Deep Seed - Regenerative Agriculture

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.🎧 Hit play and discover how a teaspoon of healthy soil might just hold the answers to our biggest ecological challenges.⎯⎯⎯⎯🧬 What We Talk About:Why soil is not dirt — and why that distinction mattersThe ancient symbiosis between plants and fungiHow conventional agriculture broke the soil’s ecosystemWhat we can do to bring fungi and microbes back to lifeWhy livestock and pasture are natural allies in regenerationThe power of legume crops like honeysuckle in nitrogen fixationHow the Valle Bella Cooperative in Sicily is training the next generation of regenerative farmersWhy breaking silos between scientists and farmers is the future of agri-educationReal-world success stories from agroecological farms in transition⎯⎯⎯⎯🔍 Perfect For:Regenerative agriculture professionals & educatorsCurious farmers looking to transition away from conventional methodsSustainability consultants, soil scientists, and ecologistsFood systems innovators and agtech entrepreneursListeners passionate about healing the planet from the ground up⎯⎯⎯⎯❤️ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯🔗 Useful links: Valdibella - https://valdibella.com/Deep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this inspiring episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, ecologist and researcher Rafael Bueno reveals why the future of farming depends on reconnecting with nature. From the deserts of Sicily to the forests of Brazil, Rafael shows how biodiversity, soil health, and trees hold the secret to building farms that are not only more resilient to climate change but also more productive and profitable. His stories from Valdibella offer proof that farmers can transform degraded land into thriving ecosystems, while producing abundant, high-quality food.Rafael challenges the biggest myths in agriculture: that trees steal land from farmers, that chemicals are necessary for productivity, and that nature and farming are destined to be in conflict. Instead, he shares powerful examples of agroforestry, food forests, and soil restoration that increase yields, store water, and protect against desertification. Along the way, we dive into the economics of farming, exploring how subsidies, policies, and payment for ecosystem services could reshape the future of food systems worldwide.If you care about the future of farming, food, and our planet, this conversation is a must-listen. It’s a deep dive into the science, practice, and hope of regenerative agriculture and why the choice we face is clear: return to the forest, or slide into desertification.⎯⎯⎯⎯👩‍🌾 About the Guest: Rafael Bueno is a Brazilian ecologist and researcher at the University of Palermo. His work focuses on the role of ecological interactions, biodiversity conservation, and agriculture. Passionate about applying science in the field, Rafael collaborates closely with farmers and cooperatives such as Valdibella in Sicily, helping to design agroecological systems that restore soil health, increase resilience to climate change, and prove that farming and nature can thrive together.⎯⎯⎯⎯❤️ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯🔗Useful links: Valdibella - https://valdibella.com/Deep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if transitioning to regenerative agriculture wasn’t just about changing farming techniques, but about shifting power, reclaiming autonomy, and rebuilding communities?In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode, Carlotta Ebbreo (rural sociologist at Valdibella Practical School of Agroecology) joins us from the heart of Sicily to reimagine everything we think we know about learning, farming, and social change.Carlotta takes us inside a groundbreaking project where farmers, scientists, technicians, and activists come together to build a new kind of school. One that’s horizontal, context-based, radically participatory, and deeply rooted in the land. From real-life case studies and peer-to-peer learning to fighting market dependency and reshaping the agri-food system, this is agroecology in action!Whether you’re a farmer, educator, policymaker, student, or simply someone who dreams of a healthier, fairer future -> this conversation is a must-listen!📚 We explore:How the Valdibella School of Agroecology is challenging traditional education systems through horizontal, participatory learningWhy agroecology is a political act, not just a technical oneThe urgent need to decolonize knowledge systems and empower local farmersHow practical training sessions, case studies, and cross-sector collaboration are transforming real farms across SicilyWhat it means to build a common vocabulary across disciplines—from water management to market disintermediationCarlotta shares deep insights into the intersections of farming, knowledge, and justice, offering a hopeful yet radical vision for what a truly regenerative food system could look like.⎯⎯⎯⎯👩‍🌾 About the Guest:Carlotta Ebbreo is a rural sociologist and educator based in Palermo, Sicily. She’s a core team member of the Valdibella Practical School of Agroecology, where she focuses on the social and political dimensions of agroecology, and supports the transition toward community-centered, resilient food systems.⎯⎯⎯⎯❤️ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯🔗Useful links: Valdibella - https://valdibella.com/Deep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What happens when a group of Sicilian farmers stand up to the Mafia, choose cooperation over fear, and build a future rooted in justice, community, and the land itself?In this episode of Deep Seed, we sit down with Massimiliano Solano, co-founder of Valdibella, one of Sicily’s most inspiring agricultural cooperatives. From organic wine to social projects for migrants, Valdibella is proving that farming can be both regenerative for the soil and transformative for society.🌱 Topics we cover in this episode:How Valdibella farmers resisted the influence of the Mafia in Sicilian agricultureWhy the cooperative model is a powerful alternative to industrial farminThe transition from organic to regenerative agriculture and agroecologySocial farming projects supporting migrants and marginalized communities, including NO CAP ItalyThe role of biodiversity and soil health in building resilient food systemsWhy young people should see farming not as a burden, but as a future of possibility and hopeThis is a conversation about more than farming. It’s about land, justice, and the future of food. Whether you’re passionate about organic wine from Sicily, curious about cooperative business models, or searching for stories of communities fighting back against exploitation, this episode will leave you inspired… and ready to imagine what a different kind of agriculture could look like!⸻ 🔗 Links: Valdibella - https://valdibella.com/ Deep Seed - https://www.deepseed.eu/ ⸻ 🎥 SOIL CAPITAL This episode was made in Partnership with Soil Capital - a company accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health and biodiversity! https://www.soilcapital.com/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What happens when an engineer swaps corporate life for a life regenerating the land? Meet Sergi Caballero of Mas Les Vinyes in Catalonia: a farmer who turned an abandoned, degraded property into a lush, biodiverse food paradise. It’s a masterclass in regenerative agriculture, where fruit trees, animals, and soil biology work together in perfect symphony. In this episode, you’ll hear how Sergi produces food that tastes like it did generations ago, all while boosting soil health, building biodiversity, and proving that sustainable farming can be both profitable and deeply fulfilling. If you care about the future of food, you won’t want to miss this conversation.From seed saving and pasture-raised eggs to on-farm composting and integrated fruit tree guilds, Sergi shares practical insights for anyone dreaming of farming in harmony with nature. We explore how animal integration in farming supercharges soil fertility, why microbiology is the unsung hero of agriculture, and how thoughtful water design keeps crops thriving in hot, dry summers. Plus, discover how Mas Les Vinyes feeds local markets and retirement homes, bringing nutrient-dense food to those who need it most.Whether you’re a grower, researcher, policymaker, or simply a curious eater, this episode is packed with real-world solutions for creating resilient, climate-positive food systems. Join us for a deep dive into the practices and the mindset that make regeneration possible.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful links: Mas Les Vinyes - https://www.maslesvinyes.com/enDeep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this eye-opening episode of Deep Seed, we travel to a humble farm in northwest Italy that’s quietly becoming a blueprint for regenerative agriculture. Agroecologist Tommaso Gaifami takes us deep into the heart of a four-year transformation where degraded monocultures gave way to complex, biodiverse systems that are resilient, productive, and deeply rooted in community. Tommaso shares how he and his team at Marsilea reimagined a conventional arable farm at Cascina Romanengo by integrating regenerative practices like cover cropping, minimum tillage, agroforestry, and soil biology mapping. We also explore how stakeholder collaboration, regional policy support, and diversified food chains can drive a successful and scalable agroecological transition. ⎯Expect a deep dive into:🌾 Practical crop rotation strategies for different soil conditions and climates🌿 The economic role of cover crops, clover, and millet in building fertility and resilience🚜 Tools like roller crimpers and sod seeders for low-impact cultivation🕸️ How to build a regional network of farms to optimize logistics and reduce costs🥕 Why the role of the agroecologist is key to the future of sustainable food systems ⎯Whether you’re a farmer, policymaker, food systems thinker, or just someone wondering what comes after industrial agriculture - this conversation is not to be missed! You’ll hear how smart crop rotations, local collaboration, and ecological design are reshaping how we grow food, manage soil, and rebuild rural landscapes. It’s a masterclass in agroecology, straight from the field. ⎯ Official Partner ❤️🌿 This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity. ⎯DONATE TO THE FARMING CHEFS 👩‍🍳🌾 -> https://gofund.me/3be23c5dHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if you could bring a river back from the dead, rebuild a valley, restore hope, and revive the local community?In this episode, Silvia Quarta shares the extraordinary story of a grassroots effort to revive the Quipar River in one of Europe’s driest regions: Murcia, Spain. Through a community-led, science-backed approach to ecosystem restoration, Silvia is showing that even the most degraded landscapes can become living, thriving places again - with the right people, the right tools, and the will to listen.From soil to water to social fabric, this conversation touches on every layer of regeneration. Silvia’s work with local farmers, international partners like Commonland, and the Regeneration Academy offers a powerful model for dryland farming, bioregional restoration, and long-term ecological resilience.Whether you’re a regenerative farmer, policymaker, activist, or simply a human being trying to make sense of our environmental moment -> this episode is for you! —🌱 In this episode:🌊 How regenerative farming can recharge aquifers and revive rivers🏡 What social desertification really means - and how to reverse it🌿 Practical tools for water retention, tree planting, and soil recovery👂 Why co-creation and deep listening are essential to ecosystem restoration📈 How a small pilot turned into a valley-wide bioregeneration blueprint—🔗 Mentioned in this episode:Silvia Quarta, Commonland, Regeneration Academy, Soil Capital, CIHEAM Zaragoza, Keiper Watershed, HUMUS Project, LANDX Project📍 Location: Murcia, Spain (Mediterranean drylands)This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful links: SILVIA QUARTA - LinkedinREGENERATION ACADEMY - Linkedin Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What happens when a family leaves the city behind to restore 562 hectares of degraded land using nothing but regenerative agriculture, resilience, and relentless creativity?In this unmissable episode, we take you inside Terramay, a pioneering farm in southern Portugal where Anna and David de Brito, along with livestock manager Elias Gellweiler, are transforming exhausted soils into abundant ecosystems. From soil-free hillsides turned market gardens to chickens making compost at speed, this is regenerative agriculture at its most ambitious and inspiring. You’ll hear how agroforestry, holistic grazing, and circular food systems come together to form a living, breathing model for farming in the age of climate crisis.🎧 Whether you’re a farmer, food systems thinker, or simply curious about how to grow hope in damaged landscapes, this episode is essential listening.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯🧠 What You’ll Learn:How Terramay produces over 85 tons of vegetables on rocky land with zero external inputsWhy composting with chickens can radically speed up fertility cyclesWhat it takes to run a restaurant where 90% of the food is grown on-siteHow rotational grazing builds resilience and nutrient densityWhy regenerative farming is also a powerful tool for rebuilding rural communities🌍 For listeners in:Sustainable food & farmingOrganic and biodynamic agricultureEcological design and permacultureClimate adaptation and land use policyCircular economy and rural innovationHit play and discover how a piece of land on the edge of Portugal is becoming a blueprint for the regenerative future we need.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful links: TERRAMAY - https://www.terramay.com/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if the most chemically intensive, high-density farms - systems many see as the enemy of regenerative agriculture - could actually become climate champions?In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, we sit down with Dimitri Tsitos, co-founder of AgroSystemic, to explore how Mediterranean super-intensive olive, almond, and citrus orchards can regenerate degraded soils, restore biodiversity, boost resilience, and improve long-term farm profitability - all without sacrificing yield.Dimitri shares hard-won insights from years of trial, failure, and success in transitioning conventional, input-heavy orchards into regenerative, climate-smart systems. Whether you’re a farmer, agronomist, orchard manager, sustainability consultant, investor, policymaker, or simply passionate about the future of food and climate solutions, this conversation offers a roadmap you won’t find anywhere else.🎧 By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why even the most intensive systems may have no choice but to go regenerative and how small, targeted changes in soil and plant management can transform productivity, resilience, and ecosystem health.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯What You’ll Learn in This Episode🌳 How super-intensive Mediterranean orchards (2000+ trees per hectare) can transition to regenerative models🌳 Practical cover crop strategies for olive oil, almond, and citrus production🌳 Compost, mulching, and biomass management for soil regeneration🌳 How to balance productivity, profitability, and resilience under climate pressure🌳 The economics of regenerative transitions: cutting input costs while boosting long-term performance 🌳 How to use biodiversity strips, hedgerows, and landscape design to deliver agronomic services⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Who Should Listen✅ Olive, almond, and citrus growers✅ Conventional farmers curious about regenerative agriculture✅ Agronomists, soil scientists, and orchard advisors✅ Agricultural investors and sustainability consultants✅ Policymakers shaping the future of climate-resilient agriculture✅ Anyone passionate about regenerative systems, biodiversity restoration, and nature-based solutions⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful links: Agrosystemic - https://www.agrosystemic.com/Dimitri Tsitos - LinkedinHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

What if your olive oil could fight disease, your soil could store water like a sponge, and your sheep could restore biodiversity? This episode takes you to the heart of Portugal’s Monte Silveira farm, where cutting-edge science meets ancient ecosystems,... and the results are mind-blowing! Join us as we sit down with Diogo Pinho, the farm’s Research Manager, to uncover the data-driven secrets behind one of Europe’s most innovative regenerative farms.From boosting soil organic matter by astonishing numbers, to producing high-polyphenol olive oil that’s great for your heart, to showing that regenerative grazing can actually outperform conventional almond plantations - this conversation is packed with insight, hope, and practical inspiration for anyone interested in the future of farming.Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, farmer, or foodie, this is one episode you do not want to miss.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯🧪 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why soil organic matter is the cornerstone of regenerative systems -> and how Monte Silveira doubled it.How rotational sheep grazing helps restore plant diversity and build microbial life underground.The surprising science behind polyphenols in olive oil and how farming methods influence their levels.How regenerative practices can reduce costs and outperform conventional models (with real data).What it means to design climate-resilient farms in Mediterranean ecosystems under pressure.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯🎙️ About the Guest:Diogo Pinho is the Research Manager at Monte Silveira Farm in southern Portugal, where he leads 16 research projects focused on linking profitability with ecosystem regeneration. With a background in microbiology, he’s bridging the gap between scientific research and real-world farming, and proving that regeneration can work at scale! ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful links: Monte SIlveira - https://www.montesilveira.com/Instagram: @deep_seed_podcastLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seedEmail - raphael@deepseed.euHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.