Podcasts about Agroecology

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.

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.

Industrial agriculture is often framed as the only way to feed the world, yet its pesticide-heavy model is deepening environmental and climate risks. Sarojeni Rengam, the Executive Director of Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PANAP), joins us to explain why agroecology offers a more sustainable path forward that builds soil health, strengthens biodiversity and empowers farmers. We'll discuss how agroecology works on the ground, the systemic changes needed to shift away from hazardous chemicals and toward climate-smart, community-led farming. Image Credit: PANAPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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!

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.

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.

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?

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, 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. 

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.

 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Welcome back to Pizza Quest!When I first met Randy Clemens he was a seventeen-year old guy looking for a purpose in life, something to sink his teeth into, and volunteering to be my assistant for a bread class I was teaching at Sur la Table in Los Angeles. Fast forward 23 years and join me as I catch up with Randy who, after writing three books (including the famous "The Sriracha Cookbook") and working in many aspects of the culinary world, seems to have found what he's been looking for in, of all places, Uruguay, by founding the Las Bandurrias Food Forest and Homestead.  What, you may ask, is that? Well, as you'll hear during our conversation, think back fifty years ago when the so-called "back to the earth movement" was happening and all sorts of folks, often called hippies (and way ahead of their time), were engaged in what we now call sustainability and regenerative agriculture. And now, even newer terms like bioconstruction, syntropic agriculture, food sovereignty, and agroecology are the fleshed-out current incarnations of that earlier movement. Bottom line, as Randy says, is "I just wanted to be able to make things from scratch."  He is on his own version of a pizza quest, his quest for meaning and purpose, and is bringing along a lot of folks with him and teaching anyone who wants to learn how to do it. It's all here in this episode of Pizza Quest.Note: As promised during our conversation, here are some links for any of you who want to connect with Randy and Las Bandurrias. You'll love these videos and postings, which beautifully show what's going on way down there in South America:PatreonYoutubeInstagramTikTokFacebook

John Maytham speaks to Qinisani Nhlakanipho Qwabe, lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Sciences at Nelson Mandela University, about the urgent need to re-centre indigenous crops in South Africa’s food system. Drawing from his research in KwaZulu-Natal, Qwabe explains how westernised diets, academic bias, and agrochemical-driven extension services have pushed aside nutrient-rich, climate-resilient crops like amaranth, amadumbe, and wild cucumber Follow us on:CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalkCapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalkCapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkzaCapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalkSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joshua Sparkes is a grower whose innovative, soil-centered approach blends regenerative principles with a deep reverence for the natural world. We dig into his unique style of farming, how it's shaped by observation and experimentation, and why it offers a glimpse into what must be the future of sustainable food production. Links The Collective at Woolsery Joshua Sparkes on Instagram Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Joshua Sparkes you might also enjoy this one from the archives:  Episode 328: Soil, Health & Nutrition Guest: Sam Hamrebtan Link: Roots and All Nutritional therapist and sustainable cooking expert Sam Hamrebtan explores the vital connection between soil and the nutrients in our food. As the founder of the Life Larder newsletter and Course Director at CNM's Natural Chef School, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge on how growing practices impact the quality of what we eat. Episode 306: The Soil Habitat Guest: Eddie Bailey Link: Roots and All Eddie Bailey, a geologist, organic no-dig gardener, and soil food web specialist who runs Rhizophyllia, discusses the soil food web, what inhabits the soil habitat, why soil health impacts plant health and ultimately our health, and what you can do to get the best out of your garden. Please support the podcast on Patreon

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)

In this episode, Nicky Schauder of Permaculture Gardens continues the conversation about permaculture and the ins and outs of compost tea with Mary Sketch Bryant, Marian Dalke, and Jeff Ishee. Nicky received two USDA-Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Producer Grants to specifically research the benefits of compost tea and its effects on plant growth, yield, soil biology diversity, and the stability of soil health. Nicky's research question was does compost tea make certain leafy vegetables grow bigger or not?To read the Permaculture Gardens blog and other resources about soil regeneration, compost tea, permaculture, and growing food yourself, please visit https://www.permaculturegardens.org/Bill Mollison's books Introduction to Permaculture and Permaculture: A Designer's Manual are available online or through your local independent bookstore. Information about USDA-Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education's (SARE) grant programs and their free publications are accessible at https://southern.sare.org/To learn about the Virginia Soil Health Coalition and join the Coalition's quarterly meetings, please visit https://www.virginiasoilhealth.org/. For questions about soil and water conservation practices and outdoor educational activities for youth, call or visit a USDA Service Center, a Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District office, or your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office. As always, we encourage you to join the 4 The Soil movement at https://www.4thesoil.org/ and follow the four principles of soil health: 1) Keep the Soil Covered -- Cover crops are our friends; 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 and life in the soil; and 4) Energize with diversity -- through crop rotation and/or livestock integration. And please share your stories of how you are regenerating soil on your farm, in your garden, or backyard. Yes, we can all cheer "for" soil and be 4 The Soil!

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 

On this episode of The Green Hour, we speak with Mutuma Muriuki, Founder of Eco Bristo, a company on a mission to empower sustainable farming by providing alternative, affordable, and eco-friendly pest-control technology and solutions.In this episode, we discuss:

How can we design in ways that are "conducive to life"?...Edona Arnesen is highly passionate about food, farming, food systems, relationships and regeneration in unison, and how we can co-create better communities and systems for the common health of everything on Earth; the human and the non-human, and Nature whom we're all a tiny, connected part of. She finds systems thinking and systemic design fantastically interesting as philosophies and practices to act through. Edona went on to explore the world of resilient and regenerative food systems through participatory action learning at NMBU with her MSc in Agroecology, after a BSc in civil engineering. Her Master's thesis focused on social sustainability and leadership in the restaurant industry, and how that affects especially environmental sustainability in the industry. She has spent half her life closely connected to hospitality through work, both in service, in kitchens and bakeries, and in managerial positions. Practical experience on several organic and biodynamic farms has broadened her perspective and taught her to understand the reality of food producers with the joys, challenges, hinders and opportunities they find in their everyday lives as part of larger systems. Combining these competences lead Edona to Dagens, where she has been part of building a transparent, fair and resilient food system for the future, through data-driven direct trade between sustainable producers and professional buyers, locally.Today, Abbie and Edona explore the social and relational elements involved in creating resilient, regenerative food systems through stories; systems thinking; and localized, context-driven participation....Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created, produced & hosted by Abbie VanMeter.Stories Lived. Stories Told. is an initiative of the CMM Institute for Personal and Social Evolution....Music for Stories Lived. Stories Told. is created by Rik Spann....⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Explore all things Stories Lived. Stories Told. here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Explore all things CMM Institute here.

  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 (

Trees and crops—better together! This week on Roots and All, I'm joined by Andy Dibben, co-author of Silvohorticulture, to explore how agroforestry can revolutionise our growing spaces for a more resilient and productive future. Links Silvohorticulture: A grower's guide to integrating trees into crops by Andy Dibben & Ben Raskin Other episodes if you liked this one: If you liked this week's episode with Andy Dibben you might also enjoy this one from the archives:  235: Woodchip - My guest this week is Ben Raskin, the Soil Association's Head of Horticulture and Agroforestry. Ben is the author of several books on gardening, including Zero-Waste Garden and The Community Gardening Handbook. His latest book is ‘The Woodchip Handbook', which I was very excited to read and even more excited to speak with Ben about, because I've long been a fan of using wood chip in the garden. In the interview, we cover the many uses for woodchip in the garden, how it can help with plant and soil health, what sort of wood makes good chip and the do's and don'ts of using it. 137: Dr Glynn Percival of Bartlett Tree Experts - This episode is brought to you by the team at The Real Soil Company. Launched to the market in 2020 The Real Soil Company proudly offers new organic, peat-free SuperSoil. Packed full of organic nutrients for optimal plant health, SuperSoil's natural ‘boosters' will stimulate quicker plant establishment and better resilience against pests and disease, whilst also enabling edible crops to benefit from nutritional enhancement and a higher crop yield.  The enhanced soil also offers better water retention and release for optimum plant growth, whilst providing a more balanced and workable material for gardeners. Please support the podcast on Patreon

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

This is an (almost) unedited version of our livestream with Kali Akuno from this morning (11/10/24) Here Kali Akuno offers thoughts on where we go from here after the re-election of Trump. Our previous video discussion with Kali Akuno provides more of the nuts and bolts of the type of organizing he's callling for, but this conversation underscores the urgency of this program now that we are in the reality (at least in terms of electoral politics and control of government) that he predicted would come to pass.  Kali Akuno is a cofounder and codirector of Cooperation Jackson. He was the director of special projects and external funding in the mayoral administration of the late Chokwe Lumumba of Jackson, MS. His focus in this role was supporting cooperative development, the introduction of eco-friendly and carbon reduction methods of operation, and the promotion of human rights and international relations for the city. Akuno has also served as the codirector of the U.S. Human Rights Network, and the executive director of the Peoples' Hurricane Relief Fund (PHRF) based in New Orleans, after Hurricane Katrina. He was a cofounder of the School of Social Justice and Community Development (SSJCD), a public school serving the academic needs of low-income African American and Latino communities in Oakland. Previous episodes with Kali Akuno: Shifting Focus: Organizing for Revolution, Not Crisis Avoidance  "And Another Phase of Struggle Begins" - Kali Akuno and Kamau Franklin on Strategy and Liberation To support our work, become a patron of the show for as little as $1 a month at patreon.com/millennialsarekillingcapitalism To join our discord