Redefining the Rules of Engagement in Regenerative Farming with Anna Jones-Crabtree, Jessica Roberts, and Colleen Kavanagh

S2 E49

Host: Joni Kindwall-Moore

Guests: Anna Jones-Crabtree, Jessica Roberts, and Colleen Kavanagh

In this episode of Regenerative by Design, host Joni Kindwall-Moore welcomes Anna Jones-Crabtree, Jessica Roberts, and Colleen Kavanagh to discuss the transformative potential of regenerative organic farming in Montana’s Northern Great Plains. The conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities of building sustainable food systems that prioritize environmental stewardship, economic resilience, and community health.

Anna Jones-Crabtree

Anna Jones-Crabtree is a first-generation organic farmer and co-owner of Vilicus Farms, a 12,500-acre dryland crop farm in northern Montana. She and her husband, Doug, have cultivated a diverse array of heirloom grains, pulses, oilseeds, and broadleaf crops using innovative five- and seven-year rotations, integrated grazing, and extensive conservation practices. Vilicus Farms devotes over 26% of its land to non-crop conservation and pollinator habitats. It is Bee Better and Real Organic Project Certified and plans to obtain Regenerative Organic and Biodynamic certifications.

Anna is also the Executive Director of the Vilicus Institute, a learning hub supporting sustainable farming systems in the Northern Great Plains. With a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering and a focus on sustainable systems, Anna has served in leadership roles for the Xerces Society, USDA Advisory Council, and Iroquois Valley Farmland REIT. In addition to her farming and advocacy work, Anna is the Regional Director of Data, Information, and Geospatial Resources for the US Forest Service.

Link: https://www.vilicusinstitute.org/

Jessica Roberts

With over 20 years of hands-on farming experience, Jessica Roberts has dedicated her career to cultivating crops, developing value-added products, and driving systemic change in the food industry. She honed her expertise through roles at Wegmans grocery stores and their Organic Farm & Orchard, where she focused on research and development to strengthen regional food systems. As Associate Director of Certification for the Real Organic Project, Jessica led programs supporting over 1,100 farmer members, conducting more than 200 farm inspections to advance organic farming practices. Guided by principles of reciprocity and a belief in humanity’s role as co-creators of resilient ecosystems, Jessica strives to build a food system that honors and rewards farmers for their essential contributions to their communities and the environment.

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-roberts-803034191/

Topics Covered:

• The role of Villicus Farms and Villicus Institute in fostering regenerative organic practices.
• Barriers and innovations in crop diversity, soil health, and ecosystem services.
• Economic challenges of first-generation farming and market access for diverse crops.
• A collaborative "supply circle" model is needed to de-risk regenerative practices.
• The impact of local sourcing and shorter supply chains on community resilience and carbon emissions.

Key Takeaways:

• Regenerative organic farming systems require fundamental shifts in market and policy support.
• Farmers often bear the greatest risk in a supply chain that needs collective risk-sharing strategies.
• Collaborative initiatives, like those from Villicus Institute, aim to transform how farmers are supported economically.
• Shortening supply chains and prioritizing US-grown products can significantly reduce CO2 emissions and strengthen local economies.

Call to Action:
Explore the work of Villicus Farms and the Villicus Institute through the links provided in the show notes. Share this episode to spread awareness of the importance of regenerative farming. Rate the podcast and connect with the team for more updates on their groundbreaking projects.

Closing Thought:
"Redesigning our food systems isn't just about farming differently; it's about showing up for one another in ways that build a more resilient and equitable future."

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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