Dec 13, 2022
“The foundation of all that we are is food and water." -Mollie Engelhart
We're used to the idea that we live in a time for sustainability. While "sustainable" agriculture has certainly played its part in making us more aware of the impact of our actions on the environment, it hasn't done much to actually improve the situation. And with climate change getting worse every day, it's clear that something needs to change.
We need to stop obsessing over how much food we grow and start paying attention to how much food we regenerate. Regenerative agriculture can strengthen our food system beyond the "sustainable" level and help us fulfill our role as stewards of the land.
In this episode, Justine sits with Mollie Engelhart, the Executive Chef at Sage Plant Based Bistro and Brewery. Working in the kitchen for so long has helped Mollie to see how much food waste is affecting the environment. Although she was doing her part to solve this, she knew she can do more. That’s when Sow a Heart was born, an organic farm that focuses on regenerative agriculture. All the food waste from their restaurants and others were brought to the farm to help regenerate soil health, in turn, giving them more nutrient-dense produce. But the farm was not only used to grow crops, Mollie’s heart also inclined her to build a sanctuary for rescued animals.
Listen in as Justine and Mollie talk about how much greenhouse gas is produced from food waste, how regenerative farming is helping the environment and humans thrive, the qualities of a successful entrepreneur, why we should not be afraid to fail, and how much work is needed to succeed.
Meet Mollie:
Plant-based Chef, Mollie Engelhart and her husband own Sow a Heart, a 17-acre organic farm that supports regenerative agriculture and takes care of rescue animals. Besides running farm operations, Mollie and her husband also manage their plant-based restaurant, Sage Plant Based Bistro and Brewery. Mollie is also a board member of Kiss the Ground, the award-winning producer of “May I Be Frank”, a freedom fighter, and a mother of 3.
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Episode Highlights:
01:01 Food Waste and Greenhouse Gases
04:05 This is No Longer About Sustainability
08:02 Not Afraid to Fail
11:06 Success is Work