Deep Seed

A holistic grazing success story 🇿🇲🐄 from Zambia! What they did was simple yet powerful: the villagers pooled their cows into a communal herd, managed by professional herders. Using holistic grazing, they moved the herd daily with electric fences, ensuring no spot was grazed more than once a year. The results? Kids are back in school, the cows are healthier, and the entire ecosystem around the village is lush and green again 🌿 This is just one of the incredible stories shared by Patrick Worms in the latest episode of the Deep Seed podcast. 🎙️ I promise, you’ll be inspired by what’s possible when farmers, ecosystems, and animals work together to regenerate the land. 🙌 Let’s spread the word about these game-changing agricultural approaches—tag someone who needs to hear this! ⎯⎯⎯⎯ Special mention to Rolf Shenton, behind this initiative in Zambia. And to other key players in the holistic grazing movement: Savory Institute - Peter Byck - Carbon Cowboys - Allan Savory - CIFOR-ICRAF - Regeneration International - Kiss The Ground - FAO #holisticgrazing #regenerativegrazing #regenerativeagriculture #agroecology #agroforestry #zambia

"You must feed the world" is the biggest lie farmers are being told. According to Patrick Worms, a farmer’s first responsibility isn’t to feed the world—it’s to run a sustainable and profitable business. While higher yields may seem beneficial, reducing costs can be just as crucial for maintaining a farm’s profitability. So why are we so obsessed with the idea of producing more? Because that's the narrative pushed by large agricultural companies: they encourage farmers to buy new, expensive products by telling them they must produce more to “feed the world.” It's very profitable for them 💸 Lower inputs, less machinery, healthy soils, resilient ecosystems,... not so much 🥲 ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ I had an wonderful conversation with Patrick on the latest Deep Seed podcast episode 🎧 Give it a listen, you won't be disappointed! Much love, Raphael Esterhazy

4 benefits of adding trees 🌳 to farming ecosystems... 1. Weather Resilience: Trees are like nature’s buffer against extreme weather. 🌦️ They help protect crops and livestock from drought by keeping the soil moist and buffering against storms. Ever notice how, after a few weeks of drought, the landscape turns yellow—but the areas around trees stay green? That’s trees in action! 2. Soil Health: Trees have deep roots that can access nutrients regular crops can’t. 🍂 When their leaves fall and decompose, they return these nutrients to the soil, acting as a natural fertilizer. This cuts down the need for synthetic fertilizers (saving money and reducing environmental impact!). 3. Pest Control: By adding trees to farmland, you naturally invite more biodiversity. Birds love trees, and many birds love eating crop pests. 🐦 This means fewer pesticides needed and a more balanced ecosystem. 4. Economic Value: Whether it’s timber, fruit, or other tree products, they provide long-term economic benefits. 🌰 Plus, integrating trees helps keep farm productivity stable, even in the face of climate change. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ If you want to brighten up your day and feel inspired, listen to my conversation with Patrick Worms in the latest Deep Seed episode 😍 Much love, Raphael Esterhazy

New episode 🌿 Patrick Worms is a global expert in agroforestry and landscape restoration. In this episode, we discuss the amazing potential trees have for healing degraded lands, restoring biodiversity, and increasing resilience against climate change. I just loved talking to Patrick! He has so many wonderful stories to tell and so much knowledge to share. His warm tone of voice and skilful use of language make it all the more pleasant to listen to. This is an episode of the Deep Seed you don't want to miss 😇 -> available everywhere online -> (or) click the link in the comments ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital 🌾 Supporting the transition to #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health. ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ If you’d like to support my work and this podcast, please ‘follow’ Deep Seed on Spotify/Apple 🙏 And if you really enjoyed this episode, feel free to leave us a 5-star review ❤️ Thank you! Raphael Esterhazy #Agroforestry #GreatGreenWall #RegenerativeAgriculture

A few weeks ago, I had the honour and pleasure to meet world renowned agroforestry expert Patrick Worms 🌳 We talked for almost 2 hours and I loved every second of it. Patrick's knowledge of agroforestry and agroecology is really impressive and his ability to communicate it clearly and passionately, even more so! Our conversation will be available online tomorrow morning on the Deep Seed podcast. ❤️

Let’s stop asking “What should farmers do?” and start asking, “What can we do to help farmers?” 🌱 Farmers are expected to know everything—crops, animals, finances, soil health, climate change, and more. But the reality? The system is stacked against them. Despite all the good intentions, many initiatives ask farmers to adopt new practices, without addressing the fact that policies, business models, and advisory services are designed for conventional, industrial farming. Rogier Schulte’s message is simple but critical: We shouldn’t just put the responsibility for change on farmers. 👉 Agronomists play a key role in shaping farming decisions. Farmers already know and trust them, so the first step to real change is training and equipping agronomists with the latest knowledge in agroecology. ⎯⎯⎯⎯ Listen to the latest Deep Seed episode to learn more about these crucial topics 🎧 Available on Youtube, Spotify & Apple Podcasts. ⎯⎯⎯⎯ #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #Biodiversity #Agroecology

What an incredible story! Mr. Spark, a community leader in Ethiopia 🇪🇹 refused to give up on their land. Instead of abandoning his village, he rallied the people to turn droughts and floods into opportunities. Through innovative water management, his community restored the land and now sells water to the nearby town! Watch the video to hear this incredible story of resilience and transformation. 🎥 👉 More inspiring stories and insights about resilient food systems in our latest Deep Seed episode with Rogier Schulte. Find it on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts! ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ #RegenerativeAgriculture #WaterManagement #Resilience #Ethiopia Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH The Global Network of Lighthouse Farms Lighthouse Farm Academy Wageningen University & Research Farming Systems Ecology Group, WUR

In this video, Rogier Schulte describes complex rice systems in Indonesia 🇮🇩 Instead of a rice monocrop, they enhance the system by: · Growing azolla 🍀 a nitrogen-fixing water plant · Adding ducks 🦆 for natural pest control, plus meat and egg production · Adding fish 🐟 same idea but underwater · Growing diverse crops around the rice paddies 🌾 On average, the rice yields are similar to conventional systems, but with so many added benefits: · Production of meat, fish, and eggs · Natural fertilization from the azolla · Pest and disease control · Increased system resilience This system isn’t just an inspiring story—it’s backed by years of scientific research from @Rogier Schulte and his team at Wageningen University & Research, in collaboration with the University of Brawijaya 💡 🎥 Watch/Listen to the full story on the latest Deep Seed episode! Available everywhere online.

New episode 🌿 A real masterclass by Rogier Schulte on designing resilient farming systems! Rogier shares incredible stories of resilience and hope from farms in Indonesia, Ethiopia, and Brazil to illustrate the groundbreaking research he and his team are conducting at Wageningen University & Research. These farms are part of the The Global Network of Lighthouse Farms —a selection of pioneer farms chosen for being among the most innovative, profitable, and resilient systems in the world. Rogier is masterful at delivering his extensive knowledge with passion and clarity. I absolutely loved this conversation, and I promise you won’t regret listening! 😇 Where to listen? -> search for Deep Seed on Spotify, YouTube, or Apple Podcasts -> (or) click the link in the comments below ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital 🌾 Supporting the transition to #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health. If you’d like to support my work and this podcast, please ‘follow’ Deep Seed on Spotify/Apple 🙏 And if you really enjoyed this episode, feel free to leave us a 5-star review ❤️ Thank you! Raphael Esterhazy

When I started this conversation, I didn't know a single thing about biostimulants. I didn't even know how they differed from fertilizers. -> 40 minutes later, I had gained a valuable knowledge on the subject 🤓 For example, I could explain that kelp-based biostimulants are packed with bioactive compounds like polysaccharides, micronutrients, and plant hormones such as auxins and cytokinins. And that these compounds help plants absorb nutrients more efficiently and grow stronger, deeper roots! Effectively, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers, and making plants more resilient to environmental stress. Valentin Pitiot was fantastic at answering my questions in a simple yet precise and scientific way! And I strongly recommend listening to our conversation on the latest Deep Seed episode ❤️