Today we have lifelong farmer, and business owner Pete Vegas on the podcast. I have known Pete for some years and admired is practical and focused approach to revolutionizing how we educate young farmers and how we farm the some of the largest monocultures in the country - corn and soy.

Pete takes us on a journey of his newest project Foules farm, and how he is applying regenerative agriculture principles in a way that is economically lucrative for the farmer and ecologically superior to conventional farming.

Check out his latest project and their progress here https://www.foulesregenfarm.com/

What if buying food wasn’t just about transactions, but about relationships—between people, land, and the entire supply web?

In this episode, we dive deep with Lauren Dunteman, a senior associate with Terra Genesis, who helps businesses worldwide move beyond sustainable sourcing to truly regenerative partnerships.

Lauren shares how companies and consumers alike can shift from simply acquiring products to becoming regenerative buyers—actively engaging with the land and people behind their purchases. We explore:

✅ Why supply chains should be seen as a web, not a linear chain

✅ How businesses can build reciprocal relationships with farmers and ecosystems

✅ What it means to source regeneratively beyond just certifications

✅ How consumers can transform their buying habits to support regenerative systems

✅ The deep connection between regenerative sourcing, health, and community resilience

Whether you're a business owner looking to create a truly regenerative supply network or a consumer wanting to align your purchases with your values, this episode will shift your mindset on what it means to buy regeneratively.

🔗 Connect with Lauren Dunteman & Terra Genesis: https://medium.com/@lauren_dunteman

🎧 Tune in now and start weaving a regenerative future!

Politics and policy—two things that many of us who love the land tend to avoid. They feel like a behemoth—divisive, cumbersome, and, frankly, unappealing. Sound about right? But here’s the thing: policy and politics directly shape how we farm, the funding available to producers, and ultimately, the type and quality of food on our plates. And so much more.

That’s why I was beyond thrilled to get an inside look at what’s happening with soil policy, what we can expect from this administration’s approach to agriculture, and how these decisions will impact our food system. Most importantly, we’ll discuss what we can do as individuals to push soil health to the forefront of the national agenda.

Join me for this conversation with the experts themselves—Aria McLauchlan and Harley Cross, founders of Landcore. If you haven’t already, sign up for their newsletter—it's a great way to stay up to date on the latest in ag policy. https://landcore.org/

Joshua Hughes » CEO & Founder, Blacksheep Regenerative Resource Management

Josh is a founder and CEO of Blacksheep Regenerative Resource Management and its subsidiary brand, Rewild Organics. He grew up working in his family’s wrecking yard in southern Oregon, where he learned the real value of what many consider “waste.” Josh relocated to rural Costa Rica in 2006 to work directly on reforestation and regenerative agriculture. Alongside his family and a handful of close friends, he founded VerdEnergia Pacifica, which has now grown into a successful farm, education center, and ecotourism destination. Josh has helped train and inspire thousands of people in community building, DIY ethics, and regenerative business. As CEO of Blacksheep, Josh uses his platform to transmute “trash” into treasure by using agroforestry to regenerate degraded pasture land into biodiverse forests and regenerative superfood products.

Introduction:

1. Host & Guest: Georgiana Watson, holistic chef and postpartum doula, shares insights.

Georgiana's Journey:

1. Bozeman, Montana, became home for Georgiana, seeking a shift from city life to nature.
2. Transitioned doula role to culinary director, supporting Special Operations individuals.

Holistic Practices Impact:

1. Shift in postpartum doula practice due to pandemic challenges and reflections on healthcare.
2. Embraced holistic cooking, emphasizing the life force (prana) in ingredients.

Nourishing Mothers:

1. Stresses the importance of a source connection in nourishing mothers during the postpartum period.

Challenges in Food and Healthcare Systems:

1. Addresses carcinogenic ingredients, lack of nutrition education in healthcare, and concerns about industrialized food systems.
2. Questions profit-centric motives in the pharmaceutical industry.

Impact of Industrialized Living:

1. Highlights the loss of spontaneity and human connection in a fast-paced lifestyle.
2. Reflects on mental health challenges in an industrialized society.

Holistic Coaching Challenges:

1. Beyond food, non-food factors like job satisfaction and integrity impact well-being.
2. Encourages positive changes, leading to increased awareness of life areas needing alignment.

Building Resilient Communities:

1. Advocate for local, community-driven education systems.
2. Propose recruiting passionate teachers for smaller, personalized classes.
3. Emphasize hands-on, academic, and physical activities for a balanced education.

Empowering Parents:

1. Encourage parents to take charge of their children's education.
2. Challenge conventional schooling structures and curriculums.

Holistic Parenting:

1. Trust instincts and relish every moment as a new parent.
2. Set boundaries during postpartum visits, prioritize emotional and physical well-being.

Regenerative Culture:

1. Prioritize children's emotional, physical, and spiritual safety in decision-making.
2. Imagine a world where every choice revolves around the well-being of innocent individuals.

Closing Thoughts:

1. Embrace the long route as the shortcut in life.
2. Express gratitude for curiosity in life's journey.

Stephen Smith CEO & Founder, Onda Wellness

Growing up in North Carolina in an active family Stephen spent most of his developmental days outside exploring his grandmother's farm, the woods, streams, and lakes of this bio-diversified Southern landscape.

After school in the Rocky Mountains, it was a five-month solo motorcycle adventure through South America that piqued Stephen’s interest in farming, grape growing, and wine-making. This ultimately led him to get his hands dirty working for boutique wineries and farms in Napa, California.

By 2012, Stephen found his next job back in Colorado to work as the Director of Business Development for the first Organic distillery in the US and first Biodynamic® farm in Colorado. Then, experiencing a year on a 90,000-acre cattle ranch opened Stephen's eyes to large scale holistic land management, animal husbandry, and agricultural and economic diversification. Over 12 years learning and working in regenerative agriculture has helped build the foundation of the Onda ethos.

Stephen's fascination with hemp goes back over 20 years when he wrote his high school research paper on the many uses of hemp. "My mind was blown by how dynamic this crop is and by the strange fact that hemp is not being used for building materials, medicines, food, fiber and more. This truly feels like my life's work. Time to bring hemp back."

Here is a summary of what we covered on the podcast:

- Introduction to the guest's remote location in Oregon and the factors that brought them there.

- Discussion on the guest's venture, Onda, and their hemp oil production.

- Overview of Onda's approach to hemp cultivation, emphasizing partnerships with growers practicing bio-diversified farming.

- Transition to a discussion on regenerative farming and business principles.

- Exploration of the broader concept of regeneration, extending beyond land practices to encompass various aspects of business and personal well-being.

- Reflection on the potential misuse of the term "regenerative" by larger corporations, emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and a holistic view of regeneration.

- Shift to the guest's experiences with the cannabis and hemp industry.

- Discussion on the recent negative trends in the cannabis industry, such as low-quality products and a "bro culture" around getting high.

- Introduction to the broad intersectionality of hemp and cannabis with various movements like the psychedelic Renaissance, herbalism, holistic plant medicine, natural building, and soil regeneration.

- Discussion on the potential similarity of other plants to cannabis and hemp in their holistic intersectionality.

- Exploration of the perceived threat posed by hemp and cannabis to various industries, leading to its vilification in culture.

- Addressing the lack of regulation in the cannabis product space and the challenge for consumers to discern processing methods and ingredients.

- Exploration of the future focus for Onda, including continued promotion of skincare products, partnerships with progressive skincare brands, and a focus on regenerative wellness.

Check out Ondas products at: https://ondawellness.com/

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating life and journey of Ron, a visionary with a deep commitment to regenerative agriculture, holistic land management, and the power of interdependence. From his formative years exploring the diverse landscapes of North Carolina to a solo motorcycle adventure through South America, Ron shares how his experiences shaped his ethos and led him to the world of regenerative farming.

[Segment 1: Interdependence and Universal Concepts]

1. Ron reflects on the concept of interdependence, a pivotal word in his vocabulary, and how he grappled with its meaning during his college years.
2. He discusses the importance of striving for sustainability and independence on personal, familial, community, and national levels.
3. Ron emphasizes the significance of acknowledging dependencies and fostering healthy exchanges between individuals and communities.
4. He shares his early experiences applying universal concepts like entropy to various aspects of life, recognizing the need for collaboration and complementarity.

[Segment 2: Hemp, Healing, and Holistic Living]

1. Ron's fascination with hemp spans over two decades, starting with a high school research paper.
2. He explores the history of hemp and marijuana, discussing their demonization and the untapped potential of hemp in various industries.
3. The conversation shifts to the healing powers of plants, regeneration, and the role of holistic living in creating a sustainable future.

[Segment 3: Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch]

1. Ron shares the story of discovering Boulder Mountain Guest Ranch and its transformation into a haven for social, ecological, and artistic communities.
2. The podcast explores the convergence of social and ecological ecosystems at the ranch, highlighting the unique blend of artistic expression and ecological restoration.
3. Ron discusses the process of preserving and rehabilitating the land, including insights into permaculture, biomimicry, and the reintroduction of beavers to the riparian zone.

[Segment 4: Building a Regenerative Future]

1. The episode touches on the challenges of transforming a piece of land and the emotional connection to its ecological history.
2. Ron details the ranch's multifaceted approach, encompassing preservation, remediation, education, food production, healthcare, and the arts.
3. The conversation delves into specific initiatives, such as water preservation, soil rebuilding, and the restoration of pastures.
4. Ron shares the impact of beavers on the ecosystem and their role in rejuvenating the riparian zone.

[Segment 5: Harmonizing with Nature]

1. The episode explores the harmony achieved through conscious land stewardship, allowing life to flourish.
2. Specific examples, including beaver populations and diverse wildlife, illustrate the positive outcomes of regenerative practices.
3. Ron highlights the integration of cattle grazing in a regenerative manner, emphasizing the importance of respecting the natural cycles of the land.

Ron's journey embodies a holistic and regenerative approach to life and land management. From redefining interdependence to fostering sustainable ecosystems, his story inspires a deeper connection with nature and a commitment to creating a regenerative future.

To learn more about Ron's work, visit: www.bouldermountainguestranch.com

In today's episode, we delve into the intricate world of defining regenerative agriculture, examining its historical roots and the evolving modern landscape. Joining us is Jesse Smith, the Director of Land Stewardship at White Buffalo Land Trust, a nonprofit committed to advancing regenerative agriculture.

Episode Highlights:

• Historical Roots and Modern Iterations:
  • Jesse discusses the history of regenerative systems in land stewardship and its contemporary manifestation in agriculture and industry.
  • Exploring the emerging definitions within companies, brands, certifications, and verifications and questioning their purpose and outcomes.
• The Customer Perspective:
  • Emphasizing the importance of identifying the customer when defining regenerative agriculture.
  • How understanding the end user can shape the formulation of definitions, certifications, and verifications.
• Balancing Natural Ecosystems:
  • Jesse highlights the need to consider the natural ecosystem and its inhabitants as key beneficiaries in the definition and certification process.
  • Addressing the challenge of balancing the voice of the landscape in a way that is environmentally, ecologically, economically, and socially viable.
• Concerns and Challenges:
  • Examining concerns regarding the difficulty of monitoring certain elements within certifications, particularly beyond soil carbon.
  • Acknowledging the uniqueness of each context and the challenge of avoiding a homogeneity of expectation in the early stages of certifications.
• Certifications and Context:
  • Exploring three certifications - Regenerative Organic Certification, Ecological Outcome Verification (Savory Institute), and Soil Carbon Initiative.
  • How these certifications approach context and their potential roles in providing frameworks for unique regenerative approaches.
• Iterative and Dynamic Certifications:
  • Discussing the importance of iteration and evaluation in certifications to adapt to changing ecological conditions.
  • Recognizing the dynamic nature of landscapes and the need for certifications to accommodate ongoing processes of regeneration.
• Human Health in Regenerative Agriculture:
  • Raising questions about the impact of regenerative agriculture on human health and the need for meaningful indicators.
  • Exploring the interconnectedness of soil health, human health, and community well-being.
• Legislative Perspective:
  • Responding to the California Legislature's consideration of an official definition of regenerative agriculture.
  • Examining the challenges and opportunities of formalizing a definition in an industry that is both ancient and nascent.