Biodynamic Agriculture & Sustainable Development with Helmy Abouleish
This week, I speak with the CEO of SEKEM Holding, an initiative for sustainable agricultural development in the Egyptian desert.
As a follow-up to my research expedition in Egypt this winter, I speak with Helmy Abouleish. He is the Chief Executive Officer of SEKEM Holding, the Initiative for Sustainable Development in the Egyptian desert, which works holistically in the four pillars of sustainable development:
Ecology (biodynamic agriculture and its promotion)
Economy of Love (production of phytopharmaceuticals, organic textiles and food)
Social Life (sustainable community development)
Cultural Life (individual potential unfolding in Schools, University, Medical center).
I’ve learned so much about biodynamic farming and sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change from Helmy and his team and I know you will too with this episode! Plus, he shares an exciting capacity building program underway in Egypt that helps small farms (2 acres or less) to farm using biodynamic practices and gain financial support through carbon certification. You can learn more about Helmy and the work at SEKEM and learn more about how to support farmers through voluntary carbon credits with the Economy of Love project.
About Helmy
Helmy Abouleish is the CEO of SEKEM Holding and the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development. He is also the President of the Biodynamic Federation - Demeter International, in which he has been involved since its founding and contributed to defining the Demeter International Vision Mission Principles Values. He is a counselor of the World Future Council, a board member of C2C (Cradle to Cradle) and a member of the Schwab Foundation (World Economic Forum).
Listen to the interview
Listen to the podcast on any of your favorite podcast streaming services. Subscribe to Foodie Pharmacology to access new episodes weekly! If you enjoy this and other episodes, let me know! Give is a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts so others can find it and enjoy 🙏 🤩!
Watch the full video version on YouTube
Available exclusively on the Teach Ethnobotany YouTube Channel, you can catch the full video version of this episode and others! Enjoy!
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a disabled writer, speaker, podcast host, wife, mother, explorer, ethnobotanist, and professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She teaches college courses and leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription, with founding members receiving an autographed 1st edition hardcover copy of her book, The Plant Hunter.