Where does soil come from? How has it shaped the rise (and fall) of human civilizations? And why is it now at the center of some of the most urgent debates about food, farming, and the environment? Join John and special guest Louis De Jaeger - landscape architect, author, and agro-ecology advocate - as they dig into the history of soil. Together, they trace the story of soil from the birth of the Earth’s crust to the collapse of ancient empires. They explore how the forced removal of Indigenous peoples and their agricultural wisdom devastated soils in the Americas, how the transition from farming to eat to farming to export led to catastrophes like the Dust Bowl, and how industrial agriculture, monocultures, and the rise of pesticides became the norm. Why did the Green Revolution sow the seeds of ecological damage while trying to feed the world? What was behind the 1970s mantra "Get big or get out"? How are globalization, technology, and today’s protests across Europe connected to centuries of soil mismanagement? And most importantly, where do we go from here? ---------- Order Louis De Jaeger's NEW book: Save Our Soils: How regenerative food and farming will save your health and the planet Visit Louis' website at www.louisdj.com ---------- In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business ----------- Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Support us! Share this episode with your friends Give a 5-star rating Write a review ----------- Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more. ----------- Step into history - literally! Now is your chance to own a pair of The History of Fresh Produce sneakers. Fill out the form here and get ready to walk through the past in style. ----------- Instagram, TikTok, Threads: @historyoffreshproduce Email:
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