regenagri podcast

The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture. 

In episode 25, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, is joined by David Montgomery, Professor of Earth and Space Sciences at the University of Washington and co-author, with Anne Biklé, of the book ‘What Your Food Ate’. Through his work, David has compared the soil health and nutritional density of crops from regenerative farms to their non-regenerative neighbours. His new book delves into a wealth of scientific and historical evidence to uncover the connection between farming practices, soil health and human health and how the way we farm influences what gets into our food.   

David is therefore perfectly placed to help us learn more in today’s episode about how food production can impact nutritional content and flavour, and we’ll be asking whether regeneratively-produced food can really claim to be more nutritious and tastier. 

David’s book, ‘What Your Food Ate’ can be found via most online bookstores. Visit dig2grow.com to find out more. 

The regenagri podcast is a platform for leading industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.

In episode 24, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, is joined by Rachel Kolbe Semhoun, head of sustainability at Invivo Group in France, and Mellany Klompe, founder of the Soil Heroes Foundation, based in the Netherlands.

The episode explores the value streams that can come from regenerative agriculture –  including climate resilience and risk reduction, attraction of new talent to the sector and working out the monetary value of natural capital built via regenerative agriculture.

The regenagri podcast is where leading industry experts explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.

In episode 23, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Dwayne Beck, who managed the Dakota Lakes Research Farm for 32 years. Since its opening, the entire facility at Dakota Lakes has been managed using continuous low-disturbance no-till and diverse rotations.

We’re also joined by Blake Vince, who farms 1,200 acres in Ontario, Canada, practicing low-disturbance no-till with diverse rotations and livestock integration.

In the podcast we explore why some farmers continue to use conventional tillage practices, despite the impacts on soil, as well as the typical drivers towards no-till systems and the costs to the farmer and savings associated with a no-till approach. We also look at how a no-till approach to farming can improve movement of water through soil and increase organic matter.

The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.

In episode 22, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, speaks to Kelly Mulville, the vineyard director at Paicines Ranch in California.

In this episode, we hear how Kelly has designed the vineyard from scratch, with the goal to produce high quality wine and food, while supporting ecosystem health and biodiversity.

He shares how he is implementing his vision of a vineyard which requires very few inputs or human labour, produces good yields of high quality grapes, produces animal protein, improves soil health, sequesters carbon, increases diversity and makes a good financial return.

The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.

In episode 21, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Sophie Alexander, from Hemsworth Farm in Dorset, England. After taking her farm over in 2011, Sophie has introduced a dairy herd to what had previously been a predominantly arable enterprise.

In this episode, we explore how livestock were introduced to the farm, how the impact of having cows grazing benefits the arable side of the business and overcoming some of the initial challenges with introducing livestock.

Sophie also shares how the dairy herd have become a vital component for driving the farm’s ‘ecological engine,’ resulting in healthy soils and increased biodiversity. The dairy side of the business also improved the farm’s financial resilience as it brings a consistent cash flow, complimenting the arable activities, in which there is a long wait between investing in establishing a crop and seeing any financial return from it.

The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.

In episode 20, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Charlie Curtis, training and consulting manager at Cool Farm Alliance and Richard Gueterbock, agri-food and bioenergy adviser and co-editor of the RASE report - ‘Farm of the Future: Journey to Net Zero’.

The episode explores the methods farmers looking to achieve net zero carbon emissions might consider, and the opportunities available to anyone seeking to calculate carbon emissions and sequestration on-farm for the first time.

They also discuss how the wider supply chain must ensure that environmental changes requested of farmers are also profitable for farm businesses – or as Charlie puts it – “There’s no point in selling a BLT sandwich if you can no longer source the, B the L or the T!”

The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.

In episode 19, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes Liz Hershfield, head of sustainability at J Crew and Madewell, and Brent Crossland, founder of 5Loc Cotton.

The episode explores the development of regenerative cotton supply chains, connecting the crop in the field to the fashion on the hangers.

Both J Crew and Madewell have set a goal to use 100% sustainably-sourced cotton by 2025, and Liz shares how regeneratively grown cotton is key to meeting this target.

Brent helps brands trace the cotton used in their fabrics back to the seed and gathers the data to evidence sustainable practices at every step.

They discuss the influence of consumers and the role of certification in development of a regenerative cotton supply chain.

The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.

In episode 18, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes farm manager Nathan Nelson, from Deepdale Farm in Norfolk and Hodmedod’s co-founder, Josiah Meldrum.

They explore how the climate crisis is already impacting the reality of food production, with Nathan sharing his first-hand experience of droughts and extreme rainfall on his farm; challenging how regenerative food systems can build financial resilience now, and in the future.

The regenagri podcast talks with industry experts to explore the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture.

In episode 17, Rose Riley from Control Union UK, welcomes journalist and author Anna Jones to the podcast.

Anna’s book, Divide, was launched in March 2022. It calls on people from both urban and rural communities to make the effort to learn and respect the social, cultural and political differences between town and country.

In this episode, Rose and Anna discuss how regenerative agriculture is perceived and understood by farming and urban communities. They take on the huge question of whose responsibility it is to ensure consumers have an awareness of how the food they eat impacts the environment. To round it off, Anna shares some tips for regenerative farmers looking to communicate what they’re doing and why, to people from different walks of life.

The regenagri podcast explores the future of farming and the hot topics surrounding the global movement of regenerative agriculture, with industry experts.

In episode 16, Harry Farnsworth, sustainable agriculture projects lead at Control Union UK, welcomes Dominie Fearn, founder of the sustainable ready meal supplier, Wild Hare, to the podcast.

Wild Hare’s latest range, which includes regenagri certified beef, has just been launched to Ocado, making it available for home delivery through a nationwide supermarket – a huge step for regeneratively farmed food to break into the convenience market.

Dominie shares insight into how Wild Hare reached this point, including thoughts on the role of certification, retailers’ requirements and what the future may hold for regeneratively farmed convenience food.