Deep Seed - Regenerative Agriculture

The Joy and Wonder of Being a Regenerative Farmer [Naomi Oakley & Gunnar Thelin]

In this episode of Deep Seed, regenerative farmers Naomi Oakley and Gunnar Thelin explore what modern agriculture could become if we stopped treating nature as a machine and started listening to living systems again.This is not another conversation about agricultural policy, carbon markets, subsidies or food system bureaucracy.It is a deeply human conversation about regenerative farming, biodiversity, grazing animals, soil health, ecosystem restoration, community, belonging… and joy.For Naomi, farming is the privilege of waking up every morning to work alongside animals, landscapes and local communities she deeply loves. For Gunnar, regenerative agriculture is rooted in a profound feeling of connection to place: the understanding that the land does not belong to us — we belong to the land.Together, they discuss how regenerative grazing systems can restore ecosystems, improve water cycles, increase biodiversity, rebuild soil health and strengthen climate resilience, while also giving farmers back something many have lost: meaning, dignity and hope.This episode explores:• regenerative agriculture and holistic grazing• biodiversity and ecosystem restoration• soil regeneration and water retention• rewilding vs regenerative farming• how cows and grazing animals shape landscapes• why observation matters more than rigid agricultural recipes• farmer mental health, purpose and community• the role of farmers in solving climate and ecological crises• why many young people are rediscovering farming and land stewardshipAt the heart of the conversation is a powerful idea: farmers are not simply producers trapped inside industrial systems. They are observers, experimenters and caretakers of living ecosystems.Naomi and Gunnar speak honestly about how modern agriculture often disconnects farmers from nature, from their communities and even from themselves. Against that, they offer another path: one rooted in curiosity, humility, ecological intelligence and relationship with the living world.It is hopeful without being naïve.A conversation about farming, yes — but also about how humans might find their way back to meaning, resilience and connection in an increasingly fractured world.🌿 SOIL CAPITAL This episode was made in partnership with Soil Capital - a company accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health www.soilcapital.com 👨🏼‍🌾 EARA The conversation was recorded during a gathering organised by the European Alliance for Regenerative Agriculture (EARA), a growing network of farmers from across Europe working to regenerate soils, ecosystems, rural communities and food systems.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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Why the Food System is Breaking and How to Fix it [IVO DEGN]

Apr 2900:44:30Tap to summarize

Let me ask you this: do you think Europe can feed itself in 20–30 years under current conditions?In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, I sit down with Ivo Degn (Re:source) to unpack a reality very few people are willing to face:Europe’s food system is becoming more fragile, more volatile, and less resilient every year.We talk about rising food insecurity, collapsing soil health, fertiliser dependency on fossil fuels, ageing farmers with no one to replace them, and a system that was never designed for the world we now live in.This conversation reframes regenerative agriculture from a “nice idea” to a serious response to food system risk.Because at the end of the day, agriculture is not just another sector. It is the foundation of civilisation.—In this deep-dive masterclass, we explore:• Why the modern agrifood system depends on assumptions that no longer hold• How climate volatility (droughts, floods, shifting baselines) is destabilising food production• Why fertiliser, energy and geopolitics are tightly linked• The hidden structural barriers blocking regenerative agriculture in Europe• Why farmers are often trapped in a system they know isn’t working• How soil biology, biodiversity and regenerative practices are emerging as a viable alternative• What needs to change at a system level to unlock the transition—If you care about food security, climate change, regenerative agriculture, soil health, biodiversity, the future of Europe, or simply where your food comes from, this is one of the most important conversations you can listen to right now.—🎙 ABOUT THE GUEST Ivo Degn is part of Re:source, working at the intersection of food systems transformation, regenerative agriculture, and systemic change across Europe.🌱 ABOUT DEEP SEED Deep Seed explores the future of food, farming, and ecosystems — through long-form conversations with the people shaping the regenerative transition.👨🏼‍🌾 SOIL CAPITAL The official partner of the Deep Seed podcast. Soil Capital is a company that accelerates the transition to regenerative agriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health and biodiversity ❤️ www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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What If Kindness Is the Missing Piece in Regenerative Agriculture?

Mar 3100:41:20Tap to summarize

What if restoring our soils isn’t just a scientific challenge… but an emotional, even spiritual one? What if the future of farming depends as much on beauty, connection, and intention as it does on data, yields, and carbon? In this powerful episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, landscape architect Marian Boswall takes us on a journey that starts with dead soil… and leads to a completely new way of seeing land, food, and life itself. This is not your typical conversation about agriculture. It’s deeper. Slower. More human. And, honestly, more hopeful. 🌍 Why You Should Watch This Episode If you care about: · Regenerative agriculture · Soil health & soil microbiology · Sustainable farming & food systems · Biodiversity & ecosystem restoration · Nutrient density & human health …this episode will expand how you think about all of them. Because regeneration isn’t just about techniques. It’s about how we relate to the land... and to each other! 🧠 What You’ll Learn · The fundamentals of soil health, composting, and the soil food web · Why nutrient density starts in the soil (and affects your gut health) · How biodiversity and agroecology can transform farms and landscapes · Why beauty, design, and even energy matter in regenerative systems · How anyone (yes, even in a city) can contribute to regeneration · The risks of greenwashing in the regenerative agriculture movement · Why beavers might be some of the best ecosystem engineers on Earth 🌱 A Different Perspective on Regenerative Agriculture Most conversations around regenerative agriculture focus on carbon, metrics, and productivity. This one adds something we don’t talk about enough: care, intention, and connection. Marian shares how landscapes can heal people, not just produce food. Farmers can reconnect with the food they grow Small actions (like compost or a balcony garden) can scale into ecosystem restoration “We don’t just grow food—we grow the conditions for life.” 🎙️ About the Guest Marian Boswall is an award-winning landscape architect, agroecology coach, and author. Her work bridges regenerative agriculture, ecology, and human wellbeing, helping design landscapes that restore both ecosystems and the people living within them. 🌿 SOIL CAPITAL This episode was made in partnership with Soil Capital, a company accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture. www.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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The Crops That Could Save Our Food System (but we ignore them...)

Mar 2401:04:37Tap to summarize

What if the future of food isn’t high-tech… but ancient wisdom?We’ve built a global food system on just four crops... and it’s starting to crack! The real question is: what happens when it breaks?In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, Professor Sayed Azam-Ali (University of Nottingham, Crops For the Future) reveals why the key to resilient, nutritious, and truly sustainable food systems might already exist—hidden in so-called “forgotten crops.”We unpack how modern agriculture became dangerously dependent on a handful of commodity crops like wheat, rice, maize, and soy—and why this lack of diversity is driving soil degradation, biodiversity loss, climate vulnerability, and hidden hunger.But this isn’t just a problem story. It’s a roadmap for transformation.You’ll discover:Why crop diversity is the foundation of regenerative agriculture and food system resilienceHow underutilised crops like Bambara groundnut and fonio can outperform industrial staples in harsh climatesThe hidden link between ultra-processed food, micronutrient deficiency, and chronic diseaseWhy global supply chains (COVID, Ukraine, Suez Canal) exposed the fragility of our food systemHow indigenous knowledge and farmer-led innovation hold critical solutions we’re at risk of losingWhat needs to change—from seed systems and subsidies to consumer behavior and food cultureWe also dive into the bigger picture:Can regenerative agriculture scale without cultural change?What role should corporations, governments, and consumers really play?And why “cheap food” might be the most expensive mistake we’ve ever madeThis conversation sits at the intersection of agroecology, climate change, nutrition, and food sovereignty—and challenges everything we think we know about what we should grow and eat.Because the future of farming might not be about producing more……but about growing differently.“We cannot fix the food system by tweaking it. We have to transform it.”⸻🌿 SOIL CAPITAL - this episode was made in partnership with Soil Capital www.soilcapital.com❤️ Episode hosted by Federica UrsoHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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The Farming System Is Broken... And Farmers Know It! [DAVID WHEATLEY]

Mar 1701:14:44Tap to summarize

What happens when a farmer publicly admits that modern agriculture might be broken?In this episode, British farmer David Wheatley joins the Deep Seed Podcast to share the unfiltered reality of modern farming. After losing almost everything in a devastating farm fire and facing years of financial losses during COVID, David started posting honest videos about life on his farm — and unexpectedly built an audience of millions.Today, his content offers a rare window into the real economics of agriculture: volatile weather, rising input costs, global commodity markets, and the constant risk farmers face every season.David is a fourth-generation farmer from Cambridgeshire, UK, managing around 450 acres of arable crops, orchards and flowers. In this conversation we go beyond the viral videos to explore the deeper forces shaping farming today — and the new opportunities emerging through direct-to-consumer food systems, social media, and regenerative agriculture.You’ll hear:• how David nearly lost his farm after years of financial losses• why many farmers feel trapped in a system where “the more you grow, the less you get paid”• how social media unexpectedly became a lifeline for his farm• why he sells flowers and apples directly to consumers instead of supermarketsWe also discuss David’s heritage orchards with over 250 apple varieties, why he refuses to certify them organic even though they are grown without sprays or fertilisers, and how customers are rediscovering what real food tastes like.The conversation also explores David’s first experiments with regenerative agriculture, cover crops, direct drilling, biodiversity and diversified farming systems, and the real risks farmers face when transitioning away from conventional agriculture.This episode is for anyone interested in:• regenerative agriculture• sustainable farming• soil health and biodiversity• the future of food systems• farm economics and agricultural policy• food security and resilienceAt its heart, this conversation reminds us that the future of agriculture may depend on rebuilding the relationship between farmers, land and the people who eat the food.⎯👨🏼‍🌾 About the guestDavid Wheatley is a UK farmer, flower grower and orchard keeper known for sharing the unfiltered reality of modern farming with hundreds of thousands of followers online. His work highlights the economic pressures farmers face while exploring new ways to produce and sell food outside the traditional agricultural system.Instagram: @petitepeonysWebsite: petitepeonys.co.uk⎯🌿 This episode was made in partnership with Soil Capitalwww.soilcapital.com❤️ Special thanks to Federica Urso for the research and preparation of this episode.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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How This Regenerative Farmer Cut Costs and Increased Profits [JAMES BUCHER]

Mar 301:42:33Tap to summarize

What happens when a former hedge fund trader walks away from finance… survives a near-fatal accident… and rebuilds his farm using regenerative agriculture?In this episode of the Deep Seed Podcast, James Butcher shares how he transformed his Suffolk farm from a high-input, chemical-dependent system into a diversified regenerative farming model using:Companion croppingLivestock integrationAgroforestryReduced synthetic nitrogenBiological soil health principlesAnd here’s the kicker:He slashed growing costs from £1,500–£2,000 per hectare to under £600 per hectare — while increasing resilience and, in some cases, yields.Including one wheat field that yielded 2 tonnes per hectare MORE after being grazed by sheep.Yes, really.⸻🌱 What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy regenerative agriculture may be LESS financially risky than conventional farmingHow companion cropping reduces disease pressure without fungicidesThe economics of cutting synthetic nitrogen by more than 60%Why grazing sheep on standing wheat can increase yieldHow agroforestry improves biodiversity and long-term farm resilienceThe real psychological barriers preventing farmers from transitioningWhy lower input costs = lower financial risk in volatile marketsIf you care about soil health, biodiversity, food systems, climate resilience, carbon farming, or the future of sustainable agriculture — this conversation is for you.⸻🐑 The Regenerative Practices James Uses TodayWheat grown with clover, vetch, peas or beansLegumes fixing up to 100 kg nitrogen per hectareNo insecticidesNo fungicidesNo seed treatmentsHome-saved seedGrazing sheep across winter cerealsRed Poll cattle mob grazing2,500+ trees planted in an agroforestry systemFruit, nuts, coppice biomass & biodiversity stripsThis is regenerative agriculture in practice — not theory.⸻🌍 Why This Conversation MattersGlobal food systems are under pressure:Rising fertilizer costsCommodity price volatilityClimate-driven droughtsSoil degradationBiodiversity collapseJames’ story shows that regeneration isn’t just environmental — it’s economic.As Wendell Berry said: “The soil is the great connector of lives.”And rebuilding it may be the smartest financial decision a farmer can make.⸻👤 About James ButcherJames Butcher is a regenerative farmer in Suffolk, UK. After starting his career in finance, he returned to his family farm and led a full-system transition toward regenerative agriculture, agroecology, livestock integration, and agroforestry.His work focuses on soil health, biodiversity restoration, economic resilience, and long-term farm viability.⸻🌿 SOIL CAPITAL - this episode was made in partnership with Soil Capitalwww.soilcapital.com❤️ Special thanks to Federica Urso who did all the research for this episode and helped me craft the questionsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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India’s Farming Revolution Is Led by Women 🇮🇳 [NITYA RAO]

Feb 2400:59:10Tap to summarize

What if the future of regenerative agriculture won’t be decided in Europe… but in India, Africa, and the Global South?In this powerful Deep Seed mini-episode, we sit down with Professor Nitya Rao, leading gender and climate researcher and contributor to the Lancet Commission on Food Systems, to explore a perspective we rarely hear in the regenerative agriculture movement.Because here’s the uncomfortable truth:👉 Many smallholder farmers in India are already farming regeneratively — not because it’s trendy, but because they have no choice.👉 Women are carrying entire food systems on their backs — yet remain invisible in climate policy.👉 And if governments don’t act wisely, the Global South may repeat the same industrial agriculture mistakes that pushed us beyond planetary boundaries.⎯⎯🔎 In this episode, we explore:Why 90% of Indian farmers cultivate less than 5 hectares — and what that means for regenerative agricultureHow monocultures, fertilizer subsidies, and “yield at all costs” policies affect soil health and biodiversityThe hidden reality of male migration and how women are sustaining farming and food systemsWhy gender-blind climate policies fail — and what intersectionality really means in agricultureThe groundbreaking case of Andhra Pradesh’s community-based natural farming movementIndigenous knowledge, nutrient-dense traditional foods, and ecosystem restorationThe biggest blind spot in the regenerative agriculture movement: evidence, economics, and social realitiesProfessor Rao challenges us to ask a deeper question: "regenerative for whom?"Because sustainability isn’t just about carbon farming or agroecology techniques. It’s about livelihoods, labor, time, access to land, credit systems, and power dynamics.If we ignore that… we risk romanticizing regenerative farming instead of scaling it effectively.⎯⎯🌱 Why This Conversation MattersAccording to the Lancet Commission, global food systems contribute nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions and drive transgressions of multiple planetary boundaries — from nitrogen cycles to biodiversity loss.The Global South stands at a crossroads.Should countries increase industrial agriculture to raise yields?Or can they leapfrog directly into nature-based solutions and sustainable farming systems that protect soil microbiology, biodiversity, and long-term food security?As Professor Rao says:“This is a very good moment for governments to say: don’t go down that track. Let’s show a different pathway.”⎯⎯🎧 If You Care About:Regenerative agriculture beyond the Western lensAgroecology and smallholder farmingNutrient density and sustainable dietsClimate resilience and food systems transformationGender equity in agricultureIndigenous knowledge and ecosystem restorationThis episode will challenge and expand your perspective.⎯⎯🌿 SOIL CAPITAL - this episode was made in partnership with Soil Capitalwww.soilcapital.com❤️ Special thanks to Federica Urso who did all the research for this episode and helped me craft the questionsHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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Does Regenerative Agriculture Actually Work? Top Scientist Answers [LYNN DICKS]

Feb 1700:54:09Tap to summarize

Can regenerative agriculture really restore biodiversity, rebuild soil health, increase farmer profits and still feed the world? Or is it just a powerful story we want to believe?In this evidence-based Deep Seed conversation, biodiversity scientist Professor Lynn Dicks shares groundbreaking real-world research from commercial farms in the UK and India — revealing what the science actually says about regenerative agriculture, agroecology, nature-based solutions, and the future of our food system.This episode is essential listening for farmers, policymakers, sustainability professionals, researchers, and anyone working to transform agriculture.🌱 What the Research ShowsThrough the UK-funded H3 Project (Healthy Soil, Healthy Food, Healthy People), Lynn and her team studied regenerative and conventional farms across England using real-world commercial data.They found:Increased soil carbon storageImproved soil health and earthworm densityHigher biodiversity in key beneficial speciesReduced synthetic fertilizer and pesticide useStrong potential for increased farm resilienceBut the story is nuanced. Pollinator numbers, for example, depend heavily on landscape-scale habitat — reminding us that biodiversity restoration requires thinking beyond individual fields.🌍 Biodiversity vs. Productivity — A False Trade-Off?We explore whether sustainable farming and high productivity can coexist.Topics include:Integrated Pest Management (IPM)Ecological intensificationCarbon farmingLandscape restorationLivestock systems and land useReducing chemical inputs without reducing yieldsThe true cost of foodA global meta-analysis discussed in this episode shows farmers could reduce insecticide use by 44% without yield loss simply by spraying only when thresholds are reached.That’s not ideology. That’s data.💰 Is Regenerative Agriculture Profitable?Profitability determines adoption.Evidence from regenerative farms in the UK, US, and India shows:Lower input costsReduced dependency on synthetic fertilizers and pesticidesComparable yieldsIncreased resilience to market shocksIn some cases, significantly higher profitsWe also discuss agricultural policy reform, biodiversity net gain, nature credits, and who should pay for ecosystem services and public environmental goods.🔑 Soil CapitalThis episode was made in partnership with Soil Capital - accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health and biodiversity. wwwe.soilcapital.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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How Do We Really Scale Regenerative Agriculture? [ANDREW VOYSEY]

Feb 301:34:28Tap to summarize

In this episode of Deep Seed, I sit down with Andrew Voysey, Chief Impact Officer at Soil Capital, to go beyond slogans and dig into what it actually takes to scale regenerative agriculture in a world built for short-term output.We unpack why most farmers feel trapped, why markets alone won’t fix our food systems, and how credible impact measurement — paired with smart policy and aligned incentives — could unlock transition at scale.Whether you’re a farmer, a food-chain professional, a policymaker, an investor, or someone who eats food every day (which is all of us), this conversation reframes regenerative agriculture as economic reality rather than idealistic aspiration.In plain language and big ideas, we cover:Why soil is a hidden systemic lever - and why degraded soil is behind so many global crisesThe real reason farmers are stuck - risk, cashflow pressures, and fragile livelihoodsHow Soil Capital is forging real economic pathways - paying farmers for measurable impact, not just good intentionsWhy big companies actually care - resilience, supply-chain security, and risk managementBeyond carbon - how soil, biodiversity, water, and farm resilience can be credibly measured at scaleThe limits of markets - why policy and public finance still matterHeadwinds and opportunities - political shifts, economic pressures, and the resilient core of the transitionThis is not another “optimistic farming chat.” This is a real-world, systems-level, deeply practical conversation about how change actually happens when you remove the fantasy, face the bottlenecks, and structure incentives that work.If you care about food, climate, landscapes, rural economies, or simply how the world actually works beneath the headlines, this episode is for you! 🎯 Topics CoveredSoil health, market incentives, regenerative practices, impact measurement, carbon vs. beyond carbon, agricultural economics, supply chain resilience, policy, and systems transformation.—This episode was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company accelerating the regenerative transition by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.https://www.soilcapital.com/—Usefull Links:ANDREW VOYSEY: LinkedIn SOIL CAPITAL: https://www.soilcapital.com/THE DEEP SEED PODCAST - link —Follow Us• Instagram: @deep_seed_podcast• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deep-seed• Email: raphael@deepseed.euHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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Why the Food System is About to Collapse [TIM BENTON]

Jan 2701:33:25Tap to summarize

Our food system is on the verge of collapse — but we can fix it.In this episode, we’re joined by Tim Benton, one of the world’s leading experts on food security, to unpack the deep systemic drivers behind the crisis… and what a truly regenerative future could look like.We cover:Why the food system is fundamentally unsustainableThe 3 “lock-ins” keeping us stuckHow planetary boundaries apply to farming and dietsThe myth of green growthWhat gives Tim hope — and what needs to change nowThis is one of the most powerful and important episodes we’ve recorded. If you care about the future of food, farming, or the planet, you need to hear this.🎙️ Guest: Tim Benton - Professor of Ecology, Chatham House Research Director, and former UK Food Security Champion💚 Official partner: Soil Capital - a company accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture → www.soilcapital.com📬 Stay connected:Instagram → @deep_seed_podcastLinkedIn → Deep Seed PodcastWebsite → www.deepseedpodcast.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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Deep Seed - Regenerative Agriculture

All episodes

The Joy and Wonder of Being a Regenerative Farmer [Naomi Oakley & Gunnar Thelin]

Why the Food System is Breaking and How to Fix it [IVO DEGN]

What If Kindness Is the Missing Piece in Regenerative Agriculture?

The Crops That Could Save Our Food System (but we ignore them...)

The Farming System Is Broken... And Farmers Know It! [DAVID WHEATLEY]

How This Regenerative Farmer Cut Costs and Increased Profits [JAMES BUCHER]

India’s Farming Revolution Is Led by Women 🇮🇳 [NITYA RAO]

Does Regenerative Agriculture Actually Work? Top Scientist Answers [LYNN DICKS]

How Do We Really Scale Regenerative Agriculture? [ANDREW VOYSEY]

Why the Food System is About to Collapse [TIM BENTON]