351: Looking Differently at Cattle Grazing, Soil Health, and Climate Change
Subscribe to the "Getting Unstuck – Cultivating Curiosity" podcast.
Guest
Peter Byck is an award-winning documentary film director who is helping to lead a $10 million research project comparing Adaptive Multi-Paddock grazing with conventional grazing. He is also the director of the docuseries Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there), which is about inventive farmers and maverick scientists who are building a path to solving climate change with hooves, hearts, and soil. Byck is a professor at Arizona State University, where he teaches students to make short documentary films about sustainability solutions.
Why this episode matters
Peter Byck discusses the potential of regenerative agriculture, specifically multi-paddock grazing, to combat climate change. He explores how improving soil health benefits farmers, consumers, and the planet. Peter shares insights from his research and documentaries, highlighting the role of cattle in soil regeneration and debunking common myths about sustainable farming. The conversation underscores the urgent need for systemic change in food production and how collective action can drive meaningful environmental improvements.
Three Takeaways
Regenerative cattle grazing—adaptive multi-paddock grazing—enhances soil health, leading to carbon sequestration and improved biodiversity.
The common misconception that cattle grazing always harms the environment needs reevaluation.
Sustainable food production requires collaboration between farmers, businesses, and policymakers.
Social Media
www.carboncowboys.org
www.rootssodeep.org
Facebook, Instagram and Youtube: @carboncowboys
About Jeff
Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.
Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.
Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.
Show Credits
"Getting Unstuck" is commercial-free. It’s brought to you by Jeff Ikler, his amazing guests, and Neil Hughes, the best engineer a podcaster could ask for.
"Getting Unstuck" theme music: Original composition of "Allegro ben ritmato e deciso" by George Gershwin. Arrangement and recording courtesy of Bruno Lecoeur.