Episode 30: IFOAM Organics International Karen Mapusua - How Can We Build An International Organic Agriculture Movement?
Release Date: 04/16/2025
Episode 39: The Ethical Dairy David Finlay - What Is Ethical Dairy?
Food For You and the Planet
David Finlay is the owner and co-founder of The Ethical Dairy which he co-founded with his late wife Wilma. David Finlay is renowned for his innovative and sustainable approach to dairying. As an early adopter of organic farming, he has led the movement in Scotland and the UK, integrating agroecological practices, renewable energy solutions, and forward-thinking dairying systems, such as cow-calf contact dairying. His commitment to sustainability is evident through his work on soil and pasture management, wind turbines, and biodigesters, winning him multiple accolades, including the...
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Episode 38: Potsdam Institute for Climate Research Professor Hermann Lotze-Campen - What Is the Planetary Health Diet?
Food For You and the Planet
Professor Hermann Lotze-Campen, is Co-Author of the EAT Lancet Commission, an agricultural economist and Head of Research Department 2 "Climate Resilience" at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Professor of Sustainable Land Use and Climate Change at Humboldt University in Berlin. Professor Hermann Lotze-Campen grew up on a farm in Northern Germany and studied Agricultural Sciences and Economics at the University of Kiel and the University of Reading in England, where he graduated with a Master's degree in Agricultural Economics. For his doctoral studies he studied in...
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Episode 37: American Farmland Trust Tim Fink - How Can We Preserve American Farmland?
Food For You and the Planet
Tim Fink is the Vice President of Policy at the American Farmland Trust. Tim develops the American Farmland Trust’s overall policy direction and strategies and coordinates federal and relevant state policy work in close collaboration with American Farmland Trust national initiative leaders, regional directors, and partners. Before joining AFT, Tim was the director of research and policy analysis at the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation, where he advocated for increases in USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, fundraised for the National Academies'...
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Episode 36: WWOOF Chloe Sullivan - What Is WWOOF World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms?
Food For You and the Planet
Chloe Sullivan is the PR and Communications Manager at Federation of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) Organisations. Chloe Sullivan is the PR and Communications Manager for the Federation of WWOOF Organisations (FoWO). Her journey with WWOOF began in 2021 as a WWOOFer. After transformative experiences on organic farms in Denmark, the Netherlands, and the US, Chloe was inspired to share the WWOOF experience with others. She started sharing about her experience on social media, which led to a connection with the WWOOF Canada team and an opportunity to become more involved...
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Episode 35: Native Plant Trust Arthur Haines - What Are The Benefits Of Native Plants and Foraging?
Food For You and the Planet
Arthur Haines is a Senior Research Botanist at The Native Plant Trust. Arthur is a plant biologist specializing in the taxonomy and identification of New England tracheophytes. He is the senior research botanist for Native Plant Trust and author of Flora Novae Angliae published by New England Wild Flower Society and Yale University Press, and several other books, including Flora of Maine, A New Path, and Ancestral Plants (a two-volume set on edible, medicinal, and useful plants). In addition to his work studying advancement in plant systematics, Arthur is an administrator for the Go...
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Episode 34: Organic Farmers Association Kate Mendenhall - What Is The Organic Farmers Association?
Food For You and the Planet
Kate Mendenhall is the Executive Director of the Organic Farmers Association. Kate Mendenhall has served as the Executive Director of Organic Farmers Association since it was founded in 2016. Before OFA, she built a career working with organic farmer organizations from California (CUESA & PAN), New York (NOFA-NY), and Iowa (IOA) getting to know what organic farmers need to be successful in different regions and markets. She now lives in her hometown of Okoboji, Iowa where she balances running a small diversified organic livestock farm, raising two kids, and leading OFA. Her...
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Episode 33: Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition Sally McGee - What Is The Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition?
Food For You and the Planet
Sally McGee is the Director of Climate and Strategic Initiatives at the Nature Conservancy and Leader of the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition. Sally McGee works for the Nature Conservancy where she is the Director of Climate and Strategic Initiatives for the Global Aquaculture Program. Her areas of focus include the Shellfish Growers Climate Coalition, Sustaining Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration (SOAR), and projects focused on seaweed cultivation. Sally also developed, owned, and operated an oyster farm, Sixpenny Oysters, in Noank, Connecticut. Previously, Sally was TNC’s...
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Episode 32: Deer Isle Oyster Company Abby Barrows - How Can Oysters Provide Healthy Food and Benefit the Environment?
Food For You and the Planet
Abby Barrows is the Owner and Operator of Deer Isle Oyster Company and microplastics research scientist. Abby Barrows grew up and currently lives on an island off the coast of Maine. The ocean has been her passion driving her personal and professional path. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Tasmania and a Master of Philosophy in Human Ecology from the College of the Atlantic. Directing microplastics research since 2012, she initiated the first baseline data map of microplastic pollution distribution in Maine. She concluded her work as the Principal Investigator...
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Episode 31: Cornell University Michael Mazourek PhD - How Can We Breed Vegetables for Flavor and for Local Growers?
Food For You and the Planet
Michael Mazourek, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics, and Horticulture. Michael Mazourek, PhD, is the Calvin Knoyes Keeney Associate Professor of Vegetable Breeding at Cornell University. Michael is a breeder of peas, beans, squash, cucumbers and peppers and has released numerous cultivars and breeding materials that are shared by small, regional seed companies and incorporated into breeding program of the world’s largest seed companies. Michael’s specialty is biochemical genetics in vegetables; he explores the...
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Episode 30: IFOAM Organics International Karen Mapusua - How Can We Build An International Organic Agriculture Movement?
Food For You and the Planet
Karen Mapusua is the President of IFOAM Organics International. Founded in 1972, IFOAM Organics International is a membership-based organization working to bring true sustainability to agriculture across the globe. The mission of IFOAM Organics International is to lead change, organically. Its goal is the broad adoption of truly sustainable agriculture, value chains and consumption in line with the principles of organic agriculture. Through its work, it builds capacity to facilitate the transition of farmers to organic agriculture, raises awareness of the need for sustainable...
info_outlineKaren Mapusua is the President of IFOAM Organics International.
Founded in 1972, IFOAM Organics International is a membership-based organization working to bring true sustainability to agriculture across the globe. The mission of IFOAM Organics International is to lead change, organically. Its goal is the broad adoption of truly sustainable agriculture, value chains and consumption in line with the principles of organic agriculture. Through its work, it builds capacity to facilitate the transition of farmers to organic agriculture, raises awareness of the need for sustainable production and consumption, and advocates for a policy environment conducive to agro-ecological farming practices and sustainable development. It has over 700 members in over 100 countries.
Karen Mapusua is President of IFOAM Organics International and is the Director of the Land Resources Division of the Pacific Community based in Fiji providing scientific and technical support in agricultural development, serving 22 Pacific Island states. She has a background in NGO capacity building and management and has worked in rural development in the Pacific islands region for close to 20 years with a focus on organic agriculture as a path to social and economic development. She co-founded the Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community (POETCom) and was extensively involved in developing the Pacific Organic Guarantee Scheme and developing alternative forms of certification that empower farmers.
TOPICS EXPLORED
0:00 – 1:36 – Introduction
1:36 – 2:49 – What is the IFOAM Organics International and what type of work does it do?
2:49 – 4:42 – How did you become interested in sustainable food and agriculture?
4:42 – 6:31 – What inspired you to co-found the Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community and how did that lead you to the work you do today at IFOAM?
6:31 – 8:00 – Why is organic farming important for people and the environment?
8:00 – 9:41 – Can you tell me more about the IFOAM Regional bodies and the work that they do?
9:41 – 10:51 – Can you tell me more about the IFOAM Organic Ambassadors?
10:51 – 11:59 – What is the Organic Guarantee System and why is it important to clearly define what organic farming is and what it is not?
11:59 – 13:44 – What are some of the challenges related to transitioning to organic practices?
13:44 – 15:05 – What is organic group certification and how can it benefit farmers?
15:05 – 16:46 – What are some of the key outcomes of IFOAM Organics International’s work?
16:46 – 18:37 – What are some of the most inspiring examples of organic farms you have seen around the world?
18:37 – 21:41 – I read that one of Fiji’s islands went 100% organic – how did this come about and what are some of the key things that can be learned so other places can transition to 100% organic?
21:41 – 23:51 – What would you recommend to cities, regions, or countries that would like to set goals related to organic food and agriculture?
23:51 – 25:06 – What are your hopes for the future of the organic movement?
25:06 – 26:20 – Things to share and wrap up
IFOAM ORGANICS INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION
https://www.ifoam.bio/
RESOURCES
Definition of Organic Agriculture: https://www.ifoam.bio/why-organic/organic-landmarks/definition-organic
Global Organic Market Overview: https://www.ifoam.bio/global-organic-market-overview
IFOAM Family of Standards 2025: https://www.ifoam.bio/ifoam-family-standards-2025
Elevating Truly Regenerative Agriculture – A Statement from the Organic Movement: https://www.ifoam.bio/elevating-truly-regenerative-agriculture-statement-organic
The Role of Smallholders in Organic Agriculture: https://www.ifoam.bio/role-smallholders-organic-agriculture
Smallholder Group Certification for Organic Production & Processing: https://www.ifoam.bio/smallholder-group-certification-organic-production
How Governments Can Recognize and Support Participatory Guarantee Systems: https://www.ifoam.bio/how-governments-can-recognize-and-support-participatory
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TAGS
Food
Environment
Health
Podcast
Sustainability
Agriculture
Organic
IFOAM
IFOAM Organics International
Regenerative Agriculture
Regenerative Organic Agriculture
Smallholder Farmers