Redefining the Rules of Engagement in Regenerative Farming

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Regenerative by Design

Joni Kindwall-Moore

54 episodes

3 months ago

Regenerative by Design Podcast where we get to the root of health, climate, economics and food. Host, Joni Kindwall-Moore, is an RN, an Ethnobotanist and the founder of Snacktivist Foods. Join us on this journey as we explore the ideas, stories and personalities behind the regenerative food system movement including climate change, human health, economics and food as well as other deeply interconnected topics. In this podcast, we will be “going there” and leaning into topics that might make you squirm… just a little. We want to challenge ourselves to think outside of the box and to discover the deeper side of our world’s problems so that we can better understand how to solve them. We aim to unpack some of the most dynamic issues of our day with some of the most inspiring minds who are pushing the boundaries of our current norms and thinking paradigms. We have seen incredibly disruptive events in the past few years like pandemics, climate events, disasters and war. These often trigger system changes that are reactionary and have short term gains. When these are practiced over the long term, they often have a degenerative effect on health and the environment. Regenerative design thinking is the opposite, and is an intentional, premeditated process that involves a high level of observation, analysis, creativity, and looking beyond reductionistic principles while embracing systems thinking and additionality to create regenerative solutions. Regenerative agriculture has become a powerful force for positive transformation and hope in todays world. And no discussion about agriculture is complete without a conversation about food. Food is the connection between people and the planet so grab a cup of coffee or your favorite running shoes and get ready to take a mental and philosophical leap into the future of food and our planet.

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Society & Culture

Health & Fitness,

Nutrition

Redefining the Rules of Engagement in Regenerative Farming

Regenerative by Design

42 minutes

10 months ago

Redefining the Rules of Engagement in Regenerative Farming

Summary:
In this episode of Regenerative by Design, host Joni Kindwall-Moore welcomes Anna Jones-Crabtree, Jessica Roberts, and Colleen Kavanagh to discuss the transformative potential of regenerative organic farming in Montana’s Northern Great Plains. The conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities of building sustainable food systems prioritizing environmental stewardship, economic resilience, and community health.

Show Notes:

Guests: Anna Jones-Crabtree, Jessica Roberts, Colleen Kavanagh

Anna Jones-Crabtree

Anna Jones-Crabtree is a first-generation organic farmer and co-owner of Vilicus Farms, a 12,500-acre dryland crop farm in Northern Montana. She and her husband, Doug, have cultivated a diverse array of heirloom grains, pulses, oilseeds, and broadleaf crops using innovative five and seven-year rotations, integrated grazing, and extensive conservation practices. Vilicus Farms, which devotes over 26% of its land to non-crop conservation and pollinator habitats, is Bee Better and Real Organic Project Certified, with plans for Regenerative Organic and Biodynamic certifications.

Anna is also the Executive Director of the Vilicus Institute, a learning hub supporting sustainable farming systems in the Northern Great Plains. With a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a focus on sustainable systems, Anna has served in leadership roles for the Xerces Society, USDA Advisory Council, and Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT. In addition to her farming and advocacy work, Anna is the Regional Director of Data, Information, and Geospatial Resources for the US Forest Service.

Link:https://www.vilicusinstitute.org/

Jessica Roberts

With over 20 years of hands-on farming experience, Jessica Roberts has dedicated her career to cultivating crops, developing value-added products, and driving systemic change in the food industry. She honed her expertise through roles at Wegmans grocery stores and their Organic Farm & Orchard, where she focused on research and development to strengthen regional food systems. As Associate Director of Certification for the Real Organic Project, Jessica led programs supporting over 1,100 farmer members, conducting more than 200 farm inspections to advance organic farming practices. Guided by principles of reciprocity and a belief in humanity’s role as co-creators of resilient ecosystems, Jessica strives to build a food system that honors and rewards farmers for their essential contributions to their communities and the environment.

Link:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-roberts-803034191/

Topics Covered:

The role of Villicus Farms and Villicus Institute in fostering regenerative organic practices.
Barriers and innovations in crop diversity, soil health, and ecosystem services.
Economic challenges of first-generation farming and market access for diverse crops.
The need for a collaborative "supply circle" model to de-risk regenerative practices.
The impact of local sourcing and shorter supply chains on community resilience and carbon emissions.

Key Takeaways:

Regenerative organic farming systems require fundamental shifts in market and policy support.
Farmers often bear the greatest risk in a supply chain that needs collective risk-sharing strategies.
Collaborative initiatives, like those from Villicus Institute, aim to transform how farmers are supported economically.
Shortening supply chains and prioritizing US-grown products can significantly reduce CO2 emissions and strengthen local economies.

Call to Action:
Explore the work of Villicus Farms and the Villicus Institute through the links provided in the show notes. Share this episode to spread awareness of the importance of regenerative farming. Rate the podcast and connect with the team for more updates on their groundbreaking projects.

Closing Thought:
"Redesigning our food systems isn't just about farming differently; it's about showing up for one another in ways that build a more resilient and equitable future."

The Regenerative by Design is hosted by Snacktivist. Snacktivist creates baking mixes and finished products that are allergy-friendly, soil, water, and carbon-focused, all while radically impacting human nutrition by transforming staple foods into something more than just empty calories. Visitsnacktivistfoods.com to learn more.

Funding for the Regenerative By Design Podcast was made possible by a grant/cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.