The Soil Beneath Our Feet: Regenerative Organic Farming with Rodale CEO Jeff Tkach

Have you ever wondered about the Universe beneath your feet?

Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach shares his powerful metaphor of how unexplored by humans the universe beneath our feet is, drawing a parallel to human excitement about the unknown universe of space. In fact, Jeff shares that scientists estimate a mere teaspoon of healthy soil has 10 billion organisms in it, more than the total amount of people on the Earth. Truly an unexplored realm!

In season 2 episode 12 of Katy Hansell: The Impact Whisperer™ podcast, guest Jeff Tkach, Rodale Institute CEO and author of the fantastic book "The Farm Is Here!", shares the transformative power of regenerative organic farming and its impact on improving soil health, human health, water health, equitable food systems, economic and community social health, and environmental health.

If you care about your health, the health of your loved ones, and the health of the planet, then the starting place is actually under your feet with revitalizing soil health through regenerative organic farming!

In addition to explaining soil's vital role in human health, Jeff explains how things change across the spectrum of farming practices from conventional chemical based agriculture introduced in the 1970s by US Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butts to regenerative organic, and why regeneration is more than sustainability. Regeneration means improved soil health and a whole lot more as he explains what is required by the new rigorous ROC (Regenerative Organic Certification) Standards.

Jeff opens how each new regenerative organic farmer he meets impacts him and fills him with hope. He shares the important legacies of both J.I. Rodale and his son Robert Rodale on organic farming and regenerative organic farming respectively.

He shares with Katy what he thinks about the 5 revelations she found in reading his book, The Farm Is Here! They discuss the tool kit of regenerative organic practices, including composting, crop rotation, cover cropping, the role of livestock and rotational grazing in soil vitality, and low-till/no till practices and the innovation of the roller crimper for a healthy way to end a cover crop.

Jeff shares how Rodale's Farming Systems Trial is the only 45 year longitudinal study directly comparing conventional and regenerative organic wheat farming in North America. He touches on the new insights coming out of Rodale's Vegetable Systems Trial, including some important statistics about improving nutrient density in vegetables grown in regenerative organic plots. He highlights the scientific evidence from Rodale’s long-term research showing improvements in yields, soil carbon sequestration, nutrient density, water retention, climate resilience, and carbon sequestration from regenerative organic practices. Lastly, he shares how regenerative organic is proven to be more profitable than conventional and keeps more money with farmers and in their communities.

Lastly, Jeff shares his philosophy on what the farm whispers to him and how his friend Julian's shamanic wisdom taught him about the energetic imprint of food. He shares some highlights about the many farmer education opportunities there are with Rodale and via its courses. How Rodale relies on private philanthropy to support farmers and their communities by supporting the transitions to regenerative organic farming. Jeff closes on his hope for the future: youth and women in regenerative farming and reconnecting with nature.

Creator/ Host Katy Hansell, aka The Impact Whisperer™, is a globally recognized (Top 10), award-winning expert impact coach, strategic advisor to founders, and Board Director, known for guiding 500+ clients across three continents to make the impact they care about.