Deep Seed - Regenerative Agriculture
Raphael Esterhazy
Welcome to the Deep Seed Podcast, your ultimate source for all things regenerative agriculture, soil health, and ecosystem restoration!
Join your host, Raphaël, on an exciting journey into the heart of sustainable farming and environmental resilience. The podcast is packed with inspiring conversations with regenerative farmers, cutting-edge innovators, and leading experts who are pioneering the movement towards a more regenerative food system.
Whether you’re a passionate advocate for sustainability, a professional in agriculture or environmental science, or just curious about the future of our food systems, the Deep Seed Podcast is your gateway to the vibrant world of regenerative agriculture.
Key topics discussed include:
Agroecology and its role in creating sustainable food systems
The power of agroforestry in boosting biodiversity and productivity
How carbon farming can fight climate change while benefiting farmers
The benefits of no-till farming for soil health and erosion prevention
Holistic grazing practices that restore ecosystems and enhance animal welfare
Crop rotation and polyculture for nutrient-rich soils and resilient farms
Exploring the potential of food forests and other nature-based solutions
The critical link between soil microbiology and plant health
Restoration agriculture and the future of land regeneration
Climate solutions that leverage regenerative practices to sequester carbon
Promoting biodiversity through sustainable farming approaches
Insights into the importance of sustainable diets and their environmental impact
Rewilding and its role in ecosystem restoration and preservation
Produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a leader in supporting regenerative agriculture and rewarding farmers for improving soil health, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainable farming and climate action.
Get in touch with me LinkedIn - Raphael Esterhazy
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Join your host, Raphaël, on an exciting journey into the heart of sustainable farming and environmental resilience. The podcast is packed with inspiring conversations with regenerative farmers, cutting-edge innovators, and leading experts who are pioneering the movement towards a more regenerative food system.
Whether you’re a passionate advocate for sustainability, a professional in agriculture or environmental science, or just curious about the future of our food systems, the Deep Seed Podcast is your gateway to the vibrant world of regenerative agriculture.
Key topics discussed include:
Agroecology and its role in creating sustainable food systems
The power of agroforestry in boosting biodiversity and productivity
How carbon farming can fight climate change while benefiting farmers
The benefits of no-till farming for soil health and erosion prevention
Holistic grazing practices that restore ecosystems and enhance animal welfare
Crop rotation and polyculture for nutrient-rich soils and resilient farms
Exploring the potential of food forests and other nature-based solutions
The critical link between soil microbiology and plant health
Restoration agriculture and the future of land regeneration
Climate solutions that leverage regenerative practices to sequester carbon
Promoting biodiversity through sustainable farming approaches
Insights into the importance of sustainable diets and their environmental impact
Rewilding and its role in ecosystem restoration and preservation
Produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a leader in supporting regenerative agriculture and rewarding farmers for improving soil health, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainable farming and climate action.
Get in touch with me LinkedIn - Raphael Esterhazy
Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 12, 2025 • 20min
Rewind #9 - How to prove regenerative agriculture really works! [PETER FROHLICH]
What if we stopped just talking about regeneration… and started measuring it? In this #REWIND episode, Peter Fröhlich, engineer, farmer, and co-founder of AgriPurpose, lays out a powerful, outcome-driven approach to regenerative agriculture. No fluff! Just clear, data-informed tools to guide land restoration at scale. Peter explains how satellite data, targeted soil testing, and simple metrics like biomass productivity, plant cover, and input efficiency can help farmers, funders, and policymakers align around real impact — not vague promises. This is regeneration with roots. Practical, radical, and full of hope. ⸻ 🧠 Topics covered: • Outcome-based regenerative agriculture • Soil health and biomass productivity • Remote sensing and satellite measurement • Regenerative indicators beyond labels • Ecosystem restoration through data • Lowering input costs through smarter design ⸻ 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 💚 www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Dec 11, 2025 • 19min
Rewind #8 - Why farmers are paid so little in the current system [NICOLAS VERSCHUERE]
This episode will change the way you think about farming, food, and fairness. When we talk about regenerative agriculture, we often focus on soil. But what about value? What about money, structure, and power in the food system?In this #REWIND episode, agronomist and regenerative ag pioneer Nicolas Verschuere unpacks how we can rebuild fair, functional value chains that truly reward farmers without making food more expensive. From launching a barley-to-beer cooperative in Belgium to scaling regenerative grains across Europe, this is a powerful look at what it takes to make regeneration viable and scalable.If you’ve ever wondered how we connect healthy soil to a healthy economy -> this one’s for you!🧠 Topics covered in this episode:How regenerative farmers can earn more — without consumer prices risingWhy farmers are paid so little in the current systemThe creation of a cooperative model for regenerative grainsBuilding fairer value chains for sustainable agricultureWhy most “premiums” never reach the farmerThe role of cooperation, shared infrastructure, and transparencyWhat it takes to scale regenerative agriculture in EuropeThe future of supply chains in a regenerative food system⎯This episode was made in partnership with Soil Capital - a company accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture by financially rewarding farmers who regenerate their soil health and biodiversity ❤️www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Dec 10, 2025 • 28min
Rewind #7 - The 4 Pillars of Regenerative Agriculture [NICOLAS VERSCHUERE]
Farmers aren’t the problem... they’re the solution! In this eye-opening episode, agronomist Nicolas Verschuere dismantles common myths about soil health, tillage, and agrochemicals. He reveals what actually works to make farming more regenerative, resilient, and profitable.Drawing on decades of hands-on experience with European farmers, he explains why cover crops, minimal disturbance, and smarter input use are not about perfection but about progress. It’s practical, grounded, and surprisingly hopeful. If you’re curious about how we can heal soils without blaming farmers, this is a must-listen.🧠 Topics covered in this episode:The true role of tillage in regenerative agricultureWhy cover crops are essential for living soilsHow to reduce fertilizers and pesticides without going extremeWhy the real challenge is complexity, not ideologyWhat it takes to support farmers through meaningful changeThe power of diversity and agroecological systems to build resilience⎯This episode was made in partnership with Soil Capital - a company accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture by financially rewarding farmers who regenerate their soil health and biodiversity.www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Dec 8, 2025 • 13min
Rewind #6 - 🇫🇷 Et si labourer tuait notre avenir ? [MARC-ANDRE SELOSSE]
Notre agriculture va droit dans le mur.C’est ce que rappelle, sans détour, le biologiste et mycologue Marc-André Selosse dans ce #REWIND coup de poing.Il nous livre un éclairage saisissant sur le coût réel de l’agriculture conventionnelle : dégradation de la santé des sols, explosion des coûts de dépollution de l’eau, perte de matière organique, émissions de CO₂, et dépendance aux engrais chimiques.Mais il montre aussi qu’un autre chemin est possible — moins coûteux, plus fertile, et plus vivant.En défendant les pratiques de non-labour, de couvre-sol, ou encore la culture des blés pérennes, il bouscule nos croyances et rappelle que les alternatives existent — et fonctionnent.🧠 Une masterclass de microbiologie du sol, d’agriculture régénérative, et d’intelligence écologique.🎯 Thèmes abordés :Agriculture régénérative & agriculture de conservationSanté des sols & matière organiqueNon-labour et pratiques agricoles durablesPollution de l’eau & coût environnemental cachéRéseaux mycorhiziens & microbiologie du solHistoire et résilience des sols agricoles🔁 Épisode original complet : https://youtu.be/UVYodvZ8sSU Episode réalisé en partenariat avec Soil Capital www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Dec 6, 2025 • 16min
Rewind #5 - 🇫🇷 MARC-ANDRE SELOSSE nous parle de microbiologie des sols et d'agriculture.
Et si l’agriculture de demain passait par un retour aux racines? Dans cet épisode, le professeur Marc-André Selosse, biologiste, mycologue et vulgarisateur hors pair, nous emmène dans l’univers fascinant du sol vivant et des réseaux mycorhiziens, ces alliances secrètes entre champignons et racines qui façonnent la fertilité de nos terres. Avec passion et précision, il nous explique pourquoi la santé des sols est la clé de notre santé à tous, comment l’agriculture conventionnelle a sauvé l’humanité… mais aussi pourquoi elle atteint aujourd’hui ses limites. Ce n’est pas une leçon de morale. C’est un appel à la lucidité. À la science. Et à la responsabilité collective. Un épisode indispensable pour comprendre les fondations biologiques de l’agriculture régénérative, de l’agriculture de conservation, et du lien intime entre santé des sols et avenir de l’humanité. 🧠 Thèmes abordés : • Microbiologie du sol et réseaux mycorhiziens • Agriculture régénérative vs agriculture conventionnelle • Pollution, pesticides, engrais et santé humaine • Couverture végétale, non-labour et pratiques vertueuses • Rôle des citoyens et des consommateurs dans la transition 🔁 Épisode original complet : https://youtu.be/UVYodvZ8sSU - Episode réalisé en partenariat avec Soil Capital www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Dec 4, 2025 • 11min
Rewind #4 - How LENTELAND is Rethinking Land Ownership in Farming [ELINE VENINGA]
What if farms were owned by communities... and managed for generations to come? 🌱In this #REWIND episode, we revisit a powerful moment with Eline Veninga, co-founder of Lenteland, a groundbreaking initiative in the Netherlands that’s rethinking land ownership, farmer succession, and regenerative agriculture from the ground up.Eline breaks down the structural barriers young farmers face — from sky-high land prices to outdated financial systems — and how Lenteland’s community-owned, farmer-led model offers a radically hopeful alternative.She also shares how Lenteland supports farmers with training, team-building, and long-term security — creating a new path for regenerative farmers to thrive, not just survive.🎧 Topics covered:Land access and generational transitionRegenerative farming and soil healthCommunity-owned agriculture modelsAlternative farm financingFarmer support and education🔁 Originally aired: Feb 11, 2025 🎧 Listen to the full episode here - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vZjGJQF91FWAzHXcxxTuz?si=450a2d13492f4046⎯ 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 💚 www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Dec 2, 2025 • 12min
Rewind #3 - From Weeds to Regeneration: The Wilder Land Story [MATTHIJS WESTERWOUDT]
What if “weeds” could become the future of farming? 🌿 In this #REWIND episode, Matthijs Westerwoudt, co-founder of Wilder Land, shares how a bold idea to grow native plants for tea turned into a regenerative business model for biodiversity. Inspired by Commonland’s landscape restoration framework, Matthijs set out to build a company that wouldn’t just “do less harm”, but would actually restore ecosystems as it scaled. In this short, punchy episode, he explains how native herbs like chamomile, yarrow, and nettle — often dismissed as weeds — can create income for farmers, bring back pollinators, and regenerate entire landscapes. 💡 This is regeneration done differently: cheeky, smart, and rooted in common sense. 🎧 Topics covered: • Native plants & biodiversity • Building regenerative supply chains • Agroecology & ecosystem restoration • Business models for nature-based solutions • Rethinking sustainability vs. regeneration 🔁 Originally aired: Jan 28, 2025 🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Spotify & Apple podcast ⎯ 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 💚 www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Nov 29, 2025 • 12min
Rewind #2 - Can We Learn to Live With Wolves? [WILLEMIJN DE IONGH]
Wolves are returning to Europe... and it’s stirring up powerful emotions! Can we learn to coexist with predators in a human-dominated landscape? 🐺🌾 In this #REWIND episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, we revisit a powerful moment with Willemijn de Iong from Commonland. Willemijn shares her insights on the return of wolves in the Netherlands, the conflict with sheep farmers, and what we can learn from human-wildlife conflict in Kenya. This conversation dives into: ✅ How wolves are changing ecosystems in real time (trophic cascades) ✅ The emotional and cultural tensions with rewilding ✅ Compensation and policy solutions for coexistence ✅ What Maasai communities in Kenya taught her about respect, conflict, and change ⎯ 🎙️ Originally aired: January 21, 2025 Watch the full original episode here - https://youtu.be/slUPVmg-e20 ⎯ 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 💚 www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Nov 26, 2025 • 22min
Rewind #1 - Can Farming Be a Force for Good? [WILLEMIJN DE IONGH]
🎧 In this Deep Seed #REWIND episode, we revisit a powerful reflection from Willemijn de Iong of Commonland, who shares how farmers in the Netherlands are redefining their role in ecosystem restoration.She dives into the heart of the Wijland project, where over 300 farmers are shifting away from intensive dairy monocultures toward regenerative and nature-inclusive farming practices — all while building community and economic resilience.Willemijn also unpacks the deep structural challenges and offers an inspiring vision for how we can create a new “Combined Zone” that integrates agriculture and biodiversity.This mini-episode is a powerful reminder: regenerative agriculture isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing better, together.🌍 Topics covered:Regenerative agriculture in the NetherlandsThe Four Returns framework (Inspiration, Social Capital, Natural Capital, Financial Return)Land use and zoning reformFarmer-led change and community buildingFood forest legislation & landscape restoration⎯ 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 💚 www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Nov 19, 2025 • 1h 35min
How Regenerative Farming Could Save Europe [SIMON KRAEMER]
In this episode, I sit down with Simon Kraemer from the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture (EARA) a fast-growing, farmer-led network that’s quietly shaking the foundations of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).Simon takes us inside the movement’s origins, its mission to regenerate both ecosystems and democracy, and the groundbreaking farmer-led report that could redefine how we measure agricultural success in Europe. 💡 In this conversation, we explore:Why EARA was born and what makes it different from traditional farming unionsHow regenerative farmers across Europe are using peer-to-peer science and direct democracyThe political battle to reform the CAP with performance-based subsidies, not top-down prescriptionsSurprising data from EARA’s recent report: higher profits, lower inputs, same yieldsWhy satellite tracking, photosynthesis data, and landscape-level thinking are the future of ag policyCare about food, farming, climate, or just think it’s time to stop paying for destruction with public money? Listen now, cause this one’s for you! “We’re not here to be the leaders. We’re here to be the humble mycelium that holds the whole ecosystem together.” — Simon Kraemer—Produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company accelerating the regenerative transition by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.https://www.soilcapital.com/—Usefull Links:SOIL CAPITAL FARMING: https://www.soilcapitalfarming.ag/DEEP SEED: https://www.deepseed.eu/—Follow Us• Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seed• Email: raphael@deepseed.euHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
