🎧 Reclaiming Soil with Dr. Jon Lundgren
🌍 Looking for a sustainable future? Tune into the Foodie Pharmacology podcast this week as we discuss the importance of regenerative agriculture and its impact on soil health and nutrition.
In the world of agriculture, the concept of regenerative farming is gaining significant attention. This innovative approach focuses on improving soil health and biodiversity to create a more sustainable and resilient food system. Join Dr. Quave this week as she and Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, the Executive Director of Ecdysis Foundation and CEO of Blue Dasher Farm, discuss the concept of agroecology, particularly regenerative agriculture. As a researcher and educator, Dr. Lundgren describes his efforts to evolve applied science in ways that foster the evolution of a sustainable and healthy food system. Lundgren shares his journey as a scientist and farmer and his passion for transforming the way science is conducted so it fuels a revolution in regenerative agriculture. He calls for more farmers to adopt practices that support soil health, water conservation, biodiversity, and reduced synthetics. Additionally, Lundgren shares insight from the Thousand Farms Initiative, quantifying the systemic performance of regenerative farms across North America.
This podcast is sponsored by The Periodic Table of Food Initiative in association with the American Heart Association. The views and opinions in this podcast are those of the presenters and represent the synthesis of science. For more information on the Periodic Table of Food Initiative, please visit https://foodperiodictable.org/
Access a summary of this Foodie Pharmacology episode at the bottom of this post. This special feature is available to paid subscribers of the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter.
About Jon
Dr. Lundgren is an agroecologist, Executive Director of Ecdysis Foundation, and CEO for Blue Dasher Farm. Lundgren’s research and education programs are helping applied science evolve in ways that foster the evolution of a regenerative food system. One of his priorities is to re-envision how science is conducted to help fuel a revolution in regenerative agriculture. He regularly interacts with the public and farmers around the world regarding ecologically intensive farming and how diversity fuels the resilience and productivity of an agroecosystem and rural communities.
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 video
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
Here is the episode summary, available to Nature’s Pharmacy paid subscribers:
Introduction
In this interview, Dr. Lundgren shares his journey as a scientist, the importance of soil health, and the transformative impact of regenerative agriculture.
Dr. Lundgren's Journey
Dr. Lundgren's scientific journey began with a focus on entomology and biology. However, a sense of dissatisfaction grew as he witnessed the worsening conditions faced by farmers and rural communities. Despite his impressive scientific achievements, Dr. Lundgren realized that the traditional approach to scientific research was not effectively addressing the challenges in our food system. Motivated by a desire to bring about positive change, he founded Blue Dasher Farm and the Ecdysis Foundation.
Understanding Soil Health
Dr. Lundgren emphasizes that many of the problems we face in our food system are fundamentally soil problems. While insects and pests may appear to be the issue at hand, they are merely the symptoms of an unhealthy soil ecosystem. Healthy soils are crucial for supporting plant growth, providing essential nutrients, and fostering biodiversity. Dr. Lundgren highlights that when we neglect the health of our soils, we play a dangerous game of "whack a mole" where new problems constantly arise. Regenerative agriculture aims to address these root causes and build a thriving ecosystem where plants, insects, and other organisms coexist in harmony.
The Interconnectedness of Agriculture, Soil, and Climate
One of the remarkable aspects of regenerative agriculture is its potential to mitigate climate change and reshape local climates. By improving soil health, farms practicing regenerative agriculture have shown that they can store carbon emissions, increase water retention, reverse desertification, and enhance biodiversity. Dr. Lundgren provides examples from his research, including almond orchards in California that reduced water usage by 70% without compromising yield. These findings demonstrate the transformative power of regenerative agriculture in addressing critical environmental issues.
The Principles of Regenerative Agriculture
Dr. Lundgren breaks down the key principles of regenerative agriculture. These principles include minimizing soil disturbance, maintaining living roots in the ground, harnessing solar energy through plant diversity, fostering plant-animal interactions, and abandoning synthetic chemicals. By adhering to these principles, farmers can create resilient and vibrant agricultural ecosystems that support not only food production but also the health of our planet.
Reclaiming Soil and Food Systems
While it may seem that we have lost the battle against soil depletion and the industrialized food system, Dr. Lundgren's research offers hope. He highlights the resilience of regenerative farming systems and shares examples of farms that have been practicing regenerative agriculture for centuries. These farms demonstrate that it is possible to rehabilitate degraded soils and restore biodiversity, ultimately creating a sustainable and abundant food system. Dr. Lundgren emphasizes the need for more farmers and encourages young people to consider farming as a career where they can reconnect with nature and contribute to the well-being of their communities.
The Future of Nutrition and Regenerative Agriculture
Understanding the relationship between farming practices and nutrient density in crops is an evolving area of research. Dr. Lundgren acknowledges that there is still a need for more data to support the claims of increased nutrient density in regenerative agriculture. Collaborations with initiatives like the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) are instrumental in studying the connection between farming practices, food composition, and human health. By measuring nutrient quality and phytochemical content in foods, researchers can pave the way for a more nuanced understanding of nutrition and its relationship to regenerative agriculture.
Conclusion
Regenerative agriculture represents a promising solution to the challenges we face in our food system. Dr. Jonathan Lundgren's insights shed light on the importance of soil health, the transformative potential of regenerative practices, and the need for more farmers to embrace this approach. Through regenerative agriculture, we have the opportunity to not only restore our soils but also reshape our relationship with nature, improve the quality of our food, and create a more sustainable future for generations to come.