3/3 - How EU Farm Subsidies Shape Regenerative Agriculture [ARIANE LOTTI]
What role does policy play in shaping the future of farming? 🔖In this third part, we shift focus from the fields to the political arena, exploring how the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) influences farmers’ ability to transition toward regenerative agriculture.Drawing on her background in agricultural policy and her experience as a farmer, Ariane Lotti explains the paradox of subsidies: they can help, but they can also hinder. While the CAP was designed to support food production, it has too often pushed farmers toward dependency on machinery and industrial models, driving people off the land and making regeneration harder.Ariane reveals:Why EU subsidies can both save and sabotage farmersHow policy must change to support soil health and biodiversityWhat a fairer and more resilient food system could look likeThis episode takes us beyond the farm gate, into the structures that determine whether regenerative agriculture can truly scale.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.Soil Capital - https://www.soilcapital.com/⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯🔗 Useful Links:Tenuta San Carlo - https://tenutasancarlo.com/enDeep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/Raphaël Esterhazy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-esterhazy/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Can rice farming be both productive and regenerative? 🌾In this second part, we explore the rice fields of Tenuta San Carlo in Tuscany, where Ariane Lotti is experimenting with bold new practices that challenge the logic of conventional agriculture.From using ducks as natural weed control to testing no-till rice systems and innovative crop rotations, Ariane shows how regenerative farming can build living soils, increase nutrient density, and restore biodiversity. We also discuss one of the most pressing issues facing farmers today: water. How do you farm in the face of droughts and climate uncertainty?Ariane reveals:Why ducks may be the future of regenerative rice farmingHow cover crops and rotations bring resilience to soils and ecosystemsWhat droughts are teaching farmers about adaptation and water managementThis is a look at farming as an experiment in ecosystem restoration — blending tradition, creativity, and science to build resilience.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.Soil Capital - https://www.soilcapital.com/⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯🔗 Useful Links:Tenuta San Carlo - https://tenutasancarlo.com/enDeep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/Raphaël Esterhazy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-esterhazy/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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1/3 - Betting the Farm on Regenerative Agriculture and Soil Health [ARIANE LOTTI]
What if conventional farming is failing us, and the solution lies hidden in the soils beneath our feet?In this first part, we dive into the personal journey behind one of Europe’s most ambitious regenerative agriculture projects. Ariane Lotti returned to her family farm in Tuscany, determined to transform more than 500 hectares of conventional farmland into a model for organic and regenerative farming. Against droughts, financial pressures, and skepticism from her peers, she bet everything on a vision of farming built on soil health, biodiversity, and resilience.👩🌾 Ariane reveals:What it takes to risk your family farm on regenerationThe challenges of transitioning from conventional to organic farmingWhy building farmer-to-farmer networks was essential for successThis is a story of courage, conviction, and the power of taking one step at a time toward a healthier food future.⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity. https://www.soilcapital.com/⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯🔗 Useful Links:Tenuta San Carlo - https://tenutasancarlo.com/enDeep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/Raphaël Esterhazy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphael-esterhazy/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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🇮🇹 Agroforestry Secrets of Palermo’s Ancient Citrus Forests 🍋 [VALDIBELLA #5]
Palermo’s legendary Conca d’Oro was once a lush mosaic of citrus groves, vegetables, and ingenious water systems — a living example of regenerative agriculture centuries before the term existed. Today, only fragments remain, but they still hold powerful lessons for the future of farming, biodiversity, and ecosystem restoration.In this episode, we meet Tommaso La Mantia, ecologist, farmer, and member of the Valdibella Cooperative, who has spent his life studying and caring for these unique gardens. Tommaso explains how the Conca d’Oro worked like a natural forest: layered crops, closed nutrient cycles between animals, plants, and soil, and irrigation systems so advanced that they still impress modern scientists. He also shares why sustainable farming here now faces serious threats — from climate stress and honey fungus (Armillaria) to urban sprawl and political neglect — and what it will take to revive this heritage.You’ll hear surprising insights into how soil health and nutrient density were once safeguarded through circular systems, why farmers are forced to become water engineers, and how agroecology is inspiring a new generation of young Sicilians. At the heart of the conversation is Tommaso’s deeply personal story of learning from his father in the fields and his hope that Palermo will rediscover its roots before they are lost.Follow the podcast for more stories from the Valdibella mini-series, and share this episode with a friend who cares about the future of food and farming.⎯⎯⎯⎯❤️ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯🔗Useful links: Valdibella - https://valdibella.com/Deep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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The Science of Soil Microbes & Regenerative Agriculture [VALDIBELLA #4]
This episode will change how you think about soil forever! Microbiologist Eleonora Chiri takes us deep into the fascinating, invisible world beneath our feet - where microbes form vast underground networks, plants and fungi co-parent ecosystems, and well-managed livestock can kickstart a regenerative revolution. Whether you’re a farmer, an ecologist, a food system reformer, or just someone who cares about the planet, this episode connects the dots between soil microbiology, regenerative agriculture, agroecology, and the future of farming. It’s smart, fun, and surprisingly emotional.🎧 Hit play and discover how a teaspoon of healthy soil might just hold the answers to our biggest ecological challenges.⎯⎯⎯⎯🧬 What We Talk About:Why soil is not dirt — and why that distinction mattersThe ancient symbiosis between plants and fungiHow conventional agriculture broke the soil’s ecosystemWhat we can do to bring fungi and microbes back to lifeWhy livestock and pasture are natural allies in regenerationThe power of legume crops like honeysuckle in nitrogen fixationHow the Valle Bella Cooperative in Sicily is training the next generation of regenerative farmersWhy breaking silos between scientists and farmers is the future of agri-educationReal-world success stories from agroecological farms in transition⎯⎯⎯⎯🔍 Perfect For:Regenerative agriculture professionals & educatorsCurious farmers looking to transition away from conventional methodsSustainability consultants, soil scientists, and ecologistsFood systems innovators and agtech entrepreneursListeners passionate about healing the planet from the ground up⎯⎯⎯⎯❤️ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.⎯⎯⎯⎯🔗 Useful links: Valdibella - https://valdibella.com/Deep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Welcome to the Deep Seed Podcast, your ultimate source for all things regenerative agriculture, soil health, and ecosystem restoration!
Join your host, Raphaël, on an exciting journey into the heart of sustainable farming and environmental resilience. The podcast is packed with inspiring conversations with regenerative farmers, cutting-edge innovators, and leading experts who are pioneering the movement towards a more regenerative food system.
Whether you’re a passionate advocate for sustainability, a professional in agriculture or environmental science, or just curious about the future of our food systems, the Deep Seed Podcast is your gateway to the vibrant world of regenerative agriculture.
Key topics discussed include:
Agroecology and its role in creating sustainable food systems
The power of agroforestry in boosting biodiversity and productivity
How carbon farming can fight climate change while benefiting farmers
The benefits of no-till farming for soil health and erosion prevention
Holistic grazing practices that restore ecosystems and enhance animal welfare
Crop rotation and polyculture for nutrient-rich soils and resilient farms
Exploring the potential of food forests and other nature-based solutions
The critical link between soil microbiology and plant health
Restoration agriculture and the future of land regeneration
Climate solutions that leverage regenerative practices to sequester carbon
Promoting biodiversity through sustainable farming approaches
Insights into the importance of sustainable diets and their environmental impact
Rewilding and its role in ecosystem restoration and preservation
Produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a leader in supporting regenerative agriculture and rewarding farmers for improving soil health, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in sustainable farming and climate action.
Get in touch with me LinkedIn - Raphael Esterhazy
Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
Netherlands