Apr 18, 2018
On Sourcing Matters episode 16 we welcome Jack Algiere, farm
manager at Stone Barns Agricultural Research Center. An
insightful guide who has taken the reins in shepherding the future
food system more regenerative, Algiere takes great pride and
responsibility in his work. Through a well endowed 80 acre
central farm, and an additional 350 acres of pastural lands – Jack
and his team manage a multidimensional farm of diverse outputs that
fields 150,000 guests a year at their working hub. The goal of
this agricultural research and educational epicenter in
West Chester NY is to cast a large shadow on consumers and
producers alike through better connecting more to natural order
through the food we eat. There are many challenges of this
type of agritourism on a working farm, but Jack takes them all in
stride – stating: “We can only look ahead. If people
engage in food; if they ask for, and demand more – we can change
the food system together.” Algiere
continues, “Where do we learn this stuff? On the
small, beautiful farms we can all access.”
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Algiere defines regenerative agriculture as land and natural
resource conservation beginning from the soil up. This new,
but fundamentally old-school of thought in feeding ourselves
on a shrinking planet is vastly different than nearly every
conventional agricultural model currently using an
extractive and/or input-based approach. This too is changing.
Algiere states that he welcomes scientific advancements.
Seeing the broad-reaching potential to have a seat at the table, to
embrace these current conventional models based on yesterday’s
science as essential but tricky – Algiere is equal parts pragmatic
farmer, and systems thinking philosopher set on harmonizing man’s
role in these systems. He explains – “there are very
few things we inherit in this world, and (planet & animal) genetics
is one. We must guard that
responsibility.” His Young farmers program which
teaches and spawns tomorrow’s guardians of biodiversity with the
skills and access to properly manage these interconnected natural
systems essential for future planetary, economic and political
stability is something we must more broadly evaluate, and thus
replicate. What’s most incredible for any of us – from
getting your hands dirty – to witnessing transformative
change – to consuming world class food – the entire immersive
experience at Stone Barns Agricultural Center is accessible to
all.
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So, have a listen to what Jack has to say. Better yet,
go visit, and you’ll forever understand the many values good food
can have on us all.