I met with Zuzanna Zielińska in Rotterdam 🇳🇱to discuss her amazing Food Pharmacy project: HarvestCare. Connecting the dots between soil health, nutrient density, and human health could be a total game changer in my opinion and I am a big supporter of Zuzanna’s vision 😍

This is the first QuickSeed, a shorter and more casual episode format than the usual long format conversations.

Zuzanna's Inspiring Journey:

Her journey began at a care farm in Denmark, where she worked with individuals with mental disabilities, helping them reconnect with society by growing their own food. This experience ignited her passion for soil health and sustainable agriculture.

She later collaborated with a start-up focused on upcycling coffee waste into food products, aiming to improve the livelihoods of farmers, especially in the Global South. These experiences opened her eyes to the importance of soil health, leading her to join Fresh Ventures Studio, a venture building program dedicated to accelerating the transition to regenerative agriculture.

The Importance of Soil Health and Nutrient Density:

Zuzanna's mission is to address critical questions: How can we make nutrient-dense foods accessible to those who cannot afford them? The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) currently favors large-scale farmers, overlooking small farmers dedicated to growing healthy vegetables locally and in healthy soil.

Research from the Bionutrient Food Association and institutions like Leiden University's Soil2Gut program, a partner of Harvest Care, demonstrates that soil health and farming practices significantly impact the nutrient density of foods. For example, carrots grown regeneratively can contain several times more vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals than those from intensive farming systems. The book "What Your Food Ate" by Montgomery & Bikle is a comprehensive reference that compiles scientific evidence showing the correlation between farming practices, soil health, and nutrient density.

Health and Socio-Economic Impacts:

Harvest Care aims to explore the health benefits of nutrient-dense foods. By selecting 10 farmers who follow agroecological principles and providing fresh food boxes to participants from socio-economically challenged backgrounds for three months, the project will study the health outcomes in collaboration with Erasmus MC. The goal is to prove that healthy farming practices produce healthier foods, making them more accessible to all, and ultimately reducing healthcare costs.

RHEA: Regenerative Health European Association:

Zuzanna was one of the five female professionals in nutrition and regenerative agriculture who co-created RHEA (Regenerative Healthcare European Association), educating and raising awareness about the connection between soil health and human health. Their mission is to foster the regenerative healthcare transition in the EU.

Join us in this episode as we explore the incredible work being done to bridge the gap between soil health, food quality, and human health, and learn how initiatives like Harvest Care and RHEA are paving the way for a healthier, more sustainable future.

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This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.

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Join us in an enlightening conversation with Emilie de Morteuil, co-founder of the House of Agroecology, as we explore the transformative power of #agroecology in creating a food system that nurtures both our planet and our health.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

🔍 The significant issues plaguing our food systems and how agroecology offers viable solutions.

🌾 How agroecological practices not only yield more nutrition per hectare than conventional methods but also enhance farmer profitability.

🍎 The health benefits of consuming diverse, agroecologically produced foods.

🤝 How the House of Agroecology fosters collaboration across the food system to develop agroecological supply chains.

⚖️ The need to more fairly distribute risks and rewards across the supply chain, highlighting the current imbalance where farmers bear most risks with few rewards.

🌍 The essential roles consumers and policymakers play in promoting sustainable diets and resilient ecosystems.

👶 The crucial importance of connecting children with the outdoors and integrating lessons on food, nutrition, and farming into school curriculums.

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This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.

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Support our journey towards a sustainable future by

1️⃣following the Deep Seed page

2️⃣leaving a 5-star review

Together, we can make a difference!

Thank you for tuning in,

Raphaël

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Alain Peeters has been involved in sustainable agriculture and nature conservation since the 70s and he is one of the pioneers of agroecology in the world. In this conversation, he describes how agroecology offers a powerful solution to transform our food system from a destructive to regenerative, while improving the wellbeing of farmers.

Unlike conventional agriculture, which often entails a struggle against nature, agroecology advocates for cooperation with natural systems, recognizing their resilience and efficacy. Rooted in the fusion of agricultural science and ecology, agroecology represents a holistic approach that integrates traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific insights. Central to this paradigm is the promotion of biodiversity across all facets of agricultural production, from soil health to landscape management. As societies confront the imperative of transitioning away from fossil fuel dependency, agroecology emerges as a viable pathway towards sustainability, leveraging practices such as minimal soil disturbance and the integration of livestock and crops.

The conventional farming model, epitomized by the green revolution, faces mounting challenges, including diminishing returns and escalating debt burdens for farmers. While agroecology promises increased profitability and sustainability, its adoption hinges on overcoming entrenched practices and embracing change. Alain's NGO, Terres Vivantes, offers invaluable support to farmers transitioning towards agroecological practices, providing experiential guidance and fostering collective learning through peer exchanges.

Terres Vivantes employs the OASIS system to assess farms' agroecological evolution across multiple dimensions, including farming methods, economics, social dynamics, and environmental resilience. Emphasizing the holistic well-being of farmers, Alain underscores the need to alleviate financial pressures and streamline administrative burdens, thereby fostering a conducive environment for sustainable agriculture.

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This podcast was produced in collaboration with Soil Capital, a company that supports regenerative agriculture for food system resilience and climate action, by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health.

Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.