This episode explores how public policies and subsidies can become powerful tools in accelerating the global transition to regenerative agriculture. Our guest, Simon Kraemer from the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture, dives into how existing subsidies often promote harmful agricultural practices—and why shifting these financial flows is essential for building a resilient and sustainable food system. In This Episode, You’ll Discover: • Defining Regenerative Agriculture: Why we should focus less on rigid definitions and more on outcomes like net primary productivity and soil health. • The Power of Policy Change: The staggering reality that over $700 billion of taxpayer money is spent annually on agricultural subsidies—and how this could be redirected to support regenerative practices. • Performance-Based Subsidies: How results-driven, context-specific subsidies could empower farmers to work harmoniously with nature rather than adhering to rigid, outdated practices. • A Call to Hope: Despite global crises, Simon’s inspiring message reminds us that the regenerative agriculture revolution is a genuine seed of hope for the future. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation, as we discuss the challenges and opportunities of reshaping agriculture policy to regenerate our soils, ecosystems, and food systems. 🔊 Listen now and be inspired by the potential of regenerative agriculture to transform our world! ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital (https://www.linkedin.com/company/101126769/admin/feed/posts/#), a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Useful links:  EARA - https://eara.farm/ (https://eara.farm/) Simon Kraemer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-kraemer-308518129/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-kraemer-308518129/) Soil Capital - https://www.soilcapital.com/ Follow Us: Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content. Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seed Email - raphael@deepseed.eu (mailto:raphael@deepseed.eu) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Join us in this special mini-series episode, recorded live at the Regenerative Agriculture Summit Europe 2024 in Amsterdam! Michael Cavanagh, a regenerative farm manager from the UK, shares his decade-long journey in transforming his farm into a biodiversity-rich, resilient agricultural ecosystem. From reducing chemical inputs to boosting yields with nature-based solutions, discover why regenerative agriculture is more than just a farming trend—it’s the future of sustainable food systems. In this episode, you’ll learn about: • How regenerative practices create climate resilience in unpredictable weather. • The mindset shift required for farmers to embrace regenerative methods. • Practical tips for a smooth transition to low-input, high-output farming. • The surprising biodiversity benefits of regenerative systems. Tune in to hear Michael’s personal experiences, insights from the summit, and how he’s leading a movement to regenerate soils, boost yields, and support biodiversity—all while staying profitable. 🔊 Listen now to explore the inspiring future of farming! ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital (https://www.soilcapital.com/), a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Keywords: Regenerative Agriculture, Nature-Based Solutions, Soil Health, Biodiversity, Sustainable Farming, Agroecology, Farming Resilience, Food Systems, Agriculture Summit Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Elena Doms, co-founder of Earth Plus, shares the incredible work her company is doing to regenerate degraded land using nature-based solutions—with hemp as a key player. Learn how industrial hemp, known for its powerful phytoremediation properties, is being used to clean soils contaminated with PFAs, revitalize ecosystems, and even produce sustainable, bio-based materials like construction panels.  Elena explains why this resilient plant is central to the fight against pollution and how soil health restoration can also serve as a climate solution by sequestering carbon. Key Topics: What are Forever Chemicals (PFAs): learn about PFAs, their impact on soil health, human health, and why they’re so hard to eliminate from the environment. Hemp for Soil Remediation: Discover how industrial hemp is used to clean polluted soils through phytoremediation, restoring ecosystems naturally. Bio-Based construction materials: hemp-based sustainable building materials like hemp wood and bio-composites offer eco-friendly alternatives to fossil-fuel-based products. Regenerative Agriculture with Hemp: hemp improves soil health, boosts biodiversity, and helps with carbon sequestration while fitting perfectly into crop rotations. Scaling Nature-Based solutions globally: learn about Earth Plus’s pilot projects using hemp to regenerate soils and restore ecosystems. Carbon sequestration in bio-based materials: discover how hemp sequesters carbon in both soil and biomass, turning construction materials into carbon sinks. Challenges of phasing out Forever Chemicals: a look at the policy and regulatory hurdles in banning PFAs and why regenerative solutions are critical for the future. Vision for Soil Restoration: Elena shares her journey and Earth Plus’s mission to lead the world’s largest soil CO2 cleanup and restore degraded land globally. Tune in to discover how regenerative agriculture, hemp, and bold innovations are tackling some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. 🎧 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital (https://www.soilcapital.com/), a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Useful Links: • Earth Plus – Website (https://www.earthplus.eu/) • Elena Doms - Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenadoms/) • Soil Capital - Website (https://www.soilcapital.com/) Follow Us: • Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast • LinkedIn: Deep Seed Podcast (https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seed) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Drawing on years of experience in agroforestry, regenerative agriculture and landscape restoration, Patrick Worms shares how integrating trees into farming systems is transforming degraded lands, boosting food production, and helping communities adapt to climate change. Key Takeaways: Learn how agroforestry is revitalizing barren landscapes and increasing farm productivity. Discover the powerful lessons from Africa’s Great Green Wall initiative, a project fighting desertification. Understand why regenerative agriculture is a sustainable solution for the future of global food systems. Hear about inspiring success stories from Zambia, Niger, and Ethiopia, where nature-based solutions are helping farmers thrive. Patrick’s insights make complex topics easy to understand, showing how nature-based solutions like holistic grazing, farmer-managed natural regeneration, and silvopastoralism are practical and scalable strategies for both smallholders and commercial agriculture. Listen to this fascinating conversation and be inspired by real-world solutions making a difference. 🎧 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital (https://www.linkedin.com/company/101126769/admin/feed/posts/#), a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Useful links:  World Agroforestry - https://www.cifor-icraf.org/ Patrick Worms - linkedin.com/in/pworms (http://linkedin.com/in/pworms) Soil Capital - https://www.soilcapital.com/ Follow Us: Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content. Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seed Email - raphael@deepseed.eu (mailto:raphael@deepseed.eu) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, we welcome Rogier Schulte, professor at Wageningen University, to discuss the groundbreaking work he’s leading in regenerative agriculture and resilient farming systems. Rogier introduces the concept of Lighthouse Farms—farms that act as beacons of innovation around the world, proving that sustainable agriculture isn’t just possible, it’s happening right now. Learn how farms in Indonesia, Ethiopia, and Brazil are defying climate challenges by embracing complex rice systems, water resilience strategies, and agroforestry. Rogier explains why resilience is the new efficiency in modern farming, and how science is backing these real-world success stories. Whether you're interested in regenerative agriculture, ecosystem restoration, or the future of food systems, this episode dives deep into practical solutions that are already making a difference. Key topics covered: The global network of Lighthouse Farms and how they’re pioneering resilient agriculture Examples from Indonesia, Ethiopia, and Brazil showcasing diverse, scalable approaches Why complexity in farming leads to greater resilience against climate and economic shocks The importance of science-backed regenerative farming systems The challenge of scaling local solutions to a global level Join us as we explore how farmers, researchers, and innovators are redesigning the future of agriculture. Tune in now to discover how resilience, diversity, and science are shaping the farms of tomorrow! NOTE: Rogier notified me of an error and kindly asked that we add a note here to rectify it: when talking about 'soil carbon levels' of 40-80% in peat soils, it should have been 'soil organic matter' instead. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital (https://www.linkedin.com/company/101126769/admin/feed/posts/#), a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Useful links:  Lighthouse Farm Network - https://www.lighthousefarmnetwork.com/ Wageningen University - https://www.wur.nl/en.htm (https://www.wur.nl/en.htm) Soil Capital - https://www.soilcapital.com/ Follow Us: Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content. Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seed Email - raphael@deepseed.eu (mailto:raphael@deepseed.eu) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week, we explore the science of kelp farming with Valentin, Lead Agronomist at Kelp Blue. Following up from our previous conversation, we explore how kelp farming is transforming both marine ecosystems and land-based agriculture, offering sustainable solutions for soil health, regenerative agriculture, and carbon sequestration. Discover how Kelp Blue is harnessing the power of Macrocystis, one of the fastest-growing organisms on Earth, to produce bioactive biostimulants that enhance crop resilience and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. Valentin breaks down the innovative kelp cultivation process and the creation of products like alginate pellets that improve soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability—vital tools for regenerative food systems. Key topics in this episode include: Marine ecosystem restoration: How kelp farming sequesters carbon and restores biodiversity. Kelp-based biostimulants: Natural solutions for boosting crop growth and improving soil health. The future of regenerative agriculture: How kelp farming bridges the gap between ocean health and sustainable farming. Alginate pellets: A game-changer for soil water management and resilience in extreme weather. If you’re interested in sustainable farming practices, regenerative solutions, and the synergy between land and sea, this episode is packed with insights and innovations that will leave you inspired. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital (https://www.linkedin.com/company/101126769/admin/feed/posts/#), a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health. Please help me grow the Deep Seed podcast by 1. clicking the ‘follow’ button (Spotify / Apple Podcast) 2. leaving a 5⭐️ review Thank you 🙏 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Useful links:  Kelp Blue - https://kelp.blue/ Soil Capital - https://www.soilcapital.com/ Follow Us: Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seed Email - raphael@deepseed.eu (mailto:raphael@deepseed.eu) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Kelp Blue is a company merging marine ecosystem restoration with regenerative agriculture. Join us in a captivating conversation with Caroline Slootweg, co-founder of Kelp Blue, to learn how this innovative company uses giant kelp cultivation to foster marine biodiversity and produce natural biostimulants that support sustainable farming and soil health. In this episode, Caroline shares her unique journey from digital marketing to marine farming, highlighting how Kelp Blue is transforming the way we think about ocean ecosystems and land agriculture. Discover how Kelp Blue is creating a regenerative food system by cultivating kelp forests in Namibia, New Zealand, and Alaska, which serve as vital carbon sinks and habitat builders while providing a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Marine Ecosystem Restoration: How Kelp Blue uses giant kelp as an ecosystem engineer to enhance marine biodiversity and sequester carbon, creating new marine habitats and supporting ocean health. Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health: The science behind Kelp Blue’s natural biostimulants that improve soil health, increase crop resilience, and support the transition to sustainable and regenerative farming practices. Scaling Sustainable Solutions: The challenges and opportunities in scaling kelp farming globally, and the potential for kelp to become a key component in combating climate change and enhancing sustainable food systems. Social and Environmental Impact: Kelp Blue’s commitment to social impact by creating jobs and fostering local knowledge, and their vision for a future where business is a force for good in regenerating both ocean and land ecosystems. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in regenerative agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and innovative solutions for a healthier planet. Tune in to be inspired by Kelp Blue’s mission and learn how they’re driving change through sustainable practices that benefit both marine and land environments. Useful links:  Kelp Blue - https://kelp.blue/ Soil Capital - https://www.soilcapital.com/ Follow Us: Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content. Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seed Email - raphael@deepseed.eu (mailto:raphael@deepseed.eu) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week, I meet with Fabio Vicino (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabio-vicino-9762b2a4/). Together with his partner Anna de Vos (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-de-vos-23280948/), they are managing a highly productive small scale Market Garden just outside of Amsterdam - Onze Groenteboer (https://www.linkedin.com/company/onze-groenteboer/). Fabio’s journey from a high-pressure marketing career to becoming an organic grower is nothing short of inspiring. It’s a story of personal resilience, deep connection to the land, and a passion for creating a regenerative food system. What’s truly special about Fabio and Anna’s story is how they’ve managed to turn a small plot of land into a vibrant, biodiverse ecosystem that not only feeds their community with organic food but also fosters a deep sense of connection and healing. Fabio shares the ups and downs of this journey—from the struggle to find the right piece of land to the daily challenges of market gardening—offering insights that are both practical and deeply personal. Anna, the driving force behind the daily operations at Onze Groenteboer, has been instrumental in making this vision a reality. Her dedication and hands-on expertise have transformed the garden into a flourishing example of what’s possible when we prioritize biodiversity, sustainability, and community in our food systems. If you’re passionate about organic food, curious about how small-scale farming can be a powerful climate change solution, or just looking for a story that blends human resilience with environmental regeneration, this episode is for you. Fabio and Anna’s journey is a beautiful reminder that with determination and a bit of creativity, we can all contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world—one vegetable at a time. Tune in, get inspired, and maybe even start dreaming about your own little piece of land! ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital (https://www.linkedin.com/company/101126769/admin/feed/posts/#), a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health. Please help me grow the Deep Seed podcast by 1. clicking the ‘follow’ button (Spotify / Apple Podcast) 2. leaving a 5⭐️ review Thank you 🙏 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Useful links: Onze Groenteboer - https://onzegroenteboer.nl/ Soil Capital - https://www.soilcapital.com/ Follow Us: Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content. Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seed Email - raphael@deepseed.eu (mailto:raphael@deepseed.eu) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, we have an insightful conversation with Dan Kittredge, the founder of the Bionutrient Food Association. Dan delves into the critical topic of nutrient density and how it is intrinsically linked to soil health and sustainable farming practices.Episode Highlights:Dan’s Background: From his roots on a mechanized farm to pioneering nutrient density research.Understanding Nutrient Density: The definition and significance of nutrient density in food.Soil Health Connection: How soil life and farming practices affect nutrient levels in crops.Innovative Tools: The development of a handheld, non-invasive nutrient meter for assessing food quality.Research Findings: Key insights from global studies on nutrient variation in crops and the factors influencing these variations.Future of Food Quality: The potential for market-driven changes through consumer access to nutrient information.Dan discusses his journey from traditional farming to becoming a leader in the field of nutrient density, emphasizing the importance of aligning agricultural practices with natural systems. He shares groundbreaking research showing significant variations in nutrient content based on soil health and the potential for handheld devices to revolutionize food quality assessment.Join us to explore the science behind nutrient density and how we can support a healthier food system.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital (https://www.linkedin.com/company/101126769/admin/feed/posts/#), a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.Please help me grow the Deep Seed podcast by1. clicking the ‘follow’ button (Spotify / Apple Podcast)2. leaving a 5⭐️ reviewThank you 🙏⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Links and Resources:Bionutrient Food Association: https://www.bionutrient.org/Bionutrient Institute: https://www.bionutrientinstitute.org/Dan Kittredge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-bionutrient/Follow Us: Stay connected with us on social media for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.Instagram: @deep_seed_podcastLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seedEmail - raphael@deepseed.eu (mailto:raphael@deepseed.eu) Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week, I had the pleasure of hosting Christian Holzleitner, the Head of Unit for Land Economy and Carbon Removal at the European Commission. This enlightening conversation delved into the intricacies of the EU's ambitious climate goals, the challenges of carbon removal, and the transformative potential of regenerative agriculture. Christian unpacks the complexities of the voluntary carbon market. We explore how the Carbon Removal Certification Framework is set to revolutionize the way we approach carbon markets and carbon farming. Discover the critical role of regenerative agriculture and nature-based solutions in enhancing biodiversity and achieving sustainable carbon removal.🎧 Key Topics:The evolution and challenges of the Voluntary Carbon Market.Understanding carbon removal and the importance of a robust certification framework.Insights into the European Commission's strategies for climate neutrality by 2050.Addressing permanence, additionality, and leakage in carbon markets.How initiatives like carbon farming, regenerative agriculture & agroforestry can provide additional income streams for farmers.Christian shares valuable perspectives on the intersection of policy, technology, and agriculture, providing a roadmap for a sustainable and climate-positive future. 🌾🌍⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Episode Timeline:00:03:19 - Introduction to Christian Holzleitner - Christian explains his role as the head of unit for Land Economy and Carbon Removal at the European Commission, discussing his responsibilities and key projects.00:06:17 - Defining Climate Neutrality - Discussion on the terminology used in climate targets, specifically the difference between net zero, carbon neutrality, and climate neutrality.00:14:13 - Financial Incentives and Emission Trading - Christian elaborates on the financial incentives and the emission trading system for energy, industry, transport, and buildings.00:19:39 - Challenges of the Voluntary Carbon Market - Discussion on the issues faced by the voluntary carbon market and the measures to address these problems, such as permanence and transparency.00:23:11 - Permanence of Carbon Removal - The importance of ensuring the permanence of carbon removal and dealing with natural disturbances like wildfires.00:26:48 - Commitment Period for Farmers - Discussion on the commitment period for farmers in carbon farming and the importance of maintaining long-term carbon storage practices.00:28:48 - Additionality in Carbon Removal - Explanation of the concept of additionality in carbon removal and the need for incentivizing more regenerative practices.00:35:52 - Addressing Carbon Market Issues - Further exploration of the issues in the carbon market, such as leakage and ensuring additional carbon removals.00:39:49 - Scaling Up Carbon Markets - Christian discusses the efforts to scale up and harmonize the carbon markets across Europe.00:48:00 - Nature-Based vs. Technological Solutions - A discussion on the balance between investing in nature-based solutions and technological solutions for carbon removal.00:50:02 - Impact of Diet on Land Use - How diet and lifestyle choices impact land use and the need for direct air capture to manage future emissions.00:53:08 - Transparency and Nature-Based Solutions - The need for transparency in carbon markets and enhancing the credibility of nature-based solutions.01:14:38 - Closing Remarks and Future Vision - Christian's vision for the future of carbon markets and sustainable practices, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive and transparent system.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital (https://www.linkedin.com/company/101126769/admin/feed/posts/#), a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.