On today's episode, our guest is the agroecologist, systems thinker, educator, and author Nicole Masters. Originally from New Zealand, Nicole is one of the most well-respected voices on soil health and ecologically responsible grazing practices. She is also the author of the excellent book For the Love of Soil: Strategies to Regenerate Our Food Production Systems.

In this conversation, Nicole discusses her life-long connection to nature and the land, her early career that included growing avocados and being a worm farmer, her move from New Zealand to the American West, her process for writing, some common misconceptions about the idea of food scarcity, and much more.

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Topics Covered:

1:25: Nicole's upbringing

3:10 Traveling, education, and overseas experiences

4:40 When agriculture became a part of Nicole's life

8:10 Nicole's first jobs

9:30 Buying a farm and having a child

13:20 Jumping into agriculture head first, Nicole's gratitude to her father

14:55 What brought Nicole to the United States

19:00 Being an outsider in the American West

22:00 How Nicole defines her work

25:00 Why don't all ranches use regenerative methods?

30:00 Can ecological responsible practices feed the world?

33:50 Resources for people interested in regenerative soil science

35:00 Nicole's book "For the Love of Soil"

37:00 Why did she write a book?

40:00 Finding the purpose of one's life

42:20 Advice for young people

45:50 How can people contribute to responsible agriculture

47:00 Where does Nicole see her career in 15 years

51:00 Why should a lifelong city dweller care about the land?

52:00 Common misconceptions about agriculture

53:00 Books Nicole recommends

54:15 What music Nicole has been listening to

54:50: What gives Nicole hope for the future