StarWalker Organic Farms

Last month, we gathered around the same tables, walked the fields at Rodale Institute, asked hard questions, and imagined what the future of agriculture could become. Our annual Soil & Climate Alliance Summer Gathering is a reminder that real change happens through relationships. Over three days, farmers, scientists, brands, retailers, nonprofits, and partners came together with a shared belief that agriculture can regenerate our soils, strengthen our food system, and improve human and environmental health. There was no shortage of optimism but it was grounded in evidence, honest conversations, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from one another. One of our favorite parts of the week was hearing story after story about the incredible work happening across this community. We heard about new research, new partnerships, farmers testing new ideas, companies investing in long-term change, and organizations finding ways to move the entire system forward together. Gathering in person reminds us that we're part of something much bigger than ourselves. These intimate meetings do something that can't be replicated over Zoom. They create space for trust, vulnerability, asking better questions, and leaving inspired instead of depleted. 💌 In many ways, that's what regeneration is all about. Yes, it's about healthier soils, cleaner water, more resilient farms, and more nutritious food. But it's also about restoring our connection to each other, to the land, and to a shared sense of purpose. Thank you to every farmer, speaker, partner, sponsor, and attendee who shared your knowledge, your experiences, and your time with us. You are proving every day that meaningful change is possible when people are willing to listen, collaborate, and lead together. We're already looking forward to what we'll build between now and the next time we gather. 🌱

"Call it what you want, there is less snow on the mountains." We heard this in conversations with farmers and ranchers during our visit to Siskiyou County. The changing climate and its effect on water and snowfall were a big topic of conversation. Siskiyou County is a snowpack community. Snow on those peaks in winter means water in the fields in summer. Less snow means shorter seasons, fewer hay cuttings, and often the difference between a ranch that is in the red or in the black that year. Amid these pressures, we saw hopeful examples of adaptation and resilience emerging from within the region. At StarWalker Organic Farms, Jason Walker dug six inches into the soil and held up a handful of dark, living earth. "We have killer water holding capacity," he said. That isn’t by chance—it’s the result of regenerative land management choices practiced over time. A reminder that resilience isn’t abstract—it’s being built from the ground up, one acre at a time. As eaters, what goes on our plate three times a day is the vote we cast for the future of our farming and food systems. Read Part 2 of Tay Lotte’s blog series "What I Found on my Plate in Far North California" to see how you can make it count → https://lnkd.in/gwzDUmdR #foodsystems #regenerativeagriculture #regionalfood #agriculture #soilhealth #climateadaptation #water #familyfarms #sustainableagriculture #voteforyourfood

Our businesses can have a ripple effect! Some people have great ideas. Some people are great at making things happen. The people who inspire me most do both—and then turn around and help others do the same! That was one of my favorite reminders from the conversation Clint Matthews and I had with Jason & Kristina Walker of StarWalker Organic Farms. They introduced the first Regenerative Organic Alliance Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) pork and beef in the U.S., and the products are fantastic. That is a huge accomplishment in itself, building on Jason's grandparents being early adopters of Organic standards in CA in the 1970's. But I really got excited when we talked about what they want the brand to be known for (not just what you sell)...and what impressed me the most was their deep commitment to help other farmers transition to regenerative agriculture by creating a model they can plug into without having to build everything from scratch. That's the kind of leadership that creates a ripple effect and inspires me to continue working to support the regenerative agriculture movement, even though I don't own a farm...yet! It's been a dream since college to have land. Until then, I'm having fun creating a pollinator habitat in our yard 😊 🎧 Listen in to hear us talk about stewardship, brand-building, entrepreneurship, and the decisions that shape a lasting legacy. Link in comments!

🏆 We announced the winners of the 2026 Sustainable Food Awards in Amsterdam last week...   New Sustainable Product: Gold winner is Il Frutteto Societa Agricola di Bologna Fabio & C. S.N.C. with its Upcycled Citrus Flour made from Sicilian citrus waste Silver winner is StarWalker Organic Farms with Smokehouse Blend Meat Sticks, made from livestock reared according to regenerative organic farming practices. Sustainable Ingredient Natur-Reich-Inform is gold winner with Organic Kolanut, which provides a natural source of caffeine to food and beverage products. AnaBio Technologies is silver winner with EnCaptimus TM, which enhances ingredient stability and bioavailability through encapsulation technology. Sustainable Packaging Notpla is gold winner with its compostable Seaweed-Based Packaging that is made for foodservice. Sykell is silver winner with its Reusable Packaging Systems.   Sustainability Pioneer - Agriculture Société Ferdawes Dattes /GDA Bio Essalem is Gold winner for its Climate-Resilient Desert Agriculture project. Ecotone is silver winner for its Biodiversity-Friendly production methods.   Sustainability Pioneer – Other Prevented Ocean Plastic is gold winner for Re-Directing Plastic Waste. Pahua gets silver for its Zero-Waste, Low-Carbon Food Operations.   Sustainability Start-up Kelpi is gold winner with its Seaweed-Derived Coatings. Oh Mungood is silver winner with its Mung Bean-Based products. 🤝 Thank you to the judging panel for sharing their expertise and selecting the winners. More details are on https://www.sfawards.com/   #sustainablefoods #foodindustry #foodtrends #foodingredients #greenmarketing #sustaianableagriculture #foodpackaging #sustainablepackaging