In this episode of Oh Crop!, host Kat Morgan sits down with Andreia Fausto, Head of Climate Smart Food Systems at the World Food Programme in Somalia, broadcasting from Mogadishu.
The conversation reveals fascinating innovations emerging across Somalia's diverse ecological zones: agroecological practices that communities "already had before," solar-powered irrigation systems, and cooperatives where women make key business decisions. Andreia shares her observations from extensive field time, noting that "communities are not waiting—they are really trying to design their own futures by themselves."
But questions remain about sustainability, scale, and long-term impact. As Andreia puts it: "Food security isn't just about the calories. It's about who grows the food, how it's produced, who controls the system." This episode offers a practitioner's perspective on the complex realities of working at the intersection of humanitarian response and community-led development.
Learn more:
Somalia Annual Country Report 2024
- Read about Farm2Go
In this timely episode of Oh Crop!, host Kat Morgan sits down with Catherine Bertini, the 2003 World Food Prize Laureate and former UN World Food Program Executive Director, to discuss the unprecedented crisis facing global food aid. With a staggering $16.9 billion funding gap threatening 123 million vulnerable people, Catherine shares her bold vision for completely reimagining how the world addresses hunger. Drawing from her 20+ years of experience and her "eureka moment" about women's central role in food security, she argues it's time to start from scratch and build a system fit for 2025—not 1945. This conversation offers both sobering realities and inspiring possibilities for anyone who cares about ending hunger. As Catherine powerfully reminds us: when your issue becomes prominent, pounce!
Visit CatherineBertini.com
In this episode, Dr. Million Belay discusses research he coordinated across Africa examining agricultural approaches. "In 2013, we asked ourselves, does agroecology work for Africa?" he explains, describing how they gathered and synthesized case studies from numerous countries. Their findings revealed that ecological farming practices consistently improved both productivity and farmer income while supporting environmental health.
Million's declaration that "food is not a commodity" cuts to the heart of the matter. "Food is culturally appropriate. Farmers control their own economy," he insists. This vision—emerging from social movements like La Via Campesina—represents a fundamentally different relationship with food systems.
Through our conversation, Million reveals how African farmers are developing agroecological innovations that honor Traditional Ecological Knowledge while building climate resilience, demonstrating how community-controlled agriculture offers the true path to food sovereignty.
Million Belay is a member of the IPES-Food panel; co-founder and general coordinator of the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) – a network of farmers’ organizations, NGO networks, consumer movements and small-scale producers advocating for agroecology, food sovereignty, and the rights of small-scale food producers in Africa; and he is an expert on forestry conservation, indigenous livelihoods and food and seed sovereignty.
In this thought-provoking episode of Oh Crop!, host Kat Morgan welcomes Dr. Jessica Fanzo, a true pioneer at the crossroads of climate science and food systems. As Professor of Climate and Director of the groundbreaking Food for Humanity Initiative at Columbia Climate School, Dr. Fanzo shares her fascinating journey from nutrition scientist to global food systems champion. She unpacks the vision behind the Food for Humanity Initiative and reveals how it's bringing together diverse experts to tackle our most pressing food challenges.
The conversation explores the complex dual role food systems play in the climate crisis—both as significant contributors to global emissions and as potential game-changers for climate resilience. Dr. Fanzo offers candid insights about the critical shifts needed to transform how we produce and consume food while addressing deep-rooted inequities.
Despite the enormity of these challenges, the episode concludes with Dr. Fanzo's compelling perspective on what gives her hope for the future as we approach 2030 and beyond, highlighting the power of cross-disciplinary collaboration and data-driven solutions.
Read: What do we know about the future of measuring food systems?
Check out the Food Systems Dashboard
Investigate Columbia University's Food for Humanity Initiative
Is Bird Flu a Slow-Motion Disaster? How can industrial agriculture fuel a pandemic, and what risks do dairy workers face? On this episode of Oh Crop!, we're tackling the urgent bird flu crisis with award-winning journalist and public health expert Maryn McKenna. Maryn unravels the complex web of industrial agriculture, zoonotic diseases, and the escalating threat to animal and human health.
We delve into the realities of the current U.S. bird flu outbreak, exploring how intensive farming practices contribute to its rapid spread and evolution. Maryn sheds light on the often-overlooked risks agricultural workers face, particularly in the dairy industry, and examines animal welfare and biosecurity. Plus, we address the critical need for improved surveillance and testing systems and discuss the economic pressures that hinder effective health responses.
Maryn also highlights the challenges of public health communication, especially in vulnerable communities, and emphasizes the urgent need for increased research funding to understand and combat agricultural health threats. We touch on the cultural complexities surrounding meat consumption and explore the systemic changes required to prevent the spread of zoonotic disease.
Tune in for the down-low on Maryn's most recent New York Times-published Op-Ed, "We're running out of chances to stop bird flu."
Learn more at marynmckenna.com
Will we eat beans in space? Why do they give us gas (and how can we reduce it)? And just why are beans so darn awesome for people and planet, anyway? On this episode of Oh Crop!, we're diving deep into the world of legumes with none other than Paul Newnham, a strategic food systems innovator, leader of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, and the self-proclaimed "Chief Beans Officer"! Paul shares his inspiring journey to becoming a champion for global nutrition security, revealing how a passion for these humble powerhouses launched him into the world of food systems advocacy.
We explore everything from field to fork, uncovering why beans are not just delicious and budget-friendly but a crucial component of a sustainable food system. Paul breaks down the connection between bean consumption and climate change resilience, highlighting the environmental superpowers of these versatile crops. Plus, we tackle the age-old question: why do beans give us gas, and is there anything we can do about it?
Paul also sheds light on the critical work of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, emphasizing the need for collaboration and innovative strategies to achieve Zero Hunger (SDG2). He shares insights into how sustainable diets are vital in addressing this complex global challenge.
Follow Paul on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X
Learn more about the SDG2 Advocacy Hub & Beans is How
Listen to his amazing podcast, Future Fork.
In this episode of Oh Crop!, host Kat Morgan sits down with the inspiring Priyanka Naik, an award-winning vegan chef, Food Network champion, TV host, and author of The Modern Tiffin. Priyanka shares her journey as a first-generation Indian-American raised on Staten Island and how her Indian heritage and love for storytelling fuel her mission to advocate for sustainable, plant-based diets.
Together, they delve into critical issues at the intersection of food and justice, including food as medicine, sustainability, food access, and climate change. Priyanka discusses the socioeconomic and structural barriers to healthy eating and offers actionable ways to reframe plant-forward diets as affordable, delicious, and accessible.
They explore how shifting the narrative from individual responsibility to addressing systemic inequities can drive meaningful change in our food systems. Plus, Priyanka’s unique insights from traveling to 40 countries and her role as a pioneer in sustainable cooking offer fresh perspectives on tackling food waste and embracing cultural foodways.
Tune in for an engaging conversation packed with actionable takeaways, empowering ideas, and a celebration of Priyanka’s vibrant approach to veganism and environmental justice.
Follow Priyanka on Instagram: @chefpriyanka
Follow Priyanka on LinkedIn
In this episode of Oh Crop, host Kat Morgan chats with Matilda Jarod Mtei, a trailblazer in horticulture and agriculture from Arusha, Tanzania. Known as the "Spice Queen," Matilda brings a unique perspective to the field, having turned her passion for plants into a remarkable career. From her early days as an intern at the World Vegetable Center to her current role managing the Vegetable Technologies Hub (VegTechHub), Matilda's journey is one of inspiration and innovation.
Matilda shares how her work has not only transformed local agriculture but also had a significant impact on nutrition and farmer economic outcomes. She delves into the challenges climate change poses on spice and vegetable cultivation and reveals her future goals for advancing agricultural research and entrepreneurship. Matilda’s insights offer valuable lessons on how to make a meaningful impact in food systems and environmental sustainability.
Read more about Matilda's inspiring journey here.
In this episode, I’m thrilled to interview Eric Middleton, "full-time entomologist, part-time ninja warrior." He is an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisor at the University of California Cooperative Extension. With a B.S. in Biology from the University of Utah, a PhD from the University of Minnesota, and postdoctoral work on invasive pest control in Florida's citrus groves, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge on sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly pest management solutions. Eric will share his unique journey as an academic and communicator, including his involvement in the American Ninja Warrior reality show, where he’s known as the “The Bug Ninja.”
We’ll discuss:.
While much of this episode is U.S.-focused, listeners will get broad exposure to IPM theory and application. Join us for an engaging conversation that bridges ecology, sustainability, and human well-being!
In this episode of Oh Crop!, host Kat Morgan is joined by renowned author, filmmaker, and academic Raj Patel. Raj Patel, known as the 'rock star of social justice writing,' shares insights drawn from his extensive work, including his seminal books 'Stuffed and Starved' and ‘Inflamed.’ From critiquing prescriptive NGOs to advocating for grassroots democracy and equitable access to nutritious options, the episode explores pressing issues facing global food systems. The conversation underscores the importance of incorporating environmental justice paradigms into public health practice to achieve health equity and sustainable food systems.
Check out Raj Patel's Website
Welcome to Oh Crop, where we dig deep into the connections between Environmental Justice, Climate Change, and Food Systems. Join me, Kat Morgan, as I sit down with the brilliant Dr. Lew Ziska, associate professor at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health. We'll explore the dynamic relationships between climate change, plant biology, and public health, shedding light on issues of food security, nutrition, pesticides, and environmental justice.
In this episode of "Oh Crop," host Kat Morgan engages Dr. Mark Plotkin, an esteemed ethnobotanist, in a profound conversation about the vital role of indigenous wisdom in environmental conservation. They explore how environmental justice intersects with indigenous knowledge and the urgent need for collaboration between Western science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and finally, Mark offers guidance to aspiring environmental justice advocates and researchers.
Dr. Mark Plotkin's impressive background includes roles at prestigious institutions and conservation organizations, and he currently serves as the President of the Amazon Conservation Team, a nonprofit he co-founded with his wife Liliana Madrigal in 1996 to promote environmental conservation and awareness.
This episode explores the journey of a guest who is passionate about promoting healthy diets, equity, and sustainability in food systems. Alejandra Schrader is an award-winning author, food systems champion, plant-based nutrition certified chef, and activist based in Los Angeles, CA. We discuss the role of plant-based diets in public health and environmental justice and ways to engage communities with limited access to nutritious food and inspire positive action.
Questions/comments? Email kmp2204@cumc.columbia.edu
In this podcast episode, Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson, a member of the Hopi Tribe, discusses the challenges Indigenous communities face regarding their food systems due to climate change. He emphasizes the importance of traditional Indigenous knowledge and practices in building resilience and sustainability in food systems. His expertise and work underscore the urgency of supporting Indigenous communities in their efforts to combat climate change and protect their cultural heritage.
Read Michael Kotutwa Johnson's Bio
Questions/Comments/Concerns? Email: kmp2204@cumc.columbia.edu
In today's episode, I’ll lead you through a short guided visualization exercise as a tool for agenda-setting to foster empathy and generate a shared vision for nourishing food systems.
Episode 1 covers Background, Theory, and Tools to understand the interconnections between climate change, food systems, and environmental justice.
This episode discusses:
Download the show outline deliverable here!!
Questions/comments/concents? Email: kmp2204@cumc.columbia.edu
In Episode 2, I'm thrilled to share a conversation with Mark Bittman about his work as a New York Times editor, bestselling author, food justice advocate, and lecturer at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
We chat about the following:
You’ll hear him briefly mention some of his work later in the interview, so keep your ears peeled. The works mentioned are his bestselling book Animal, Vegetable, Junk: A History of Food, from Sustainable to Suicidal, and his podcast Food with Mark Bittman. Check out his website, the Bittman Project.
Download the E1 show outline deliverable here!!
Questions/comments/concents? Email: kmp2204@cumc.columbia.edu
