Innovating with Climate-Smart Crops: Sorghum and Regenerative Agriculture with Annigje Jacobs and Sharif Soubra
S2, E42
Host: Joni Kindwall-Moore
Guests: Annigje Jacobs & Sharif Soubra
In this episode of Regenerative by Design, Joni Kindwall-Moore is joined by Annigje Jacobs and Sharif Soubra, founders of Springtail, to explore their groundbreaking work with the climate-resilient crop, sorghum. With their unique backgrounds in business, advertising, and agriculture, they share their journey of transitioning into regenerative agriculture and their focus on developing sustainable solutions for farmers. The conversation covers the many benefits of sorghum, including its ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions and its potential for both food and non-food applications.
Annigje and Sharif discuss the challenges they’ve encountered bringing this lesser-known crop to European markets, their circular economy approach, and how they are working to create value for farmers while promoting climate-smart farming practices. They also dive into the innovative ways they use sorghum to create products like pasta, pancake mixes, and bio-based materials. This episode highlights the importance of consumer education and collaboration across the supply chain to drive crop demand that contributes to a sustainable future.
Key Takeaways:
- Sorghum is a highly resilient crop that can grow in extreme climates with minimal inputs, making it valuable in the face of climate change.
- Annigje and Sharif focus on creating value for farmers by developing innovative sorghum-based food and non-food products.
- The circular economy approach to agriculture ensures that every part of the sorghum crop is used to maximize value.
- Challenges of introducing a lesser-known crop to market include scaling production and educating consumers about the benefits of sorghum.
- Springtail’s efforts focus on innovation, sustainability, and the potential of underutilized crops to drive long-term food system resilience.
Mentioned in This Episode:
- Springtail's work with climate-smart crops
- Sorghum's benefits for farmers and the environment
- Innovative products using sorghum, including pasta and pancake mixes
- The challenges and rewards of bringing new crops to market
Connect with Annigje and Sharif:
- LinkedIn: Springtail
- Website: Springtail.eu
- LinkedIn: Annigje Jacobs
- LinkedIn: Sharif Soubra
Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Regenerative by Design. Join us next time as we continue to explore innovative solutions to some of today's most pressing environmental and health challenges.
Regenerative by Design is hosted by Snacktivist, a food innovation company transforming nutrition with climate-smart crops, regenerative, and data-connected supply chains. We specialize in novel product development, sustainable ingredient sourcing—from "genetics to plate"—and strategic value chain design to build a healthier, more resilient food system.
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