Food Forest Podcast

In this episode of the Food Forest Podcast, Louis De Jaeger speaks with Chris Evans about his journey from the UK to Nepal and how community forestry and permaculture reshaped his understanding of regeneration. Chris shares why real change begins with commitment and connection, and how degraded land can be restored into abundant agro-ecosystems when ecology, culture, and ethics come together. A grounded and hopeful conversation about land stewardship, education, and community-led regeneration.#FoodForestPodcast #CommunityForestry #Permaculture #Regeneration #Agroforestry

Host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Jyde Hamoonga from World Vision Zambia about Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) and its transformative impact on degraded landscapes. They discuss community engagement, youth innovation, policy integration, and local champions restoring soil, water, and biodiversity across Zambia.#FMNR #FoodForestPodcast #RegenerativeAgriculture #Zambia #CommunityForestry #SustainableFarming #Permaculture #SoilHealth #EnvironmentalRestoration #YouthInAgriculture

In this episode of the Food Forest Podcast, Louis De Jaeger speaks with Brad Lancaster about restoring some of the driest landscapes on Earth. Brad shares his expertise in rainwater harvesting, planting native food-producing species, and designing microclimates that encourage abundance. The conversation explores community involvement, learning from mistakes, and applying indigenous knowledge to create resilient, thriving ecosystems even in harsh environments.#FoodForestPodcast #RegenerativeAgriculture #RainwaterHarvesting #Permaculture #FoodForests #SustainableLandManagement

Peter Bane, permaculture elder and founder of Permaculture Activist, shares 30+ years of experience building eco-villages and intentional communities across North America. He explores the real-life challenges of communal living – from finances and conflict to intergenerational collaboration – and why permaculture works best when people and place come first.

In this episode, host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Pippa Chapman, RHS-trained gardener and permaculture designer, about her journey from conventional, manicured gardens to wild, productive food forests. Pippa explains how permaculture gardens can stay resilient in drought, what it’s like to design forest gardens on private estates, and how awards and recognition have helped her share regenerative ideas more widely. She also talks about balancing beauty, productivity, play, and family life in real gardens – and how a hopeful vision, plus a willingness to learn from mistakes, can transform both landscapes and communities.

In this episode, host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Alpha Lo, a leading expert in water cycle restoration, about the deep connection between trees, rainfall, and climate resilience. Alpha explains how restoring the water cycle alongside carbon management is essential for addressing climate change, and how food forests and agroforestry systems can support healthier ecosystems and communities. They also discuss water strategies for the hospitality sector, community-led restoration projects, and the urgent need for collective action in the face of a global water crisis.

In this episode, Laurie and Dan share the story behind Freedom Food Forest, their permaculture project in the UK, and how it has transformed their relationship, their health, and their understanding of freedom. They talk about leaving behind conventional expectations, travelling and learning from indigenous cultures, and slowly building an off-grid, largely self-sufficient lifestyle.Along the way, they reflect on growing up, healing, and finding purpose through working with the land. Their goal of producing around 80% of their own food becomes a doorway into deeper questions about community, mental health, and what it really means to live freely in today’s world.

In this episode, host Louis De Jaeger sits down with Andy Dibben, head grower at Abbey Home Farm, to explore what a truly community-focused farm looks like in practice. Andy shares how the farm supplies fresh food for around 800 people every week, integrates trees into vegetable production, and uses agroforestry to build climate-resilient systems.They talk about the realities behind the numbers – the wins, the risks, and the ongoing experimentation needed to keep both land and business healthy. From biodiversity and perennial crops to wildlife-friendly fields and evolving systems, this conversation offers a grounded, hopeful roadmap for farmers and eaters who want a more sustainable food future.

Host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Elspeth Hay, author of Feed Us With Trees, about humanity’s forgotten relationship with perennial food systems. They explore trees as historic staple foods, the resilience of perennials, Indigenous food knowledge, and how reconnecting with tree-based nourishment can reshape our food systems, culture, and sense of belonging.#FoodForestPodcast #PerennialFood #TreesAsFood #Agroforestry #IndigenousKnowledge #RegenerativeFood #FoodSystems #EcologicalAbundance #SustainableLiving

In this episode, host Louis De Jaeger speaks with water expert Zach Weiss, student of Sepp Holzer and founder of Elemental Ecosystems. They discuss the vital connection between water, land, and community – and how restoring natural water cycles can reverse ecological degradation. Zach explains the importance of designing with water in mind, empowering communities to steward their landscapes, and fostering a new mindset of care, collaboration, and regeneration.

In this episode, host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Scottish food forester Alan Carter, author of A Food Forest in Your Garden and a pioneer of sustainable land use in the north of Scotland. Alan shares lessons from planting over a million trees, discusses the country’s deforestation history, and explores how agroforestry can coexist with traditional farming. He also reveals how small gardens can become abundant forest ecosystems – even in unpredictable climates.

Tara Lynn Hubbard shares her inspiring journey of deepening her connection with nature and championing biodiversity in Florida’s unique ecosystems. She reflects on her work in agritourism, sustainable wildlife management, and the struggles facing the citrus industry, while highlighting the urgent need for rewilding and responsible land stewardship. This episode invites listeners to reconnect with the natural world and take meaningful steps toward protecting and restoring it.

Jerome Osentowski, founder of the Central Rocky Mountain Permaculture Institute, shares his journey from ski slopes to pioneering indoor food forests and climate battery greenhouses. He reflects on perennial systems, community collaboration, and the vision of a “perennial economy” built on creativity, education, and regenerative livelihoods.

In this episode, host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Greek regenerative farming pioneer Sheila Darmos, founder of Southern Lights. Sheila shares how she transformed her family’s organic farm into a thriving agroforestry system with over 150 fruit trees and shrubs, weaving together biodiversity, education, and community empowerment. Together, they explore what it means to build a bioregional movement rooted in connection, creativity, and care for the land.

Scott Hall, a fifth-generation Australian farmer, shares his journey into syntropic agriculture – a farming approach centered on plant succession, biodiversity, and working with natural cycles. He discusses the role of observation, pruning, disturbance, and cultural exchange in fostering resilient, regenerative farming systems that thrive by aligning with nature.

Maddy Harland, co-founder of Permaculture Magazine, shares her lifelong journey in permaculture, from her childhood love of gardening to creating food forests on poor soils and building a global platform for ecological design. She highlights the importance of patience, joy, and community in shaping regenerative projects and emphasizes making permaculture accessible to everyone.

In this episode, host Louis De Jaeger speaks with activist Robin Greenfield about his journey from a conventional, consumer-driven lifestyle to one rooted in sustainability, minimalism, and service to the planet. Robin shares how foraging, self-love, and community engagement have shaped his approach to activism and regenerative living. He also discusses his initiative to plant one million community fruit trees, demonstrating the power of grassroots action to foster ecological and social resilience.

John D. Liu – ecologist, filmmaker, and founder of the Ecosystem Restoration Camps movement – shares his journey from journalism to becoming a global voice for ecosystem restoration. In this conversation, he reflects on the urgent need to repair degraded landscapes, the role of media in raising awareness, and how community-driven action can reshape our economy around ecological health.

Astrid Adler has spent over two decades nurturing Ireland’s oldest food forest on challenging bogland. In this episode, she reflects on her journey from Germany to Ireland, the lessons of syntropic agriculture, the abundance of wild edibles, and the healing power of tending the land.

Mohammed Erribani shares his transformation from chef to permaculture designer, blending purpose, spirituality, and environmental stewardship. From addressing water scarcity in Morocco to applying lessons from restoration projects in India, he explores how community, gratitude, and resilience are key to regeneration. Discover why self-sufficiency is a collective effort and how anger can be turned into a force for positive change.

Scarlet Allen shares her inspiring journey from Switzerland to Mallorca, where she created Son Selva – a sustainable food forest rooted in permaculture principles. Learn how she transitioned from design to gardening, overcame the challenges of small-space urban gardening, and embraced water management, animal care, and community engagement. Scarlet also talks about the mental health benefits of reconnecting with nature and the impact of small actions on the planet.

Jurgen Heytens shares his journey from Belgium to Congo, where he founded a reforestation project focused on empowering communities and fighting deforestation. Learn about the importance of cultural integration, sustainable agriculture, and the innovative use of carbon credits to support both ecology and local economies. Jurgen also discusses job creation and education as vital pillars for long-term impact.

Herbalist Anne Stobart shares insights into the world of herbal medicine, holistic health, and growing medicinal plants, even in small spaces. Learn about clinical herbalism, the importance of education, and how herbalism can complement conventional medicine. Discover how community and shared knowledge are vital to the future of herbalism.

Tony Rinaudo, the mind behind the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration movement, reveals how degraded lands can be revived by regenerating trees from existing root systems. From his childhood love of trees to his breakthrough moment in Niger, Tony shares how farmers, communities, and small actions can spark a global restoration revolution rooted in hope, education, and shared vision.

Join host Louis De Jaeger as he interviews Steve Gabriel, co-owner of Wellspring Forest Farm and author of Farming the Woods. Discover how to transform existing forests into thriving food-producing ecosystems through agroforestry. Steve shares insights on mushroom cultivation, tapping trees for sap, and the crucial role of biodiversity and community in sustainable land management. Perfect for anyone interested in regenerative agriculture and deepening their connection to nature.

From Bozeman, Montana, Kareen Erbe shares how to design thriving food forests in cold climates, build soil health, and grow resilient communities. In this episode, she talks about her journey from human rights work to permaculture, the importance of local food systems, and how community gardening can foster connection, sustainability, and hope – even where winters are long and harsh.

From childhood gardening in Brazil to designing thriving agroforestry systems in Australia, Thiago Barbosa shares a journey rooted in passion, resilience, and the belief that nature thrives through collaboration. In this episode, he talks about building a community farm for people with disabilities, the vital role of support species, understanding local climates, and how growing your own food can tackle fears about scarcity and build a sustainable future.

Climate psychologist Thomas Doherty explores the intersection of climate change and mental health. This episode discusses eco-anxiety, the role of environmental identity, the importance of community, and how hope and emotional literacy help us navigate ecological challenges.

In this episode of the Food Forest podcast, host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Anastasiya Volkova, a leader in Ukrainian permaculture, about her experiences and efforts during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Anastasiya discusses the challenges of living in a war zone, the mental health impacts on the community, and how permaculture has adapted to support displaced people. She emphasizes the importance of community networks, resilience, and the healing power of nature. The conversation also touches on the future of permaculture in Ukraine, food security, and the personal responsibility of individuals to foster peace.

In this episode of the Food Forest podcast, Klaus Lotz shares his incredible journey from Germany to New Zealand, highlighting his experiences with Syntropic Agroforestry and the importance of indigenous wisdom in agriculture. He discusses the transformative power of permaculture and the role of education in fostering sustainable farming practices. Klaus also delves into his innovative approaches to mushroom cultivation and the significance of community involvement in regenerative agriculture. Through his insights, he emphasizes the need for a shift towards perennial crops and the potential for Syntropy to revolutionize food production.

In this episode of the Food Forest podcast, Robert Guyton shares his journey of developing a thriving permaculture food forest in New Zealand over 35 years. He discusses the evolution of his garden, the importance of biodiversity, and the role of community engagement in sustainability. Robert emphasizes the significance of storytelling and personal connections to plants, advocating for a philosophy of co-creation with nature. He envisions a future where localized communities thrive, and he encourages listeners to actively participate in their environments through observation and creativity.

In this episode of the Food Forest podcast, Rebel Black, founder of The Hungry Spirits, discusses her journey in regenerative agriculture, focusing on Syntropic Agroforestry and its potential to transform dryland farming in Australia. She emphasizes the importance of long-term thinking, community healing, and the role of intuition in decision-making. Rebel shares her experiences with climate challenges, plant species suited for arid environments, and the emotional aspects of farming and personal growth. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of healing the land and the soul, and the need for a shift in perspective towards sustainability and resilience.

Eric Toensmeier, pioneer in agroforestry and perennial agriculture, reveals why perennial plants hold the key to sustainable farming, carbon sequestration, and climate resilience. From edible leaves to carbon farming and Project Drawdown, this episode explores how trees can transform our food systems and fight climate change.

In this episode of the Food Forest Podcast, host Louis De Jaeger engages with David Holmgren, superstar of permaculture, discussing the evolution of permaculture, its principles, and its impact on sustainable living. They explore the importance of community, consumption, and local solutions in permaculture practices, as well as the relationship between Holmgren and Mollison. Holmgren reflects on 50 years of permaculture, the challenges it faces, and the significance of understanding the landscape and energy descent. The conversation emphasizes the role of failure in learning and the need for adaptability in the future of permaculture.