On this episode, we have Cody Hopkins who is the CEO and Founding Farmer at Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative.

Grass Roots is supporting regenerative agriculture with its 7-species lineup of meat products.

In this episode, we learn why Cody was inspired to start the Co-Op after being a small-scale poultry farmer, what makes their business model and corporate structure unique, and how Heifer International and Heifer USA have been important partners along the way.

Episode Highlights:

👏 Why Cody started the Co-Op after being a small poultry farmer

🧑‍🌾 Being vertically integrated and cooperating 50+ farmers

🤔 Learning from Zingerman’s ecosystem of businesses

💰 Partnering with Heifer International & Heifer USA

🔥 Balancing standardization and contextualization

🔪 Having ownership in their processor, Cypress Valley Meats

🥇 Onboarding with Land to Market™ & EOV™

😍 Why philanthropists should fund nutrient density testing

💥 Using guaranteed contracts + “common pay rates” to buy from farmers

🤯 Why regen needs scale, efficiency, and vertical integration

Links:

Grass Roots Farmers’ Cooperative

Zingerman's Community of Businesses

Value-Added Producer Grants

Heifer International

Heifer USA

Cypress Valley Meat Company

Land to Market™

EOV™

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