UnderStory

Alfonso Chico de Guzmán is one of the pioneers of regenerative agriculture in Spain. Alfonso came back to live on his family's farm 13 years ago with a vision of doing things a bit differently. At first, this looked like growing organic vegetables and distributing locally, and today, it's cattle that really gets him excited!

Thanks to the Regeneration Academy, his farm in Murcia, "La Junquera," has become an educational hub for people all over the world interested in regenerative agriculture. I (Haley) had the pleasure of joining the Regeneration Academy's Research Program, learning from Alfonso and his team for four months on how they are regenerating their land.

In our second episode of UnderStory, Alfonso invites us into his home and shares how his vision for La Junquera has evolved since it started years ago, what opportunities he sees on the farm, and his thoughts on how to respect culture and tradition when doing things differently.

Check out our conversation with Alfonso on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TrXsz_mEx_s?si=fPhqyR9i4MQWxgF_

Learn more about La Junquera: https://www.lajunquera.com/

Music: Eternal Garden - Dan Henig

In our very first episode, we sit down with Professor Bram Büscher, Chair of the Sociology of Development & Change Group at Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands. We primarily discuss the core principles of his book " The Conservation Revolution: Radical Ideas for Saving Nature Beyond the Anthropocene," which he co-authored with Robert Fletcher. Our objective in speaking with Bram for our first episode is to understand why a radical rethinking of conservation is needed in the face of climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and deepening social inequalities. Bram introduces us to the concept of convivial conservation—an alternative approach that challenges mainstream, market-driven conservation models and instead promotes justice, inclusivity, and a deeper integration of human and non-human natures.

Through this conversation, we explore how The Conservation Revolution urges us to go beyond preservation and profit, and toward systems of care, resistance, community, and transformation.

Music: Eternal Garden - Dan Henig