What the Field?! A podcast by CrowdFarming

In this episode, we sit down with Reniera O’Donnell, Food Lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, to talk about the power of food design — and what it means to truly rethink the system from the ground up. We dive into the Foundation’s Big Food Redesign Challenge, an initiative inviting food companies to radically redesign their products using circular economy principles. What happens when you apply circular design for food not just on farms, but in food innovation labs, ingredient sourcing, and supermarket shelves?  Reniera shares insights on: * How better food design can drive biodiversity and soil health * Why diversity in ingredients is key to reshaping our supply chain * What it takes to bring products to market that are designed for nature to thrive Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowd_farming/ [https://www.instagram.com/crowd_farming/%20] Blog: https://www.crowdfarming.com/blog/en/ [https://www.crowdfarming.com/blog/en/]

Birdsong is disappearing from our landscapes—but why? In the latest episode of What the Field, we sit down with Ariel Brunner, Regional Director of BirdLife International [https://www.birdlife.org/], to talk about why the dramatic decline in bird populations across Europe is not just a tragedy for nature lovers, but a warning sign for the future of our food systems. Drawing from decades of experience in conservation, Ariel explains how industrial agriculture has devastated biodiversity—especially among farmland birds—and how rethinking the way we farm, consume, and organise politically could turn things around. From the disappearance of house martins in southern Spain to the global expansion of monocultures, we unpack how our current food production model is ecologically unsustainable. But this isn’t just another story of environmental collapse. Ariel also shares tangible examples of hope: collaborative projects like “Olivares Vivos [https://www.olivaresvivos.com/]” that restore biodiversity in olive groves, and ways city dwellers can make space for birds even without a garden. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowd_farming/ [https://www.instagram.com/crowd_farming/%20] Blog: https://www.crowdfarming.com/blog/en/ [https://www.crowdfarming.com/blog/en/]

In this episode of What The Field?!, we sit down with Analisa Winther, co-founder of Top 50 Farmers, to discuss the importance of recognising and celebrating the individuals behind our food. Analisa shares insights on how visibility can transform the agricultural landscape and why it's crucial for the future of regenerative farming.  We delve into: * The mission of Top 50 Farmers and its impact on the farming community. * How more visibility can turn into policy influence, new markets and stronger community ties. * How scaling regenerative farming starts with knowing who your favourite farmer is.  Join us as we explore how making farmers famous isn't just a catchy idea—it's a necessary step towards a more regenerative and connected food future. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowd_farming/ [https://www.instagram.com/crowd_farming/%20] Blog: https://www.crowdfarming.com/blog/en/ [https://www.crowdfarming.com/blog/en/]

We talk a lot about fair prices. But what if we told you the price tag on your food is lying to you? In this episode of What The Field?!, we dive into true cost accounting — what it is, why it matters, and how it can change the way we think about food. Our guest Pietro Galliani from True Price and the Impact Institute breaks down the invisible costs behind what we eat: environmental damage, underpaid farmers, and social inequalities that never make it onto the label. We also explore how businesses and consumers can start closing the “true price gap” — without waiting for someone else to fix the system. Because change doesn’t start in boardrooms. It starts at the checkout. 🎧 Listen now and find out: * Why “cheap” food isn’t cheap at all * How true pricing can fund real solutions * What regenerative farmers and consumers can do to shift the system 👇 Ready to stop being fooled by fake price tags? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowd_farming/ [https://www.instagram.com/crowd_farming/%20] Blog: https://www.crowdfarming.com/blog/en/ [https://www.crowdfarming.com/blog/en/]

In this episode of What The Field?!, we sit down with Bastien Sachet, CEO of Earthworm, to dig into whether big businesses are actually walking the talk on regenerative agriculture—or just riding the sustainability wave. Earthworm is an impact-driven global non-profit working on the ground to create scalable solutions for nature and people to thrive. It started with Nestlé’s no-deforestation pledge, proving that when corporations commit, real change can happen. A key takeaway: It’s Not the Company, It’s the People Bastien reminds us that businesses don’t change—people inside them do. Often, corporate sustainability efforts start with one determined person pushing for better practices. While companies love to talk about soil health, only a few back it up with real action. Farmers need financial support, long-term security, and better tools to measure progress—things most corporate commitments still lack. Many companies only adopt sustainability policies after public pressure, legal risks, or supply chain disruptions (e.g., Nestlé’s palm oil scandal with Greenpeace). Why Soil Health is the Next Big Thing Beyond carbon footprints, regenerative agriculture could revolutionise food quality. Healthier soils may lead to more nutrient-rich crops—giving businesses a powerful new reason to invest in soil regeneration. Ready to find out if the world’s biggest brands are really getting their hands dirty? Tune in to the latest episode of What The Field?! and hear Bastien break it all down! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowd_farming/ [https://www.instagram.com/crowd_farming/%20] Blog: https://www.crowdfarming.com/blog/en/ [https://www.crowdfarming.com/blog/en/]