271 Ethan Soloviev - What is regenerative agriculture and why it is the wrong question to ask
Dec 19, 2023
auto_awesome
Ethan Soloviev, founder of Terra Genesis and advocate for regenerative agriculture, discusses the four paradigms of agriculture and emphasizes regenerative agriculture as a journey. They also address misconceptions and criticisms of regenerative agriculture, and explore the use of an AI shopping assistant and sustainable food labels in driving consumer demand for better food choices.
Regenerative agriculture encompasses four paradigms: extractive, conservative, net positive, and regenerative, with the latter focusing on regenerating the entire system and expressing the unique essence of a place.
There is a growing interest in regenerative agriculture among consumers, who are eager to support brands that embody regenerative principles and offer products with positive impacts.
Deep dives
The Paradigms of Agriculture
There are four paradigms of agriculture discussed in the podcast. The first paradigm is extractive, focused solely on making as much money as possible without concern for negative impacts. The second paradigm is conservative, aiming to reduce harm and be more sustainable. The third paradigm is net positive, which goes beyond doing less harm and focuses on adding value to the system. The fourth paradigm is regenerative, where the focus is on regenerating the entire system and expressing the unique essence of a place.
The Growing Interest in Regenerative Agriculture
There is a growing interest in regenerative agriculture among consumers. Although many may not be familiar with the term 'regenerative,' once they learn about it, they are eager to support it. Brands that embody regenerative principles are thriving in the marketplace. Consumers are increasingly looking for products with positive impacts, such as fair labor practices, climate-friendly production, and water smart approaches. Initiatives that help consumers easily identify and choose regenerative products have shown significant increases in sales.
The Shift Towards a Holistic Approach
There is a shift towards a more holistic approach to agriculture that goes beyond just carbon and sustainability. The focus now includes nature, human rights, and ecological outcomes. Transparency and storytelling are becoming increasingly important, allowing consumers to understand the complete picture and make informed choices. Data and technology play a crucial role in tracking and communicating the impact of products, helping consumers align their values with their purchasing decisions. This shift towards a holistic approach is driving change and creating opportunities for regenerative agriculture.
The Optimistic Outlook for Regenerative Agriculture
While climate change poses challenges, there is optimism surrounding regenerative agriculture. Efforts towards regeneration are gaining momentum, with major companies, coalitions, and organizations investing in and supporting regenerative practices. Banks, governments, investors, and philanthropic capital are getting involved, fostering creativity and financial resources. AI technology is aiding the decision-making process, ensuring greater transparency and alignment with regenerative outcomes. The convergence of forces and the growing focus on adaptation alongside mitigation are promising signs for the future of agriculture.
We welcome back on the show Ethan Soloviev, founder of Terra Genesis, now Chief Innovation Officer at HowGood and an advocate for regenerative agriculture. We take a deep dive into the four paradigms of agriculture and how regenerative agriculture is a journey, not a destination. It is not romantic nor naive, it is not anti science nor anti technology.
Welcome to a very special episode. This is part of our online education course to accelerate Your Path Forward in Regenerative Food and Agriculture.
The course wants to help you accelerate your understanding of the complexities of the current food and an agriculture system and why a broad and deep regeneration is so relevant and interesting. We focussing on what your role can be in this transition, what companies need to be build? What investments need to be made, if you are in the position, and what other roles you can play if you work in big food and big ag that are needed to transition?
As part of the lesson about what is regenerative agriculture and food, we have Ethan Soloivev joining us for a conversation and we tackle that elephant immediately. We talk about why that is the wrong question to ask, what are the four paradigms of agriculture and, of course, about a lot more.
The above references an opinion and is for information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a duly licensed professional for investment advice.