Seeds of Hope - Regenerative Agriculture with Elena Garidis

Elena Garidis
  • 5.0 (6)
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This is Seeds of Hope and I am your host, Elena Garidis. On this podcast, join me on a journey across the regenerative agriculture ecosystem through conversations with farmers, founders, investors, and changemakers. Find out what is giving me hope for a better future, and get inspired! Regenerative Agriculture is becoming increasingly recognized as a potent solution to climate change for its ability to improve soil health, sequester carbon, enhance ecosystem resilience, and improve human health. But what does this all mean and who is working on making this a reality? Join me to find out!

  1. 08/27/2025

    Mini-Series Ep 1: Sam Baker: Plastic + Worms = Fertilizer

    In this first episode of our conference mini-series, join me and Sam Baker, founder of Wriggle Brew, as we uncover: How earthworms can digest plastic waste and transform it into sustainable fertilizerThe science behind worm tea as a natural bio-pesticide that helps plants defend themselves using preserved plant compounds like capsaicinBuilding a startup from a college senior project to securing NSF and USDA grants, and the importance of customer discovery in developing sustainable solutions⁠https://www.wrigglebrew.com/

    24 min

  2. 06/26/2025

    Ep 14: Jackie Mirkopoulos - From Soil to Soul: Regenerating Organizations Like We Regenerate Land

    In this episode, join me and Jackie Mirkopoulos, heart-led systems disruptor and founder of the social impact fund "Ancestors of Tomorrow," as we explore: How the same principles that regenerate soil can transform organizational culture and create thriving "company soil"Why we don't have a climate issue but a humanity issue, and how regenerative leadership is key to scaling sustainable food systemsThe art of "composting conflicts" - turning workplace mistakes and disagreements into innovation opportunities and stronger team bondshttps://linktr.ee/SevenNeighbours

    59 min

  3. 05/23/2025

    Ep 13: Beth Jensen - When Fashion Meets Farming: The Hidden Connection Between Food and Fiber

    In this episode, join me and Beth Jensen, Senior Director of Climate and Nature Impact at Textile Exchange, as we delve into an eye-opening discussion about: The hidden interconnections between food and fiber systems that farmers understand but industries often miss - from cotton and peanuts grown together to coffee on rubber plantationsWhy the fashion industry's growth model must be reimagined to meet climate goals, and how eliminating virgin fossil-based materials is critical to reducing emissionsThe complex challenge of traceability in textile supply chains and how brands are building direct relationships with producers to support regenerative agricultureAvoiding "carbon tunnel vision" by taking a holistic approach to impact that includes biodiversity, soil health, water quality, and social outcomes alongside emissions reductionhttps://textileexchange.org/ October conference: https://textileexchange.org/conference-2025/

    47 min

  4. 04/02/2025

    Ep 12: Mary Purdy - Human Health and Soil: How Regenerative Agriculture Increases Nutrient Density

    In this episode, join me and Mary Purdy, Managing Director of the Nutrient Density Alliance, as we delve into an eye-opening discussion about: The declining nutrient density in our modern food supply and how this connects to rising chronic disease ratesHow soil microorganisms collaborate with plants to create the nutrient-dense food that our bodies needPractical strategies for improving your nutrient intake and supporting regenerative food systems through your daily food choiceshttps://www.nutrientdensityalliance.org/ Mary’s White Paper: How Practitioners Can Influence Planetary Health https://healthcare.orgain.com/media/rdocs/Orgain_How_Practitioners_Can__Influence_Planetary_Health.pdf An Alarming Decline in the Nutritional Quality of Foods White Paper: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10969708/ Nourishing Meals Cookbook: https://nourishingmeals.com/books/nourishing-meals The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook: https://nourishingmeals.com/books/the-whole-life-nutrition-cookbook

    1 hr

  5. 03/12/2025

    Ep 11: Sarah Day Levesque - Exploring the Regenerative Agriculture Investment Landscape

    In this episode, join me and Sarah Day Levesque, founder and Managing Director of Regenerative Food Systems Investment (RFSI), as we delve into an enlightening discussion about: Financial innovation in regenerative agriculture, including flexible loan repayment schedules and interest rate reductions tied to soil health improvements (increasing the value of the farmed land)How family offices and foundations are leading early investment in regenerative agriculture, paving the way for institutional capitalThe concept of "landscape level" investment that brings together diverse stakeholders across entire regions Helpful links and resources RFSI website: https://rfsi-forum.com/Financing for Regenerative Agriculture Report by the Rockefeller Foundation and TIFs - 2024 (incl. the maturity curve of the regenerative investing space): https://www.rockefellerfoundation.org/reports/financing-for-regenerative-agriculture/SLM partners publications: https://www.slmpartners.com/publicationsAgFunder & RFSI 2024 Investment Report: https://agfunder.com/research/agfunder-global-agrifoodtech-investment-report-2024/TransCap Initiative: Systemic Investment for Sustainability Report: https://transformation.capital/assets/uploads/TransCap-Initiative-Strategic-Plan-2022-2024.pdf

    53 min

  6. 03/05/2025

    Ep 10: Dr. Wayne Honeycutt - How Science is Transforming Soil Health

    Soil health is the foundation of our food system, but what does that really mean? Dr. Wayne Honeycutt, President of the Soil Health Institute, reveals: What soil health really means and why every soil's potential is unique to its local contextThe Institute's landmark study across Mexico, US, and Canada that established standardized ways to measure soil health - research that's now being implemented by the USDA across all 50 statesTheir groundbreaking work in soil health benchmarking, helping farmers understand and unlock their soil's true potential through data from over 7 million acresSoil Health Insitute: https://soilhealthinstitute.org/resources/ Living Soil Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntJouJhLM48 Slakes app: https://soilhealthinstitute.org/our-work/initiatives/slakes/

    56 min

  7. 02/18/2025

    Ep 9: Rick Clark - From Yield to ROI: A Farmer's Journey to Regenerative Organic

    In this episode, join me and Rick Clark, a fifth-generation farmer from Indiana and pioneer in regenerative organic agriculture, as we delve into a discussion about: The surprising financial results of regenerative organic farming, including real numbers and ROI metrics that challenge regenerative farming profitability misconceptionsThe critical connection between farming practices, nutrient density, and human health, including movements like the FreshRxPractical advice for farmers considering the transition to regenerative organic practices, based on Rick's experience teaching farmers worldwidehttps://www.farmgreen.land/ https://www.instagram.com/farmgreen13/ https://www.freshrxok.org/about https://commongroundfilm.org/

    53 min

  8. 02/11/2025

    Ep 8: Erica Campbell - Making Sense of Regenerative and Organic Agriculture: Certifications, Definitions, and Consumer Choice

    In this episode, join me and Erica Campbell, co-founder of InCommon Group and veteran food systems strategist, as we delve into an enlightening discussion about: Understanding the distinctions between organic and regenerative agriculture, including California's first-ever state definition of regenerative practicesNavigating agricultural certifications and what they mean for the future of farming and conscious consumptionThe 100 Million Acres project and its ambitious vision for transforming American agricultureInCommon Group:https://incommongroup.com/ California Definition of Regenerative Agriculture:https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/RegenerativeAg/docs/2025/jan_2025_letter_to_secretary_ross_regenerative_agriculture.pdf RegenMade:https://regenmade.webflow.io/ Demeter Certification:https://www.demeter-usa.org/certification/ Regenerative Organic Certification Brands and Product Directory:https://regenorganic.org/product-directory/ Real Organic:https://realorganicproject.org/real-organic-farming/ Regenefied:https://regenified.com/

    59 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

This is Seeds of Hope and I am your host, Elena Garidis. On this podcast, join me on a journey across the regenerative agriculture ecosystem through conversations with farmers, founders, investors, and changemakers. Find out what is giving me hope for a better future, and get inspired! Regenerative Agriculture is becoming increasingly recognized as a potent solution to climate change for its ability to improve soil health, sequester carbon, enhance ecosystem resilience, and improve human health. But what does this all mean and who is working on making this a reality? Join me to find out!

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