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The Roots of Resilience: Embracing Agroecology and Food Sovereignty

with Tammi Jonas

By Ray Milidoni

Episode #10

🌱 Exciting news from our latest “Secrets of the Soil” episode! 🎙️

In episode 10, we had a fascinating conversation with Tammi Jonas, an advocate for regenerative farming and the president of the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance. This talk delves into the heart of agroecology and how grassroots movements can reshape our food systems.

⚖️ Food sovereignty goes beyond growing food; it’s about reshaping power systems in agriculture.

🌾 Dive deep into the “ground up” approach to revolutionize how we treat the Earth beneath our feet.

🔗 Community is key – learn how community-supported agriculture fosters solidarity and resilience.

Here are 3 key takeaways from our discussion:

1️⃣ The Power of Agroecology: Embrace a holistic view that merges ecology, culture, economics, and society to regenerate not only our soils but also our communities.

2️⃣ Community Engagement: Discover the essence of food sovereignty and its ability to empower communities through democratic participation in food systems.

3️⃣ Biodiversity Matters: Protect and nurture agricultural diversity, as it is crucial for the resilience and health of both ecosystems and the global food network.

Who is Tammi Jonas?

Tammi Jonas is an agroecologist in principle and in practice, farming heritage-breed Large Black pigs, cattle, and garlic with her bricoleur husband Stuart on the unceded lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people in the central highlands of Victoria.

She is president of the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance (AFSA), co-editor and co-author of Farming Democracy: Radically transforming the food system from the ground up (2019), and undertaking a Ph.D. at the University of Western Australia on the biodiverse and decolonising practices and politics of small-scale farmers, and the impacts of the state on their efforts.

Recommended Reading: 

Book Title: Inflamed: Deep Medicine and the Anatomy of Injustice 

Author: Rupa Marya & Raj Patel

The Interconnection of Soil and Society

In a world where the detachment from our food sources grows alongside the skyscrapers in our cities, the “Secrets of the Soil” podcast asks us to pause and ponder the ground beneath our feet. In episode 10, our host, ‘Regen Ray’ Milidoni, and guest Tammi Jonas, agroecological farmer and president of the Australian Food Sovereignty Alliance, dig into the rich terrain of agroecology and the philosophy of food sovereignty.

Soil Regeneration: Sowing Seeds of Biodiversity

One of the episode’s key themes is the critical role of soil in maintaining biodiversity. As we learn from Tammi, regenerating soil isn’t merely about sustainable farming—it’s about sowing life itself back into the earth. Practices that foster soil diversity are not just beneficial; they are vital for our ecological and social systems’ resilience. Tammi’s journey from academia to hands-on agriculture represents a profound commitment to bridging the gap between food production and consumption, casting light on the inextricable link between healthy soils and healthy societies.

Agroecology: Beyond the Ground Up

The “from the ground up” approach underscores the import of food production’s impact on the planet’s health. Through the lens of agroecology, Tammi and Ray illuminate how agricultural practices influence our environment and society. Unlike regenerative agriculture, which largely focuses on land practices, agroecology incorporates economic and political movements. It advocates for reforming policies, supporting rural communities, and legal system realignment with principles that free smallholders from the confines of capitalist structures.

Community Gardens and Local Action: Seeds of Change in Lockdown

The episode also touched upon how community gardens blossomed amid lockdown, supported by local councils and enthusiastic citizens. This communal spirit underlines the pivotal role of local engagement in fostering food sovereignty. Tammy and Ray’s tribute to connecting with nature, from hugging trees to high-fiving leaves, signals an invitation to each of us to immerse our senses and hands in the soil—a simple, restorative act with potential for profound ecological impact.

Food Sovereignty: Democratic Eating and Education

Tammi’s compelling perspective on food sovereignty encompasses the democratic participation in food systems. Opting out of a PhD to immerse herself in the direct connection between what we eat and where it comes from, she exemplifies a movement that seeks to educate, aspiring to shift paradigms through workshops and community programs. Ray’s anecdotes of his Italian childhood spotlight the personal and cultural significance of traditional food practices, and together, they underscore the value of understanding and participating in the journey of food from the soil to our plates.

Urgency and Action: Climate Commitments and Cultivating Change

Addressing the climate crisis also pervades the conversation. The call for collective efforts to influence government and society crystallizes in a series of actions recommended to listeners: grow food locally, engage with nature, support indigenous initiatives, and join transformative organizations. Such changes are not just environmental whims; they are imperative steps toward global sustainability.

The Call to Diversify: Embracing Varied Diets for a Resilient Future

Diversity isn’t just an ecological buzzword in this discussion; it’s an actionable goal. Tammy highlights how a narrow selection of livestock breeds and crops dominates global agriculture, urging listeners to support systems that prioritize agricultural variety. They emphasize the joy found in diversifying our diets, not only for the novelty but also for nutritional advantage.

Nurture the Soil, Nourish the Soul

In “Secrets of the Soil,” we’re reminded that caring for the earth is akin to caring for a mother. This episode concludes with a collective call to action, to value the soil as more than a commodity—to treat it as a source of life that, when cherished, will sustain not only our bodies but the very essence of our interconnected existence.

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Don’t wait any longer to make a difference – get your hands on this guide and start supercharging your soil today!