Deep Seed - Regenerative Agriculture

Raphael Esterhazy
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Dec 3, 2024 • 24min

Rewind #6 - Regenerative agriculture: farmers become the solution, not the problem! [Chuck de Liedekerke]

In this special rewind episode, we revisit one of the most inspiring conversations from the past year—our chat with Chuck de Liedekerke, founder of Soil Capital. Dive into Chuck’s compelling vision for transitioning global agriculture to regenerative farming, a solution not just for farmers but for our planet’s future.Chuck shares how regenerative agriculture rebuilds soil health, enhances resilience against climate change, and creates thriving ecosystems, all while boosting profitability for farmers. From transforming drought-stricken vineyards in South Africa to scaling regenerative practices worldwide, this conversation reveals why farmers are central to solving some of today’s most pressing environmental challenges.“The costs of doing nothing are far greater than the costs of change,” Chuck emphasizes. Join us to learn how empowering farmers with tools, incentives, and recognition can transform agriculture into a solution for climate change and food security.📌 Don’t miss this episode if you care about farming, the environment, or creating a healthier planet for future generations.EPISODE CHAPTERS:Defining Regenerative Agriculture (0:01:30–0:02:44)• Chuck explains regenerative agriculture by contrasting it with extractive agriculture.• Historical context of soil degradation and the significance of reversing this trend.The Business Case for Regenerative Farming (0:02:44–0:06:39)• Chuck shares examples of profitability and resilience in regenerative farming, including a case study of grape farming in drought-stricken South Africa.• The pivotal realization that regenerative farming can outcompete conventional methods during climate stress.The Biggest Barrier: Changing Farmers’ Mindsets (0:06:39–0:08:10)• Challenges in convincing farmers to adopt regenerative practices.• The deep respect Chuck has for farmers and their connection to their land.Three Key Challenges to Adoption (0:08:10–0:10:02)• Lack of technical knowledge.• Fear of economic loss.• Absence of clear financial incentives.The Role of Financial Incentives (0:10:02–0:12:39)• The importance of economic motivations to drive adoption.• Parallels drawn to organic farming and its reliance on price premiums.Scaling Regenerative Agriculture Through Soil Capital (0:13:36–0:19:12)• Soil Capital’s approach to measuring and certifying carbon and regenerative practices.• How the program integrates food system stakeholders to make regenerative practices attractive for farmers.Why This Matters: Climate Change and Food Security (0:19:12–0:20:48)• The critical role of regenerative farming in addressing food security amidst climate stress.• The urgent need to scale regenerative practices to avoid supply chain disruptions.Can We Transition All Land to Regenerative Farming? (0:20:48–0:22:16)• Chuck’s belief that transitioning all farmland is not optional but necessary.• How regenerative agriculture flips the narrative for farmers from being blamed for environmental degradation to being climate heroes.Closing Thoughts: Farmers at the Center (0:22:16–0:23:21)• Summary of Soil Capital’s mission to reward farmers for regenerative practices.• A call to action for listeners to support the podcast and its mission.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Email - raphael@deepseed.euHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Nov 28, 2024 • 26min

Rewind #5 - Food forests, agroforestry and perennial agriculture [Louis De Jaeger]

In this Rewind episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, we revisit an inspiring conversation with food forest pioneer, permaculture designer, and author Louis De Jaeger. Louis is a passionate advocate for transforming our food systems through regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and the creation of thriving food forests. His work spans from designing edible ecosystems to restoring landscapes around the world.Together, we explore the incredible potential of tree-based agriculture and why shifting from annual to perennial crops is essential for a resilient, sustainable future. Louis shares the history of food forests, their ecological benefits, and how they can combat climate change while improving biodiversity and soil health.Key topics include:• What is a food forest? Learn about its origins and how it mimics natural ecosystems for sustainable food production.• The untapped power of perennial crops like chestnuts, walnuts, and acorns to replace conventional staples.• How food forests can store carbon, prevent floods, and create habitats for pollinators and wildlife.• The debate between annual agriculture and tree crops—and how combining systems can boost resilience.• Can food forests scale to feed the world? Louis tackles this tough question with innovative ideas like community-supported models and mechanization.This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about regenerative farming, perennial agriculture, or the future of our food systems. Whether you’re dreaming of creating your own food forest or exploring large-scale solutions to feed the world, Louis offers valuable insights, practical ideas, and a hopeful vision for a greener future.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯👉 Useful links:Louis de Jaeger - LinkdinLouis de Jaeger - Website 👉 Don’t forget to follow the Deep Seed Podcast for more stories like this, and help us spread the word about regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seedEmail - raphael@deepseed.euInstagram: @deep_seed_podcastHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Nov 23, 2024 • 18min

Rewind #4 - Microbiology, Mycorrhizal Fungi & Soil Health [Natallia Gulbis]

🌱 What if I told you that beneath every step you take lies a universe of microscopic heroes transforming the soil and keeping our planet alive? This week’s rewind episode of the Deep Seed Podcast dives deep into the incredible world of mycorrhizal fungi with expert Natallia Gulbis.Discover how these fungi form symbiotic relationships with plants, increasing their root capacity by up to 700 times, unlocking nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, and even acting as nature’s underground “internet,” allowing plants to communicate and share resources. 🚀 Fun fact: the mycorrhizal hyphae in just two wheelbarrows of soil could stretch all the way to the Moon! 🌕Key topics covered:• 🌍 Mycorrhizal fungi: Their role as soil’s secret nutrient foragers.• 🧬 How these fungi act as an extension of plant roots, creating a secondary root system.• 🌱 The importance of cover crops and reducing tillage for healthier, more fertile soils.• 🌾 How regenerative farming techniques harness these networks for sustainable agriculture.• 💡 Mind-blowing fungal facts, like their ability to sequester carbon and stabilize soil structure with the “soil glue” glomalin.This episode will transform the way you think about soil health and its role in regenerative agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and even climate resilience. Whether you’re a farmer, gardener, or just curious about the magic beneath your feet, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.🎧 Listen now on your favorite streaming platform and take a giant step towards understanding how these microscopic allies are the foundation of all life on Earth.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Nov 21, 2024 • 24min

Rewind #3 - The role of swales and ponds in Regenerative Agriculture [Alfonso Chico de Guzman]

In this special rewind episode, we revisit an inspiring conversation with Alfonso Chico De Guzman, a regenerative farmer in Spain tackling one of the region’s most pressing challenges: water scarcity. Spain’s agricultural landscapes are battling extreme dry spells followed by torrential rains, and Alfonso has been leading the charge in transforming his family’s centuries-old farm using innovative regenerative practices.🔑 Key topics discussed in this episode:• Regenerative Hydrology: How digging swales and creating ponds helps retain water, reduce erosion, and recharge groundwater.• Reviving Degraded Soils: Transitioning from conventional to regenerative farming to double soil organic matter and boost fertility.• Technology for Regeneration: Virtual fencing for cows and drones to map water flow are game-changers in Alfonso’s approach.• Biodiversity & Erosion Control: Vegetation strips between trees not only prevent erosion but create vibrant ecosystems.This conversation dives into the practical side of regenerative agriculture, showing how small, strategic changes can revolutionize a farm’s resilience and ecological health. Whether you’re a farmer, a sustainability advocate, or simply curious about how we can better manage our natural resources, this episode is packed with actionable insights and hope for the future.🎙️ Tune in to learn how Alfonso is not only regenerating his land but inspiring others to embrace 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.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯👉 Useful links:La Junquera: https://www.lajunquera.com/Alfonso: https://www.linkedin.com/in/achicodeguzman/👉 Don’t forget to follow the Deep Seed Podcast for more stories like this, and help us spread the word about regenerative agriculture and ecosystem restoration.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seedEmail - raphael@deepseed.euInstagram: @deep_seed_podcastHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Nov 18, 2024 • 22min

Rewind #2 - Transitioning to regenerative agriculture [Antony Pearce]

In this special rewind episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, we revisit an inspiring conversation with Anthony Pearce, a dedicated regenerative farmer from the UK. Anthony shares his journey from conventional farming to embracing regenerative practices, talking us through the challenges and rewards of transitioning to a farming system that prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and resilience.We explore:• What it’s like for farmers to shift from conventional methods to regenerative agriculture.• The farm economics of regenerative practices: balancing yields, cutting input costs, and leveraging carbon credits.• The role of incentives, resilience against extreme weather, and overcoming the often-overlooked social pressures farmers face during this transformation.• Why regenerative agriculture appeals to a new generation of farmers—and how it’s reshaping the future of farming.Anthony also provides fascinating insights into the tools of regenerative farming, like strip-till drilling, and explains how minimizing soil disturbance can reduce carbon emissions, improve soil fertility, and create healthier, more productive ecosystems.If you’ve ever wondered why regenerative agriculture is crucial for our food systems and the environment—or why some say we only have “50 harvests left”—this episode is packed with powerful answers.Tune in to uncover how farming that works with nature can deliver nutritious food while securing a better future for our planet.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful links: Antony Pearce Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@AntonysRegenMoat Farm - https://www.farmgatetoplate.co.uk/Get in touch:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seedEmail - raphael@deepseed.euInstagram: @deep_seed_podcastHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Nov 14, 2024 • 17min

Rewind #1 - Regenerative Solutions to the global food crisis [Duncan Williamson]

In this special highlights episode, we revisit a powerful conversation with Duncan Williamson, global expert on sustainable diets and food system transformation. Duncan’s insights provide a wake-up call on the global food system’s deep-rooted challenges—from biodiversity loss to malnutrition—while offering a hopeful path toward regenerative, resilient, and culturally diverse food systems.Throughout this episode, Duncan discusses how our current industrial food model, driven by profit, has serious consequences for our planet and our health. He shares shocking statistics: 50% of the global population is malnourished, biodiversity loss is accelerating, and our dependence on monocultures makes food systems dangerously fragile. But there’s hope. With solutions like agroecology, sustainable diets, and re-localizing food production, Duncan maps out a vision for a future where food systems nourish both people and the planet.Join us as we revisit this eye-opening discussion on food system reform, emphasizing agricultural biodiversity, soil health, and regenerative practices. Discover how supporting these shifts can help tackle the climate crisis and promote true food equity.If you’re passionate about the future of food, don’t miss this enlightening Deep Seed highlight with Duncan Williamson. And, for a deeper dive, check out the full episode in our archives.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Follow Us: Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.Instagram: @deep_seed_podcastLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seedEmail - raphael@deepseed.euHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Nov 5, 2024 • 16min

How policy and subsidies can accelerate Regenerative Agriculture (Simon Kraemer)

This episode explores how public policies and subsidies can become powerful tools in accelerating the global transition to regenerative agriculture. Our guest, Simon Kraemer from the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture, dives into how existing subsidies often promote harmful agricultural practices—and why shifting these financial flows is essential for building a resilient and sustainable food system.In This Episode, You’ll Discover:• Defining Regenerative Agriculture: Why we should focus less on rigid definitions and more on outcomes like net primary productivity and soil health.• The Power of Policy Change: The staggering reality that over $700 billion of taxpayer money is spent annually on agricultural subsidies—and how this could be redirected to support regenerative practices.• Performance-Based Subsidies: How results-driven, context-specific subsidies could empower farmers to work harmoniously with nature rather than adhering to rigid, outdated practices.• A Call to Hope: Despite global crises, Simon’s inspiring message reminds us that the regenerative agriculture revolution is a genuine seed of hope for the future.Join us for this thought-provoking conversation, as we discuss the challenges and opportunities of reshaping agriculture policy to regenerate our soils, ecosystems, and food systems.🔊 Listen now and be inspired by the potential of regenerative agriculture to transform our world!⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful links: EARA - https://eara.farm/Simon Kraemer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-kraemer-308518129/Soil Capital - https://www.soilcapital.com/Follow Us: Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.Instagram: @deep_seed_podcastLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seedEmail - raphael@deepseed.euHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Oct 29, 2024 • 15min

Regenerative agriculture, creating resilient and profitable farms & increasing biodiversity (Michael Kavanagh)

Join us in this special mini-series episode, recorded live at the Regenerative Agriculture Summit Europe 2024 in Amsterdam! Michael Cavanagh, a regenerative farm manager from the UK, shares his decade-long journey in transforming his farm into a biodiversity-rich, resilient agricultural ecosystem. From reducing chemical inputs to boosting yields with nature-based solutions, discover why regenerative agriculture is more than just a farming trend—it’s the future of sustainable food systems.In this episode, you’ll learn about:• How regenerative practices create climate resilience in unpredictable weather.• The mindset shift required for farmers to embrace regenerative methods.• Practical tips for a smooth transition to low-input, high-output farming.• The surprising biodiversity benefits of regenerative systems.Tune in to hear Michael’s personal experiences, insights from the summit, and how he’s leading a movement to regenerate soils, boost yields, and support biodiversity—all while staying profitable.🔊 Listen now to explore the inspiring future of farming!⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Keywords: Regenerative Agriculture, Nature-Based Solutions, Soil Health, Biodiversity, Sustainable Farming, Agroecology, Farming Resilience, Food Systems, Agriculture SummitHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 5min

Growing hemp to clean forever chemicals & regenerate soils (Elena Doms)

Elena Doms, co-founder of Earth Plus, shares the incredible work her company is doing to regenerate degraded land using nature-based solutions—with hemp as a key player.Learn how industrial hemp, known for its powerful phytoremediation properties, is being used to clean soils contaminated with PFAs, revitalize ecosystems, and even produce sustainable, bio-based materials like construction panels. Elena explains why this resilient plant is central to the fight against pollution and how soil health restoration can also serve as a climate solution by sequestering carbon.Key Topics:What are Forever Chemicals (PFAs): learn about PFAs, their impact on soil health, human health, and why they’re so hard to eliminate from the environment.Hemp for Soil Remediation: Discover how industrial hemp is used to clean polluted soils through phytoremediation, restoring ecosystems naturally.Bio-Based construction materials: hemp-based sustainable building materials like hemp wood and bio-composites offer eco-friendly alternatives to fossil-fuel-based products.Regenerative Agriculture with Hemp: hemp improves soil health, boosts biodiversity, and helps with carbon sequestration while fitting perfectly into crop rotations.Scaling Nature-Based solutions globally: learn about Earth Plus’s pilot projects using hemp to regenerate soils and restore ecosystems.Carbon sequestration in bio-based materials: discover how hemp sequesters carbon in both soil and biomass, turning construction materials into carbon sinks.Challenges of phasing out Forever Chemicals: a look at the policy and regulatory hurdles in banning PFAs and why regenerative solutions are critical for the future.Vision for Soil Restoration: Elena shares her journey and Earth Plus’s mission to lead the world’s largest soil CO2 cleanup and restore degraded land globally.Tune in to discover how regenerative agriculture, hemp, and bold innovations are tackling some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. 🎧⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful Links:• Earth Plus – Website• Elena Doms - Linkedin• Soil Capital - WebsiteFollow Us:• Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast• LinkedIn: Deep Seed PodcastHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Oct 1, 2024 • 1h 23min

Agroforestry: the amazing power of trees for agriculture & climate resilience (Patrick Worms)

Drawing on years of experience in agroforestry, regenerative agriculture and landscape restoration, Patrick Worms shares how integrating trees into farming systems is transforming degraded lands, boosting food production, and helping communities adapt to climate change.Key Takeaways:Learn how agroforestry is revitalizing barren landscapes and increasing farm productivity.Discover the powerful lessons from Africa’s Great Green Wall initiative, a project fighting desertification.Understand why regenerative agriculture is a sustainable solution for the future of global food systems.Hear about inspiring success stories from Zambia, Niger, and Ethiopia, where nature-based solutions are helping farmers thrive.Patrick’s insights make complex topics easy to understand, showing how nature-based solutions like holistic grazing, farmer-managed natural regeneration, and silvopastoralism are practical and scalable strategies for both smallholders and commercial agriculture.Listen to this fascinating conversation and be inspired by real-world solutions making a difference. 🎧⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Useful links: World Agroforestry - https://www.cifor-icraf.org/Patrick Worms - linkedin.com/in/pwormsSoil Capital - https://www.soilcapital.com/Follow Us: Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.Instagram: @deep_seed_podcastLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seedEmail - raphael@deepseed.euHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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