In this episode of Global Trends, we welcome Jeff Moyer, Chief Executive of the globally recognized Rodale Institute. For over seven decades, the institute has been a leading voice in the advocacy of organic agriculture.
Dive deep into the heart of organic and conventional farming, exploring the intersections, learnings, and the compelling shift towards regenerative agriculture. Uncover how soil health, holistic farm management, and economic factors are driving change across the sector and why Jeff believes we're approaching a pivotal point in agriculture history.
Discover the incredible impact that the Rodale Institute has had over the years, with their unwavering mission to promote healthy soil, food, people, and planet. Understand their approach to fostering partnerships, advancing scientific research, and inspiring change across multiple audiences, including farmers, scientists, and major food companies. Jeff's takes on controversial topics in the agricultural world, from the validity of the claim that organic agriculture can feed the world to the future role of synthetic meats, make for a captivating dialogue. He shares an optimistic vision for the future, one where organic farming takes center stage and emphasizes the importance of moving rapidly towards this reality in light of climate change.
With the world at a critical crossroads in terms of food production, the upcoming generational shift in farming, and the urgent need for a sustainable and regenerative approach, Jeff's insights provide an inspiring perspective on the potential for a transformative change in the industry.
Get ready to explore the intersections of science, education, and agriculture in this enlightening episode that will reshape your understanding of the agricultural industry's future. Don't miss out on this deep dive into the complexities and opportunities within organic farming and the broader agri-food sector.
Looking for additional insight? Catch the full episode here.
MBE, PHD RESEARCHER AND CONSULTANT IN NUTRITION, QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Barbara is a PhD researcher in nutrition at Queen’s University Belfast, a TEDx speaker and director of her own consultancy, Alo Solutions Ltd.
She speaks at food and agriculture events, she has spoken on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today and represented the Private Sector Mechanism in speeches at the UN Committee for Food Security in Rome.
Barbara is passionate about diet and food. Her Nuffield Farming project on ‘Vegetable Production For Specific Nutritional Need’ looked at international food policies and private initiatives to promote consumption of vegetables that benefit our health.
Roger Kerr comes from a farming background and has worked on various farms over the years. He helped establish Calon Wen, the Welsh organic dairy farmers co-operative in 2000 and became their Managing Director. Calon Wen were the first ever to secure a branded organic milk listing in a U.K. major retailer along with developing branded butter and cheese lines.
Roger is also Chairman of the U.K. Certifiers Group, the U.K. representative on the IFOAM EU Council, the Director of Finance of the Organic Trade Board and the Pasture Fed Livestock Association, and a Trustee of the Organic Research Centre.
Jeff has been working at Rodale Institute for over 45 years and became CEO in September of 2019. He was project leader for the highly acclaimed Organic No-Till project and is the author of two books on this subject: “Organic No-Till Farming – Advancing No-Till Agriculture Crops, Soil, Equipment” and “Roller/Crimper No-Till – Advancing No-Till Agriculture.” His vast experience and knowledge regarding organic farming has provided the media with a reliable source and perspective for information on current agricultural issues.
Cristina Micheloni is an agronomist with a degree in Ecological Agriculture from Wageningen University, and has been engaged in organic farming since early '90s, when she set up the first Documentation and Dissemination Centre for Organic Farming in Italy. Cristina combines advisory activity with on-farm research and regulatory development. In her Region, Friuli Venezia Giulia, she established a specialized advisory service for organic farmers. In the last years, she started several experimental activities on-farm on topics such as organic no-till, new value chains and plant-based proteins.