Podcasts about global food security

With Host Greg Peterson and Guests Bill McDorman and Rebecca NewburnFind our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.orgIn This Podcast: This episode of Seed Chat explores the future of seed sovereignty through two connected lenses: grassroots seed libraries and the global seed banking system. Greg Peterson is joined by Bill McDorman and special guest Rebecca Newburn to examine how communities can steward seeds locally while industrial institutions struggle to preserve crop diversity at scale. Rebecca shares how the seed library movement has grown into a global network and why the next challenge is helping communities “close the loop” by saving and returning seeds. Bill then zooms out to explain the history, promise, and limitations of international seed banks—and why local seed stewardship may be our most resilient path forward. Key TopicsSeed Library NetworkCommunity seed librariesSeed saving educationCGIAR international gene banksGlobal Crop Diversity TrustSvalbard Global Seed VaultGRIN (Genetic Resources Information Network)Regional seed co-opsClimate adaptation through seed diversitySnake River Seed CooperativeUtopian Seed Project Key Questions AnsweredHow do seed libraries actually strengthen local food systems?Seed libraries give communities free access to seeds while rebuilding the habit of growing, saving, and sharing locally adapted crops. Their long-term value is not just seed distribution, it is creating local resilience through community stewardship and regional seed knowledge. What makes a seed library successful over time?The strongest seed libraries are sustained by committed people, clear systems, and community participation. Whether run by one passionate organizer or a collective, successful libraries create pathways for education, local seed donations, and long-term stewardship. What does it mean to “close the loop” in a seed library?It means moving beyond simply borrowing and planting seeds. A resilient seed library teaches people how to save seeds, clean them, label them, and return them so the system becomes regenerative instead of extractive. What is CGIAR and why does it matter?CGIAR is a global agricultural research network that manages 11 major international gene banks holding hundreds of thousands of seed accessions. These collections preserve crop diversity and serve as a global backup for agriculture, but they are increasingly underfunded and difficult to access. Why are global seed banks under pressure?Major seed banks face chronic funding shortages, institutional bottlenecks, and climate-related risks. Even the world's largest backup systems, including Svalbard, are vulnerable to warming temperatures, infrastructure strain, and political instability. Why is local seed saving becoming more urgent?As climate disruption, fertilizer shortages, and industrial fragility intensify, communities will need crops adapted to local conditions. Local seed saving builds food security, preserves biodiversity, and gives communities direct control over future growing conditions. What role do regional seed companies and seed co-ops play?Regional seed companies and co-ops bridge the gap between grassroots seed libraries and commercial distribution. They grow regionally adapted seed at scale, distribute locally, and help create more durable seed infrastructure. Why does Bill argue that “nobody's coming”?Bill's central argument is that communities cannot rely solely on governments, institutions, or global systems to protect seed diversity. The responsibility for preserving and adapting seeds increasingly falls to local growers, seed savers, and regional networks. Episode HighlightsRebecca Newburn explains how seed libraries have evolved from a novel idea into a global movement with thousands of community-led seed libraries. Seed libraries succeed when they move beyond free seed distribution and teach people how to save and return seeds. Rebecca shares new downloadable “zines” designed to help gardeners plant, save, and return seeds with clear instructions. Bill outlines how CGIAR's global gene banks were built to preserve crop diversity but now struggle with access, staffing, and long-term funding. The Global Crop Diversity Trust still lacks the endowment needed to sustainably maintain major international seed collections. Bill argues that climate resilience depends on getting seed diversity back into the hands of growers, not just preserving it in vaults. Regional seed banks and co-ops may offer a more resilient model than centralized institutions alone. Collaboration—not competition—is framed as the cultural shift needed to rebuild seed resilience at scale. ResourcesFind out about Seed libraries — Seed Library NetworkMonthly Seed chat — Urban Farm Seed ChatPodcast Archive — Urban Farm PodcastNewsletter — Seed Library Network SubstackRegional Seed Inspiration — Snake River Seed CooperativeRegional Seed Inspiration — Utopian Seed Project Visit UrbanFarm.org/982 for the show notes and links on this episode!Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat with Greg to get permaculture based feedback.Click HERE to learn more!*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

13. Commodity Price Volatility and Keir Starmer's Leadership Challenges Guest: Simon Constable Summary:Soaring prices for oil, fertilizer, and grains threaten global food security and European economic stability. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces intense internal pressure and public dissatisfaction following a series of political scandals. 131871

5. HEADLINE: The Global Impact of the Iranian Energy Conflict GUEST: Mary Kissel SUMMARY: Mary Kisselhighlights a fertilizer crisis caused by the war in Iran, which threatens global food security, particularly in Africa. She views the UAE's OPEC exit as part of a fundamental regional reshaping. Kissel asserts that the U.S. must maintain the political will to secure waterways and address Iran's nuclear program.1901

The Iran war has created risks to food security from higher energy costs and shipping restrictions. The world's fertiliser production has been badly hit due to attacks on Gulf chemical plants. Where is food supply most at risk and could there be a lasting impact? In this episode: Mourad Wahba, Acting Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. Avinash Kishore, Senior Research Fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, Steve Keen, Economist and Honorary Professor, University College London. Host: Adrian Finighan Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

In this episode of EnvironMental, Aub shares information about the current global agricultural collapse.From the "bomb-to-fertilizer" pipeline of the military-industrial complex to the "death-by-powder" neonics poisoning Colorado's corn, we are dissecting why our current food system is on life support.This isn't a post-mortem. We're digging into the regenerative agriculture solutions that are proving—with real, longitudinal data—that we don't need a bigger bug bomb. We need a serious pivot towards soil health.

Spring 2026 is arriving with a fertilizer market that looks nothing like anything most producers have seen. Urea at $700 a short ton. Elemental sulfur up nearly 8x in 18 months. Global ammonia production down 30–35%. China not exporting. India running at 50–60% production capacity because they can't get LNG shipments through the Persian Gulf. And retailers across Saskatchewan are 30–40% behind on bookings. Josh Linville, one of the most followed voices in fertilizer on X, joined from a ski condo in Colorado. Mario Gaudet has been in the thick of the elemental sulfur trade and has the kind of inside knowledge that doesn't show up in the headlines. Together, they broke down what's actually happening, what even the best-case scenario looks like if the Strait reopens tomorrow (answer: not great), and what decisions producers need to be making right now. This one got into places you don't hear about in mainstream ag media. Why you can't have a green energy mandate without oil and gas refining. Why Morocco building a massive triple super phosphate plant now looks like genius. Why the US imports over 5 million tons of urea per year when North America is sitting on some of the cheapest natural gas in the world. And why the retailer down the road isn't willing to hold inventory anymore, even if he thinks you're going to need it. The practical advice coming out of this conversation was clear: talk to your retailer now, build a forecast together, buy in chunks to spread your risk, and don't cut the nutrition inputs that will cost you two bushels of corn per acre to save $5 upfront. As Josh put it, the market is undefeated, and nobody has ever sold every bushel of grain in one shot. Why would fertilizer be any different? Timestamps [00:00:46] Setting the stage: Urea nearly doubled since December, global ammonia down 30–35%, spring is here [00:02:16] Josh Linville's call: the worst economic environment for farmers he's ever seen [00:05:18] Josh joins from a ski condo in Colorado; the market doesn't stop [00:06:04] Audience poll: Where are you at with your 2026 crop plan? [00:09:34] Mario's rant begins: how elemental sulfur went from $70 to nearly $580 a ton [00:10:31] The connection nobody's making: sulfur, battery production, lithium, and why green mandates need oil and gas [00:13:34] Geopolitics, the Strait of Hormuz, and 40–50% of global sulfur supply at risk [00:14:33] The 10-million-ton sulfur stockpile in Fort McMurray and why it can't get to market [00:15:40] Buying patterns: how procrastinating on fertilizer decisions became the industry's biggest self-inflicted wound [00:19:39] Josh on sulfur: how cleaner air created a new farm input problem [00:20:46] Phosphate and the Strait: Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, three of the top 10 anhydrous exporters, all behind the closure [00:22:23] Tampa Index negotiations, phosphate production costs, and why summer fill pricing won't go down [00:23:22] Josh: we have already seen the cheapest phosphate price we are going to see [00:25:20] Even when the Strait reopens, the tail of this thing will last longer than people think [00:28:29] Morocco's triple super phosphate expansion: playing chess while everyone else played checkers [00:30:21] How high input costs are going to change what farmers buy this season [00:34:15] Josh's biggest rant: don't make a cut that feels good today and feels terrible in October [00:40:17] Alberta's 10-million-ton sulfur block, the LNG pipeline we didn't build, and the opportunity we've squandered [00:43:13] Is this the moment North America gets serious about fertilizer self-sufficiency? [00:45:21] The global food security conversation: who really pays when fertilizer prices go to the moon [00:48:31] Iran, the Strait, and the proxy war between the US and China [00:49:20] Why N-46 is at $1,250 Canadian when we make it in Indian Head, SK [00:54:04] Final advice from Mario: talk to your retailer, forecast what you need, buy in chunks [00:55:19] Final advice from Josh: no farmer sells all their grain at once, so stop treating fertilizer differently Connect with our guests: Josh Linville, VP of Fertilizer at StoneX. Follow him on X for daily fertilizer market updates: @JoshLFert Mario Gaudet, Busy Salt. Elemental sulfur supply across North America Growing the Future platform partners: Crop-Aid Nutrition, soil health and crop nutrition: cropaidnutrition.com Hammond Realty, Saskatchewan agricultural real estate, succession and tax planning: hammondrealty.ca Gripp, farm management software for tracking equipment, logging maintenance, and keeping your team aligned: gripp.ag Bone Trail Originals, handcrafted live edge resin art from a 110-year-old family farm in Saskatchewan: bonetrail.store Growing the Future: Subscribe on YouTube. Follow on LinkedIn and Instagram: growingthefuture.ca Register for the Convergence Conference at convergence.ag and stay updated by subscribing to the Growing the Future Podcast at growingthefuturepodcast.ca.

6. Global Fertilizer Crisis and Food Security. Guest: Michael Bernstam. Michael Bernstam warns of a massive shortage in nitrogen fertilizers due to the conflict in the Middle East. This crisis threatens global food security and will likely cause significant price increases for agricultural commodities.,, (6)1914

As Iran continues to block ships from moving through the Strait of Hormuz, farmers around the world are seeing their fertilizer supplies coming up short, and some countries are having to shut down down their LNG plants. Also, we wrap up our weeklong housing affordability coverage with a wider discussion about tackling the rising cost of housing at its root. And, a look at the history of US-Cuba relations. Also, the K-pop megastars of BTS are back together after a long break to complete their military service. Plus, a look at a family tradition for Nowruz. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Plants face a constant balancing act.

Global hunger and climate pressure are accelerating the search for future food sources, from resilient grains to aquatic plants like duckweed, reshaping how sustainable nutrition may be achieved.https://www.lotus-ministry.org/post/duckweed-is-it-food-or-weed Lotus Ministry Trust City: San Francisco Address: 1355 Post St Website: https://www.lotus-ministry.org/ Email: lotus.ministry.trust@gmail.com

Ian Plimer discusses the impact of climate and energy policies in Australia, contrasts it with other countries, and expresses disappointment over current government measures. Plimer shares his experiences from international travels, such as attending Trump's inauguration and conducting geological fieldwork in Saudi Arabia, and introduces his new book ‘Sceptical Always', which compiles various essays on his life experiences and views on climate change science. He also delves into topics like historical sea level changes, life on Mars, and the potential dangers of supervolcanoes, advocating for a more data-driven approach to climate science.00:00 Introduction and Current Affairs01:37 Reflections on Recent Travels03:06 Discussing the New Book05:58 Climate Change and Geological Perspectives09:01 Sea Level Rise and Coral Reefs13:56 Historical Climate Trends18:57 Dinosaurs and Ancient Climates23:14 Volcanic Activity and Climate25:52 Undersea Volcanoes and Their Impact28:55 Super Volcanoes and Their Effects31:27 Impact of Super Volcanoes32:13 Historical Volcanic Eruptions33:47 Volcanic Hazards and Human Safety35:16 Global Food Security and Volcanic Eruptions36:15 Air Travel and Volcanic Ash38:14 Carrington Events and Their Impact40:07 Gravitational Effects of Mountains50:18 Life on Mars: Evidence and Theories55:39 Understanding the Atom57:26 The State of Modern Academia01:00:42 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSceptical Always: A View at Three Quarter Time: https://a.co/d/bYVwMNF========Slides, summaries, references, and transcripts of my podcasts: https://tomn.substack.com/p/podcast-summariesMy Linktree: https://linktr.ee/tomanelson1

The cost living is an increasing global challenge. Food inflation in 2023 was 13.6%, however food prices increased by up to 30% in many low income countries. Currently 60-80% of voters consider food price as a decisive factor in their choice of candidate and across 60% of countries food costs represent more than 25% of the CPI basket. Right now, 670 million people—8.2% of our global population—are going hungry. By 2030, projections show that 300 million people in Africa alone could face food insecurity. But here's the paradox: we have the technology, the knowledge, and the resources to address this crisis. So what's holding us back?Food insecurity is never just about hunger. Throughout history, the impacts of food crises have freuquently included geopolitical instability, increased migration and conflcit. Today we are joined by Maximo Torero, Chief Economist at FAO, where he is working to build resilient, inclusive, and sustainable agrifood systems. Previously Maximo served as served as Executive Director at the World Bank Group.Send us a text

In this conversation we look at efficient use of technology to address the challenge of food security. A speaker at this year's IGCF, Professor Burniske is a specialist in global food security with a technical focus on sustainable agriculture, food supply chains and smallholder agricultural business development. He currently serves as Assistant Director for Program Development in Purdue University's Office of International Programs in Agriculture (IPIA) and was previously the Managing Director for the Center for Global Food Security in Purdue's Discovery Park. Listen to #Pulse95Radio in the UAE by tuning in on your radio (95.00 FM) or online on our website: www.pulse95radio.com ************************ Follow us on Social. www.facebook.com/pulse95radio www.twitter.com/pulse95radio www.instagram.com/pulse95radio

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Cary Fowler, President of the new Food Security Leadership Council and Anna Nelson, Executive Director of the Food Security Leadership Council. They discuss the link between food security and peace, the self-inflicted harm created by the U.S. government's decision to retreat from the global stage, and the incredible returns that are possible when we invest in agricultural research and development. Plus, hear about the upcoming programming at Climate Week NYC that matters more than ever, why the climate crisis is likely to send childhood poverty rates soaring in Latin America and the Caribbean, and what the latest resignations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mean for public health.  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.

In this special episode, revisit this conversation with Prof. Tim Benton, as we remind ourselves of the devastating potential of the tail risks from climate change. Our regular listeners will know that we usually to take a break from the podcast in August. But every once in a while, in this fast-moving field of climate and sustainability, it's helpful to pause and reflect on where we've been, what we've learned, and how far we've come. That's why we're re-releasing this episode from the archives, and revisiting a conversation that's just as relevant today - if not more so - than when it first aired in late 2021. This conversation about the tail risks from climate change left a huge impression on us at the GARP Risk Institute. The framing of climate risk as non-linear, deeply complex, and capable of amplifying other risks from food insecurity to political instability, was enormously influential on the direction of this podcast. Today, where the window for an orderly transition is rapidly narrowing, it's all the more important that we remember the extent of the risks posed by climate change. This episode explores: Why the risks associated with even 2.0◦C warming are greater than you might think; How climate risks are transmitted through, and amplified by, our interconnected economy; and How risk professionals can best prepare for the complex and unpredictable risks of climate change. To find out more about the Sustainability and Climate Risk (SCR®) Certificate, follow this link: https://www.garp.org/scr For more information on climate risk, visit GARP's Global Sustainability and Climate Risk Resource Center: https://www.garp.org/sustainability-climate If you have any questions, thoughts, or feedback regarding this podcast series, we would love to hear from you at: climateriskpodcast@garp.com Links from the discussion: Climate change risk assessment 2021: Chatham House's research publication detailing the consequences and systemic cascading risks likely from climate change - https://www.chathamhouse.org/2021/09/climate-change-risk-assessment-2021 UK Climate Risk Independent Assessment (CCRA3) Technical Report: The UK Climate Change Committee's independent analysis of the risks and opportunities for the UK - https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/independent-assessment-of-uk-climate-risk/ Speaker's Bio Tim Benton, Professor of Population Ecology, University of Leeds Tim's research spans food security, sustainability, climate change, ecology, and systemic and interacting risks. Formerly, he was a Distinguished Fellow and Research Director at Chatham House, Environment and Society Centre, working on range of projects about how environmental risks interact with human systems. From 2011 to 2016, Tim was the ‘champion' of the UK's Global Food Security programme. He has also been a contributing author for the IPCC and has more than 150 published academic papers to his name. 

Danny King from Deep South Homestead & Deep South Homestead @ Pecan Grove and David DuByne from ADAPT 2030 discuss how global food security is under unprecedented threat as extreme weather events, atmospheric rivers and cosmic phenomena disrupt agriculture worldwide and solutions you can start in your life. ☕ Buy a Double Espresso to Support Civilization Cycle Podcast

07-24-2025 Farhad Abasov Learn more about the interview and get additional links here: https://thedailyblaze.com/why-potash-is-essential-for-global-food-security/ Subscribe to the best of our content here: https://priceofbusiness.substack.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCywgbHv7dpiBG2Qswr_ceEQ

Big agriculture is Big!  And it appears to be getting Bigger, as the leading companies in four critical sectors—equipment, seeds, fertilizers and chemicals—consolidate in order to dominate their markets and the farmers who buy their products.  Join Ronnie Lipschutz for a conversation with Dr. Jennifer Clapp, who has just published Titans of Industrial Agriculture—How a Few Giant Corporations Came to Dominate the Farm Sector and Why It Matters.  Clapp is Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo in Ontario and a member of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems.

How big is too big? When it comes to corporate concentration many observers raise concerns about the tech industry. However, in the new book, Titans of Industrial Agriculture: how a few giant corporations came to dominate the farm sector and why it matters, political economist Jennifer Clapp draws attention to the overwhelming shadow a small handful of transnational corporations cast over the global agricultural sector. Professor Clapp argues that these corporations hold concentrated power over the agricultural sector that keep industrial agricultural practices entrenched in patterns of production, despite the concerns of the social, ecological and health impacts to society. She explains how we got to this point and what it might take to make changes. Jennifer's work at the intersection of the global economy, food security, and food systems, and the natural environment, looks specifically at issues of global governance. She is currently a member of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems, and a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.  Interview Summary Norbert - Jennifer, let's just jump right in and I'd love for you to help our listeners understand a little bit more about your book. You write about corporate concentration in the agricultural input sector. Can you explain what this involves and what products are we really talking about?    Yes. The book is about what we call the agricultural inputs industry. And that's really four different product types typically, and maybe a fifth that we can talk about. So, one of them is farm machinery, and that's really referring to things like plows and tractors, harvesters, etc. That kind of machinery on the farm. The second industry is the fertilizer industry, which is all about, you know, the nutrients that we bring to the soil through fertilizer products like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash. And the seed industry. That's another industry that is a key input for farmers. And then also pesticides. And when we talk about pesticides, we're referring to things like insecticides, chemicals that kill insects, but also chemicals that kill weeds and fungus. And so those are the four sort of big inputs that I talk about in the book. But also, the book covers a fifth input, an emerging input, which is data. And this is, especially as we're seeing the datafication and digitalization of farming. Increasingly data has now become a commodity that is bought and sold as an input into farming. Norbert - Great. I have to ask, what drew you to the input industry? I mean, let's be honest, that's not the thing that most people get excited about. Why should we be concerned? Yeah, that's a great question. I've actually had a very long interest in the seed in chemical industry. That goes way back to the start of my career because I did studies in agriculture for my PhD dissertation. But then I got quite interested in toxic waste and then that sort of drew me to this question of the global pesticide trade. And when I learned that, you know, oftentimes, like in the US there might be a banning of a pesticide that's no longer in use. But it was still being traded globally. And this, I found this very fascinating and how that industry worked. And that kind of drew me into understanding the connections between seeds and chemicals. And then when the digitalization of farming came along and in recent decades it became really clear that it wasn't just chemical and seed industry involved in that digitalization. It was also the fertilizer and the farm machinery sector. It made me want to understand the interconnections between these industries. I know it's like, maybe a bit specific, but they have huge consequences in terms of the way our food systems look like. And so that really drew me to understand where did these inputs come from? And why are they controlled by just a few large companies? Erika - Jennifer, I want to ask you a question about why this sector, especially related to the inputs, is so important when we're talking about food systems. And especially their social and ecological dimensions. And specifically in the book, you tease out many of the social and ecological costs of inputs such as pesticides. Also the social and ecological consequences of even farm machinery. So it would be great if you could elaborate on their importance.  Thanks, Erika. That's a great question and that's part of the reason why I was really drawn to study these inputs. Because I'm in a school of environmental studies, I'm very interested in these interconnections between food systems and environmental outcomes. I was really interested in learning more about where these industries came from, and as I was teasing out where they came from. And how they became dominated by such large companies, I also learned in much more depth about the ecological consequences of these inputs. I can just say a little bit about some of them because these consequences are so big that we almost forget to talk about them. They become embedded in the product itself. And so, one example is farm machinery. Farm machinery was originally seen as quite revolutionary and that it allowed farmers to harvest their fields much more quickly than they used to be able to before. But that also meant then that to make the equipment efficient and pay for them they might as well extend the size of their farm. And as farmers extended the size of their farm, in the US anyway, they moved west and displaced its indigenous people from the land, in terms of taking that land for farm production. But also, as farms began to consolidate and get larger, as mechanization continued, it also displaced others from the land. Poor farmers, black farmers, those who were renting land and didn't have access to their own. And so, people who were marginalized and we still considered marginalized in society today, were really being displaced from the land as a direct consequence of farm machinery. It's not that farm machinery is like necessarily something that we want to do away with today, but I think we need to recognize those historical connections. And really understand that when, you know, you see a book for a small child about farming and there might be a picture of a farmer and it's usually a white guy sitting on a tractor. We can forget that image has a lot of baggage associated with it in terms of displacement and inequality. And I think we need to recognize that. But it does not just stop there. There's also plowing disturbs the soil, heavy machinery compacts the soil so it can harm fertility of the soil as well. And the machinery part of the equation has long been a source of inequality in terms of being very expensive for farmers. It's been one of the main reasons farmers have often been driven into debt. Farm machinery might have been liberating in one sense to allow increased production, but it did come with costs that we should acknowledge. We also need to recognize the ecological and social costs associated with the fertilizer industry. And this industry goes way back to the 1840s and we saw the rise of the guano trade. And we can think immediately of the working conditions of the workers who were digging the guano in the Chincha islands of Peru. And often they were coming from Asia and facing really harsh working conditions. But then when we saw the rise of synthetic nitrogen in the early 20th Century, the cost shifted in a way towards the cost of fossil fuels. The huge amount of natural gas used in the synthesis of nitrogen. And also, the climate consequences of the nitrous oxides that come from the application of synthetic nitrogen into the soil. So again, there's like enormous ecological and social impacts from that particular input. Similarly, when we talk about seeds, the hybridization of seeds in the 1920s and 1930s also raise huge concerns about plant genetic diversity. And we know that in the last century or so we've lost around 75% of plant genetic diversity for crop genetic diversity. And this is because of the way in which we started to see the uniformity of the genetic makeup of seeds. The monocultural planting of seeds really reduced that kind of diversity. And then intellectual property protection on seeds that came with the hybridization of seeds also led to a decreased ability of farmers to save their own seed and exchange their own seed with their neighbors. So again, social ecological costs. And finally, when we talk about pesticides, we have seen enormous issues with respect to pollution runoff. This kind of bioaccumulation of these toxic chemicals that have enormous health consequences. So, all of these inputs have very large impacts in terms of their social and ecological costs. And we can even extend that to the issue of data today. There's a lot of concern about data platforms for digital farming where farmers are signing away the rights to the data that are coming from their own farms. And they don't have the kind of interoperability with other data sharing systems. And there's also a lack of clarity about who owns that data. So again, there's big issues with respect to these inputs and how they are affecting both social and ecological dynamics within the food system.  Erika - Thank you for helping us understand the social and ecological impacts of these inputs into the farming industry. Norbert - This is a really rich conversation and I want to understand a little bit more. There's a big part of your text that's about the concentration in the input sector. What does it look like today and was it always this way? That's a great question because it's almost a trick question because we tend to assume that this high level of concentration that we see today is something that's new. But what I found in my research is that the high degree of concentration actually has a long history that goes back about a century or more in some cases. And when we're looking at each of these sectors, the farm machinery, for example, is controlled. Most of the market is controlled by about just four firms. And they control around 50% of the global market. But when you look specifically at national markets in the US, for example, John Deere, you know, the largest company that makes farm machinery, it controls over 50% of the tractor market. So that's just one firm alone. It's similar dynamics when we look at fertilizer, seeds and pesticides and fertilizer, for example. Just two firms control a hundred percent of North American potash production. The four key companies control a large amount of the global fertilizer trade. In seeds, it's also very similar and in pesticides. In the seeds and pesticides that's especially interesting because since the 1980s and 1990s, the seed and pesticide companies actually merged with each other. We can't even say there's a set of seed companies and a set of chemical companies. It's actually seed and chemical companies. That's one set. And they control around 60% of the global seed market and around 70% of the global pesticide market. And that's really what prompted me to want to work on this book is that after 2015, there was a set of mergers in the seed and chemical sector that concentrated those firms even further. They used to be dominated by six firms. We used to call them the Big Six, and then they had major mergers where Bayer bought Monsanto, Dow and DuPont merged and formed Corteva. Syngenta group was bought by Chem China, and then bought by Sino Chem, a big Chinese chemical company. And then BASF bought up all the bits that the other companies were forced to sell to pass regulatory hurdles. And so, we ended up with a Big Four. And these companies produce both seeds and chemicals and have a quite an enormous impact in terms of their market dominance. Norbert - Wow. This is really important and I think it's a topic that many of us who look at the food industry aren't paying attention to. And I'm really appreciative of you laying out this concentration that's taking place. Jennifer, when reading the book, I was really struck by the fact that this is not just a book about the farmers themselves and the farming industry and the companies that provide the inputs. But you also touch upon the role of universities and university science and scientists; and also the role of government in helping to fuel or seed innovation in this sector. And, you know, here I was hoping you could talk about this important role for universities and also the government given that we're in a current moment where we're seeing a retrenchment from investments by government, and also the ability of universities to continue to seed innovation. So I was hoping you could share some of your insights.  Yes, it's certainly an interesting time on the landscape of spending on innovation and with a retrenchment of state pulling back away from supporting technological innovation and other innovations. And that's certainly true in the farm sector, and that's very different from the situation if we go back to the 1800s and see, as you mentioned, the role that the state played in terms of really trying to support innovation in these sectors. And what I argue in the book is that these firms, they got big in the first place, and they were able to consolidate in the first place, through a series of what I call market technology and policy factors. And it's kind of messy. I put them in these three big categories. But in terms of these market factors, that's what most people tend to think about when they think, 'oh, a firm got big. Maybe it's just more efficient. It's able to produce products more cheaply and therefore it just grew to be big.' And that's much more complicated than that of course. And that's because, as you said this role of technological change in which universities have played a really important role. And government support and throughout history in the US, a lot of the book focuses on the US because we have good information and data there. And the US set up the land grant college system really to support development in the agricultural sector. And that gave us, you know, a lot of the innovations that led to, for example, the hybridization of seeds. And the corporations that took up that innovation that the state supported through university research, those firms also work directly with universities in many instances, to have these kinds of collaborative relationships, to develop, herbicides, to develop seeds, to develop further farm machinery, etc. So that role of technological innovation is really important, and that innovation doesn't just come from nowhere. It doesn't just pop up. It doesn't just show up one day. Right? It comes from investment. Investment in universities and research and development. And so that has been a really important strand to develop this kind of industrial agriculture. And now we know from university research, etc., that there are some problems associated with it. Yet it's proving hard to get that kind of funding to spur a new transformation towards a more sustainable agriculture because we're not giving that kind of state support, and support to universities to do that research and innovative work to lead us towards more sustainable agriculture. So, I think there's a lot there that we need to work on. And that's some of the recommendations that I make at the end of the book. Is that we need to shore up that kind of public investment in innovation, in alternative systems to address some of the problems. So just let me tag on another question from that. Just what are the consequences then for having just a small number of firms dominating this sector and no longer having these investments in innovation? Yeah, so what we're seeing increasingly as the state has pulled away from supporting agricultural research, is that most of that agricultural research now is being done by private corporations. And the big concern there is that as you have a smaller and smaller number of very large firms dominating in the sector, their incentive to innovate actually weakens. It weakens because if there's not a lot of players in the marketplace that are doing innovative work, there's just not a lot of competition. And so why would you innovate if you don't have to? If you're already a monopoly and you're able to sell your product, there's not a lot of incentive to innovate in a way that might then decrease the sales of your old products. And so, what we're seeing is a shift in innovation from the private sector, away from these kinds of transformative innovations and much more towards what we call defensive innovations. They're innovating in ways that actually enable them to sell existing products. And many would say that the rise of agricultural biotechnology was actually that kind of a defensive innovation. It was modifying seeds to make them resistant to the application of existing herbicides. And so there was innovation, but it was actually spurring further sales in an existing product. And part of the reason for that was that it became very expensive for these companies. The regulatory hurdles became quite expensive for them to develop new herbicides. And so, they were like, 'oh, it's cheaper and faster to work with seeds. Why don't we do it this way and then we'll continue to sell the herbicides.' Which by the way, got them a lot more profit than selling the seeds. So that's why they bought up a lot of the seed companies and really consolidated in that period. And there's a longstanding concern among competition regulators, the regulators that try to prevent a huge concentration in the economy, about this question of innovation. And it's very relevant in the agricultural sector. There's this sense that if you allow too much concentration to happen, it can dampen that innovation and that takes away that dynamic, innovative spirit within the sector. It's definitely a big concern. Norbert - Jennifer, I really appreciate this. Earlier in my career I was a part of some research related to biotechnology and innovation that happens there. And one of the things that I learned about is this idea of building thickets. These sort of patent thickets where you create a series of patents that actually make it difficult for others to be able to innovate in that same way. There are these real challenges of this kind of defensive innovation. And that's just one of the challenges that you bring up in the book. And I am interested in understanding, as sort a last question, what are some of the recommendations? You mentioned public sector funding of agricultural research and many of my colleagues in my discipline have said we need more research for agriculture. Are there other areas of recommendation to address some of the concerns you raised in the book? Thanks, Norbert. Yes, definitely. And I definitely do call for greater public support for agricultural research. And that's something within the agricultural sector. And I think there we really need to focus efforts on alternative agricultural production methods. For example, agroecology, which tries to reduce the amount of external inputs, not to increase them, by using nature's own processes to achieve the same functions of diversity and pest control, etc. And what's troubling is that when the firms don't have that incentive to innovate, you know, they're definitely not going to innovate in ways that would reduce their profits. They're not going to do that. The public sector has to step in if we want to see that kind of research done. But we also need measures outside of that food and agriculture system that will benefit food and agriculture. One area is stronger antitrust policies. Policies that would prevent further mergers and acquisitions that would allow those firms to continue to get bigger and bigger. Those antitrust policies are used largely, we've got merger guidelines, for example, in North America. And in Europe, when two firms want to merge, they have to get regulatory approval to do so. And those merger guidelines really walk the regulators through what would be a merger that might dampen competition, that might weaken innovation, you know, that kind of thing. It's important that we make those rules stronger. They had become progressively weaker after the 1980s. There was this move in the regulatory space that was this kind of idea that maybe it's okay if firms get really, really big because they can benefit from economies of scale. Maybe they can bring down consumer prices and maybe we shouldn't worry so much about these other areas of control. And there's been a bit of a shift in view around this in recent years where we've seen the rise of concern about these very big companies, especially with what we see with the big tech companies taking control over all these aspects of our lives. And people are saying, wait a minute, maybe we don't want to have this just a few companies controlling so much of our lives. And so, you know, we need to think about other ways to enforce antitrust policies to make them stronger so that we foster more competition and not just focus on whether something's more expensive or not. And that's, I mean, it's a bit of a hard thing to explain to some people. Obviously, people want to see lower prices. But the idea that we have to get across is that when competition dies, when it's not there, that's when the monopoly can really raise prices. And so, we need to have that competitive marketplace in order to spur innovation and also to bring prices down. That's really important and that's a kind of agenda item that's involves food and agriculture, but it's outside of the food and agriculture sector. It encompasses more. And another area where I think we can do more is to reign in the kind of undue corporate influence on the policy process. And that's arising out of a concern that as we're seeing fewer and fewer dominant companies in the food sector, and in other sectors as well, they tend to gain more political power to influence the policy and governance process. And so, what we're seeing is heightened lobby activity. Sponsoring of scientific studies and yes, coming back to the question about universities. But as corporations get bigger, they can shape science in ways that can help them win regulatory approval for their products. We need broader policies on conflict of interest to prevent large companies from taking over the policy process. And I know that's a really salient topic in the US right now, given what's going on in the broader politics. And I think it is a broader politics issue that needs to be seriously addressed if we want to support a more transformative form of food and agriculture. These kinds of policies like stronger antitrust, better conflict of interest policies, and also support for public agricultural research are all really important steps. I don't think any one of them on their own is going to do the trick in terms of spurring this desperately needed transformation in our food systems. But together, I think, they can bring us closer to that goal. Bio Jennifer Clapp is a Tier I Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability and Professor in the School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Dr. Clapp is currently a member of the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) and a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub. From 2019-2023, she was a member of the Steering Committee of the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security and Nutrition (HLPE-FSN) of the UN Committee on World Food Security, and served as Vice-Chair of that body from 2021-2023. Dr. Clapp has published widely on the global governance of problems that arise at the intersection of the global economy, food security and food systems, and the natural environment. Her most recent research projects have examined the political economy of financial actors in the global food system, the politics of trade and food security, and corporate concentration in the global food system. She has also written on policy and governance responses to the global food crisis, the political economy of food assistance, and global environmental policy and governance. Her most recent books include Food, 3rd Edition (Polity, 2020), Speculative Harvests: Financialization, Food, and Agriculture (with S. Ryan Isakson, Fernwood Press, 2018), Hunger in the Balance: The New Politics of International Food Aid (Cornell University Press, 2012), Paths to a Green World: The Political Economy of the Global Environment, 2nd Edition (with Peter Dauvergne, MIT Press, 2011), and Corporate Power in Global Agrifood Governance (co-edited with Doris Fuchs, MIT Press, 2009). Her forthcoming book, published with MIT Press (2025), is titled Titans of Industrial Agriculture: How a Few Giant Corporations Came to Dominate the Farm Sector and Why It Matters.

Dan Corder speaks to Danou Van Rensburg, founder of The Food Forest Namibia, about his journey in sustainable agriculture just outside Otjiwarongo. They discuss the principles of permaculture, innovative water management techniques, and the inspiration behind his YouTube channelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Weekly Tradecast looks at the global trade in food and why developing countries must move up the value chain to help drive the sustainability of what we eat with Jennifer Clapp, Canada Research Chair in Global Food Security and Sustainability. Crises, conflicts and climate change are all affecting how and where our food is grown, processed and shipped. At the same time, the global food system is dominated by a few huge companies that shape policies, trade and development. Listen in to Jennifer Clapp, Professor at the University of Waterloo, to see how the Global South can play a bigger role in supply chains and a sustainable food future.

What if the key to solving world hunger lies in a tiny seed masquerading as a grain? Join us as we uncover the extraordinary journey of quinoa, a pseudograin with ancient roots and modern superpowers. From its sacred status among the Incas to its prohibition by Spanish conquistadors, quinoa's history is as rich as its potential to nourish our future. We take a closer look at its resilience, its ability to flourish in harsh conditions, and its sustainable qualities, like having one of the lowest water footprints in agriculture. Discover how quinoa's genetic secrets are being unraveled by scientists like botanist Mark Tester to boost yields and enhance flavors, further cementing its role as a global superfood.Prepare to be amazed by the culinary versatility and nutritional powerhouse that is quinoa. Whether you're a seasoned fan or a curious newcomer, this episode promises to broaden your quinoa horizons with insights from the latest article by Ved News. We'll explore the diverse varieties of this pseudograin, including the popular white, red, and black quinoa, and share why it's cropping up in kitchens across the globe—from South America to Europe. As we highlight its potential in addressing global food security challenges, you'll gain fresh inspiration and practical ideas for incorporating this resilient grain into your diet. Don't miss this enlightening discussion on why quinoa could be a beacon of hope for a sustainable future.Support the show✅ Support my work on Venmo , Yappy or PayPal✅ Check out my Linktr.ee

During Climate Week NYC, Food Tank hosted a series of Summits to position food and agriculture as a key solution to the Climate Crisis. This episode features two conversations from these events. First, hear from John Kerry the 68th U.S. Secretary of State and former U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, moderated by John Piotti, President and CEO of American Farmland Trust. During their fireside chat, which was part of a Summit hosted by Food Tank and American Farmland Trust, they discuss the efforts to put food and agriculture front and center at the U.N. Climate Change Conference, how to hold onto current gains that support the health of the environment, and why the upcoming election is so important to the future of climate action. Then, Dani speaks with Dr. Cary Fowler, Special Envoy for Global Food Security at the U.S. Department of State, as part of an event hosted by Food Tank and the World Food Program USA. They discuss the tendency to underestimate the impacts of the climate crisis, the potential of the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, and why we need bolder solutions. 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.

Tom Arnold is an Agricultural Economist and Policy Advisor. He is the former CEO of Concern Worldwide and has held many positions with the Irish Department of Agriculture and the European Union Commission. He currently serves as Ireland's Special Envoy on Food Systems and Chair of the EU Commission's High Level Expert Group to assess the need for an International Platform for Food Systems Science (IPFSS). In this episode, Tom opens up about his extensive career, the importance of political action for change, and upcoming international forums on food and nutrition security in 2025. He explains how Ireland's history contributes to its commitment to global food security and the influential role Ireland plays in developing and implementing policies to address global hunger and malnutrition.   Resources and links: Concern Worldwide website Tom Arnold on X   Connect: Future Fork podcast website Paul Newnham on Instagram Paul Newnham on X Paul Newnham on LinkedIn Disruptive Consulting Solutions website SDG2 Advocacy Hub website SDG2 Advocacy Hub on X SDG2 Advocacy Hub on Facebook SDG2 Advocacy Hub on LinkedIn   This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Millennial Potash (TSXV: MLP | OTCQB: MLPNF | FSE: X0D) is at the forefront of potash discoveries, ensuring global food security with their Banio Potash Project in Gabon, Africa.Join us as Chairman and Director Farhad Abasov reveals the latest developments and expansive potential of their Banio Potash Project. Watch to learn about the innovative drilling achievements that promise to boost the potash supply and how recent strategic moves could make Gabon a key player in the global market.Discover more about their project's potential here: https://millennialpotash.com/Watch the full YouTube interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETX--tTC5jwAnd follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalOneMedia?sub_confirmation=1

Millennial Potash (TSXV: MLP | OTCQB: MLPNF | FSE: X0D) is at the forefront of potash discoveries, ensuring global food security with their Banio Potash Project in Gabon, Africa.Join us as Chairman and Director Farhad Abasov reveals the latest developments and expansive potential of their Banio Potash Project. Watch to learn about the innovative drilling achievements that promise to boost the potash supply and how recent strategic moves could make Gabon a key player in the global market.Discover more about their project's potential here: https://millennialpotash.com/Watch the full YouTube interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETX--tTC5jwAnd follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalOneMedia?sub_confirmation=1

Unlock the secrets of resilient gardening and sustainable agriculture with Eric, a pioneer in the permaculture movement. Discover how perennial vegetables can bolster global food security and improve diets, as Eric shares his personal journey from intern to influential thought leader in the perennial crops space. We'll explore the nutritional depths and availability of these remarkable plants, and how they can transform food systems to tackle malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies worldwide. Join us as we critically examine the permaculture movement and the sophisticated mechanisms plants use to redistribute soil nutrients. Eric and I discuss the importance of credibility, the concept of "post-permaculturalist" thinking, and the pitfalls of overpromising within regenerative agriculture. We'll navigate the complexities of modern farming, balancing conventional and sustainable practices, and explore the potential for democratized plant breeding and accessible gardening methods. From acorn flour to edible tree leaves, this episode ventures into the underexplored realms of multi-use plants and their role in sustainable agriculture. Eric shares insights from his latest projects in agroforestry and indigenous food practices, offering practical strategies for integrating perennial crops into our food systems. Learn from Eric's extensive research and latest book releases, and be inspired to contribute to a more resilient and ecologically sound future. Check out Eric's work at: https://www.perennialsolutions.org/ For sources and to read more about this subject, visit: www.agroecologies.org To support this podcast, join our patreon for early episode access at https://www.patreon.com/poorprolesalmanac For PPA Writing Content, visit: www.agroecologies.org 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: Resilient Gardening, Sustainable Agriculture, Permaculture, Perennial Vegetables, Global Food Security, Nutrition, Food Systems, Food Sovereignty, Nutrient Deficiencies, Credibility, Post-Permaculturalist, Regenerative Agriculture, Complexity, Conventional and Sustainable Practices, Democratized Plant Breeding, Agroforestry, Indigenous Food Practices, Multi-Use Plants, Nutritional Benefits, Ecological Sustainability, Climate Change, Resilient Food Systems, Ecosystem Restoration, Perennial Crops, Acorn Flour, Bioplastics, Agroforestry Manuals, Indigenous Agricultural Practices, Plant Enthusiast, Passing on Knowledge

Dr Neil Reid from the Institute of Global Food Security, Queen's School of Biological Sciences in Belfast discusses the findings of a new study which he led on the public health risks posed by blue-green algae in Lough Neagh.

In this episode of The Human Upgrade, Dr. Peter Ballerstedt, a leading expert in ruminant animal agriculture, discusses the essential role of ruminant animals in sustainable farming. You'll learn about the critical importance of animals like cows and sheep in maintaining soil health, supporting ecosystems, and providing high-quality nutrition. You'll also learn about the myths surrounding livestock emissions and how regenerative farming practices benefit both the environment and human health. Dr. Ballerstedt explains the complexities of modern agriculture, emphasizing the importance of metabolic health and the significant impact of dietary choices on global food security. You'll gain insights into the health benefits of animal protein, crucial for preventing malnutrition and supporting overall well-being, and how integrating crop and livestock systems can enhance food production and sustainability. Tune in for valuable knowledge and practical advice on improving health and supporting sustainable agriculture through the inclusion of ruminant animals. Timestamps: (00:01:03) What are Ruminant Animals? (00:03:27) The Importance of Ruminant Animals in Agriculture (00:05:09) The Environmental Impact of Ruminant Animals (00:17:24) Addressing Common Misconceptions (00:35:31) Sustainable Food Systems and Global Food Security (00:40:53) The Health Benefits of Animal Protein (00:57:15) The Importance of Metabolic Health Sponsors ARMRA | Go to TryARMRA.com and use code DAVE for 15% off your first order. Resources Follow Peter Ballerstedt on Instagram: @GrassBased Twitter: @GrassBased Peter's Substack: https://ruminati.substack.com/ Peter's blog: https://grassbasedhealth.blogspot.com/ Dave's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daveasprey Dave Asprey's Book ‘Smarter Not Harder' is out now: https://daveasprey.com/books Follow Dave on Instagram: @Dave.Asprey Want to join The Human Upgrade Podcast Live? Join Our Upgrade Collective: https://www.ourupgradecollective.com/ Danger Coffee by Dave Asprey: https://www.instagram.com/dangercoffeeofficial/ Supplements by Dave Asprey: https://shopsuppgradelabs.com/ Own an Upgrade Labs: https://ownanupgradelabs.com/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

500 scientists from 60 countries gathered at the 5th Global Food Security Conference in Leuven, Belgium. Instead of saying, "you had to be there," we bring you voices and reflections from the conference. Host Matthew Kessler recorded dozens of interviews, asking experts what key messages they want to deliver to those with the power to change food systems, what are the economics of food systems transformation, and which solutions to make food systems more resilient deserve more attention. For more info and resources, visit: https://tabledebates.org/podcast/episode63Subscribe to TABLE's newsletter FodderGuestsMartin van Ittersum, Conference co-chair, Professor at Wageningen UniversityTessa Avermaete, Conference co-chair, Project manager at KU LeuvenRamya Ambikapathi, Scientific committee member, Senior Research Associate at Cornell UGerard Govers, Programme committee mebmer, Vice-rector of Science, Engineering and Technology and Vice-rector of Sustainability at KU LeuvenJoanna Trewern, Conference keynote, Director of Partnerships and Institutional Engagement at Pro Veg InternationalMaitre d'hotel at Coeur Catering, responsible for food served at the conferenceConference OrganizersElsevierKU LeuvenWageningen University and ResearchTABLEEpisode edited and produced by Matthew Kessler. Music by Blue dot sessions.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of RealAg on the Weekend! On this weekend's show, guest host Lyndsey Smith is joined by: Anne Wasko of the Gateway Livestock Exchange with the Beef Market Update; Drew Lerner of World Weather Inc. with a spring weather update and what happens with El Nino’s exit; Murad Al-Katib... Read More

Canada has what the world needs: abundant food and food ingredients. More importantly, Canada has what much of the world lacks — good arable land, clean water, and stability. Murad Al-Katib, president and CEO of AGT Food and Ingredients, based at Regina, is well versed in moving commodities and food products around the world. In... Read More

Happy Canada’s Ag Day! Thanks for tuning into this Tuesday edition of RealAg Radio! On this episode, host Shaun Haney is joined by: Justine Hendricks, CEO of Farm Credit Canada on the Future of Food event in Ottawa and their role in the future; Murad Al Katib, President and CEO of AGT Foods on nourishing the... Read More

Happy Canada’s Ag Day! Thanks for tuning into this Tuesday edition of RealAg Radio! On this episode, host Shaun Haney is joined by: Justine Hendricks, CEO of Farm Credit Canada on the Future of Food event in Ottawa and their role in the future; Murad Al Katib, President and CEO of AGT Foods on nourishing the... Read More

On “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg,” Dani speaks with Dr. Cary Fowler, Special Envoy for Global Food Security at the U.S. Department of State about the Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils, an initiative that aims to boost agricultural productivity and nutrition by developing diverse, climate-resilient crop varieties and building healthy soils. They discuss the promise of “opportunity crops,” how the initiative is trying to kickstart a new way of thinking, and why it's so important for VACS to go back to basics with a focus on crops and healthy, fertile soils. 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 to Episode 145 of The Spokesman Speaks podcast. In this episode, we talk with the U.S. Department of State's Special Envoy for Global Food Security about what it will take to meet global food needs in 2050. The episode also includes a discussion about how farmers can save thousands of dollars on their taxes, through IRS-approved tax-saving plans offered by BASE. Resources mentioned in this episode: Learn about BASE tax-saving plans available to Iowa Farm Bureau members Dr. Cary Fowler, Special Envoy for Global Food Security with the U.S. Department of State Register for Iowa Farm Bureau's Farm/Ag Business Marketing + Branding Workshop Series

Russia withdraws from the grain deal and puts global food security at risk. At the same time, it started regular shelling of the Ukrainian port cities, including Ukrainian grain depositories. This is our weekly overview of key events and trends in and around Ukraine. Volodymyr Yermolenko, the chief editor of UkraineWorld, is joined by Maksym Panchenko, analyst and journalist at UkraineWorld, to discuss key events and trends in and around Ukraine over the past week. UkraineWorld (ukraineworld.org) is brought to you by Internews Ukraine, one of the largest Ukrainian media NGOs. Support us at patreon.com/ukraineworld

Moscow announced it will not renew the deal that let Ukraine export its grain through the Black Sea. For the past year, Russian forces allowed Ukraine to ship more than 32 tons of food through the Bosporus Strait and onto the rest of the world. Those critical supplies could now be cut off. William Brangham discussed this decision with David Miliband of the International Rescue Committee. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Moscow announced it will not renew the deal that let Ukraine export its grain through the Black Sea. For the past year, Russian forces allowed Ukraine to ship more than 32 tons of food through the Bosporus Strait and onto the rest of the world. Those critical supplies could now be cut off. William Brangham discussed this decision with David Miliband of the International Rescue Committee. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports on Russia Ukraine War Grain Deal.

The wartime agreement allowing Ukrainian grain shipments through Russia's blockade was hailed as a "beacon of hope" and has helped keep food prices stable around the world since last summer. But it's set to expire Monday and Russia is threatening to pull out of it, raising new fears about global food security. Susannah Savage, agriculture reporter for POLITICO Europe, joins Ali Rogin to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The wartime agreement allowing Ukrainian grain shipments through Russia's blockade was hailed as a "beacon of hope" and has helped keep food prices stable around the world since last summer. But it's set to expire Monday and Russia is threatening to pull out of it, raising new fears about global food security. Susannah Savage, agriculture reporter for POLITICO Europe, joins Ali Rogin to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

On Tuesday, the United Nations reported that the breach of the Nova Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro River in Ukraine will impact heavily on global food security, causing a rise in food prices and leaving many without access to clean drinking water. Nine days after the disaster Gaia looks to the future alongside Kira Rudyk, Ukrainian MP who is also leader of the opposition party Golos and Laura Wellesley, senior research fellow in the Environment and Society Programme at Chatham House. Earlier this week the three-year inquiry into COVID began, seeking ‘to examine the UK's response to and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and learn lessons for the future.' Eyes are on the inquiry from many angles. Inside Science looks at what scientists hope to contribute and learn from it, with author and broadcaster Philip Ball. Also, a spike in North Atlantic sea temperatures has sparked concern among scientists. Richard Betts, head of climate impacts at the Met Office, talks through the factors that have coincided to form the anomaly. Presenter: Gaia Vince Producer: Harrison Lewis Assistant producer: Robbie Wojciechowski Editor: Richard Collings

AP correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports on Russia Ukraine War Grain Deal.

What if you had 18 days of food left?  We're tackling global food security today with guest Anton Pshon. He traveled all the way from Minnesota to join hosts Ryan Priest and Sal Sama in the podcast room for this episode of The High Ground, powered by Premier Companies.  Originally from the Ukraine, Anton is the Senior Director of Strategy and Business Development for Land O'Lakes.  In addition to sharing about global food security, Anton, Sal, and Ryan explain some of the things that impact that including Black Sea exporting, politicization, food inflation, and import challenges.  You'll also hear about inventory problems, land usage, stringent regulations, cost of inputs, and the unpredictability of outcomes given weather including drought events.  Anton will also share how the Advanced Acre Rx program at Land O'Lakes can help provide a solid support system and warranty to the growers who are making an investment without knowing the ultimate outcome.  “It's like high blood pressure.  You don't worry about it until something happens.”  

PlantVillage won the Carbon XPRIZE milestone award in 2022, and was awarded one million dollars. It aims to lift 200 million African farming families out of poverty. They are working to capture and sell a billion tonnes of carbon per year using biochar sequestration by integrating trees with crops on farms and using lumber for biochar.  So what exactly is happening on the ground with biochar? And can we solve today's problems with the mindset that helped create them? In today's Reversing Climate Change podcast, Dr. David Hughes, the Huck Chair in Global Food Security at Penn State University and Director of USAID Innovation Lab on Current and Emerging Threats to Crops, Founder of PlantVillage & Carbon4Good, describes how this program avoids middlemen and gets farmers paid directly for making biochar, how biochar improves soil health and provides additional income, and how the technique represents both climate adaptation, and mitigation. David also goes on to fit biochar and soil health into the broader context of the global climate fight, international economics, and climate justice. Connect with Nori ⁠⁠⁠Purchase Nori Carbon Removals⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Nori's website⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Nori on Twitter⁠⁠⁠ Check out our other podcast, ⁠⁠⁠Carbon Removal Newsroom⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Carbon Removal Memes on Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Carbon Removal Memes on Instagram --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reversingclimatechange/support

Keiran is the Founder of Entocycle, an insect-farming startup based out of London. They commercialize high-tech insect breeding modules to enable efficient and scalable insect farming.Keiran has a TON of insights to share.-Why insect farming is at a turning point due to Covid, the war in Ukraine, and the global protein shortage-The magical properties of insects to turn waste into highly nutritious protein-Why Europe has the lead globally on insect farming-Keiran's vision of the future and why this industry might become a much bigger game changer than most people think--------------ABOUT CLIMATE INSIDERS:Climate Insiders is brought to you by Climentum Capital, a Seed+ and Series A cleantech European venture capital firm focused on funding and scaling climate-positive ventures that cut down on CO2 emissions.If you are interested in how smart capitalism and mission-driven founders building innovative tech startups can overcome our climate crisis and build a better future, you've come to the right place.Check us out at: https://www.climateinsiders.co and https://www.climentum.com--------------ABOUT THE GUEST:Keiran is the Founder of Entocycle, an insect-farming startup based out of London. They commercialize high-tech insect breeding modules to enable efficient and scalable insect farming.He worked for five years as a scuba diving instructor, studied Environmental Design, and has become one of the world's top experts in Entomology. He knows everything about insects.Entocycle attended Y Combinator's Summer 2017 batch. And has been backed since by top investors like Lowercarbon Capital, Climentum Capital, Teampact Ventures, and many others.--------------SHOW NOTES:00:09 – start01:42 – from scuba diving to venture-backed startup founding.03:41 – why insect farming and how does it fit into the broader context of agriculture?05:13 – what are the magical properties of the black soldier fly?09:03 – how long does it take a larva to turn into an insect?11:19 - why has there been a point of inflection in the insect farming space due to covid, the war in Ukraine, and other global supply chain disruptions?13:26 – this is particularly important in Africa. Can you explain why it is so game-changing for these territories that historically cannot rely on their own chain?14:31 – How do you safeguard the positive impact of insect farming?16:50 - Why does Europe seem to be doing insect farming so much better than the US or the rest of the world? What lessons might be drawn from it?19:57 - vertically integrated production vs picks and shovels approach23:06 – what are the regulatory and policy changes that could help support the growth and development of the insect farming industry?25:42 – will the source of the protein not be included in the product description in the future?26:14 – how will we deliver the enormous volumes of sources of protein?29:07 – How is your company going to evolve in terms of new product development?31:28 – How is the whole industry going to change, especially in the geographical sense? Where is this industry going to blossom the most?35:32 – As a founder of the insect farming industry, what advice can you give to other entrepreneurs that are entering this type of protein creation?39:04 – Wrap up of the episode. --------------ABOUT THE HOST:Yoann Berno https://www.linkedin.com/in/yberno/ After a career spent building and investing in top tech startups, Yoann is now a founding member and General Partner at Climentum Capital focused on investing in game-changing technological solutions to our worsening climate crisis.--------------To learn more about CLIMENTUM CAPITAL and apply for funding, please visit https://www.climentum.comTo become an LP and...

The war in Ukraine has exacerbated a global food crisis with hundreds of millions of people going to bed hungry every night. A recent UN-brokered deal with Russia and Ukraine to allow Ukrainian grain to leave the Black Sea is offering some relief, but the problem goes well beyond that. Samantha Power, administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, joins Nick Schifrin to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Photo:  Goats are an important part of the solution to global food security because they're fairly low-maintenance and easy to raise and farm. 1/2:  #Ukraine: Global food security at risk. Matthieu Favas, Economist https://www.economist.com/briefing/2022/05/19/a-world-grain-shortage-puts-tens-of-millions-at-risk?frsc=dg%7Ce Matthieu Favas is The Economist's Finance Correspondent. He covers finance with a global remit, notably fintech, alternative assets, trade finance, development finance, soft commodities, insurance and market infrastructure

Photo:  Bengali famine, 1943. The Japanese conquest of Burma cut off India's main supply of rice imports 2/2:  #Ukraine: Global food security at risk. Matthieu Favas, Economist https://www.economist.com/briefing/2022/05/19/a-world-grain-shortage-puts-tens-of-millions-at-risk?frsc=dg%7Ce Matthieu Favas is The Economist's Finance Correspondent. He covers finance with a global remit, notably fintech, alternative assets, trade finance, development finance, soft commodities, insurance and market infrastructure