Regenerative Agriculture: Organic Farming on Steroids! (Not Really!)

This event is a group discussion about the indicated media. Prepare for our Meetup by listening to/reading/watching the media before joining!

You Are Your Soil
Many of us are worried about our environment. "We are what we eat" is common knowledge, but have you ever wondered how our food is “constructed?”

It all begins with soil!

Plants and animals (our food) are constructed of the foods they eat. For plants, this is directly linked to the soil. For animals that eat plants, this is indirectly linked to the soil. What exactly does this mean for our food? Two zucchinis may look the same, but is their nutrient density equal? What happens if soil micronutrients like carbon and nitrogen are in short supply?

Starting with photosynthesis, we will embark on a semi-deep dive into how food is constructed, how farming practices have destroyed the soil, and how simple practices can turn things around in as little time as one year.

Check out the videos/podcasts below then join our MeetUp to talk dirt with July hostess Mary Anne! If you have Amazon Prime, the bonus homework “Common Ground” is a great way to get started.

Photosynthesis (12 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g78utcLQrJ4
Paul Andersen explains the process of photosynthesis by which plants and algae can convert carbon dioxide into useable sugar.

Nutrient Density Explained, and what you should know (21 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y2a90CoGU4&t=111s
Kevin Wallace reviews his approach to assessing nutrient density.

Regenerative Agriculture. Building Resilient Farms with Gabe Brown (27 minutes)
https://regenerativeagriculture.libsyn.com/website/podcast-short-11-building-resilient-farms-with-gabe-brown
“Dirt to Soil” guru Gabe Brown discusses the importance of ongoing education, open-mindedness, and adaptation in the agriculture community.

How to Build Great Soil - A Soil Science Masterclass with Dr. Elaine Ingham (Part 1 of 4) (30 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErMHR6Mc4Bk
Dr. Elaine Ingham presents on what the soil food web is, how plants benefit from a healthy soil food web, and how you can change the food web in the soil for your benefit.

Optimizing Nutrient Density with Dan Kittredge | Soil Food Web School (38 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huoZDQb2RdI&list=PLAuobn0Eem2d-eJx-FPQzHJoSch34W1Ah&index=21
Dan Kittredge joins Dr. Elaine Ingham’s Soil Food Web School to talk about optimizing nutrient density.

Strongly Recommended Bonus!
Common Ground Prime Video Documentary (1 hour 40 minutes)
This is an extremely entertaining but only on Prime Video not mentally taxing but very informative and good introduction to the meatier material chosen above for discussion.
https://www.amazon.com/Common-Ground-Joshua-Tickell/dp/B0DSQ7LC5W

***Important notes for all attendees:***

1st and Most Important
Welcome and thank you for joining us at our MeetUp!

2nd. Do the homework!
This event is a group discussion about the media and is not a group watch/listen party. Be sure to have listened/watched/read the materials BEFORE joining us. It will help you stay in the loop!

3rd. Food & Beverage
Wine, beer and Topo Chico are available at the bar! Meals are not served at Winehaus but sometimes charcuterie boards are available. You are welcome to bring your dinner or order delivery from a local business and eat during discussion!

4th. A Typical MeetUp Looks Like This
We start with an icebreaker question and introductions around the table, often with gentil banter about the icebreaker or uproarious laughter (hey, it happens!), then the hostess throws out questions to incite conversation!
Note:
We do our best to stay on topic and ensure everyone is able to share, but we recognize there are times when great contributions may not make it into the discussion. If you have something you really want to say and need an outlet to do so, please join our Discord server and participate virtually as well as in person! Click here to Join FWWSS on Discord.

5th. No one is obligated for any length of time.
Sometimes the discussion ends around 8pm, and sometimes we talk past 9:00.