198. Elliott Powell and Indira Patt on Empowering Family Farmers

Have you considered the connection between environmental degradation and rural poverty? What can be done about it? Today on the show we’re hosting Elliott Powell, Executive Director and Indira Patt, Field Trainer of Sustainable Harvest International, an environmental nonprofit with 25 years of experience partnering with smallholder farmers to adopt regenerative practices that nourish people and the planet.  As SHI’s Executive Director, Elliott Powell leads their operations and facilitates learning across the entire organization. Based in the US office, Elliott travels throughout the year, serving as a bridge between the field and SHI’s headquarters.  Indira was raised by her grandmother in San Narciso village in the district of Corozal. In addition to working as an SHI Field Trainer, she will soon graduate with a degree in Agricultural Engineering.  Tune in to this special episode to hear how this impactful organization boosts farmer production across the globe!   You’ll hear: The foundations of Sustainable Harvest International and where they operate 2:37 The principles of regenerative, according to Elliott and Indira 15:13 The kind of farmers they typically work with 17:35 What the small business development and microfinance aspects of SHI are all about 23:45 Interesting developments on working methods that have been discovered and honed over the years at SHI 35:34 What’s next for indigenous farmers who have completed field training 45:33 What kind of business training they do for farmers 52:51 Indira and Elliott’s favorite farming tools 1.01:00 About the Guest: Elliott Powell holds the Executive Director role at Sustainable Harvest International (SHI), whose focus promotes working in partnership to create a just and sustainable world through transformative farmer training that nourishes communities and the earth. Elliott leads the organization's operations, administration, and implementation of its multi-year, multi-phase agroforestry-focused extension program. He works directly with the board of directors and staff to set strategic plans and shape SHI's future work. Elliott holds a B.S. in Environmental Management from Indiana University and an M.A in Latin American Studies from Tulane University. Resources: Website: https://www.sustainableharvest.org/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SustainableHarvestInternational  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sustainable.harvest.intl/  The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor! At AgriGro, we know that in today’s modern agriculture, our efforts can deplete life or add life. When you look for ways to add life, it’s sustainable and makes everything work better. The result is enhanced plant and soil health for crops, gardens, and turf, as well as improved animal health and environment for livestock and wildlife. Our products are all-natural, easy to use, and friendly to the soil, the plant, as well as the grower. AgriGro’s® formulations deliver essential plant nutrition along with an advanced prebiotic concentrate, which significantly increases the multitude of beneficial native microbial species already residing in the production environment. Through these environmentally sound technologies, we’re adding life to crop production, livestock, home, turf, and wildlife markets. You don’t have to be dependent on crop production efforts that deplete life… Just Add Life with AgriGro®.