Doing It Different: 010: How regenerative agriculture can save our planet with Robby Sansom of Force of Nature Meats

010: How regenerative agriculture can save our planet with Robby Sansom of Force of Nature Meats

Jul 28, 2020

Our current agricultural system only has 60 years left before it collapses.

Conventional farming plays a huge role in the most significant global crises we’re facing today, including climate change, food scarcity, and human health decline. Now, I’m not a farmer, and I know very little about farming, but this episode is so important because not only is it extremely educational, it shows there is a solution that can change the trajectory we’re on.

Robby Sansom, CEO of Force of Nature Meats, joins us to talk about the harmful effects of conventional agriculture, what regenerative agriculture is and the benefits it has for us and future generations, as well as things you can do as a consumer to make better-informed choices about the food you eat.

Episode Highlights:

3:28 Robby’s personal discovery of our degrading agricultural systems
5:41 The problem with conventional agriculture and how it negatively impacts our natural ecosystems
7:24 What is regenerative agriculture and why is it beneficial?
10:00 Digging deeper into the difference between conventional and regenerative agriculture
12:38 The economic benefit of regenerative agriculture for farmers and taxpayers
15:56 How conventional farming is decreasing nutrients and increasing toxins in our food
18:30 What’s causing the greatest extinction event we’re currently living in
20:16 The impact conventional agriculture has on water resources
23:40 How conventional farming contributes to climate change, global warming, and the decline of our food system
28:17 Why a vegan diet isn’t necessarily an environmental solution
33:36 Conventional farming’s looming expiration date and what it’s going to take for farmers to make the switch to regenerative agriculture
37:20 The undeniable benefits from switching from conventional farming to regenerative farming
41:58 “Grass-fed” and “All Natural”: How to not fall victim to misleading marketing claims around food
43:54 Tips for consumers to find transparency from food companies and to make better purchasing decisions
46:43 How Force of Nature is trying to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers and help them grow sustainable businesses
49:02 The heroic job of farmers and how we rely on them every single day
50:36 How you can positively impact the environment with your backyard garden
52:27 Robby’s favorite resources for learning more about regenerative agriculture
54:50 Why “organic” is a stepping stone but no longer the gold standard for where we need to go

Links and Resources:

Guest Bio

Robert (Robby) Sansom is Co-Founder & CEO at Force of Nature, a regeneratively sourced meat company based in Austin, TX.

Robby’s roots run deep in the natural food community. Previously, as CFO/COO at EPIC, Robby spent much of the last decade studying regenerative agriculture at ranches all over the world. Through this education, Force of Nature was co-founded with the intention to accelerate the creation of a global regenerative supply network. Force of Nature works in partnership with land stewards, ranchers and farmers committed to creating a positive return on the planet. With Force of Nature, consumers now have the ability to invest in environmental regeneration by consuming meat that is good for the planet.

Born and raised in Austin, TX, he received both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Texas. When he’s not building businesses aimed at saving the planet, Robby can be found on a trail, ocean, mountain or field, always making time to appreciate nature and explore his surroundings. Robby is also a land steward at ROAM Ranch where he owns regeneratively managed bison.