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Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food

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May 6, 2025 • 1h 7min

364 Paul McMahon - Why regen forestry is natural capital’s Trojan horse for institutional investors

A conversation with Paul McMahon, co-founder SLM partners, about forestry being the gateway drug for natural capital for institutional investors to put money to work. Why? Because they are used to investing in forestry — it is a well-established investment sector with very long-time horizons. Rotations here are 30+ years, but it’s also one with many challenges: current practices usually mean cutting down a forest after 30 years and completely replanting it. That basically scars a landscape for life — mostly monocultures.Interestingly, alternatives have been popping up over the last few decades. Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF), where you selectively harvest and let natural processes do most of the work, requires highly skilled foresters, but it can deliver superior returns alongside all the environmental benefits. These are production forests you want to be in — and forest bathe in. Now that a lot of academic research is emerging about carbon levels, returns, etc., the time might be right for more money to flow into it.More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/paul-mcmahon-4.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================👩🏻‍💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/📚 JOIN OUR VIDEO COURSE: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course/💪🏻 SUPPORT OUR WORK https://investinginregenag.gumroad.comShare itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/regenerativeagriculture==========================🎙 LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL ON🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4b7mzk8c9VNM7HX5P3pM4u🎧 Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/investing-in-regenerative-agriculture-and-food/id1268558109📽️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@investinginregenerativeagr8568==========================FOLLOW US!🔗 Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/investing-in-regenerative-agriculture📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/invest_regenag/==========================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.Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!https://groundswellag.com/2025-speakers/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/ Thank you to our Field Builders Circle for supporting us. Learn more hereSupport the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!
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Apr 29, 2025 • 1h 7min

363 James Arthur Smith - Mercury-free, microplastic-free, and Omega-3 rich: the future of seafood

A check in conversation with James Arthur Smith, founder of Seatopia, about their data-driven focus on nutrient density (plus mercury/microplastics testing) resonates more strongly than abstract “sustainability” marketing strategy and it ultimately driving real ecosystem restoration. We explore how Seatopia defines regenerative aquaculture in a multi- trophic system—integrating finfish alongside shellfish and seaweeds, how they measure and quantify our impact at every step and how they partner with artisan milling companies developing species-appropriate feeds that eliminate fishmeal, soy, corn, and canola oil—pivoting toward insect protein and algae-based oils.More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/james-arthur-smith-2.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================👩🏻‍💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/📚 JOIN OUR VIDEO COURSE: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course/💪🏻 SUPPORT OUR WORK https://investinginregenag.gumroad.comShare itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/regenerativeagriculture==========================🎙 LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL ON🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4b7mzk8c9VNM7HX5P3pM4u🎧 Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/investing-in-regenerative-agriculture-and-food/id1268558109📽️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@investinginregenerativeagr8568==========================FOLLOW US!🔗 Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/investing-in-regenerative-agriculture📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/invest_regenag/==========================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.Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!https://groundswellag.com/2025-speakers/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/ Thank you to our Field Builders Circle for supporting us. Learn more hereSupport the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!
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Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 25min

362 Mike Velings - VC & PE won’t deliver regeneration — €250M evergreen proves it

A conversation with Mike Velings, co-founder of Aqua-Spark, a global investment fund for sustainable aquaculture, about how an invite he should have never received lead to the creation of the largest aquaculture fund in history, with over $250 million in assets under management (AUM) and ambitious plans to grow to $2 billion or more. This conversation goes beyond the billion dollar question—it’s already been answered. We explore why focusing on long- term investments is essential for transforming an industry and why current venture capital and private equity fund models might cause more harm than good. How can we bring institutional investors into agriculture and food, and what financial mechanisms can facilitate this? We also dive into the key drivers in aquaculture and discover why Mike is so enthusiastic about the future.This episode is special—it’s not every day we discuss billions and institutional investment strategies with someone who has a real chance to raise the funds and put them to work.DISCLAIMER: This conversation was recorded on Nov 21st, 2024. A month later Aqua-Spark learned about a fraud in the numbers of eFishery, an Aqua-Tech startup they have invested in. After a thoughtfully evaluation, we decided that- regardless of the news around eFishery and the effect that has had on Aqua-Spark as a fund- the story of Aqua Spark is extremely relevant and interesting to anyone working in food, agriculture, aquaculture, and for that matter, impact investing. It should be shared and heard. Excluding eFishery, Aqua-Spark has a strong portfolio, and their journey towards disrupting a whole industry with an evergreen fund and attracting institutional capital is worth putting a spotlight on. More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/mike-velings.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================👩🏻‍💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com📚 JOIN OUR VIDEO COURSE: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course/💪🏻 SUPPORT OUR WORK https://investinginregenag.gumroad.comShare itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/regenerativeagriculture==========================🎙 LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL ON🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4b7mzk8c9VNM7HX5P3pM4u🎧 Apple Podcast Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!https://groundswellag.com/2025-speakers/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/ Thank you to our Field Builders Circle for supporting us. Learn more hereSupport the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!
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Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 6min

361 Herb Young - After 36 years at Bayer, growing regen citrus with 8x the nutrients

A conversation with Herb Young, farmer who, after 36 years in the chemical industry working for Bayer, retired and bought a small farm in Georgia—where things quickly got out of hand. While researching organic premiums, Herb came across regenerative agriculture—and fell deep, very deep, down the rabbit hole. For over a year, he read everything, listened to everything, and then planted his first trees. A few years later, Herb is now one of the leading regenerative citrus growers in the country, conducting cutting-edge research while selling his first harvest directly to consumers in over 36 states. And the most surprising part? His citrus is, on average, eight times more nutrient- dense than conventionally grown oranges. That means you’d have to eat eight regular oranges to match the nutrients of just one of his. Suddenly, the idea of food as medicine becomes very affordable. And, of course, his citrus is incredibly tasty. We also discuss his history in the agrochemical industry, what his former colleagues think of his new "hobby" and what excites him most about the upcoming second season.More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/herb-young.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================👩🏻‍💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/📚 JOIN OUR VIDEO COURSE: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course/💪🏻 SUPPORT OUR WORK https://investinginregenag.gumroad.comShare itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/regenerativeagriculture==========================🎙 LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL ON🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4b7mzk8c9VNM7HX5P3pM4u🎧 Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/investing-in-regenerative-agriculture-and-food/id1268558109📽️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@investinginregenerativeagr8568==========================FOLLOW US!🔗 Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/investing-in-regenerative-agriculture📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/invest_regenag/==========================The above references an opinion and is for informThoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!https://groundswellag.com/2025-speakers/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/ Thank you to our Field Builders Circle for supporting us. Learn more hereSupport the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!
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Apr 8, 2025 • 56min

360 Ethan Soloviev - AI, good food at Davos, food as medicine and regen taking off

A check- in conversation with Ethan Soloviev, Chief Innovation Officer at HowGood, about how regenerative agriculture is truly taking off, its position within large food and agriculture companies, and whether we risk watering it down or falling into greenwashing (Spoiler: Surprisingly, we're doing a lot about it!). We also get an update on HowGood—they're doing well and focusing more on nutrient density-, plus, we talk about Regen House, which is revolutionizing the way good food fosters meaningful conversations at major events like COPs, climate summits, and Davos, bringing farmers, indigenous community members, and global executives together around regenerative food experiences. By centering conversations on actual good food rather than panels and PowerPoints, these gatherings forge authentic connections that move regeneration forward. And, of course, no conversation with Ethan would be complete without diving into AI—what currently does and what it could do for regeneration—not just through efficiency gains, but through innovative applications like predicting deforestation before it happens. The real breakthrough will come when we develop "large ecological models" trained on nature's patterns rather than just human texts, enabling truly regenerative landscape design.As Chief Innovation Officer at HowGood, Ethan offers a glimpse into how sustainability data is transforming food systems. Their database tracks environmental and social impacts for 33,000 ingredients and nearly 4 million products globally, enabling everything from carbon footprinting to supplier engagement. What's particularly encouraging is how this data influences consumer behavior—when sustainability information is presented clearly at the point of purchase, sales of sustainable products consistently increase across diverse markets.More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/ethan-soloviev-4.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================👩🏻‍💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/📚 JOIN OUR VIDEO COURSE: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course/💪🏻 SUPPORT OUR WORK https://investinginregenag.gumroad.comShare itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/regenerativeagriculture==============Thoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!https://groundswellag.com/2025-speakers/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/ Thank you to our Field Builders Circle for supporting us. Learn more hereSupport the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!
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Apr 1, 2025 • 1h 19min

359 Louis De Jaeger - Eat More Trees: a Masterclass with thé storyteller of the Regen Space

A conversation with Louis De Jaeger, international keynote speaker, author, award-winning filmmaker, and landscape designer, about dreams, action, and storytelling—how to reach and touch people. We discuss why storytelling is highly underrated and underfunded, and why he is organizing a festival—not the next Burning Man, but a regeneration festival.He shares his excitement about small water cycle restoration, the biotic pump, and much more. And in the end, it all boils down to one simple message: Eat More Trees.During his 5-year sabbatical that turned into a lifelong mission to regenerate landscapes, Louis' revelation came during world travels where he witnessed environmental degradation firsthand—monoculture landscapes so depressing "you want to drive against a tree, but there are no trees." This observation sparked his mission to regenerate 550 million hectares of land globally, potentially cooling our planet by two degrees Celsius.Beyond the environmental benefits, Louis paints a compelling vision of a regenerative future characterized by abundance rather than sacrifice. "We're going to have an even more luxurious lifestyle, we're going to have better food that tastes fantastic" he assures us. His approach isn't about shaming people into environmentalism but showing how regenerative practices create healthier, more desirable lives.More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/louis-de-jaeger.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================👩🏻‍💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/📚 JOIN OUR VIDEO COURSE: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course/💪🏻 SUPPORT OUR WORK https://investinginregenag.gumroad.comShare itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/regenerativeagriculture==========================🎙 LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL ON🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4b7mzk8c9VNM7HX5P3pM4u🎧 Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/investing-in-regenerative-agriculture-and-food/id1268558109📽️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@investinginregenerativeagr8568==========================FOLLOW US!🔗 Linkedin htThoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!https://groundswellag.com/2025-speakers/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/ Thank you to our Field Builders Circle for supporting us. Learn more hereSupport the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!
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Mar 25, 2025 • 53min

358 Laimonas Noreika - From FinTech to Farms: bridging the €60B loan gap for Europe's small farms

A conversation with Laimonas Noreika, founder of HeavyFinance, about providing loans to farmers, bringing innovation to the traditionally stagnant agri-loan sector (some numbers: over €70M loaned to farmers and over 13,000 individual investors have invested through them). The profitability of regenerative agriculture isn't just a theory—it's backed by hard data from hundreds of thousands of hectares across Eastern Europe. According to Laimonas, the financial case for regenerative farming methods is compelling, showing roughly 20% higher profits compared to conventional approaches, even without factoring in potential carbon credit revenue.Traditional banking institutions have created a €60 billion annual financing gap for small and medium-sized European farms, which means we need institutional investors. Some, like the European Investment Fund, have invested through HeavyFinance. And why aren’t banks stepping in? Because small farmers don’t fit their criteria well. So, we need new fintech solutions and scale. Despite agriculture presenting lower default risks than many other industries, banks avoid these loans because of regulatory requirements that penalize them when farmers experience seasonal payment delays. This financing gap has slowed the transition to more sustainable and profitable farming methods, particularly in Eastern Europe's breadbasket regions where soil organic carbon levels have plummeted from approximately 150 tons per hectare historically to just 30 tons today.HeavyFinance bridges this gap with an innovative approach: providing interest-free loans to farmers transitioning to regenerative practices, particularly for purchasing no-till seeders and implementing cover cropping systems. Instead of charging interest, they take a percentage of future carbon credits generated by improved farming practices. This creates a powerful incentive system where farmers access needed capital without interest payments while simultaneously improving soil health, reducing input costs, and increasing crop resilience.More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/laimonas-noreika.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================👩🏻‍💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/📚 JOIN OUR VIDEO COURSE: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course/💪🏻 SUPPORT OUR WORK https://investinginregenag.gumroad.comShare itGive a 5-star ratingThoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!https://groundswellag.com/2025-speakers/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/ Thank you to our Field Builders Circle for supporting us. Learn more hereSupport the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!
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Mar 18, 2025 • 44min

357 Kiira Heymann - From Non-GMO to Non-ultra-processed: everyone has the right to know what’s in their food

A conversation with Kiira Heymann, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Non-GMO Project and the Food Integrity Collective. After the success of the Non-GMO Project in the U.S., which is now featured on almost 63,000 products, the team is launching the Non-Ultra-Processed Food verification. In this conversation, we discuss why—why introduce another label? And why is it so important for the food sector to focus on increasing consumers' capacity to demand more from their food system, rather than just adding another label?This isn't just another label—it's a carefully considered intervention designed to reconnect people with their food in profound ways. When 70% of American store shelves hold ultra-processed products engineered with ingredients banned in other countries, the stakes couldn't be higher. What makes this effort particularly fascinating is how it challenges the very foundation of food certification itself. Rather than creating another "shortcut to trust", the team is exploring how to eliminate the need for certifications entirely by rebuilding true transparency in our food system. Their research shows 81% of North Americans are concerned about questionable ingredients in their food, yet only 17% feel knowledgeable about the topic—a gap this initiative aims to close.Beyond ingredients, this movement addresses the cognitive impact of ultra-processed foods. Studies show these products can significantly impair brain function in as little as 30 days, creating a troubling cycle where the very foods engineered to be addictive are simultaneously diminishing our capacity to make better choices. By helping consumers understand and avoid ultra-processed foods, the certification offers a pathway toward better physical and mental wellbeing.Currently in its pilot phase with 20 pioneering brands, the non-UPFs verification program aims to launch products by fall 2025. The certification represents more than just another shopping guide—it's an invitation to experience the profound difference real food makes in how we feel, think, and connect with our world.More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/kiira-heymann.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================👩🏻‍💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/📚 JOIN OUR VIDEO COURSE: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course/💪🏻 SUPPORT OUR WORK https://investinginregenag.gumroad.comShare itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/regenerativeagricuThoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!https://groundswellag.com/2025-speakers/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/Support the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!
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Mar 11, 2025 • 1h 29min

356 Dimitri Tsitos - Making regenerative intensive tree crops profitable

A deep dive into the world of intensive—or super-intensive—tree crops, particularly olives and almonds with Dimitri Tsitos, co-founder of Agrosystemic, the Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast, the Arbo-Innova project and Mazi Farm. In Portugal, the sector is booming—highly profitable yet highly destructive—due to its high- input, high-output nature, with heavy reliance on fertilizers and chemicals.This raises the question: can there be another way? That's exactly what Dimitri and his team have been researching over the past few years—on real farms, running large-scale regenerative plots alongside conventional ones. The bad news? It's not easy. It demands a systematic shift in machinery, protocols, and inputs. But the good news is the results are extremely promising: much higher quality olive oil, only a slight drop in production, significantly better price points, lower costs from day one, and biodiversity that bounces back remarkably fast.It's a booming industry that, like CAFO factory farms for animal protein, is reaching its limits in terms of public acceptance, climate risks, biodiversity loss, quality concerns, and rising input costs. But don't despair—this is a hopeful discussion. There's plenty of low-hanging fruit (pun intended) ready to be rolled out quickly, following an initial phase of research and development.More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/dimitri-tsitos.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================👩🏻‍💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/📚 JOIN OUR VIDEO COURSE: https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course/💪🏻 SUPPORT OUR WORK https://investinginregenag.gumroad.comShare itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/regenerativeagriculture==========================🎙 LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST AND SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL ON🎧 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4b7mzk8c9VNM7HX5P3pM4u🎧 Apple Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/investing-in-regenerative-agriculture-and-food/id1268558109📽️ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@investinginregenerativeagr8568==========================FOLLOW US!🔗 Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/investing-in-regenThoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!https://groundswellag.com/2025-speakers/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/ Thank you to our Field Builders Circle for supporting us. Learn more hereSupport the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!
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Mar 4, 2025 • 1h 2min

355 Tom Hengl - We should reward the stewards of the land like we celebrate Olympic champions

A long-overdue check-in conversation with Tom Hengl, director at OpenGeoHub, one of the leading scientists in earth observation and remote sensing—one of the most cited in his field, belonging to the top 0.1% (based on Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers). We discuss the significant changes in the world of remote sensing, satellites, and the hype surrounding AI, machine learning, and large language models over the past three years. While the hype has brought some interesting advancements, it also distracts people from the real work that needs to be done.We delve into the AI4SoilHealth European project we are part of, discussing how we can already monitor and observe most places on Earth from the sky at a resolution of 30 by 30 meters. Importantly, we can now look back nearly 25 years for almost all locations in Europe and analyse changes on a field-by-field basis. While we might not know the individual farmers, we can identify their fields, and we can train models to make predictions and provide actionable, relevant advice.We explore the idea of celebrating farmers and land stewards who have successfully regenerated their plots of land over the past decades. But how do we shift a culture that celebrates sports over regenerative farming? Finally, we touch on the challenges holding back some of this work, including the need for reliable and affordable in situ in-field soil health analysis.More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/tom-hengl.This podcast is part of the AI 4 Soil Health project which aims to help farmers and policy makers by providing new tools powered by AI to monitor and predict soil health across Europe. For more information visit ai4soilhealth.eu.Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.This work has received funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee [grant numbers 10053484, 1005216, 1006329].This work has received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================👩🏻‍💻 VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://investinginregThoughts? Ideas? Questions? Send us a message!https://groundswellag.com/2025-speakers/ Find out more about our Generation-Re investment syndicate:https://gen-re.land/ Thank you to our Field Builders Circle for supporting us. Learn more hereSupport the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!

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