Ep 70 - No Farms. No Food. CEO John Piotti. American Farmland Trust. Farming done right is critical to our future.

On this episode we are grateful to have John Piotti, President and CEO of American Farmland Trust.  John has worked at the forefront of sustainable agriculture since the early 1990s. Under John's leadership, AFT has engaged in the most comprehensive study of American land use ever conducted, helped secure billions of dollars in funding to protect farmland and promote climate-smart agriculture, and launched initiatives that advance regenerative farming practices and support next generation farmers. Prior to joining AFT, John served as President of Maine Farmland Trust and as House Majority Leader of the Maine State Legislature.   eatbetterfoodtoday #localingredients #longevity #health #foodasmedicine #localfarmers #climate #planethealth   Please visit our website https://eatbetterfoodtoday.com  for this week's recipe, interviews, books, research, videos.   Look for information on John Piotti at https://farmland.org    Other Mentions:  https://www.nature.org/en-us/   https://www.audubon.org    What's In Season https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/    Cleveland Kitchen: https://www.clevelandkitchen.com/   Segment Notes:   Breakfast  1:42 Journey to CEO of American Farmland Trust (AFT)  4:23 -        Started by Peggy Rockefeller  -        Regenerative & Climate Smart Agriculture Roots in 1985 -        The conservation title of the 1985 Food Security Act was Title XII. This title included provisions for highly erodible land conservation, wetland conservation, and the Conservation Reserve Program. -        AFT works worked with 20K farmers and ranchers in 2024 -        Stone Barns at Blue Hill donated by Peggy Rockefeller's estate  -        John developed local markets for farmers in the 1990s after growing up in a fishing family -        Mentor – farmer Dick Perkins -        Partnering with Jeff Tkach at Rodale and Apricot Lane Farm's John Chester  Organic and Regenerative Farming   18:31 -        Organic has a USDA standard -        Regenerative for building soil health -        Improves Climate by pulling Carbon out of atmosphere  -        Better absorption of water, better pest protection -        Cover crops, no till, crop rotation, animal grazing/rotation -        No or minimal chemical use -        Increases farmer profitability  -        Human Health: Better, more Nutrient dense Food Why Isn't Regenerative Farming Growing Faster  26:43 -        Average age of farmers is 60 Helping Young Farmers get into Farming  31:42 -        Land costs are up to $7K to $20K per acre plus equipment -        Low margins with price volatility  -        900 million acres of US farmland (estimated) -        300 million acres in next 15yrs will be in transition due to the age of the farmer -        Agriculture Conservation Easement to keep farmland prices 40-60% lower -        Peer learning – seasoned farmers with young farmers -        Business planning assistance  -        Working with retiring farmers to party for land over time -        More state programs -        Give them local market opportunities: homeowners, restaurants, hospitals, schools -        Food Hubs for small farmers -        Seeing Local Food Becoming a Driver for Local Economic Development Brighter Future Fund, Emergency Resiliency Grants  45:36 -        Provided small grants to farmers ($4.8M so far) AFT's Biggest Challenge  49:45 -        Farming done right is critical to our future -        Need to look at Farming as a System Success Story, A Young Farmer Starting, Better Food Access  51:44 -        Apple Farm success through an easement program sale, reinvested in the farm and local community -        Volunteer on a farm -        Food Deserts, Local Farm Production can Help The Recipe: Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce  59:07   This podcast is about giving back. A portion of our profits supports initiatives combating child hunger in underserved communities like East Cleveland, Ohio.   Join me every week as we redefine wellness one plate at a time. Let's make healthy eating accessible for everyone while supporting local sustainable farmers, chefs, businesses, and organizations.     Subscribe to "Eat Better Food Today" for weekly inspiration on living a healthier, happier, more meaningful life!   This Podcast is a production of Sante Strategies, LLC.   Sante translated is - Health Means Everything.   This is the company I have started to begin this health and longevity journey, focused on food.   Disclaimer: We are sharing our experiences on this Podcast. Please be sure to consult a medical professional.