AJ Boyce, an agriculture conservation practitioner with The Nature Conservancy, explores his work at the intersection of environmental sustainability and social justice. AJ explains his role at the world's largest environmental nonprofit, sharing what his day-to-day looks like—from 7 AM calls with farmers about cover crops to managing conservation projects and developing capacity for regenerative agricultural methods. The conversation breaks down misconceptions about farmers, revealing the economic pressures and uncertainties they face while discussing simple but effective conservation techniques like cover crops that reduce soil erosion and nutrient runoff.

AJ shares his work with BIPOC farming communities, describing himself as an "access advocate and resource Robin Hood," and highlights his success story of organizing Ohio's first-ever Agroforestry Summit, which grew from a simple virtual meeting of 50 people to an in-person event with over 100 participants. He explains why agroforestry, currently practiced on only 1.7% of US farmland, is important for ecosystem benefits and closing agricultural loops, while expressing hope for "increased localization" and integrating people back into landscapes through concepts like "working woods."

AJ's key message is that anyone can be a conservationist or environmental advocate, whether through hands-on work, advocacy, or simple actions. It's about finding what capacity and access you have in the moment.

Episode at a Glance

- AJ's Day-to-Day Work at The Nature Conservancy
- Navigating the Challenges of Modern Farming
- Building an Inclusive Agricultural Community
- Advocating for Underserved Farmers
- Shifting the Narrative: Conservation in Marginalized Communities
- Hope for the Future of Conservation

About AJ Boyce

AJ Boyce is an agricultural conservation practitioner with The Nature Conservancy, dedicated to creating a more just and sustainable world. With a background in environmental studies and a passion for community engagement, he works to advance conservation strategies that are both environmentally effective and socially inclusive. AJ's work exemplifies the power of connecting with nature, empowering communities, and advocating for a more equitable future.

Connect with AJ Boyce:

• The Nature Conservancy Ohio → https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/ohio/
• Columbus Outdoor Afro → https://outdoorafro.org/places/midwest/
• AJ's Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/homestead_heaux/

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Lauren Click is the founder and executive director of Let's Go Compost. She is on a mission to democratize composting across the United States. As a Mercedes-Benz BEVisioneers fellow and the US Compost Council's Young Professional of the Year, she's turning a simple worm bin into a nationwide educational movement.

She shares the story of how her organization has scaled from a single school to over 120 schools across 10 states, with plans for even greater expansion. Lauren discusses the challenges and successes of running a climate-focused nonprofit, emphasizing the importance of targeting the right audience and building strong community partnerships. She offers a preview into her free, K-12 curriculum, which uses engaging activities, from Peppa Pig videos to hands-on worm bins, to teach students about soil health, waste management, and environmental justice.

Lauren also discusses how growing up and founding her nonprofit in Arizona, a state on the front lines of extreme heat, has shaped her approach and created a unique environment for climate action. She shares critical lessons learned, including the importance of engaging all school staff: from teachers to cafeteria workers and janitors.

Episode at a Glance

- The Mission and Structure of Let's Go Compost
- The Growth and Impact of the Program
- Key Lessons for Engaging Schools and Creating Systemic Change
- How Arizona's Climate Reality Shapes the Work
- A Look Inside the Free K-12 Composting Curriculum
- The Future of Let's Go Compost and How to Get Involved

About Lauren Click

Lauren Click is the founder and executive director of Let's Go Compost, a nonprofit dedicated to making composting accessible. She is a Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers fellow, a Stanley 1913 Creator Fund recipient, and was named the US Composting Council's 2025 Young Professional of the Year. Lauren's work focuses on eliminating barriers to composting by providing free bins, curriculum, and resources to empower individuals and schools across the country to make a positive environmental impact.

Connect with Lauren Click

• Website → https://www.letsgocompost.org/
• Curriculum →http://letsgocompost.org/schools
• LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenclick/

Send us a message!

Lauren Click is the award-winning founder and executive director of Let's Go Compost, a nonprofit making composting accessible to all. What started with a failed $500 composting device in a high-rise apartment has blossomed into a national movement, providing free resources to schools and communities across all 50 states.

Lauren shares her unexpected journey into the world of waste, which began not in a garden, but in a high-rise apartment in Scottsdale, Arizona. Fueled by frustration with a greenwashed composting gadget, she discovered the simple power of worm composting thanks to her sister in Brooklyn. This newfound hobby of building worm bins from discarded bakery buckets soon connected her with a surprising community: teachers. Realizing the immense need for accessible and affordable composting education in schools, a passion project was born.

Lauren recounts the organic growth of Let's Go Compost, from a one-woman operation funded out of pocket to a nationally recognized nonprofit. She details winning the Stanley 1913 Creator Fund and being selected for the prestigious Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers fellowship.

Episode in a glance

- From Arts and Crafts to a Passion for Waste
- The $500 Composting Device that Sparked a Movement
- From a Hobby to Connecting with Teachers at Seed Swaps
- The Shift from Passion Project to Nonprofit
- How Winning the Stanley Creator Fund Changed Everything
- The Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers Global Fellowship

About Lauren Click

Lauren Click is the founder and executive director of Let's Go Compost, a nonprofit dedicated to making composting accessible. She is a Mercedes-Benz beVisioneers fellow, a Stanley 1913 Creator Fund recipient, and was named the US Composting Council's 2025 Young Professional of the Year. Lauren's work focuses on eliminating barriers to composting by providing free bins, curriculum, and resources to empower individuals and schools across the country to make a positive environmental impact.

Connect with Lauren Click and her work

• Website → https://www.letsgocompost.org/
• LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenclick/

Send us a message!