In this episode, Amanda welcomes Calla Rose Ostrander, co-founder and managing partner of Terra Regenerative Capital, a public benefit investment vehicle focused on catalyzing the adoption of climate smart agriculture. Calla Rose works with scientists, farmers, ranchers, business entrepreneurs, policy makers and capital providers to plan for and develop regenerative regional economies that restore financial, social, and environmental health.

Amanda and Calla Rose discuss the importance of soil health and how adopting climate smart agriculture has the potential to draw down enough carbon from the atmosphere to rebalance the climate and make our food more nutritious, thereby rebuilding planetary and human health.

Topics covered in this episode:

• The importance of soil health, including the role of microbial life and organic matter in fostering robust soil ecosystems.
• How traditional agricultural practices like tilling and chemical use degrade soil structure, reduce microbial diversity, and contribute to erosion and nutrient depletion.
• The potential for regenerative agriculture techniques to enhance soil fertility, increase biodiversity, and improve water retention, which can lead to more sustainable farming practices.
• How healthier soils can reduce farmers' reliance on synthetic inputs, lower costs, and potentially increase farm profitability while mitigating climate change by drawing down carbon.
• How healthier soils can increase the nutritional value of our food.
• Ways listeners can support local and sustainable agriculture through consumer choices, policy advocacy, and community engagement to promote soil health and environmental sustainability.

Learn more about Calla Rose here. Links to the resources discussed in the episode are below.

Kiss the Ground

Kiss the Ground Film

Common Ground Film

The Soil Story

Enjoy! x Amanda