Flipping the Table

The midterms are fast approaching, there's still no farm bill, and farm country is in crisis. Jenny Lester Moffitt, a 5th generation California farmer, former USDA undersecretary and former deputy secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture shares her perspectives on the moment and a path forward to a brighter future for agriculture and our food system.

Originally recorded at the 2026 Old Salt Festival in Montana, this conversation with Stephen Hohenrieder is now available as a standalone episode.

Roots of Change's Michael Dimock and Coco Sanabria speak with Stephen, CEO and Founder of Grounded Capital, about the role of purpose-driven capital in building stronger regional and regenerative food systems. Drawing on decades of experience investing in agriculture and food businesses, Stephen shares why regenerative agriculture is gaining traction, how thoughtful capital can strengthen entire food ecosystems, and what it will take to build a more resilient food economy.

We live in a challenging moment, where our traditional institutions are failing to address our many challenges. But there is hope. Jon Alexander, the British author of Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us, shares how deliberative democracy, citizens assemblies, relational public services, and wealth building are emergent around the globe. Food system transformation is one of the brightest examples of a renewed form of much needed citizenship.

Through Timber Ridge Land & Cattle in Southwestern Alberta, the Halls are pioneering a model of ranching rooted in a simple belief: the land they steward is a gift, and it's their responsibility to leave it healthier, more resilient and abundant for generations to come. Their approach reflects what many now call regenerative agriculture or holistic management, but for the Halls, it began more simply: with a responsibility to care for a thriving ecosystem, and along the way, figure out how to make that commitment work as successful ranchers.

In the final episode of our 2026 Old Salt Festival series, Michael Dimock talks with father and son, Glen and Cody Hall, and Sheldon Atwood of Western Ranchlands Corporation about stewardship, succession and education, the interdependence of rural and urban communities in regional food systems, and what becomes possible when we manage working lands for ecological, economic and community health.

You may know Wendell Berry for his writing on what we stand to lose through industrial agriculture—and what it will take to defend farmers, preserve small farms and agrarian culture, and advocate for equitable and ecological land stewardship. But you should also know his daughter, Mary Berry.

As Executive Director of The Berry Center in New Castle, Kentucky, Mary is carrying her multigenerational family legacy, philosophy and values into action. Through farmer education, direct marketing projects for local producers, a demonstration farm, cultural events and programs that strengthen local rural communities, Mary and her team are showing what a more equitable, ecological, and agrarian farming future can look like.

Enjoy our fifth out of the six podcasts featuring voices for the Old Salt Festival where Michael Dimock sits down with Mary to learn about the Berry family legacy, why small-farm agriculture matters, and the work of building a future in which farmers and healthy rural economies can thrive.

Rural people are a minority in America and rural regions are often overlooked except during elections or farm bill debates. In Episode 4, we hear from two veteran rural advocates: Anna Claussen, Founder of Voices for Rural Resilience and Ash Hanson, CEO of The Department of Public Transformation, about the key reasons why overlooking the rural people, places and economies of our nation is a mistake. Their conversation invites us to look beyond our political and urban-rural differences to discover the culture, deep care, and creative resilience that is alive in rural communities—and what becomes possible when those strengths are recognized and supported. Rural people and communities have much to share with urban America that makes us a better nation.

Meet Jaimie Stoltzfus of P Bar Ranch and Cowgirl Meat Company and Amber Smith of Antelope Springs Ranch and Executive Director of Women in Ranching. Though separated by hundreds of miles, these first-generation ranchers, mothers, and collaborators are united by a common vision for the future of ranching.

Together, they share the story of an innovative partnership raising calves on Montana's Northern Great Plains and grass-finishing them in the Absaroka Mountains to produce regeneratively raised, grass-finished beef. Along the way, they reflect on breaking into a traditionally male-dominated industry, and why collaboration—not competition—is helping build a more resilient future for ranchers, rural communities, and the land.

Steward and Grounded Capital are two companies aiding the regenerative agriculture sector expansion. Investment is critical, but only a part of the formula for success. Hear seasoned capital providers of good heart share where they see the opportunities and why regenerative has market momentum.

In Episode 2, Michael Dimock sits down with Steward's Alissa Welker, VP of Operations and Ryan Anderson, COO to explore the organization's unique community lending platform, which has financed more than 100 farms and regional food businesses across the country. Together, they discuss how innovative financing, local infrastructure, and stronger market connections can help regenerative agriculture grow.

Michael is then joined by Roots of Change's Coco Sanabria for a conversation with Stephen Hohenrieder, Founder of Grounded Capital. Drawing on decades of experience investing in agriculture and consumer brands, Stephen shares why regenerative food and farming is gaining traction, how thoughtful capital can strengthen entire food ecosystems, and what it will take to build a more resilient, regional food economy.

This is the first of six podcasts featuring voices from this past June's Old Salt Festival. You will hear farmers, ranchers, business leaders and advocates who are creating an agrarian culture that points the way to a healthier food system in America.

In Episode 1, Michael Dimock sits down with Jose Corona, Chief Agricultural Business Officer in the Office of Kat Taylor, to discuss his work leading a farmer-guided team building the Agricultural Platform Collective—a mechanism to expand business opportunities for small farmers in California's San Joaquin Valley.

He is then joined by Conner Hackett, General Manager of Stemple Creek Ranch, one of California's leading grass-fed, regenerative livestock operations, to explore how strong networks and collaboration can help build more resilient regional food systems.

Food is Medicine is a growing movement that recognizes healthy food as a powerful tool for preventing, managing, and even reversing chronic disease. Food is Medicine goes beyond treating illness and includes addressing the underlying conditions that shape health—from nutrition insecurity and healthcare access to the strength of local and regional food systems.

Dr. Marion Nestle's 2002 book, Food Politics was instrumental in awakening the nation to the disfunction in America's food policy and its food system. She reflects on her path to food policy and shares her thinking about what she sees is important today for those seeking change

A former farmworker himself, gifted artist Narsiso Martinez, paints farmworker portraits on flattened produce boxes, which now hang in museums, galleries and homes. Narsiso is lifting up men and women that most people never see or hear, but upon whom our very lives depend.

In February 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order defining glyphosate as critical to national security. This created a firestorm among the mostly mother-powered stream of the MAHA movement insisting HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr., eliminate risky or toxic chemicals from agriculture and food ingredients. Kelly Ryerson as a nationally recognized MAHA member, often seen lobbying Congress, shares her perspective on the current battle with the Administration.

It is rare for business-oriented folks to commit their lives to policy work. But the cofounders of Land Core are doing just that. With business backgrounds they understood how federal farm policy needed to change in order to create healthy and resilient agriculture. They are creating tools and farm bill programs that offer a brighter future by weaving bipartisan support for good soil policy.

Flipping the Table Co-host Coco Sanabria engages Mary Purdy, Sara Keough and Stephan van Vliet to answer the question can meat heal both our bodies & the environment? They share the emerging nutrient density science & how regeneratively raised meat supports human health while restoring ecosystems

The relationship between sheep & humans stretches back 12,000 years. These docile and productive animals provide delicious meat & high-quality fiber. Robert Irwin, Dylan Boeken and Sallie Calhoun share why lamb matters, how thoughtful grazing sustains ecosystems & how their industry can reduce toxic waste and us of herbicides, while it reduces fire danger

Chef Sara Jenkins of New York City fame shares her journey to open & run her convivial restaurant Nina June in the small town of Rockport, Maine

Technology is a powerful ally in advancing regenerative agriculture. Learn from CEO, Tom Richards, about Harvest Path, a new tool designed to help producers track practices, impacts, & financial results in order to support relationships with shoppers & wholesale buyers who value regeneration

Today's ag financing system traps most farmers & ranchers in debt. Zach Ducheneaux, rancher & former Administrator of USDA's Farm Services Agency, has a better approach allowing farmers & ranchers more time to grow & prosper. Learn about it in his conversation with Mark Squire, owner of Tara Firma Farms & CFO of Good Earth Natural Foods

Kathy Webster of TomKat Ranch Education Foundation discusses the value and importance of direct ranch to consumer sales with Carrie Richards of Richards Regenerative and Jason Walker of StarWalker Organic Farms. Learn how you can erode the power of the American meat oligopoly when you shop.