What if the most nutritious food for your pet could also help heal the planet? Join us as we dig deep into the world of regenerative agriculture and what it means for the future of pet food. Co-Hosts Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler sit down with Angela Jackson of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, Caitlyn Dudas of Good Company, and the trailblazing team behind Cave Pets, the first certified regenerative organic pet brand, to unpack the science, the business case, and the tangible impact of regenerative practices—from boosting nutrient density in ingredients to rebuilding biodiversity on farms. (And stay tuned—this episode is the first of many for our ongoing series on sustainability initiatives across the pet industry!)

Helpful Links

Learn more about the Regenerative Organic Alliance 🌱 https://regenorganic.org/

Hear more from the Cave Pets team about their innovative approach to sustainability and pet nutrition innovation 💡 https://bsmpartners.net/barking-mad-podcast/ancient-wisdom-meets-modern-science-behind-the-brand-with-cave-pets

Check out these real-life studies on regenerative agriculture! 🧠

• Peer-Reviewed Research: Soil Health and Nutrition Density: Preliminary Comparison of Regenerative and Conventional Farming: https://peerj.com/articles/12848/
• Peer-Reviewed Research: Soil Health and Nutrient Density: Beyond Organic vs Conventional Farming: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2021.699147/full
• Company Case Study: White Oak Pastures regenerative beef: https://blog.whiteoakpastures.com/hubfs/WOP-LCA-Quantis-2019.pdf

Follow Caitlyn Dudas at GOOD COMPANY as she works to support the regenerative agriculture movement 🌎 https://goodcompanysolutions.com/

Read more about the National Organic Program standards 📋 https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic

Show Notes

00:00 – Welcome Back!

01:34 – Introducing Today’s Guests

02:14 – Why Certifications Matter for Pet Nutrition

03:31 – Understanding Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC)

04:27 – Cave Pets’ Certification Insights

05:42 – Sustaining versus Regenerating

07:30 – Making the Business Case for Regenerative Agriculture

10:01 – Regenerative Agriculture in Practice

13:17 – Holistic Benefits of Regenerative Organic Agriculture

17:04 – Show Us the Data!

19:49 – Consumer Demand for Regenerative Products

22:59 – Other Challenges for the Future of Regenerative Agriculture

26:23 – A Complex Puzzle

33:35 – Other Regenerative Ag Certifications

36:26 – ROC’s Impact on the Global Food System

39:16 – Conclusion and Farewell