The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast

Propagate is a leader in the agroforestry space, specialising in project development and planting agroforestry systems at scale. It's a huge pleasure to chat with Harry, co-founder and Chief Research Officer of the US-based company. Tune in as we geek out on agroforestry economics, economic modelling, design implications and financing options. We delve into questions such as: How do you business plan agroforestry systems? How do we find a balance between economic performance and ecosystem services? And much more!

• RESOURCES

https://www.propagateag.com/

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

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In this episode I discuss with Claire Lemarié her experience working with farmers in the Pays de la Loire region in France, where she is a technical adviser for the chamber of agriculture. She has precious insights into the management of mature hedges, as this region still has a significant amount of bocage: a traditional french hedge layout. 

In this interview we gain an understanding of why effective information sharing between farmers is crucial to creating innovative agroforestry systems and how she enables peer to peer exchange through the 'Club des Agroforestiers'.

• RESOURCES

https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-lemari%C3%A9-34b667155/?originalSubdomain=fr

Youtube video Chambre d'agriculture de la Loire

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

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Coppicing is an ancient and modern tree management system. Coppicing is known for its multi-functionality: capable of producing biomass, animal forage, firewood and much more. Today we interview Mark Krawczyk, practitioner, consultant and author of 'Coppice Agroforestry'. In this interview we tackle some of the practical challenges of coppicing, to better understand the economic potential of this technique. Mark demonstrates a variety of nuances and compromises, showing us the versatility as well as the key challenges of this technique.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

00:02:22 Introduction

00:13:19 What are the key concepts of coppicing

00:27:50 What impact on tree health? 

00:39:12 What prospects for mechanising management? 

00:51:44 What uses for coppiced wood? 

01:17:42 What effect of coppicing on surrounding plants? 

01:22:24 Productivity of coppice stands

01:29:14 In relation to soil types

• RESOURCES

https://www.keylinevermont.com/

http://www.coppiceagroforestry.com/

https://regenerativeskills.com/mark-krawczyk-on-coppice-agroforestry-and-woodland-management-part-1/

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

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Bruce Maynard and his family are livestock managers and row crop farmers in New South Wales in Austalia. Over his carreer, he has succesfully integrated shrubs and trees to their livestock and row crop operation. He has been able to double his stocking rate through increasing the ecological function of the farm. We dig deep into the design of his tree systems and how it has evloved over the years. We unpack in detail how he has been able to transform his landscape on such a large scale and how this was possible from a business perspective. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

00:01:21 Bruce's story and description of the farm

00:10:06 No-kill cropping

00:15:05 Complexifying the landscape

00:22:57 Design over time

00:30:19 Taking machinery into account

00:37:57 Specifics of saltbush

00:42:30 Recovery times between bush and pasture

00:54:06 Microclimatic benefits

00:57:30 Planting trees at scale and its logistics

01:10:30 Management of trees/shrubs

01:16:00 Business strategy and cashflow

01:19:32 Ressources to go further

• RESOURCES

http://selfherding.com/index.html

https://stressfreestockmanship.com.au/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHzo0fDBZs0

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

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What have we learnt from 30 years at one of the most prominent agroforestry research sites in the world? In collaboration with AGROMIX, We are excited to present an interview with Christian Dupraz, a leading agroforestry researcher from INRAE Montpellier. This is one of our rare 'in person' interviews where we discussed years of findings under the alley cropping walnut trees of the Domaine de Restinclières. We analysed many technical details such as tree - crop competition, tree pruning and adapted tree species. We also discussed socio-economic aspects such as the relationship with the local farmers and the reason why alley cropping systems have not yet been scaled. Enjoy!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

02:25 Introduction

11:12 Experiment today

13:38 Growth rate of trees

17:43 Impact of AF on the quality of the wood

20:13 Considerations to produce a straight trunk

00:22 Impact on arable crop 

00:26:45 Competition between crop and tree

00:30:18 Effect of pollarding on tree quality

00:33:56 How do the trees effect the row crop farmer? 

00:38:08 How would tree crops fare in alley cropping? 

00:39:32 Increase in bat population and its benefits

00:44:36 Main mistakes 

00:48:05 What context for alley cropping to be successful? 

00:56:30 Why do we not see more alley cropping?

• RESOURCES

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christian-Dupraz-3

https://agromixproject.eu/

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

• FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR COLLABORATION WITH AGROMIX HERE

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Conventional viticulture and its intensive management has created some important challenges for wine producers and the regions where they are located. Jean-Baptiste Cordonnier has been able to intimately experience the conventional approach, seeing the fertility and biodiversity of his family's château gradually degrade. For the first time since the start of the show, we are able to delve into the story of an incredible viticulture agroforestry transition. With cover crops, hedges and alley cropping, Jean-Baptiste is innovating new solutions for a management intensive crop. We delve into the story, context, agronomy and practical details of his strategy, for an interview rich in experiences and lessons learnt.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

00:02:55 Introduction

00:07:53 Trial and error to find regenerative solutions

00:13:39 Effects of planting hedges on the vineyard

00:23:08 Design process

00:36:58 Managing weeds and pruning hedges

00:43:33 Managing the pruning at scale

00:48:12 Mulching and the importance of cover crops

01:04:02 Trees planted within the vineyard

01:10:35 What are the expected agronomic results? 

01:16:49 Why advantages outweigh challenges 

01:21:23 Looking at the economics

01:31:16 Are neighbouring vineyards interested?

01:34:20 What effect do you expect on the quality of wine?

• RESOURCES

https://chateauanthonic.com/en/

https://www.instagram.com/chateau_anthonic/

https://www.facebook.com/chateauanthonic/

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

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I am today with Richard Perkins from Ridgedale Farm in Sweden. For those who do not know, Richard is a leading educator and author in the field of regenerative agriculture, specialising in human scale enterprises. We discuss the tree systems he has planted on his farm, and more specifically the opportunity of integrating trees to market gardening and pastured poultry, two of his key enterprises. Richard is also an educator with the mission of helping farmers to build and manage successful small scale farms. He is therefore the ideal guest to have a conversation on how to make small scale agroforestry systems viable, and their place in the farm strategy.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01:41Richard’s story

05:45 What perennial systems on the farm? 

16:08 What place for perennial crops in your long term strategy? 

21:30 How do you manage your skill set? 

26:07 What oportunity for low managment tree plantings? 

31:00 How do you balance complexifying your ecology and maintaining efficiency? 

35:48 How to intergrate trees in your market garden? 

37:35 Trees and pastured poultry 

41:06 How do you make agroforestry profitable on a small scale?  

44:32 Funding tree plantations

48:41 Where should we prioritise planting trees in the landscape?  

• RESOURCES

https://www.richardperkins.co/

https://www.youtube.com/c/RichardPerkinsofRidgedale/

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

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Today we continue investigating Syntropic Farming with Daniel from the Mata do Lobo farm in Brasil. In the past 4 years, they have been working solutions to scale these complex agroforestry systems, soon reaching 50ha planted. Daniel and his partner, Maria Vittoria, have accumulated some tremendous experience as they build one of the most innovative coffee plantations out there. In this episode, you will find out what is the difference between the health and quality of agroforestry coffee and conventional coffee. You will also understand how they are striking a balance between efficiency and complexity - in order to integrate the principles of Syntropic whilst managing these systems at scale. This was a highly practical conversation, inspired by the questions we received from our listeners on social media. We hope you enjoy!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

03:47 Daniel’s story

12:35 Objective of the agroforestry plot  

16:01 How do you manage inputs? 

20:02 What makes Syntropic less input intensive? 

22:39 What does the agroforestry produce? 

31:09 How much diversity is integrated to the coffee crop? 

35:51 How is the coffee crop responding to the Syntropic system? 

41:46 How are coffee yields expected to perform in comparison to conventional?    

45:41 How did he plant so many trees effectively?  

51:01 How many people working on the agroforestry system? 

55:23 How do you manage so much biomass? 

01:07:26 What harvesting process for coffee? 

01:12:16 What potential of mechanisation for Syntropic systems? 

01:14:57 What commercialisation strategy? 

01:19:44 Is he planning a processing facility? 

01:21:48 Could Syntropic systems work in a European context?  

01:24:08 Where does he get knowledge from?  

• RESOURCES

https://www.instagram.com/matadolobo/?hl=en

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

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David Brass is the CEO of the Lakes Free range egg company. Almost 30 years ago he started planting trees in the fields to encourage his laying hens to go and range. Since then, he has been busy planting trees throughout his supply chain. With about 70 farmers and 2 million birds supplying eggs to his company today, this is an example of agroforestry working at scale. The interview brings forward both practical considerations for the layout and maintenance of trees, and explains how they have managed to onboard their suppliers. David is enthusiastic about the numerous benefits trees have bought, carefully documented with various studies. He is convincd that there is a very clear case for integrating trees in all poultry production with very limited trade-offs. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

02:05 Story and overview of the company 

04:08 Bringing trees onto the farm 

10:14 Current design

12:16 Potential to add a perennial production? 

16:51 Is it realistic to incorporate trees as part of the feed? 

18:06 What does it mean practically for a poultry farmer to intergrate trees? 

22:35 How are the tree plantations evolving? 

27:12 Scaling tree plantations within their suppliers 

30:58 Funding 

34:34 Trees and animal welfare 

37:00 Impact of tree planting on profitability. 

39:49 Initial reluctance of some farmers 

42:34 Is the agroforestry approach something that is valued by your customers? 

44:18 the numerous  benefits of planting trees

46:15 Do you see payment for ecosystem services as part of your model. 

50:21 Supply chain requirements are driving change 

54:52 Impact of tree planting on biodiversity  

• RESOURCES

https://lakesfreerange.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/lakesfreerange/

https://www.farmtreestoair.ceh.ac.uk/ART

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

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Our team attended the Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems Summit, organised by Kiasko Research in order to catalyse a regenerative transition in the food industry. The event was attended by large corporations such as Nestle, Unilever and Yara, as well as numerous companies and organisations that work actively with Regen Ag on the ground. We attended the conference as media partners, producing mini-interviews with a diversity of summit attendees. The objective of this episode is try and understand the value of the strategies being implemented by large corporations, as well as the way in which technical and specialised companies are working to scale Regen Ag. Whilst many of our listeners may not feel aligned with some of the companies we have interviewed, we believe in the value of having open and objective conversations with all players in the field, in order for each of us to form our own opinion. We also believe that the food corporations are hugely influential in the food system today, and must be considered if we are rapidly scale regenerative agriculture. We hope you enjoy this rather different episode!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

00:02:08 Anne-Sophie Alibert - Pur Projet

00:10:55 Roberto Vega - Syngenta

00:20:54 Andrew Voysey - Soil Capital 

00:29:15 Daniel Baertschi - Quantis

00:38:07 Bastien Sachet - Earthworm Foundation

00:52:25 Charles Leonardi - Nestlé 

01:12:14 Felix Jakobsen - Klim

01:22:20 Phillipe Birker - Climate Farmers  

• RESOURCES

https://www.purprojet.com/

https://www.syngenta.com/en

https://soilcapital.com/

https://quantis.com/

https://www.earthworm.org/

https://www.nestle.com/

https://www.klim.eco/

https://www.climatefarmers.org/

• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org

• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry

• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram

• FUNDING FOR EUROPEAN PROJECTS https://explore.ecosia.org/regenerative-agriculture

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.