191. From Sand to Soil Health in the Sunshine State with  Lauren Jorgensen and Frank Tobias

In this episode, Cal visits with Lauren Jorgensen and Frank “Toby” Tobias, owners of Starlight Farm in North Florida. Lauren and Toby share their inspiring transition from suburban professionals to regenerative graziers, managing cattle, horses, and chickens on 108 acres of sandy Florida soil. Their story begins with a daughter’s recommendation to watch Kiss the Ground, which set them on a journey into soil health and regenerative practices. From battling Florida’s unique soil challenges to founding the Florida Soil Health Coalition, they’ve become advocates for soil, community, and mindful stewardship.

Topics Covered

• Lauren & Toby’s background and 20-year journey to Starlight Farm
• Transition from horses to cattle and discovering regenerative grazing
• Influence of Kiss the Ground and attending the Soil Health Academy
• Managing sandy Florida soils and the challenges of bahiagrass
• Bale grazing, cover crops, and learning from failures
• The role of chicken and cow manure in improving fertility
• Surviving hurricanes and adapting to climate extremes
• Starting the Florida Soil Health Coalition — connecting farmers, researchers, and consumers
• Finding balance between purity and practicality in regenerative systems
• Favorite grazing books and tools (from tractors to hay string!)
• Building a life and home rooted in stewardship, love, and laughter

Why You Should Listen

This episode is full of relatable moments for anyone striving to make progress on imperfect land. Lauren and Toby’s enthusiasm and candor highlight how regenerative agriculture is as much about mindset as it is about management. Their story captures the patience, humor, and persistence required to restore soil in Florida’s challenging environment — and how connection, both human and ecological, fuels that process. You’ll also learn about a new grassroots movement growing in the Sunshine State through the Florida Soil Health Coalition.

Resources Mentioned

• Florida Soil Health Coalition: floridasoilhealth.org
• Starlight Farm Grass-Fed Beef: Facebook Page – “Starlight Farm Grass-Fed Beef”
• Tobias Saddlery: ultimatesaddle.com

• Books:
  • Dirt to Soil by Gabe Brown
  • A Bold Return to Giving a Damn by Will Harris
  • Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
  • What Your Food Ate by David R. Montgomery & Anne Biklé
• Organizations & Mentions:
  • Soil Health Academy (Gabe Brown, Allen Williams, Ray Archuleta)
  • Will Harris – White Oak Pastures
  • Jonathan Lundgren – Ecdysis Foundation & 1000 Farms Study

Looking for Livestock that thrive on grass?  Check out Grass Based Genetics

Visit our Sponsors:
Noble Research Institute

Redmond Agriculture.

Grazing Grass Links
New Listener Resource Guide

Provide feedback for the podcast
Website
Insiders
Resources
Community (on Facebook)
Check out the Apiary Chronicles Podcast

Original Music by Louis Palfrey