Down to Earth
Down to Earth is a podcast about regenerative agriculture. It’s about the place where food production and conservation come together, where the food we eat actually improves the health of land, water, people—and climate.
Above all, it’s a podcast about hope. We focus not on doom but instead on people who are developing practical, innovative solutions. We invite you to meet farmers, ranchers, scientists, land managers, writers, and many others on a mission to create a world in which the food we eat is healthy—for us, for wildlife, for the lives and livelihoods of the producers, and for the planet.
Recent Programs
Healthy fish snacks––what cod be better?
Nick Mendoza studied marine science, but felt he could make a bigger difference as an entrepreneur, bringing sustainably-produced fish products to market.
The Carbon Credit Conundrum
What are carbon credits? And do they actually work to reduce carbon in the atmosphere? Ecosystem scientist Jane Zelikova explains––including the role of farmers and ranchers in this emerging market.
At The Table: Chefs advocating for a better food system
Katherine Miller talks about the power that chefs, with celebrity and visibility in their communities, can bring to everything from sourcing healthy food to passing legislation.
The six-legged livestock: Bees
For beekeeper Melanie Kirby , honey is only one part of her business. Bee breeding and pollination service are essential to keeping the food system thriving.
Bonus episode: Ask Me Anything!
Quivira Coalition communications director Anica Wong and Down to Earth host MaryCharlotte Domandi team up to answer listener questions and look back on 2023.
Photographing grasslands: beauty, community, life
Sally Thomson‘s gorgeous new book of photographs and texts, Homeground, is all about Southwestern grasslands and their flora, fauna, and the human stewards who work and care for the land.
Our Roots
Down to Earth is produced by Mary-Charlotte Domandi, long-time public radio and podcast producer/host, in collaboration with the Quivira Coalition, a non-profit organization that promotes healthy agricultural lands and food systems across the West—and across the world.
We’re dedicated to the idea of the Radical Center, in which people from divergent political, cultural, and professional worlds leave their differences aside and come together to work on the things they believe in—healthy soil, landscapes, and food…clean water and air…wise use of science and technology…and flourishing rural communities.