailing our interviews into prisoners, using our audio or text as the basis for a discussion of an ongoing movement, contacting your local radio station to get us on the airwaves, and talking about us to others in person or on social media. Alright, capping this shameless plug! Angel statements: These are press statements and direct quotes that Ángel Espinosa-Villegas has provided from inside Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, TX, where she was held from April 1 to April 25, 2025. Ángel is currently in transfer to an undisclosed location, but has not been able to contact loved ones yet. These messages were received by loved ones on the outside throughout the past 3 weeks and she has given explicit permission to publicize these statements. “We dance a lot, draw our hopes and homes on the walls of this place any way we can. We tell stories of home, hold each other past language barriers because we all know all too well what it's like to be torn away from our families, hold onto hope, only for it to be crushed cruelly by these heartless fascist traitors. To remain utterly powerless at the mercy of the abusers of gluttonous power. People are quite literally dragged out, hogtied, by these pirates that speak of protecting democracy yet dehumanize and humiliate us without so much as a look in our eyes before ripping us apart from our newfound friends, and, more distantly, our families we have here. They rob us of the little money we have and have no paths of recovery. They tell us clean water is a privilege and not a right. That speaking to our families is a privilege. That seeing the sun is a privilege. That if we get too loud of this constant mistreatment, then we should get ready to eat mace.” “Most people here don't have the means to speak out against these human rights' violations we face every day. But I will take any and every chance to fight, to expose the way they treat us that these human traitors have normalized.” “This was supposed to never happen again. But here it is again. We need everyone demanding our freedom, to expose all the vultures robbing these vulnerable people of everything from money to merely see our families and small children. We're not even allowed to say goodbye, to hug our children goodbye. What madness is this? How is this STILL happening to us, I ask myself when I wake up. Is this country for the free? For those yearning for a safe, happy life? If this country and its people care about freedom and safety, then people should refuse to let this government and administration work a second longer until they free us ALL.” “A lot of women here are fighting their cases because they've been following protocol to obtain legal papers or asylum or were just rounded up randomly from racial profiling. One woman here lost her purse with all her money on a train and went to church to seek help. The church called ICE on her because she couldn't speak English! Another woman here was late to her job and her boss called ICE on her. Few of us have criminal records. Most were just following advice from their lawyers and continuing their appointments with ICE and USCIS to get their visa or temporary protected status or whatever it was they were doing. But because of Trump's administration they're all rounded up by ICE and deported.” “I'm feeling alright, mostly numb since being locked up is so abusive and heart wrenching. Here... It's a rollercoaster. I witness, every single day, cries of agony and anger and despair. I see people hogtied and dragged out. People being yelled at to gather their things and go into the unknown, being threatened with PREA for hugging as we say our goodbyes and well wishes. This place is much worse than prison in many ways. I hear guttural wails and sobs so many times a day. It's like being at a perpetual funeral; laying to rest this person's life, that one's dreams, the other's hope. Knowing they'll be inevitably harmed, kidnapped, sometimes disappeared or even killed when they go and we can do absolutely nothing.” “We're just hostages. Being one for so long now... I'm so hollow on the inside. I haven't dropped any tears the last year and a half. I just can't. Not even when I was sentenced. I don't know how I'll even begin to heal, but I sure as fuck ain't ever gonna stop fighting. My hope and ambition to fight... I've just been refueling his entire time being down.” “Fighting brings me solace. Helping others brings me solace, some meaningfulness, a melting of stone in my petrified heart. I spend most of my time going around and helping people as much as I can; working the tablets, giving phone calls, cooking food, doing little chores and tasks for the older, sick, or disabled ladies.“ With love & solidarity, Free All Dykes . ... . .. Featured Track: Judas Goat by Filastine from Burn It (a benefit for Green Scare defendants)

This episode was originally aired March 25, 2022 Join this "fruitful" and enlightening conversation with tree crops specialist, horticultural historian and agroforestry practitioner Eliza Greenman as she explains the evolution of the apple, horticultural tree crop history and shares her love for fruit exploring. A creator of niche products, Eliza is passionate owner of charcuterie company, HogTree, and is working towards the goal of creating orchard systems that function symbiotically with livestock to replace costly livestock feed. After a time pruning apple trees on an island off the coast of Maine, paired with her time abroad in Germany in apprenticeship with an apple grower and a formative research trip to Asia, the homeland of fruits and nuts, Eliza found her calling and became single- mindedly obsessed with apples. Now she is an advocate for natural wildlife practices and indigenous systems, stressing the importance of eating in season and shying away from global commodities. The conversation includes various types of fruit and nut trees such as pawpaws, mulberry trees, hickory walnuts, acorns, autumn olive and the infamous Bradford Pear, exploring all the ways these beautiful gifts can be nurtured and enjoyed.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform. Topics Covered: Agroforestry  Agroecology Permaculture  Food Forests  Perennials  Fruit and Nut Trees  Bradford Pear  Red Delicious  Fire Blight  Heart Rot  Pollarding Autumn Olive Silvopasture agroforestry  Resources Mentioned:  US Apple - Lobbying  Back River Market  “Of New York” Series - Catalog of Fruit Varieties  The National Soil Fertility League  North American Fruit Explorers - NAFEX  John Bunker, Fedco Trees Francis Fenton  Silvopasture is the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land. These systems are intensively managed for both forest products and forage, providing both short- and long-term income sources.  Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nac/practices/silvopasture.php  Guest Info Connect with Eliza at elizaapples.com  HogTree charcuterie company  Fruit and Fodder  Instagram @elizaapples 

  Welcome to episode 96 of Growers Daily! We cover:  how much can you earn in a market garden, FSMA exemptions, and are you ready for march?    ‼️ Hiring—Produce/Editor Application: https://forms.gle/vnbTTv24NHw52duj8   Links from this episode:  Natalie Podcast from Yesterday: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-no-till-market-garden-podcast/id1441886206?i=1000695562553   Helpful FSMA document about exemptions: https://psdocs.spes.vt.edu/FSMA/PSR_who_is_covered.pdf#:~:text=To%20be%20Qualified%20Exempt%2C%20your%20farm's%20three%2Dyear,be%20directly%20to%20consumers%20and%20'qualified%20end%2Dusers'.   Natalie's Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalie-Lounsbury   Featured MUSIC TODAY “Weather” By Pandaraps, Big Soda, Is Our Children Learning Via https://www.epidemicsound.com   Support our work (

Our latest episode navigates the turbulent water of South Korea's neoliberal rise, examining how austerity measures imposed by the IMF hit the working class hard and compromised environmental protections. Yet, within these adversities, seedbeds of change emerged, notably in the form of farming communes and radical agroecology. We unravel these complex threads with a nod to the contradictions they harbor, setting the stage for a deeper conversation about capitalism's imprint on democracy and nature. The narrative doesn't stop there. We turn our gaze to the evolution of environmental movements in South Korea, transitioning from the centralized NGO structures of the '80s to the grassroots-driven initiatives we see today. By spotlighting movements like the Life and Peace Movement, we highlight how ordinary citizens, pro-democracy advocates, and agroecological farmers are crafting a more resilient and balanced ecological future from the ground up. These community-driven efforts challenge the status quo not by dismantling capitalism directly but by fostering local autonomy and ecological alternatives, offering rich insights for similar movements in places like the United States. Finally, we explore the political landscape of agroecology with movements like JADAM and Korean Natural Farming at the helm, which challenge the artificial separation of politics from daily life. Consumer cooperatives are on the rise, transforming societal values and culture by creating alternatives to capitalism. In the realm of cooperative community agriculture, the Hansel and Movement stands as a testament to the power of collective endeavor, cycling financial and agricultural outputs back into the community. For sources, transcripts, and to read more about this subject, visit: www.agroecologies.org To support this podcast, join our patreon for early, commercial-free episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/ Key Words: South Korea, Capitalism, Foreign Exchange Crisis, IMF, Austerity Measures, Working Class, Environmental Protections, Farming Communes, Radical Agroecology, Grassroots Movements, Democracy, Nature, NGO, Life and Peace Movement, Consumer Cooperatives, Political Agroecology, JADAM, Korean Natural Farming, Cooperative Community Agriculture, Hansel and Movement, Capitalistic Pursuits, Late Night Recordings, Passive Income, Patreon  

Ever wondered why certain berries appear in folklore and medicine while others are forgotten in the underbrush? Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the elderberry, a plant that has been quietly thriving from the icy reaches of northern Canada to the sunlit coasts of Florida. Known for its tenacity and resilience, the elderberry has become a symbol of nature's durability. This episode takes a stroll through the history and cultural importance of the American elderberry, exploring its role in indigenous diets and its surprising rise to fame during the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural remedy. The episode continues with a curious blend of nostalgia and urgency, encouraging listeners to reconnect with traditional food practices. We discuss how societal norms have distanced us from the sources of our food and the psychological barriers that make imperfection unpalatable. By sharing personal tales of foraging, we underscore the value of passing down these skills to future generations. Focusing on maintaining a mutualistic relationship with the land, we delve into the intricate connections between people and plants, illustrated by age-old techniques for preserving the humble elderberry. Rounding off our exploration, we delve into the cultivation world, spotlighting unique elderberry cultivars like the Bob Gordon variety. Listeners gain insights into the cultivation art and understand how these native fruits hold the potential to enrich American landscapes. We navigate the challenges and triumphs of growing and harvesting elderberries, revealing the hidden potential of these often-overlooked berries. Whether you're an avid gardener or simply berry-curious, this episode offers a fresh perspective on the elderberry's role in our ecosystems, past and present. For sources, transcripts, and to read more about this subject, visit: www.agroecologies.org To support this podcast, join our patreon for early, commercial-free episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac For PPA Restoration Content, visit: www.restorationagroecology.com For PPA Merch, visit: www.poorproles.com For PPA Native Plants, visit: www.nativenurseries.org To hear Tomorrow, Today, our sister podcast, visit: www.tomorrowtodaypodcast.org/ Key Words: Elderberry, Cultural Significance, Resilience, Adaptability, Traditional Food Sources, Indigenous Communities, COVID-19, Pandemic, Disconnect from Nature, Cultivation, Harvesting Techniques, Cultivars, Foraging, Preserving, Traditional Skills, Mutualistic Relationship, Landscape, Archaeological Evidence, Breeding History, Research, Bob Gordon Variety, Challenges, Benefits, Agroecology, Merchandise, Discounts, Patreon, Substack, Porpralscom