Ep. 103: Scientific study on 1000 US farms to prove-out Regenerative

ep. 103 guest: Jonathan LundgrenEcdysis Foundation founding Scientist/ Farmer For ep. 103 we welcome Ecdysis Foundation founder, Jonathan Lundgren. What's really needed to frame-out mainstream adoption of regenerative – "it's good data," explains Dr. Lundgren.  Good and accurate data coming from bleeding-edge scientific studies, in fact. So, in January 2022, the Ecdysis Foundation launched their 1000 (Regen) farm initiative as the most ambitious agroecology experiment ever conducted. The belief is that it's the scientific analysis on oodles of rich data coming from all kinds of different farms in different regions, footprints and crop types that will ignite a regenerative movement from a slow-burn evolution – into a revolution. On-farm Scientific Analysis to Fuel the Regenerative Movement The millions of data-points coming from the 1000 Regen farms will be used to measure outcomes that are in accordance to best regenerative food production principles.  Using a simple scoring matrix - they can already make some in-tune predictions for the farm's success. Lundgren says "The 1000 farm study is to establish a scientific spine that supports the transition to a regenerative food system."   ANGLE: The planet needs a paradigm shift in our approach to food.  Nature has been shouldering the impact of externalities from input-based and extractive models of food production.  In the contemporary world, that's just not going to cut it anymore. Demand for differentiated value-based food products is skyrocketing, and conventional commodities are melting under pressures and economic strain. GOLDEN NUGGETS: Bumping-up against planetary boundaries is the pressure-point that will change food. The solution begins with regenerative natural resource management on our farms, and with land use.  Dr. Lundgren says that the straw that can stir the drink today is modern science. In his call to action to others in the scientific community, Lundgren sees an ecological enlightenment, "Scientists must connect with the problem that they are trying to solve. That means getting your hands dirty with agriculture."