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, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Tommie Hooft van Huysduynen shares his journey from growing up in Nigeria to co-founding Proteen, a company leading a "compost revolution" using black soldier fly larvae to transform organic waste into high-quality fertilizer.

Tommie confidently demonstrates why his compost making system has the potential to create a tidal wave of positive change.

♻️ Rapid Composting: Proteen’s method reduces composting time from 4-5 months to just one, significantly increasing efficiency.

🌱 Soil Health Boost: The inclusion of larvae in the compost enhances soil health by boosting fungal activity, crucial for plant growth.

💰 Cost-Effective Solution: By processing waste on-site, Proteen eliminates transportation costs, making their fertilizer more affordable for farmers.

📈 Enhanced Yields and Profitability: Proteen’s fertilizer has outperformed traditional and chemical fertilizers in yield and profitability, offering a viable alternative for farmers.

Tommie’s vision is to collaborate with large food processing companies, turning waste into a valuable resource and driving sustainable change in agriculture. His insights offer a glimpse into the future of waste management and regenerative farming.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

This podcast was produced in collaboration with Soil Capital, a company that supports regenerative agriculture for food system resilience and climate action by financially rewarding farmers who enhance soil health.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Useful Links:

• Proteen: https://weareproteen.com/

• Tommie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommie-hooft/

• Soil Capital: https://www.soilcapital.com/

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week, I traveled to Amsterdam to meet with visionary business strategist Nikki Trott. Her successful journey from the fashion industry to regenerative investment highlights the power of aligning personal values with professional endeavors.

This episode covers a broad range of topics, including:

• The significance of self-reflection and internal growth

• Nikki's journey from the fashion industry to conscious business

• The founding and mission of Barefoot Ventures

• Challenges and insights in aligning personal and professional life

• The critical role of regenerative agriculture in human and planetary health

• Practical advice for integrating regenerative principles into business

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that explores the intersection of personal growth, business strategy, and regenerative practices. Learn how aligning your inner values with your professional life can lead to profound and lasting change.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Useful Links:

• Conscious Accelerator: https://www.consciousaccelerator.com/

• Barefoot Ventures: https://www.barefoot.ventures/

• Nikki Trott's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkitrott/

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.

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

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Timeline:

00:00:00 - Introduction to the podcast and guest Nikki Trott.

00:01:09 - Importance of internal transformation for fundamental change.

00:02:25 - Nikki's mission to help humanity heal and her personal identity.

00:03:30 - Nikki's journey from fashion industry to purpose-driven business.

00:08:00 - Explanation of transformation coaching and its unique approach.

00:10:25 - Aligning personal beliefs with business practices.

00:12:54 - Transition to working with purpose-driven businesses and overcoming fears.

00:15:16 - Changing perception and meaning of "conscious."

00:16:28 - The need for regeneration over sustainability in business.

00:19:18 - Personal experiments with local eating and food's impact on health.

00:22:43 - Integrating holistic well-being into business without giving nutritional advice.

00:24:23 - Learning from farmers and aligning business with natural rhythms.

00:26:10 - Concept of a regenerative business: company, product, leader, and capital.

00:29:11 - Issues with conventional investment and need for regenerative capital.

00:32:12 - Founding of Barefoot Ventures and its focus on regenerative agriculture.

00:38:15 - Overcoming fear of judgment and staying true to oneself.

00:42:03 - Coaching farmers and integrating diverse perspectives in business.

00:44:23 - Positive impact of regenerative practices on farmers' mental health.

00:47:24 - Encouragement to ask "What's the worst that could happen?" when making changes.

00:54:50 - Story behind Nikki's book "Sacred Business" and its holistic focus.

00:59:16 - Reflections on hope, love, community, and being true to oneself.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Recorded live at the Groundswell Festival in the UK, this conversation with Adam Swan from the Soil Ecology Lab offers a profound exploration of how tiny organisms in the soil can make a massive difference in agriculture and ecosystem health.

Discover the groundbreaking work inspired by Dr. Elaine Ingham, who first detailed nutrient cycling in soils through soil microbes. From the intricacies of nutrient cycling to the role of nematodes in soil health, this episode sheds light on the critical functions of these microscopic organisms.

The conversation covers a broad range of topics, including the challenges and solutions in modern agriculture, the importance of high-quality compost, and innovative techniques to reintroduce beneficial microbes into degraded soils.

Whether you're a farmer, a sustainability enthusiast, or just curious about the hidden world beneath our feet, this episode offers valuable insights and practical knowledge on how to improve soil health and agricultural productivity.

00:00 - Intro

01:39 - Background and mission of the Soil Ecology Laboratory

02:03 - Introduction to Dr. Elaine Ingham's work on nutrient cycling

03:23 - The role of compost in nutrient cycling and soil health

04:14 - Oxidative stresses from plowing, herbicides, and fertilizers + Importance of reintroducing microbes to disturbed agricultural soils

05:14 - Types of nematodes and their functions + nematodes as nutrient cyclers and biocontrol agents

07:08 - How compost can reintroduce beneficial microbes into soils + design and customization of compost for specific agricultural needs

11:16 - Benefits observed in farmers' fields from compost application + stress adaptation and improved soil structure

13:27 - Evolution of composting techniques and microbial analysis + use of genomic testing for optimizing compost

20:07 - Potential of composting in creating regenerative agricultural systems + Role of logistics in optimizing resource use in agriculture

Conclusion: Tune in for a fascinating conversation that uncovers the vital role of soil microbes in agriculture and ecosystem regeneration. Learn how innovative composting techniques can transform our approach to farming and soil health. Don't miss this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast – a deep dive into the world beneath our feet and the future of sustainable agriculture.

Useful Links:

• Soil Ecology Lab: https://soilecologylab.co.uk/

• Elaine Ingham: https://www.soilfoodweb.com/

• BioMakers: https://biomemakers.com/

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

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

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this week's episode of the Deep Seed podcast, I’m excited to welcome Jeroen Klompe, a pioneering regenerative farmer who has dedicated the last decade to revolutionizing his farming practices and enhancing soil health. 🌱

Episode Highlights:

• Journey from Conventional to Regenerative: Jeroen shares his inspiring transition from traditional farming methods to regenerative agriculture. Discover the challenges he faced and the transformative results he achieved by focusing on soil health.

• Soil Health and Resilience: Learn how regenerative practices have dramatically improved the resilience of Jeroen’s soils to extreme weather events. We delve into the importance of soil health for sustainable farming and how it contributes to a robust agricultural ecosystem.

• Healthy Soils, Healthy Foods: Jeroen explains the direct link between soil health and nutrient-dense, delicious foods. Find out why healthy soils are the foundation of tasty, nutritious produce that benefits both farmers and consumers.

• Tomasu Soy Sauce: Explore the fascinating story behind Tomasu, a high-quality soy sauce produced in the Netherlands. Jeroen’s innovative approach to making soy sauce highlights the potential of regenerative agriculture to create exceptional products.

• Reconnecting with Food and Farmers: We discuss the critical need for people to reconnect with the food they eat and the farmers who produce it. Jeroen emphasizes the importance of understanding where our food comes from and supporting sustainable farming practices.

• Quantum Farming: Discover the intriguing concept of quantum farming and how intention and energy can have a tangible impact on crop production. Jeroen shares his insights on this innovative approach and its potential to revolutionize agriculture.

Join us for an enlightening conversation that explores the profound impact of regenerative agriculture on soil health, nutrient density, and the future of farming.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation:

· Search for ‘Deep Seed’ on your streaming platform

· (or) click the link in the comments below

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Links and Resources:

• Tomasu: https://www.tomasu.nl/en

• Jeroen Klompe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeroen-klompe-0682406/

• Deep Seed: https://linktr.ee/deepseed

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome back to another episode of the Deep Seed podcast! This week, I met with Thekla Teunis, co-founder of the company Grounded. They’ve managed to transform the lives of thousands of small holder farmers in Africa by enabling their transition to regenerative agriculture 🌱

Thekla and her partners at Grounded are proving that it’s possible to regenerate soils and ecosystems, produce higher quality products all the while helping farmers’ livelihoods. Inspiring stuff!

Episode Highlights:

• The Power of Smallholder Farmers: Learn why smallholder farmers are uniquely positioned to adopt regenerative practices, especially in Africa.

• Economic and Environmental Benefits: How regenerative agriculture can lower costs, improve crop quality, and enhance biodiversity.

• Real-Life Success Stories: Transformations of degraded lands in the Baviaanskloof region of South Africa through regenerative farming.

• Ecosystem Restoration: The role of regenerative agriculture in rebuilding soil health and promoting biodiversity.

• Economic Sustainability: Creating a viable business model for regenerative agriculture that benefits farmers and the environment.

• Processing Companies: The critical role of processing companies in the regenerative agriculture value chain.

• Quality Premiums: Achieving higher prices for superior quality regenerative products.

• Challenges and Solutions: Overcoming the barriers to scaling regenerative agriculture amidst competition from conventional farming inputs.

• Investment Opportunities: Exploring the potential for high returns in the underinvested space of regenerative agriculture.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, 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 🙏

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Links and Resources:

• Grounded: https://grounded.co.za/

• Thekla: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thekla-teunis-288b6218/

• Deep Seed: https://linktr.ee/deepseed

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

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This week, I traveled to Lochem, east of the Netherlands to meet with regenerative farmer Anne van Leeuwen. She recently moved to a new farm, which gave us a great perspective for the conversation. How to get access to land and how to plan a farm to create a beautiful complex farming system whose purpose is to grow abundant high quality foods while also increasing the amount of life on the farm.

We sat outside, under a beautiful old beech tree, on a sunny late afternoon and you can clearly hear the sound of birds in the background. Anne is honestly one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met. I loved every bit of this conversation and I really hope you will too :)

🎧Listen to the full conversation:

• Search for ‘Deep Seed’ on your streaming platform

• (or) click the link in the comments below

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Key topics:

🌍 Access to land

Farmland prices have soared, making it prohibitively expensive for young and beginning farmers to purchase land. Anne explains how she managed to acquire her new farm working in partnership with Lenteland. She also mentions other interesting initiatives in the Netherlands such as Herenboeren and Land Van Ons.

🌳 Perennial crops

Focusing on perennial crops like fruit and nut trees is a strong farm strategy because they enhance soil health, reduce input costs, and offer long-term, reliable income. Their deep root systems prevent erosion, improve soil structure, and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Additionally, perennials support biodiversity and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable farming system.

🦋 Radical Diversity

Anne aims to maximize diversity on her farm by planting as many different fruit and nut tree varieties as possible throughout her agroforestry systems. She aims to market that diversity, for example selling boxes of plums of all kinds, each with different size, shape, color and taste.

🙍‍♀️ More women in Farming

Women often bring unique perspectives and solutions to agricultural challenges, including a strong focus on family, community welfare, and environmental stewardship.

🤝 European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture (EARA)

An alliance of farmers from across Europe has united behind a shared vision for the future of agriculture. Impressively, they have collaboratively drafted a proposal to reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), advocating for the inclusion of total biomass production and soil life as key metrics in the subsidy system.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

Useful links:

Anne’s farm: ‘T Gagel - https://www.lente.land/lochem/

Lenteland: https://www.lente.land/

EARA: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earafarm/

Soil Capital: https://www.soilcapital.com/

References:

[Documentary:] John D. Liu - Hope in a changing climate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLdNhZ6kAzo

[Book] Robin Wall Kimmerer - Braiding Sweetgrass

https://milkweed.org/book/braiding-sweetgrass

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Cette semaine, j’ai le plaisir d’accueillir l’agroclimatologue Serge Zaka dans le Deep Seed podcast.

On discute des conséquences du changement climatique sur l’agriculture, de la géopolitique alimentaire, de la création de nouvelles filières agricoles, d’agriculture de conservation des sols et bien plus encore.

Agroclimatologie : Serge Zaka explique comment l'évolution du climat influencera l'agriculture en Europe. Alors que certaines régions du sud (Espagne, Italie, Grèce) deviendront trop arides, d'autres plus au nord deviendront propices à des cultures comme le blé. La coopération entre pays de l'UE sera cruciale pour soutenir les zones en difficulté. Il est impératif d'anticiper ces changements dès maintenant, car il faut 20 à 40 ans pour développer de nouvelles filières agricoles.

Agriculture de conservation des sols : Aussi appelée agroécologie ou agriculture régénérative, cette pratique vise à protéger et améliorer la santé des sols, la biodiversité, et la résilience des systèmes agricoles. Ces techniques sont essentielles pour faire face aux stress thermiques et hydriques de plus en plus fréquents dus au changement climatique.

Géopolitique de l'alimentaire : Serge souligne l'importance pour l'UE de ne pas devenir dépendante de pays comme la Russie, qui pourrait devenir le plus grand producteur mondial de blé avec le réchauffement climatique. Pour éviter cela, il est nécessaire de développer des filières adaptées aux nouvelles conditions climatiques, une tâche qui demande une vision à très long terme, au-delà du cycle politique.

——

Cet épisode a été réalisé en collaboration avec Soil Capital, une entreprise qui favorise la transition vers l’agriculture régénérative en récompensant financièrement les agriculteurs qui améliorent la santé de leurs sols.

SOIL CAPITAL - https://www.soilcapital.com/

Merci aussi à Cultivaé et au GAL culturalité, qui ont invité Serge à donner une conférence en Belgique et qui m’ont donné l’opportunité de le rencontrer pour enregistrer cet épisode.

CULTIVAE - https://www.cultivae.be/

GAL Culturalité - https://culturalite.be/

——

Comment soutenir mon travail en seulement 10 secondes?

-> Abonnez vous à la page Deep Seed (sur Spotify, Apple Podcast)

-> Laissez moi 5⭐️

——

Liens utiles:

Serge Zaka - https://serge-zaka.com/

Agriculture de conservation des sols - https://agriculture-de-conservation.com/

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.