In Conversation with Jason Freeman - Founder: Farmer Direct Organic

It was wonderful to be joined by Jason Freeman for a conversation that brings insights from his experience running a farmer owned co-op & organic retail brand which address the challenges of bringing fairer and more transparent connections between organic food producers and consumers.

We discuss why our current large scale systems of agriculture and food supply create a barrier for transitioning to more sustainable farming approaches, along with the obstacles it causes for consumers who are seeking food choices that are healthy for themselves and nature.

We also learn of Jason's journey in creating a farmer owned co-operative, the values and approaches that brought it success, and his later move to his current business 'Farmer Direct Organic'.

You can find the Farmer Direct Organic website here: https://fdorganic.com/

See the video version of this episode here: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/jason-freeman-regenerative-food-supply/

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More Formats from We Are Carbon:

[Shorter Video Format] - Can All Food be Regenerative. With Patrick Holden: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/can-all-food-be-regenerative/

[Story Telling Audio Format] - Soil (My Common Sense Take) : https://www.wearecarbon.earth/soil-path-to-whole-systems-thinking/

Explore ways to support this content: https://www.wearecarbon.earth/your-support/

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Other We Are Carbon episodes focused on transforming food supply:

Evolving the Local Food System - A compilation with 4 guests in my home county of Lincolnshire

Local Food Ecosystems - in conversation with Duncan Catchpole, Founder of the Cambridge Food Hub

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For a further breakdown of this discussion see the timestamps below:

00:00 - Jason Intro & importance of soil health

02:05 - Welcome to episode

04:17 - Soil health, nutrition and human health

07:18 - How our systems of agriculture can be a barrier to transitioning farming practices

14:11 - Systems change from the bottom up

22:57 - Connecting farmers and consumers - Jason's journey creating a farmer owned co-op

36:21 - Stepping away from the co-op & the new business

39:56 - Traceability and pesticide testing

46:07 - The future of supply for organic and regenerative foods?

52:33 - Learning more / connecting with Jason