Shows
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#55 Economic modelling and agroforestry design with Harry GreenePropagate is a leader in the agroforestry space, specialising in project development and planting agroforestry systems at scale. It's a huge pleasure to chat with Harry, co-founder and Chief Research Officer of the US-based company. Tune in as we geek out on agroforestry economics, economic modelling, design implications and financing options. We delve into questions such as: How do you business plan agroforestry systems? How do we find a balance between economic performance and ecosystem services? And much more!• RESOURCEShttps://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-lemari%C3%A9-34b667155/?originalSubdomain=frYoutube vi...
2023-09-041h 18
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#54 The importance of peer to peer learning to activate local agroforestry dynamics with Claire LemariéIn this episode I discuss with Claire Lemarié her experience working with farmers in the Pays de la Loire region in France, where she is a technical adviser for the chamber of agriculture. She has precious insights into the management of mature hedges, as this region still has a significant amount of bocage: a traditional french hedge layout. In this interview we gain an understanding of why effective information sharing between farmers is crucial to creating innovative agroforestry systems and how she enables peer to peer exchange through the 'Club des Agroforestiers'.• RESOURCEShttp...
2023-03-0258 min
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#53 Practicalities of integrating coppicing into your farm with Mark KrawczykCoppicing is an ancient and modern tree management system. Coppicing is known for its multi-functionality: capable of producing biomass, animal forage, firewood and much more. Today we interview Mark Krawczyk, practitioner, consultant and author of 'Coppice Agroforestry'. In this interview we tackle some of the practical challenges of coppicing, to better understand the economic potential of this technique. Mark demonstrates a variety of nuances and compromises, showing us the versatility as well as the key challenges of this technique. TABLE OF CONTENTS00:02:22 Introduction00:13:19 What are the key concepts of coppicing00:27:50 What...
2022-12-271h 40
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#52 Agroforestry at the landscape scale to transform ecological function and boost productivity with Bruce MaynardBruce Maynard and his family are livestock managers and row crop farmers in New South Wales in Austalia. Over his carreer, he has succesfully integrated shrubs and trees to their livestock and row crop operation. He has been able to double his stocking rate through increasing the ecological function of the farm. We dig deep into the design of his tree systems and how it has evloved over the years. We unpack in detail how he has been able to transform his landscape on such a large scale and how this was possible from a business perspective. T...
2022-11-301h 22
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#51 Feedback from 30 years of research on alley cropping systems with Christian DuprazWhat have we learnt from 30 years at one of the most prominent agroforestry research sites in the world? In collaboration with AGROMIX, We are excited to present an interview with Christian Dupraz, a leading agroforestry researcher from INRAE Montpellier. This is one of our rare 'in person' interviews where we discussed years of findings under the alley cropping walnut trees of the Domaine de Restinclières. We analysed many technical details such as tree - crop competition, tree pruning and adapted tree species. We also discussed socio-economic aspects such as the relationship with the local farmers and the reason w...
2022-11-161h 05
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#50 Hedges and trees as pillars of a viticulture agroecology transition with Jean-Baptiste CordonnierConventional viticulture and its intensive management has created some important challenges for wine producers and the regions where they are located. Jean-Baptiste Cordonnier has been able to intimately experience the conventional approach, seeing the fertility and biodiversity of his family's château gradually degrade. For the first time since the start of the show, we are able to delve into the story of an incredible viticulture agroforestry transition. With cover crops, hedges and alley cropping, Jean-Baptiste is innovating new solutions for a management intensive crop. We delve into the story, context, agronomy and practical details of his strategy, for a...
2022-11-041h 38
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#49 The potential of agroforestry in human scale regenerative enterprises with Richard PerkinsI am today with Richard Perkins from Ridgedale Farm in Sweden. For those who do not know, Richard is a leading educator and author in the field of regenerative agriculture, specialising in human scale enterprises. We discuss the tree systems he has planted on his farm, and more specifically the opportunity of integrating trees to market gardening and pastured poultry, two of his key enterprises. Richard is also an educator with the mission of helping farmers to build and manage successful small scale farms. He is therefore the ideal guest to have a conversation on how to make small...
2022-10-281h 01
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#48 Striking the balance between complexity and efficiency in large scale Syntropic systems with Daniel FröbelToday we continue investigating Syntropic Farming with Daniel from the Mata do Lobo farm in Brasil. In the past 4 years, they have been working solutions to scale these complex agroforestry systems, soon reaching 50ha planted. Daniel and his partner, Maria Vittoria, have accumulated some tremendous experience as they build one of the most innovative coffee plantations out there. In this episode, you will find out what is the difference between the health and quality of agroforestry coffee and conventional coffee. You will also understand how they are striking a balance between efficiency and complexity - in order to integrate...
2022-10-201h 35
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#47 The synergies of trees and poultry and adopting silvo-poultry at scale with David BrassDavid Brass is the CEO of the Lakes Free range egg company. Almost 30 years ago he started planting trees in the fields to encourage his laying hens to go and range. Since then, he has been busy planting trees throughout his supply chain. With about 70 farmers and 2 million birds supplying eggs to his company today, this is an example of agroforestry working at scale. The interview brings forward both practical considerations for the layout and maintenance of trees, and explains how they have managed to onboard their suppliers. David is enthusiastic about the numerous benefits trees have bought, carefully do...
2022-10-0456 min
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#46 How can regenerative agriculture be scaled into the food industry supply chain?Our team attended the Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems Summit, organised by Kiasko Research in order to catalyse a regenerative transition in the food industry. The event was attended by large corporations such as Nestle, Unilever and Yara, as well as numerous companies and organisations that work actively with Regen Ag on the ground. We attended the conference as media partners, producing mini-interviews with a diversity of summit attendees. The objective of this episode is try and understand the value of the strategies being implemented by large corporations, as well as the way in which technical and specialised companies...
2022-09-261h 34
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#45 Rethinking the agricultural status-quo by mimicking natural ecosystems with Mark ShepardMark Shepard is the founder of the Restoration Agriculture farming method and New Forest Farm, where Mark grows food in perennial polycultures, without using external fertilisers, with very limited management activities, whilst integrating animals. In this episode, Mark shares with us the results he has achieved by actively engaging with tree crop breeding on his farm - one of the foundations of his system. Mark is also the author of two books: ‘Restoration Agriculture: Real World Permaculture for Farmers’ and ‘Water for Any Farm’. He is also the founder of Restoration Agriculture Development, an enterprises that catalyses Restoration Agriculture projects...
2022-09-161h 33
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#44 The potential of fast growing biomass trees in agroforestry systems with Michael WeitzMichael Weitz is a European expert in fast growing biomass trees, with a special passion for Poplar. These fast growing crops are especially interesting for agroforestry systems thanks to their early returns and their capacity to produce ecosystem services early on. Furthermore, the need to find alternatives to fossil fuels and sustainable building materials is leading to evolving economic opportunities for farmers. In this interview we are hitting the nail on the head when it comes to integrating valuable tree crops on our farms! Michael has the ability to zoom into the technical details and zoom out to the...
2022-08-252h 02
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#43 The story, philosophy and principles of Syntropic Farming with Marc LeiberSyntropic Farming has recently gained international attention, and it is about time we interview an expert on the podcast! Whilst I call him an expert, Marc Leiber prefers to see himself as a student of Syntropic Farming. He has been trained by Ernst Gotsch, the founder of the movement, and continues to work intimately with him on his farm, Quinta das Abelhas, in Southern Portugal. We believe there are few people better positioned to talk about this subject than Marc. In this interview you will understand the history, the philosophy and the principles behind Syntropic Farming. Whilst many questions...
2022-08-011h 26
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#42 Stories and facts: how to convince decision makers about the importance of agroforestryToday I have the pleasure of welcoming Patrick Worms on the show. He is a policy advisor for World Agroforestry and the ex-president of the European Agroforestry Federation. We discuss together agroforestry from a policy perspective to understand how we convince decision makers and what type of funding is needed to scale agroforestry. Although much of the conversation is focused on Europe, Patrick gives some insights that will be of great interest to anyone who wants to convince key players of the opportunity of agroforestry. Patrick is an amazing speaker and you will find this interview to be not...
2022-07-151h 04
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#41 The transition to Regen Ag and Belgian alley cropping trials with Soil Capital FarmingThomas Lecomte and Guillaume Sneessens are agronomists and experts in the field of regenerative agriculture. Through Soil Capital Farming, they both manage and consult a significant amount of acreage. Thomas and Guillaume both see an important role of agroforestry for their clients, integrating more and more perennial systems in farm transitions. We wanted to understand more about what a regenerative transition means to them, and the potential they see in trees. We were extremely well served, and could have kept talking for many more hours. As farm managers they have also started a 5ha alley cropping trial with walnuts...
2022-06-161h 51
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#40 How to diversify a milk and meat farm using silvopasture and alley cropping with Felix RieckenI talk with Felix Riecken who is planting out silvopastoral and silvoarable systems on his 90ha family farm in the North of Germany. The farm traditionally produces cow milk and meat. He explains the journey that led him to agroforestry and integrating these techniques into the family business. His systems being still quite young, we focus the conversation on the design, the objectives and the establishment of the tree systems. This goes from choosing the right genetics, to protecting the trees and managing the weeds. Felix also explains how he successfully funded the agroforestry systems.In Collaboration...
2022-06-091h 13
The Regenerative Agroforestry PodcastSpecial Episode #1 - EURAF Conference 2022As Dimitri and I travelled recently to the 2022 EURAF conference in Sardinia, we wanted to share with you the work of the European Agroforestry Federation. In this short interview with their president, Patrick Worms, he explains what the organisation does and its next steps. We also discuss how we can build additional bridges between research and practitioners. • RESOURCEShttp://www.europeanagroforestry.eu/about• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
2022-05-3112 min
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#39 The nuances of farm forestry and the opportunities of integrating biodiversity with Campbell MercerCampbell Mercer owns 40ha outside Melbourne, Australia where he has set up a world class olive farm - producing award winning organic olive oil. Campbell uses a variety of fascinating agroforestry practices, from windbreaks to farm forestry and silvopastural systems. We have an in-depth conversation on small scale farm forestry, from design considerations to harvest and selling. We also discussed the Keyline cultivation pattern and its implications for tree planting, finishing off with the various functions of his windbreaks and their interaction with neighbouring olive trees. Overall, Campbell has not been shy to make use of tree systems to...
2022-05-031h 46
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#38 Understanding a EU funded pig agroforestry system with Carl SheardMy guest today is Carl Sheard who produces pigs in France. He has received EU funding for his project so we try and understand with him what kind of opportunity it offers farmers in Europe. He also shares some of the challenges he has encountered with deers and we assess together the potential for increasing the proportion of perennials in pigs’s diet. **In Collaboration with Agromix**https://agromixproject.eu/TABLE OF CONTENTS1:38 Introduction08:18 Design and technical support10:22 EU funding13:38 Tree layout and description of sys...
2022-04-1847 min
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#37 Increasing tree cover from 3% to 20% for resilience, profit and biodiversity with Jill and Andrew StewartAndrew and Jill Stewart are owners and managers of Yan Yan Gurt West Farm in the Otway Ranges, Southern Victoria, Australia. For the past 30 years, they have taken regenerative agriculture extremely seriously in order to solve problems of soil salinisation, soil erosion, climate change and animal welfare. In order to do so they have planted 23kms of shelterbelts and riparian buffers, connected into a complex ecological mosaic to produce both ecosystem services and a huge variety of new enterprises. Since they started planting trees they have increased tree cover from 3% to 20%, without reducing any of their sheep productivity. Quite...
2022-03-311h 20
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#36 Managing a diverse landscape for healthy and productive animals with Fred ProvenzaFred Provenza is a researcher in behavioural ecology who has carried out fascinating research on the nutritional wisdom of animals, on their ability to select their diet and learn. We explore with him the practical implications of his research. He explains why a biodiverse landscape is crucial to animal health and what tools we have to favour such a foraging environment. We explore at length how to train animals either to avoid certains plants or to introduce new plants into their foraging habits. TABLE OF CONTENTS01:42 Fred's story08:35 Nutritional wisdom of living creatures...
2022-03-091h 32
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#35 Hedges and farm scale forestry to diversify and regenerate with Federico San BonifacioFederico San Bonifacio is the owner and farm manager of a 30ha farm in the plains of Verona, Northern Italy. For 12 years he has been engaging in an agroecological transition where trees and shrubs play a fundamental role. Breaking the monotony of the surrounding corn and soy plots, he has planted hedges in long strips to provide the ecosystem services that support his grain production. At the same time, Federico planted 5ha of polycyclic forestry, a forestry practice that balances economic return and ecological health of the soil and ecosystem. It is always fascinating to interview farmers, as they...
2022-03-021h 30
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#34 Building relationships to scale agroforestry with Kaitie AdamsToday I talk with Kaitie Adams, she leads the Savanna Institute's Illinois Demonstration Farm program and helps build community through agroforestry education across the state and beyond. Kaitie and I explore together how they build relationships with different stakeholders to make agroforestry projects become a reality in the mid-west. We engage with themes such as cultural perceptions of agroforestry and the multiple ways the Savanna Institute is leveraging change. We also took the time to discuss their demonstration sites, their design methodology working with local farmers as well as debriefing on certain of their mistakes and lessons learnt. TA...
2022-01-311h 31
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#33 Perennial polycultures and a 500 acre landlord driven agroforestry conversion with Scott and Sandy WilliamsScott and Sandy Williams got involved in farming after acquiring 500 acres of productive land in Illinois, USA. After meeting the Savannah Institute, they were inspired to transition their land towards conservation agriculture, with a keen interest in agroforestry systems. This interviews delves into the 17 acre perennial polyculture project they planted 5 years ago, and explores how they collaborate with their farmer tenant to implement extensive silvopasture, windbreaks and riparian buffers. Whilst we often see the perspective of the farm manager, it is fascinating to understand how dedicated landlords work to implement agroforestry practices. TABLE OF CONTENTS02:10...
2022-01-161h 17
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#32 Carbon sequestration and current research on alley cropping with Eric ToensmeierEric Toensmeir is the author of The Carbon Farming Solution among other great books on agroforestry and perennial crops. The first part of the interview is focused on understanding the carbon sequestration potential of agroforestry, focusing especially on silvopasture. We then move on to discussing the challenges we are faced with to shift towards a more perennial diet. Finally we explore with him the research on alley cropping he is carrying out on the behalf of Interlace Commons : where it makes most sense and what prevents its uptake. TABLE OF CONTENTS01:38 Introduction04:32 Are tre...
2021-12-211h 29
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#31 Designing, planting and managing a silvopasture system with Brett ChedzoyWe have the pleasure of welcoming back Brett Chedzoy on the podcast. While last time we dedicated much of the conversation to transforming woods into a productive silvopasture, this time we focus on planting trees into pasture. We go into a lot of depth into the design of such plantations as well as their management implications. We conclude the interview by discussing his way of using coniferous plantations to shelter his herd from extreme winter storms and how that is saving him from building expensive infrastructure. TABLE OF CONTENTS00:01:46 Introduction 00:07:08 Why bring trees int...
2021-11-241h 49
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#30 Soil fertility and the role of trees in the agricultural transition by Francis BucailleFrancis Bucaille is a leader in the field of agronomy. Farmer, consultant, educator, author and owner of Gaiago, he has built a reputation nuancing some of the commonly held beliefs of regenerative agricultural practices. As a soil expert he talks about the key principles of agroecology, why fungi and lignin are so important, and how trees can help farmers improve their soil. This interview contributes to our ongoing investigation as to how trees can be an agronomic tool for farmers. Their impact on soil health and fertility is a natural place to start. Enjoy!• TABLE OF CONTENTS...
2021-10-311h 25
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#29 How trees can increase livestock's welfare and productivity with Lindsay WhistanceDr Lindsay Whistance is a Livestock Researcher at the Organic Research Center in the UK. Through her extensive knowledge of silvopasture, she enables us to see agroforestry from the animal’s perspective. Trees can provide livestock with shelter, food, medicine and even encourage social interactions between animals. These benefits are not only important to provide livestock with a stimulating and pleasant environment but they also reduce sources of stress and increase the productivity of the herd. The discussion focuses on cows but anyone considering to integrate livestock and trees will find this conversation fascinating and full of data. •...
2021-10-051h 18
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#28 How leucaena can double cattle units per hectare and transform profitability with Jaime ElizondoAfter many years of experimentation, Jaime Elizondo is scaling his leucaena silvopasture system in order to increase his stocking rate from 3 to 6 cattle units per hectare: doubling his profitability.This bold statement has been made by one of the most experienced regenerative graziers we know of, and shouldn't be taken lightly. Beyond improving his grass productivity and providing fodder for his cows, Jaime is planting trees for a multitude of benefits such as biodiversity, cattle wellbeing and soil regeneration. In this interview Jaime is talking directly to farmers and graziers with a wealth of practical...
2021-09-151h 00
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#27 Practical feedback on establishing silvopastoral systems with Ben RaskinBen Raskin is Head of Horticulture and Agroforestry at the Soil Association. He is also working at Eastbrook Farm in the UK, where he is overseeing the implementation of various agroforestry systems over the last few years, mainly focused on silvopasture. Ben gives us some detailed feedback on these first years on the farm : the design of the different fields, what species they have chosen and why, as well as how they approached weed control and tree protection from livestock. Ben is passionate about wood chips and he explains how they are using them on the farm and with w...
2021-08-271h 22
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#26 Holistic grazing and acorn fed pigs in the Portuguese montado with Francisco AlvesFrancisco Alves manages 700ha of montado, a traditional agroforestry system of Southern Europe, with herds of cattle, goats, sheep and the famous Alentejo pig. His experience at Herdade Sao Luis exposes us to the future of recently planted silvopastural systems. We discuss important topics such as how mature trees interact with pasture, the optimum tree quantity per hectare, how they contribute to his animals' health and growth, as well as the key management constraints.On top of this, Francisco is using the holistic management technique for animal grazing. This enables him to regenerate his soil and pasture...
2021-08-081h 33
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#25 Low cost and highly productive chestnut agroforestry systems with Tom WahlWe have an extremely practical conversation with Tom Wahl, co-founder of the Red Fern Farm, convincing us he has developed a very functional and economic system. The team there has chosen a variety of rustic crops that need little care, are high in demand, and picked by the customers themselves. Planted on fantastic soil for growing trees and you have a system where all Tom and his team need to do is 'mow the grass'. In the interview we focused on chestnuts, his main crop, looking at why the economics make it a no brainer, and finish off talking...
2021-07-191h 33
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#24 Planning and designing holistically with Darren DohertyFarms are an expression of a climate, soil and farmer's potential. All need to be considered in order to create holistically functional systems. Reaching this depth is a complex task, but thanks to the work of innovators like Darren Doherty we have tools and techniques that help us make smarter decisions.This episode deals with the big picture: the patterns, the behaviours and the context that are vital to any farmer and his 'whole under management'. Too often, planning is not given enough emphasis, causing huge losses in resources. Darren bring his vast experience to the table, i...
2021-07-121h 43
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#23 Scaling agroforestry in France with Fabien BalaguerWe have a discussion with Fabien Balaguer, director of L'association Française d’Agroforesterie (AFAF) where Fabien provides an overview of where agroforestry is at today in France. This is a great episode to understand the methodology l’AFAF is using to scale agroforestry but also to understand the specific challenges that come with that mission. For example on-field technical expertise is a much greater limiting factor than access to funding. The conversation focuses on some strategic considerations such as economic models and commercialisation but we also manage to get some really interesting perspectives on the limitations of alley-cropping and l...
2021-06-251h 25
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#22 How agroforestry improves farm biodiversity and impacts insect dynamics with Tom StatonThere are many claims that agroforestry can benefit ecosystem services and biodiversity. Delving into the nuance of this subject, we start our journey with Tom Staton, PhD student at Reading University, who has been conducting research in the UK at some of the farms who's farm managers we have interviewed on the show. Tom has been measuring insect populations (of predators, pollinators and pests) in silvoarable vs arable systems. To our pleasure, this conversation helps us understand the pros and cons, and brings us closer to understanding the potential of agroforestry for the transition of our agricultural system. This...
2021-06-131h 06
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#21 How to get started farming with Matteo Mazzola, Koen van Seijen and Dimitri TsitosMatteo Mazzola from Iside Farm, Koen van Seijen from Investing in The Regenerative Agriculture podcast and your host Dimitri (founder of Mazi Farm) sat down to answer one of the most prominent questions we received whilst reaching out to you: how to get started farming. Matteo and Dimitri have both been through the process of creating a farm and educating themselves in agroecology, whilst Koen has been engaged in the financial side of regenerative agriculture. We talk about training, the creation of a holistic context, talking to investors and much more. • RESOURCESwww.in...
2021-05-2040 min
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#20 Investing in large scale agroforestry with 12TreeWe have a conversation with Oliver Hanke from 12Tree finance to understand what scaling agroforestry looks like. With 160 million $ already invested in 12 projects, 12Tree is bringing large investors into agroforestry. We go into some detail on their largest project in Guatemala to understand its implementation. We understand who is investing in agroforestry at that scale and their motivations for doing so. We also discuss the balance between agronomic innovation and profitability, if agroforestry is delivering the benefits they expected, and whether such big farms leave any space for small-scale farmers. This episode brings to the forefront some of the...
2021-05-101h 20
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#19 Planting trees to build capital and reach conservation goals with Rowan ReidOne of the pillars of agroforestry is the production of timber as a product of farmers. Rowan has been working for the past 30 years as an academic and farmer, developing a unique approach to agroforestry. He explains the importance of timber on farms, firstly as a key tool for conservation and sustainability objectives, and only secondly as a valid source of capital gain and financial return for a farm. Realistically speaking, why and how should farmers integrate trees? What should they expect from this new venture? Rowan's vast experience comes out in each of his answers. Enjoy! • TA...
2021-04-201h 47
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#18 Grazing turkeys in an organic fruit orchard with Garrett MillerGarrett Miller has an unconventional path into agriculture, starting his farm at 22 and growing it into an extremely diverse enterprise since then. From cider production and a cider house, to strawberries and agrotourism, we were extremely interested in asking him questions about how he manages his business. Diversity is an inherent part of agroforestry systems, so understanding how farms manage a variety of productions is key. We then zoom in on how he integrates turkeys and apple trees, analysing the various benefits he has observed, such as reduced insect problems, better leaf decomposition and reduced weed pressure. Garrett is...
2021-04-011h 24
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#17 Insights from research on agroforestry with Sally Westaway and Jo SmithIn our previous interviews with Iain Tolhurst (#10) and David Wolfe (#6), both mentioned the research undertook by the Organic Research Center on their farms. We really wanted to go one step further and understand what came out of these research projets. The result is a great interview with Sally Westaway and Jo Smith where we discuss interactions between crops and trees, the productivity of agroforestry and the results of their trials on wood chips. Sally and Jo do a great job at bringing some nuance to the conversation while also linking their research to very practical considerations. • TABLE OF...
2021-03-071h 18
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#16 Feedback from 40 years of pecan intercropping with Dan ShepherdOne of the key questions we are trying to answer is 'in what contexts does agroforestry work, or doesn't'. Dan started intercropping grains between his pecans before he knew it was called agroforestry, because it made sense to him at the time. The first part of the interview focuses on the business strategy of the farm. Whilst providing many tips and fascinating info, you'll also understand the context in which the agroforestry system sets itself. You will be able to understand the details of how he created and managed his intercropping operation, and follow the system whilst it gains...
2021-02-211h 32
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#15 Ducks and stacking entreprises on a small farm with Josh HeynekeWe have the pleasure of talking with Josh Heyneke from Parc Carreg in Wales. In just 4 years Josh and his partner Abi have achieved a lot and we dig deep into his main enterprise : pastured duck eggs. Because they have quite a small acreage they have stacked enterprises and we wanted to understand the interactions between them. We get a detailed understanding of what it takes to raise ducks, how they control certain pests and what their behaviour means for weeding and mulching perennial crops. We also touch on blueberry production and the best options for mulching them in a...
2021-02-071h 32
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#14 Integrating fruit trees and arable crops with Stephen BriggsAnother fascinating interview with a leader and pioneer in the field. Stephen Briggs, managing Whitehall Farm in the UK, delves into the details of his apple intercropping system, and shows us how his farm operation has benefited from the positive interactions of his trees and his arable crops. He is convinced of the strategic benefits agroforestry provides, both for his business and agro-ecosystem. Needless to say, he also has made many mistakes, and shares with us what he would do differently. He finished off discussing where he believes agroforestry is heading in the next 10 years. A must listen, enjoy!
2021-01-251h 13
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#13 Sheep silvopasture and farm ecology with Steve GabrielIn this episode Steve Gabriel shares with us his experience on Wellspring Forest Farm, focusing on his sheep silvopasture system. Steve has used the different ecological niches present on his land to build up various enterprises and has refused to separate productions, preferring rather to take advantage of interactions and edge effects. You'll find out how he uses trees to diversify the habitat of his sheep and how this very same diversity can become a key asset in time of crisis. We also cover the importance of the breed, the role of tree fodder, patterns of tree planting and...
2021-01-121h 24
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#12 Grazing cattle in the woods with Brett ChedzoyIn this episode, Brett Chedzoy shares with us his extensive experience practicing and teaching silvopasture. Brett clearly discussed some of the key issues, challenges and opportunities associated with silvopasture. We spent quite some time covering the importance of rotational grazing and how silvopasture differs from pasture grazing. We cover specific topics such as tree fodder, animal behaviour and the different interactions between trees and animals. We finish the conversation with a practical step by step method to convert a forest into a silvopasture system. TABLE OF CONTENTS00:02:00 Introduction 00:06:58 Silvopasture basics 00:13:40 Challenges...
2020-12-261h 19
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#11 Designing modular agroforestry systems with Preta TerraPaula and Valter share with us how they are designing and implementing complex agroforestry systems. They put an emphasis on creating flexible, modular designs which fit the needs and preferences of local farmers. We talk with them through some key points of their work such as the role of mechanisation, how they plan economically viable systems and finding markets for diverse productions. TABLE OF CONTENTS00:01:59 Introduction to Preta Terra00:11:32 Project in the amazon around cassava 00:18:02 Pasto Vivo: silvopasture system around cattle ranching00:28:00 How can we make more complexity economically...
2020-12-0654 min
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#10 Fertile woodchips and managing the tree line understory with Iain TolhurstIn this episode, Iain Tolhurst explains why and how he integrated trees in his vegetable operation. It's interesting to get a clear image of what his tree layout looks like, and what this means in term on infrastructure and management. He has tested planting perennial crops in the tree understory, a tempting idea that encounters some practical and commercial limitations. We cover some issues such as if we should be worried of weeds growing in the tree line or if root and light competition are a challenge for him. We then explore another interesting aspect of his farm : how...
2020-11-231h 27
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#9 Selecting fruit tree varieties for climate resilience with Pierre BarbieuxIn this episode, Pierre shares with us his work at the Bois de Rode Bos, where he is experimenting with tree varieties to find the most adapted ones to the evolving Belgian climate. It is amazing to realise the genetic diversity that we are not familiar with and the potential it can offer for agricultural production, yet at the same time we understand how technical this work is. Pierre talks us through his selection process, from sourcing rare genetics to trialling them on his land. As we delve into the details of some specific trees such as mulberries and...
2020-11-101h 21
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#8 Paying farmers for positive ecological outcomes with Regen NetworkIn this episode we talk with Christian Shearer and Sarah Baxendell from Regen Network to understand how they are monitoring the ecological outcomes of farming practices and offering an additional income stream to farmers who are regenerating land. These type of tools are crucial to scaling agroforestry as they help make ecologically sound practices economically viable in the short term. We discuss in depth how Regen Network is monitoring ecological change on farms, what data they use, and what taking part in their platform means for farmers. Will biodiversity and carbon credits become key sources of income for agroforestry...
2020-10-231h 28
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#7 Creating regenerative supply chains based on multi strata agroforestry with Ryan Zinn from Dr. Bronner'sIn this episode, we have the pleasure to talk with Ryan Zinn from the company Dr Bronner. We explore with him how they are using multistrata agroforestry to transform their supply chains in order to increase their resilience and the improve the livelihood of the farmers they work with. We are able to understand why such a company is investing in regenerative agroforestry and what it takes for them to transform their supply chains. We go into some practical details such as the challenges that come with diversifying production on smallholdings and the key role of infrastructure to make...
2020-10-121h 21
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#6 Managing a 25 year old alley cropping system with David WolfeIn this episode we have the chance to interview the manager of Wakelyns Farm, amongst the oldest agroforestry systems in Europe. David gives us a great insight into what a fully running agroforestry system looks like. We get into understanding the decisions involved when managing mature trees, what tradeoffs arise with time, and how to balance their needs with the crops grown in the alleys. David also explains how he is shifting the strategy of the farm from a research project to a demonstration site with more diverse revenue streams, bringing many new people and productions on...
2020-09-301h 05
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#5 Creative strategies for balancing diversity and economy with Adolfo RosatiIn this interview, Adolfo gives us practical information on the management of his agroforestry systems, from integrating chickens to weed wild asparagus and olive, to punning the forest for tree fodder. He gives us an insight into the type of decision making it takes to run a small diversified farm in Italy, and how finding the right balance between ecological diversity and economy of scale is key to success. He provides some great guidance on how to navigate bureaucratic constraints, how to market diversity and how to create synergies between different enterprises on the farm. He concludes th...
2020-09-141h 34
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#4 How to create profitable agroforestry systems with Propagate VenturesWe have an exciting conversation with Ethan, Harry and Jeremy from Propagate Ventures, to understand how they are blending cutting edge agronomy, economic modelling and innovative financing to scale up agroforestry. They walk us through their analysis and design methodology, from what data they use to how they define tree spacing and choice of species. We also discuss their favourite systems so far, the implementation of their projects, how they track success, the technical support they offer farmers as well as the commercialisation of agroforestry products. We finish by exploring what makes agroforestry profitable and how they find a...
2020-08-301h 26
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#3 Introducing agroforestry to a 1000ha grain farm with Benedikt BöselBenedikt Bösel shares with us his journey from investment banking to regenerative farming. We explore why he is testing out agroforestry on his large scale grain farm. We also discussed how grains benefit from trees, how to lead a 20 people team towards regenerative techniques and the process of diversifying his farm.• RESOURCEShttps://www.gutundboesel.org/https://www.instagram.com/benediktboesel/?hl=dehttps://twitter.com/altmadlitz?lang=dehttps://www.schlossgutaltmadlitz.com/• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org• SUPPORT US www.gumroad.com/regenagro...
2020-08-141h 30
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#2 Innovative agroforestry systems on a diversified CSA farm with Matteo MazzolaMatteo Mazzola shares with us some technical knowledge on how he is associating plants and animals to create productive and diversified systems on a small farm. We get into some detail on how he prepares his tree lines before planting, which plants consortiums he associates with his orchard and why, as well as the crucial relationships between grazing animals and trees.• RESOURCEShttps://www.facebook.com/agricolaiside/https://www.instagram.com/iside.farm/http://www.terraorganica.it/https://iside.farm/online-soon/• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org
2020-08-121h 47
The Regenerative Agroforestry Podcast#1 Our challenges at Mazi Farm and how the podcast came aboutIn this episode we discuss the process we are going through to create the Mazi Farm agroforestry system, as well as some of key questions and challenges we are faced with. We realised there are some typical topics and challenges agroforestry farms face, and the solutions aren't always easy to work out. From this position we decided to start the podcast and find some answers for ourselves.• RESOURCESwww.mazifarm.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Mazifarm/https://www.instagram.com/mazifarm/• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org • SUPPOR...
2020-08-0328 min
The Regenerative Agroforestry PodcastThe Podcast IntroductionIn this episode you will find out who we are, what agroforestry means to us, why we use the term regenerative, and what you can expect from this podcast.• GET IN TOUCH www.regenerativeagroforestry.org • DONATE www.gumroad.com/regenagroforestry• FOLLOW US on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2020-08-0215 min