Food Forest Podcast
Host Louis De Jaeger speaks with experts and practitioners about food forests and regenerative land management. The show covers agroforestry, forest gardening, syntropic agriculture, water, fungi, and community-building. Real-life stories and practical insights help listeners understand how to create resilient ecosystems and reconnect with nature.
Afleveringen
Food Forest Podcast: Miguel Cotton – Grow (sub)tropical plants in Mediterranean climates
Miguel Cotton, founder of Orchard of Flavors, joins Louis De Jaeger to share his journey into creating a diverse food forest in southern Portugal. They explore Mediterranean opportunities, undervalued food trees, and how regeneration grows through curiosity, experimentation, and long-term care.#FoodForestPodcast #MiguelCotton #FoodForests #Permaculture #Agroforestry #RegenerativeAgriculture #Biodi
Food Forest Podcast: Melissa Lem – How to Prescribe Nature Instead of Pills
Dr. Melissa Lem joins Louis De Jaeger to explore the science of nature prescribing and why spending time outdoors can improve both physical and mental health. They discuss food forests, gardening, green spaces, and how nature could become an essential part of healthcare.#FoodForestPodcast #MelissaLem #NaturePrescription #NatureMedicine #FoodForests #PreventativeHealthcare #RegenerativeLiving
Food Forest Podcast: Stefan Sobkowiak – Transform your orchard into a food forest
Permaculture orchardist Stefan Sobkowiak talks with Louis De Jaeger about polyculture orchards, tri-planting, innovative pruning, natural pest control, and the role of native pollinators. They explore how regenerative orchards can yield abundance, support ecosystems, and strengthen community connections.#FoodForestPodcast #StefanSobkowiak #PermacultureOrchard #FoodForests #RegenerativeAgriculture
Food Forest Podcast: Kelpie Wilson – How Biochar Can Transform Your Garden
Kelpie Wilson joins Louis De Jaeger to explore how biochar can improve soil health for generations. They discuss Terra Preta, water retention, nutrient cycling, compost, and practical ways to build healthier, more resilient gardens and food forests.#FoodForestPodcast #KelpieWilson #Biochar #HealthySoil #RegenerativeAgriculture #FoodForests #Permaculture
Food Forest Podcast: Rob Hopkins – Transition to a Regenerative Future
Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Towns movement, talks with Louis De Jaeger about community-led change, permaculture principles, and how food forests and imagination can shape resilient futures. Small groups, local action, and hope are at the heart of building a sustainable world.#FoodForestPodcast #RobHopkins #TransitionTowns #Permaculture #CommunityResilience #SustainableLiving #FoodForest
Food Forest Podcast: Morag Gamble – How Food Forests Bring People Together
Morag Gamble joins Louis De Jaeger to explore how food forests, permaculture, and regenerative design can strengthen communities and create lasting resilience. Together, they discuss systems thinking, local food, ecological design, and how small actions can spark meaningful change.#FoodForestPodcast #MoragGamble #Permaculture #FoodForests #CommunityResilience #RegenerativeDesign #LocalFood
Food Forest Podcast: Martin Crawford – Turn Tree Nuts into Staple Foods
Host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Martin Crawford, a pioneer of food forests, about the potential of nuts and perennial crops as staple foods. They explore agroforestry, biodiversity, and practical ways to design resilient food systems that nourish both people and ecosystems.#FoodForestPodcast #Agroforestry #PerennialFood #TreeCrops #RegenerativeAgriculture #FoodForests #SustainableFood #Biodiversi
Food Forest Podcast: Tomas Remiarz – How to Avoid the Biggest Food Forest Mistakes
Tomas Remiarz joins Louis De Jaeger to share practical lessons from decades of designing food forests and restoring landscapes. They discuss common permaculture mistakes, resilient forest garden design, ecological restoration, and why community and education are essential for creating thriving ecosystems.#FoodForestPodcast #TomasRemiarz #FoodForests #ForestGardening #Permaculture #RegenerativeAgri
Food Forest Podcast: Neal Spackman – Turn drylands into food abundance
Host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Neal Spackman about restoring drylands, mangroves, and coastal ecosystems through regenerative design. They explore community-led restoration, agroforestry, mariculture, and the role of ecological health in human prosperity.#FoodForestPodcast #RegenerativeAgriculture #MangroveRestoration #Agroforestry #CommunityForestry #Mariculture #EcologicalRestoration #Regenera
Food Forest Podcast: Mariangela Hungria – How Microbes Can Replace Chemical
Mariangela Hungria joins Louis De Jaeger to explore how beneficial microbes can reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers while improving soil health and crop productivity. Together, they discuss biological nitrogen fixation, regenerative agriculture, microbial biodiversity, and the future of resilient food systems.#FoodForestPodcast #MariangelaHungria #RegenerativeAgriculture #SoilHealth #Microb
Food Forest Podcast: Krishna McKenzie – How Local Food Helps Us Reconnect with Nature
Krishna McKenzie joins Louis De Jaeger to explore how food forests, local food systems, and traditional diets can help restore our connection to nature. Inspired by natural farming and the work of Masanobu Fukuoka, this conversation highlights the role of community, culture, and regenerative agriculture in creating a more resilient future.#FoodForestPodcast #KrishnaMcKenzie #FoodForests #NaturalFa
Food Forest Podcast: Looby Macnamara – How Nature-Inspired Design Can Transform Your Life
Looby Macnamara joins Louis De Jaeger to explore how permaculture principles can shape not only landscapes, but also relationships, communities, and everyday life. Together, they discuss holistic design, the Design Web, and how small intentional actions can create lasting regenerative change.#FoodForestPodcast #LoobyMacnamara #Permaculture #HolisticDesign #RegenerativeLiving
Food Forest Podcast: Sagara – Food forest as a spiritual master
Host Louis De Jaeger speaks with Sagara about the spiritual dimensions of food forestry, exploring how working with living systems can transform our relationship with nature, time, and nourishment. They discuss community, eco-anxiety, emotional resilience, and the mindful role of AI in understanding complex ecosystems.#FoodForestPodcast #SpiritualAgriculture #RegenerativeEcology #MindfulFarming #E
Food Forest Podcast: Anna Locke – How to Bring the Wild into Your Garden
Anna Locke joins Louis De Jaeger to explore food forests, edible landscapes, and regenerative gardening. Together, they discuss biodiversity, low-maintenance permaculture systems, community food projects, and how reconnecting with nature can transform our gardens and lives.#FoodForestPodcast #AnnaLocke #FoodForests #Permaculture #EdibleLandscapes #RegenerativeGardening
Food Forest Podcast: Michael Judd – Food Forest Cemetery and Pawpaws
Host Louis De Jaeger speaks with ecological designer Michael Judd about reimagining burial as an act of regeneration. From creating a food forest cemetery to the role of nut trees and pawpaws in long-term food security, this episode explores green burial, perennial systems, and how death can give back to life and land.#FoodForestPodcast #GreenBurial #FoodForestCemetery #PerennialFood #Regenerative
Food Forest Podcast: Chris Evans – From Fukuoka to Nepal: food forest lessons learned
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 gr
Food Forest Podcast: Jyde Hamoonga – How farmers regenerate Africa with food forests
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 #
Food Forest Podcast: Brad Lancaster – Regenerating Life in the Driest Landscapes
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 cr
Food Forest Podcast: Peter Bane – Why most intentional (food forest) communities fail
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.
Food Forest Podcast: Pippa Chapman – Transform your backyard lawn into a food forest
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 i
Food Forest Podcast: Alpha Lo – How to restore water cycles with food forests
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 al
Food Forest Podcast: Laurie & Dan – Can you live from your food forest?
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,
Food Forest Podcast: Andy Dibben – How to grow a profitable farm that feeds your village
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 –
Food Forest Podcast – Elspeth Hay: How to Rediscover Trees as Staple Food Sources
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 #TreesAs
Food Forest Podcast: Zach Weiss – How Do You Create a Water Plan for Your Food Forest?
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 f
Food Forest Podcast: Alan Carter – Scotland’s Guide to Sustainable Growth
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 be
Food Forest Podcast: Tara Lynn Hubbard – How to transform your existing orchard into a food forest?
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
Food Forest Podcast: Jerome Osentowski – Start a subtropical food forest in your greenhouse!
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.
Food Forest Podcast: Sheila Darmos – How to start a bioregional weaving lab
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
Food Forest Podcast: Scott Hall – How to start a syntropic food forest
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.
Food Forest Podcast: Maddy Harland – Lessons from 30 Years of Permaculture Magazine
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.
Food Forest Podcast: Robin Greenfield – How to Ditch Consumerism and Live Sustainably
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 communit
Food Forest Podcast: John D. Liu – How to create food forest communities
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.
Food Forest Podcast: Astrid Adler – How to start a food forest on swamps, bogs or mires
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.
Food Forest Podcast: Mohammed Erribani – How to start a dryland food forest?
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
Food Forest Podcast: Scarlet Allen – How to quit your job and go for your food forest dream
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 re
Food Forest Podcast: Jurgen Heytens – How to start a food forest in Africa?
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-te
Food Forest Podcast: Anne Stobart – How to start a medicinal food forest?
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.
Food Forest Podcast: Tony Rinaudo – How to regreen the desert one food forest at the time
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.
Food Forest Podcast: Steve Gabriel – How do you farm the woods? Eat more fungi!
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 anyo
Food Forest Podcast: Kareen Erbe – How to plant a cold climate food forest
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.
Food Forest Podcast: Thiago Barbosa – Food Forest Farming Across Continents
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
Food Forest Podcast: Thomas Doherty – Healing Through Food Forest Connections
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.
Food Forest Podcast: Anastasiya Volkova – Food Forest Resilience during Wartime
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 o
Food Forest Podcast: Klaus Lotz – Indigenous Wisdom in Food Forest Farming
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
Food Forest Podcast: Robert Guyton – Learn from a 35 Years New Zealand Food Forest
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 philosoph
Food Forest Podcast: Rebel Black – Regeneration in Australia’s Drylands
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 chall
Food Forest Podcast: Eric Toensmeier – The Power of Perennials
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.
Food Forest Podcast: David Holmgren – Walking the First Path
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 5
