Farmer's Footprint

As Thanksgiving approaches in the U.S., it’s a time to consider the holiday’s complex history and meaning. For many, Thanksgiving is a moment of gratitude and gathering, while for others, it’s a day to reflect on painful histories and the losses endured by Indigenous communities since the first gathering in 1621. This day has evolved significantly from its origins. Culinary historians suggest that the original “Thanksgiving” feast likely featured a diverse spread of local foods: seafood, beans, squash, berries, and wild game like venison or ducks, reflecting the seasonal abundance of that time and place. In contrast, the modern Thanksgiving table is often dominated by turkey—a symbol that has grown into a 783 million-dollar industry largely driven by industrial farming practices that prioritize fast-growing, conventionally raised birds. While industrial turkey is an example of some of the worst practices our food system has cooked up for human, animal, and planetary health, pastured, heritage-breed, and locally raised turkeys offer a meaningful alternative, supporting animal welfare, soil health, and biodiversity. And for those leaning plant-based, there are incredible Thanksgiving recipes that celebrate seasonal abundance with equal care and intention. The choices we make today will affect what is available in the future. So, let’s ensure Thanksgiving serves as a powerful opportunity to connect with our local food shed and raise the sparks of locally produced, seasonally appropriate goodness, this year, and every year. __ Gratitude to Jake Eshelman for capturing much of the beautiful photography featured, created for our friends at ROAM Ranch.

Join us, December 3rd, 5:00–6:30 PM PT, for our final Farm Yarn of 2024—a Giving Tuesday gathering to reawaken the connections between the health of the Earth and ourselves. Our health and the Earth’s health are inseparable. The soil beneath our feet doesn’t just grow food; it sustains life. And yet, industrial farming practices continue to strip it of its vitality, unleashing a cascade of harm across ecosystems, communities, and our own bodies. ────────────────── Why This Matters Every day, 4.6 billion pounds of pesticides and chemicals are poured into soils worldwide, eroding biodiversity, poisoning water systems, and impacting public health. Chronic diseases now affect 6 in 10 Americans, with 1 in 2 facing a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. The systems harming the Earth are harming us, too. But there’s another path forward—one rooted in regeneration. By embracing practices that honor the wisdom of nature, we can heal ecosystems, restore vitality to the soil, and create healthier futures for all. This Farm Yarn is about uncovering these truths, sharing stories of resilience, and asking how we can each play a role in regeneration—starting now. ────────────────── What Awaits You Inspired by Health in Harmony, our storytelling platform that illuminates the connections between farming practices, human health, and community well-being, this conversation will bring together thought leaders and changemakers for an evening of reflection and action. Moderated by Andrew Valenti, Director of Community at Farmer’s Footprint, this live panel will feature: ?? Nasha Winters, a pioneer in integrative oncology and metabolic health, exploring how soil health mirrors human health. ?? Oliver English, filmmaker and food advocate, whose documentary Feeding Tomorrow highlights the global impact of food systems. ?? Kelly Ryerson, agricultural health advocate and founder of Glyphosate Facts, exposing the links between industrial farming and chronic disease. Together, they’ll guide us through the interconnected systems that shape our health and our planet’s future. ────────────────── This is a moment to reflect on what truly sustains life. It’s an opportunity to hear the stories that connect us to the soil, to the food we eat, and to each other. We believe that regeneration begins with recognition: of the Earth’s needs, of our shared responsibility, and of the power each of us holds to ignite change. And, the time to act is now. Reserve your place and join us to reflect, learn, and take part in a conversation that could shape not just the future of farming, but the future of health—for all of us. ?? https://lnkd.in/ehpkk_ea ?? Be Part of the Change. #Regeneration #FarmersFootprint #HumanAndPlanetaryHealth #GvingTuesday

Halloween’s shadows may have lifted, but nature’s nocturnal allies—bats—continue their invaluable work under the cover of night, silently reshaping ecosystems worldwide. Despite their often misunderstood role in folklore, bats’ ecological contributions are immense: a single colony of Mexican free-tailed bats can consume up to 250 tons of insects in a single night. Globally, their pest control services are estimated to be worth $53 billion annually, sustaining agriculture without the need for synthetic interventions. Historically, cultures coexisted in adaptive harmony with nature, honoring cycles that sustained life and maintaining practices that nurtured ecological balance. In contrast, the 20th century marked a pivot towards synthetic solutions, with pesticide use becoming the norm. This shift has not been without consequence: as bats decline, farmers increasingly turn to synthetic solutions, inadvertently creating a feedback loop that disrupts not just fields but entire ecosystems. This change doesn’t just increase pesticide use—it shifts local economies and farming practices, particularly affecting small-scale and indigenous communities that rely on natural cycles for pest control, underscoring an urgent question: How do we support a balanced ecosystem that serves both modern and traditional agriculture, preserving biodiversity as a foundation for health and resilience? Could natural pest control, like that offered by bats, be a vital link within a broader ecological network that sustains both human and environmental health? These questions lead us to see biodiversity not as a passive backdrop but as a living, dynamic network that includes us. As we reflect on our relationship with these ecosystems, perhaps it’s less about revisiting our role and more about reawakening to it—honoring a bond that has always been there, quietly shaping our shared resilience. #FarmersFootprint #BatConservation #Biodiversity #NaturalPestControl #RegenerativeFarming

As conflict and division permeate our world, art becomes a tunnel of light, guiding us to reclaim our shared humanity. Art has the power to move, challenge, and connect us, revealing paths we didn’t see and inspiring unity across generations and borders. Which is why we have gathered the Circle of Creatives—a community dedicated to tapping into this transformative potential, sparking a shared vision of connection, regeneration, and human resilience. Here, artists, writers, photographers, and now… drumroll… MUSICIANS come together to form a pulse of unity that calls us to remember the unbound strength found in connection and the resilience born from community. We’re thrilled to soon be sharing the launch of our FIRST musical collaboration—a peace anthem that unites the voices of iconic artist Ky-Mani Marley and UN award-winning rapper and activist, Aaron Ableman. This anthem will be a powerful tool for voter engagement and a cultural call to honor our shared humanity. And, as the general elections are upon us, this serves as a bridge across divides, an invitation to reconnect with the world we all aim to shape. BUT, to make this vision a reality, we need our community to step forward. With your support, we’ll bring this anthem to life and amplify its message of peace and unity worldwide. Alongside our partners, we’re poised to share it across borders and into the hearts of communities globally, using rhythm as a rallying call for change. This is a moment to be part of something bigger. By supporting the Circle of Creatives, you’re investing in art for planetary healing, in a movement that envisions a more just and peaceful world. Every contribution, big or small, takes us closer to a future where art, culture, and regeneration unite in service to humanity and the planet. So, will you join us on this journey? If the answer is a resounding yes, we invite you to help make this anthem resonate far and wide—head to thttps://lnkd.in/eNErZ2Kq to support the Circle of Creatives today. Together, we can turn art and storytelling into a force for real. world. change. #VoteForPeace Playing For Change GLOBAL PEACE YES HeadCount Org __ Slide 3 art by David Vanadia

How deeply do we understand the journeys our food takes—and the ripples our choices create? Sparked by our Ripple Effect series, this month’s Farm Yarns event, Ripples of Regeneration, will take us beyond what’s visible on food labels, revealing how intentional choices can build a healthier, more connected food system. Together, we’ll explore how each link in the chain—farmers, producers, brands, and consumers—contributes to a regenerative system that prioritizes health, resilience, and shared accountability. We’re bringing together visionary leaders from across the food and farming landscapes to dive into the real meaning of “regeneration” at every step of the supply chain. From rethinking how crops are cultivated to reshaping our connections with food brands, this event will illuminate how these often unseen efforts foster more than sustainability—they create systems where soil, communities, and human health can flourish in sync. Ripples of Regeneration is an invitation to see supply chains as powerful networks of care, resilience, and ecological stewardship. We’ll explore what it means to cultivate a regenerative future together, where even the smallest choices can inspire far-reaching change. Join us this Wednesday for an in-depth discussion that uncovers the unseen layers of our food systems and empowers us as conscious consumers. What role will you play in shaping this regenerative future? Register via https://lnkd.in/dE3JZ3jd and be part of the conversation. #FarmersFootprint #RegenerativeAgriculture #FoodTransparency #FromSoilToTable #SupplyChainTransparency

In a world where 90% of people can’t trace the origins of their food, something vital is missing: the connection between the land, the people who care for it, and the meals we consume. Food has become anonymous, detached from the relationships that once gave it meaning. At Finca Jerusalén in Colombia, farmer Oscar Agudelo and Juan Pablo Guzman, CEO of Artisan Tropic, are rebuilding those lost ties. Their partnership goes beyond business—it’s grounded in family. Juan’s sister is married to Oscar’s son, forming a bond that roots their collaboration in shared responsibility to the land and the people it sustains. This partnership reflects the kind of relationships that once defined our food systems, before industrialization blurred those connections. Artisan Tropic was founded out of necessity, after Juan’s sister’s battle with an autoimmune disease showed them the healing potential of real food. That experience reshaped how they view food—not just as fuel, but as a source of community, health, and integrity. In Oscar, they found someone who shared this vision, with a deep commitment to nurturing the land and the people who depend on it. Most of us encounter food without context, forgetting that each bite carries a story of care and cultivation. We've been conditioned to think of food as a product—something to be consumed, not questioned. But Oscar and Juan’s partnership is a reminder that food is about relationships: between the land, the people who work it, and those who benefit from it. The more we know about where our food comes from, the more we can engage with those who nurture it, and the more responsibility we can take for the choices we make. When we lose track of where our food comes from, we lose the opportunity to support relationships that honor both the earth and the people who work it. As Juan Guzman puts it… “We are on a journey to tell a story that invites consumers into the narrative, showing how sourcing food matters and impacts many lives in the supply system we create.” This is a story that rethinks the role we play in the food system. One that chooses relationships over convenience. Discover the full feature and head over to https://lnkd.in/ezvyxvwP today ??

Join us on?October 30th at 9am PST / 12pm EST?for our next Farm Yarns!? Ripples of Regeneration: Exploring the symbiotic relationships that fuel the demand for a thriving, regenerative marketplace. Registration is FREE and open to all! This month’s Farm Yarn theme, "Ripples of Regeneration," draws inspiration from our newly launched channel, The Ripple Effect. This platform is dedicated to sharing stories that illuminate how a groundswell of individual action can ignite transformative change for both human and planetary health. Through the lens of interconnected narratives that shape our food systems, we’ll look beyond the surface of food labels, exploring the behind-the-scenes relationships that are working to create a thriving supply chain. Individual action is not the limitation of our power—it is the very foundation of our collective strength. In this conversation, we’ll embark on a journey through the ripples of regeneration, delving into the symbiotic relationships that flourish beyond the surface of food labels. Together, we’ll work to elevate the collective consciousness of our supply chains, fostering a deeper understanding of how interconnected our choices truly are. The live panel presentation will be recorded for future viewing, and it will be moderated by our very own?Andrew?Valenti, Director of Community of Farmer’s Footprint. Our live panel discussion will feature the following guests, each with their own insightful experiences within the context of supply chains and the regenerative movement. Juan Pablo Guzman, Artisan Tropic Anthony Corsaro (AC), Regen Brands Podcast Clara Coleman, Real Farmer Care, Four Seasons Farm We're excited for you to join us. RSVP to grab your free virtual front row seat today!

Food is never just food—it’s history, culture, and a connection to the land. In Colombia, one crop stands at the heart of this connection… The plantain. This crop has sustained communities for centuries, deeply woven into the rich and vibrant fabric of Colombian heritage. Did you know that plantains, known as the “mother plant,” have been cultivated for over 2,500 years? In Colombian culture, plantains symbolize resilience, nourishing people while supporting biodiversity and enriching the soil. On his farm, Finca Jerusalén, Oscar Agudelo grows plantains among diversely abundant, jungly polycultures—from cacao and medicinal herbs to vegetables and so much more. His approach is inspired by biodynamic and regenerative practices that support healthier soils, stronger ecosystems, and a flourishing community. “We mix different plants, protect the soil, always using ground cover,” says Oscar. His methods align with the plantain’s natural cycles, ensuring each plant thrives while nurturing the surrounding ecosystem. Plantains grow in clusters, and once a tree produces fruit, the next generation—called “sons”—takes over. This cycle of renewal mirrors how farming knowledge and care are passed through generations, ensuring the land continues to give life. With their hearty peel and versatility, plantains have long been a vital source of nutrition. In Colombia, they’re essential in dishes like “patacones” and “maduros,” but their significance goes beyond the kitchen. Plantains represent endurance, adaptability, and the strength of the communities that grow them. Oscar’s farming practices draw from generations of wisdom, ensuring the land and community prosper. Artisan Tropic partners with Oscar to bring these plantains to the world, transforming them into snacks that reflect care for the land and its people. Each bite connects us to the roots of the land and to a food system that values regeneration and reciprocity. We invite you to explore the full story of how plantains are reshaping the future of farming, and how Oscar’s farm is creating ripples of change in Colombia. Head to https://lnkd.in/ezvyxvwP to dive deeper into this journey.

Every decision we make, every product we choose, every bite we take, creates ripples—reaching deep into the soil, the hands that nurture the Earth, and the communities that depend on it. The real question is: What kind of ripples are we creating? What if choosing what we eat could be part of a much larger story, one that fosters positive change, responsibility, and even joy? These are the questions we’ve been asking ourselves lately. When we look at our food systems today, we see something broken. The connections between the land, farmers, and the people who rely on them have frayed, replaced by a model that values efficiency over ecology, profit over people. Yet, amidst this brokenness, there are stories of hope—stories of regeneration and resilience. Which is why we’re excited to introduce The Ripple Effect, a new multimedia channel to share these impactful stories. This series takes you into the heart of those working at the roots of regeneration, showing the powerful connections between farmers, businesses, and communities, and how their collaborative efforts are transforming the way we grow and consume food. Our goal is to invite you into these stories, showing how intentional choices—whether on the farm, in the marketplace, or at the dinner table—can create ripples of change far beyond the harvest. Our first story takes us to Colombia, where Oscar Agudelo, a biodynamic regenerative farmer, works in a reciprocal relationship with Artisan Tropic, a cassava and plantain snack brand. This isn’t just a story of the farmer and brand working hand in hand, but of a man pioneering regeneration in a place where chemicals abound. Artisan Tropic, a family-owned company, has built its brand around partnerships like this, rooted in family and aligned values. Their commitment to regeneration runs deep. So, we invite you to take that first step with us. Dip your toes into this current of change, and discover Oscar’s journey in our first feature of the Ripple Effect. Head to https://lnkd.in/e4Md7Nz5 and explore how one farm in Colombia is creating ripples of change that touch lives and landscapes far beyond its borders! #PlantainFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #FarmToSnack #FarmersFootprint Juan Pablo Guzman

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, we’re reminded of how quickly life can change and how, in the face of catastrophe, our true nature emerges. The storm's devastation has left entire communities shattered, and yet, within this destruction, there is a quiet power rising—a power rooted in the strength of community. We stand in solidarity with everyone affected by this storm.?When the land is flooded, when homes are lost, it is our connection to each other that becomes the bedrock of recovery. We’ve seen this time and again: neighbors reaching out, strangers showing up—not as saviors, but as co-creators of renewal. In these moments, regeneration is about nurturing something new, something stronger, that honors the deep relationship between our communities and the ecosystems they depend on. Healing the land and healing our communities are one and the same. The courage and mutual support that arise from these storms remind us that change doesn’t come from policies or promises alone—it grows from the grassroots, from the hands and hearts of people willing to work together, to care for each other, and to rebuild from the soil up. This is a call to action and a commitment to those who have lost so much. As we move forward, what if we went beyond rebuilding what was, and reimagined how we live with the land and each other? The bonds we cultivate now, could guide us toward a future of deeper connection, resilience, and harmony with our shared earth. In times of crisis, community becomes the soil from which hope and resilience grow. Hurricane Helene (Photo from NOAA)