Kirsten Larsen's guest appearances

Kirsten Larsen

The RegenNarration Podcast

Futuresteading

Anthony James

Damon Gameau

Paul Hawken

Zach Bush

Douglas Rushkoff

Brooke McAlary

Lynne Kelly

Mary Graham

Stephen Jenkinson

Nora Bateson

Jodie Jackson

Rob Greenfield

Cyndi O'Meara

Michael Shuman

Tim Winton

OwlTail

This is a profound personal and collective story right at the heart of systemic and cultural change. Serenity Hill and Kirsten Larsen are regenerative farmers and co-founders of the Open Food Network. You might remember my conversation with Kirsten online two years ago, as Covid took hold, and Open Food Network took off. At that stage, they’d experienced a tenfold increase in both people signing up to the platform and in turnover, while spanning over a dozen countries. A lot has happened since, too, with the Network, with the trailblazing land ownership and succession model we touched on last time, and on a transformative personal level. So when our family visited theirs recently, we had to pull up a pew on the front porch together, and press record.Our conversation starts with a very frank and vital conversation about land, ownership and money, and how investment can work best for those doing the actual work of regeneration. From there we delve into other ways to enable more of that work, including more values-based supply networks. And that leads us to where this pioneering couple is currently exploring further layers of personal transformation. Oh, and how over a decade ago, Serenity foresaw the independents movement that has just transformed Australia’s parliament. More on the Open Food Network: it’s a not-for-profit, global collaboration building food distribution systems that are fair, local and transparent. The Network’s flagship open source platform enables new, ethical supply chains. And in the wake of COVID-19 has gone to a whole new level, as producers look for alternative ways to sell quality produce, and eaters look for alternative ways to access it.This conversation was recorded in Violet Town, Victoria, on 29 March 2022.Title slide image: Serenity and Kirsten (L-R), just before pressing record on this conversation (Anthony’s foot just makes it into this slide – the full photo can be viewed on the episode web page, along with a couple of photos on the farm) (pic: Olivia Cheng).Music:Regeneration, composed by Amelia Barden, from the soundtrack of the new film Regenerating Australia, available for community screenings now. Find more:Open Food Network.And the farm, Pukawidgee. The pivotal survey being run currently by the Network. Sustainable Table Fund.Convergence, the RCS international conference in Brisbane on 16-17 July 2022. You can hear more of Kirsten and I in conversation from 2020, in episode 63: ‘Food Unincorporated: How a grass-roots system went global’. The RegenNarration is an independent, ad-free, freely available podcast, thanks to the generous support of listeners. If you too value what you hear, please consider joining them, by heading to the Support page on The RegenNarration website.You can become a subscriber to the podcast, connect with other listeners &amp; receive other benefits, directly via the Patreon page.Visit The RegenNarration shop. And please keep sharing, rating &amp; reviewing the podcast.Thanks for your support!

This is a profound personal and collective story right at the heart of systemic and cultural change. Serenity Hill and Kirsten Larsen are regenerative farmers and co-founders of the Open Food Network. You might remember my conversation with Kirsten online two years ago, as Covid took hold, and Open Food Network took off. At that stage, they’d experienced a tenfold increase in both people signing up to the platform and in turnover, while spanning over a dozen countries.  A lot has happened since, too, with the Network, with the trailblazing land ownership and succession model we touched on last time, and on a transformative personal level. So when our family visited theirs recently, we had to pull up a pew on the front porch together, and press record.Our conversation starts with a very frank and vital conversation about land, ownership and money, and how investment can work best for those doing the actual work of regeneration. From there we delve into other ways to enable more of that work, including more values-based supply networks. And that leads us to where this pioneering couple is currently exploring further layers of personal transformation. Oh, and how over a decade ago, Serenity foresaw the independents movement that has just transformed Australia’s parliament. More on the Open Food Network: it’s a not-for-profit, global collaboration building food distribution systems that are fair, local and transparent. The Network’s flagship open source platform enables new, ethical supply chains. And in the wake of COVID-19 has gone to a whole new level, as producers look for alternative ways to sell quality produce, and eaters look for alternative ways to access it. This conversation was recorded in Violet Town, Victoria, on 29 March 2022. Title slide image: Serenity and Kirsten (L-R), just before pressing record on this conversation (Anthony’s foot just makes it into this slide – the full photo can be viewed <a href="https://www.regennarration.com/episodes/126-seeding-and-protecting-the-cultures-we-need" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">on the episode web page</a>, along with a couple of photos on the farm) (pic: Olivia Cheng). Music: Regeneration, composed by Amelia Barden, from the soundtrack of the <a href="https://theregenerators.co/regenerating-australia/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">new film Regenerating Australia</a>, available for community screenings now. Find more: <a href="https://openfoodnetwork.org.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Open Food Network.</a> <a href="https://openfoodnetwork.org.au/warrenbayne-farm-collective/shop#/home" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">And the farm, Pukawidgee. </a> <a href="https://airtable.com/shrtECWZBFNtiiYLj" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The pivotal survey being run currently by the Network. </a> <a href="https://sustainabletable.org.au/fund/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sustainable Table Fund.</a> <a href="https://rcsc2022.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Convergence, the RCS international conference</a> in Brisbane on 16-17 July 2022. <a href="https://www.regennarration.com/episodes/063-food-unincorporated" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">You can hear more of Kirsten and I in conversation from 2020</a>, in episode 63: ‘Food Unincorporated: How a grass-roots system went global’.  The RegenNarration is an independent, ad-free, freely available podcast, thanks to the generous support of listeners. If you too value what you hear, please consider joining them, by <a href="https://www.regennarration.com/support" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">heading to the Support page on The RegenNarration website.</a> You can become a subscriber to the podcast, connect with other listeners &amp; receive other benefits,<a href="https://www.patreon.com/RegenNarration" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> directly via the Patreon page</a>. Visit <a href="https://www.regennarration.com/shop" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The RegenNarration shop</a>. And please keep sharing, rating &amp; reviewing the podcast. Thanks for your support!

126. Seeding & Protecting the Cultures We Need, with Serenity Hill & Kirsten Larsen

Kirsten Larsen + Serenity Hill are proof that two minds are better than one.As the founders of Open Food Network, a game-changing open source technology at the centre of building valued and fair food chains, they think globally, act locally and are actively encouraging a culture where whole-self is present in the workplace. Hear how these two values-aligned women brought their shared vision for fairer local food systems to life -- and why the rest of the world is excited.*keep it rolling right till the end for Futuresteading listener shout outs*SHOW NOTESSocial justice from an early ageThe impact of ‘coming out’ The freedom of the natural worldThe value of independent thinking as a central valueHaving the tools and empowerment to challenge the systemThe power of knowing you were loved as a childA desire for purpose is in every one of usFrom a broken state of deep ecology to a place of believing in the power of conscious capabilityIdentifying technology as the missing piece for connecting eaters with growersLearning how to unlock problems by listening to the needs and filling a gapStructuring things to disable centralisation of power The critical role of aggregators/food hubs in a local food system that are locally relevant and transparent The power of collaboration for efficiency, capital ownership, accessibility, logisticsThe myriad of ways that all tiers of the food chain can embark on changeThe value of “open source” as a language which is not constrained in its ability to adapt and leapfrogOffering opportunity for knowledge commons The privilege of having the psychological knowledge that you have ‘back up’Transvestment - recognising that you are drawing money from the old economy and placing it into the ideological vision of a new futureGetting to a point where work that conflicts with ideology is no longer neededBuilding space for others to step into positions of influence where they may not have previously had a voice Having a baby to ‘turn off’ from ideological responsibilitiesConsciously creating a culture where people bring their whole selves to the work placeCreation of a ‘heart channel’ in the workplace for frank, open, personal story tellingBeing honest with kids about the truth of the worldEvoking joy and aliveness in the next generationNature based education as a central cog in our communitiesLINKS YOU'LL LOVEOpen Food NetworkCERESFood Connect BrisbaneJoanna Macy Deep Green Resistance - Derrick Jensen, Aric McBay, Lierre KeithTreading Lightly - Karl Erik Sveiby, Tex SkuthorpeSupport the show

Kirsten Larsen + Serenity Hill are proof that two minds are better than one. As the founders of <a href="https://openfoodnetwork.org.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Open Food Network</a>, a game-changing open source technology at the centre of building valued and fair food chains, they think globally, act locally and are actively encouraging a culture where whole-self is present in the workplace. Hear how these two values-aligned women brought their shared vision for fairer local food systems to life -- and why the rest of the world is excited. *keep it rolling right till the end for Futuresteading listener shout outs* SHOW NOTES<ul><li>Social justice from an early age</li><li>The impact of ‘coming out’ </li><li>The freedom of the natural world</li><li>The value of independent thinking as a central value</li><li>Having the tools and empowerment to challenge the system</li><li>The power of knowing you were loved as a child</li><li>A desire for purpose is in every one of us</li><li>From a broken state of deep ecology to a place of believing in the power of conscious capability</li><li>Identifying technology as the missing piece for connecting eaters with growers</li><li>Learning how to unlock problems by listening to the needs and filling a gap</li><li>Structuring things to disable centralisation of power </li><li>The critical role of aggregators/food hubs in a local food system that are locally relevant and transparent </li><li>The power of collaboration for efficiency, capital ownership, accessibility, logistics</li><li>The myriad of ways that all tiers of the food chain can embark on change</li><li>The value of “open source” as a language which is not constrained in its ability to adapt and leapfrog</li><li>Offering opportunity for knowledge commons </li><li>The privilege of having the psychological knowledge that you have ‘back up’</li><li>Transvestment - recognising that you are drawing money from the old economy and placing it into the ideological vision of a new future</li><li>Getting to a point where work that conflicts with ideology is no longer needed</li><li>Building space for others to step into positions of influence where they may not have previously had a voice </li><li>Having a baby to ‘turn off’ from ideological responsibilities</li><li>Consciously creating a culture where people bring their whole selves to the work place</li><li>Creation of a ‘heart channel’ in the workplace for frank, open, personal story telling</li><li>Being honest with kids about the truth of the world</li><li>Evoking joy and aliveness in the next generation</li><li>Nature based education as a central cog in our communities</li></ul>LINKS YOU'LL LOVE<ul><li><a href="https://openfoodnetwork.org.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Open Food Network</a></li><li><a href="https://ceres.org.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CERES</a></li><li><a href="https://foodconnect.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Food Connect Brisbane</a></li><li><a href="https://workthatreconnects.org/spiral/about-joanna/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joanna Macy</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/deep-green-resistance-9781583229293" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deep Green Resistance</a> - Derrick Jensen, Aric McBay, Lierre Keith</li><li><a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/treading-lightly-karl-erik-sveiby/book/9781741148749.html?source=pla&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw_sn8BRBrEiwAnUGJDsrVkDYYfVh3jJpl_pISqWRdZn47xw6-MHuG97LcbIvx-bjlE6yVQxoChJsQAvD_BwE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Treading Lightly</a> - Karl Erik Sveiby, Tex Skuthorpe</li></ul><a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/futuresteading" rel="payment nofollow" target="_blank">Support the show</a>

Kirsten Larsen + Serenity Hill from Open Food Network

Kirsten Larsen is co-founder with partner Serenity Hill of the Open Food Network. It’s a not-for-profit, global collaboration building food distribution systems that are fair, local and transparent. The Network’s flagship open source platform had been successfully enabling ethical food distribution in multiple countries. Now, in the wake of COVID-19, it has gone to a whole new level, as producers look for alternative ways to sell quality produce, and eaters look for alternative ways to access it. The Network reports a tenfold increase in people signing up to the platform, and a tenfold increase in turnover. This grass roots initiative now spans 13 countries, and continues to grow. As the greeting on the Open Food Network website puts it: Food Unincorporated - sometimes the best way to fix the system is to start a new one. Kirsten is a farmer herself, and an Honorary Fellow at the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, at the University of Melbourne. She sees her work as focused on the complex challenges of sustainability and resilient food systems, and on the design and implementation of responses that also support healthy communities and regional economic development.Kirsten was kind enough to join me online from her home in Violet Town, Victoria, Australia. Title slide: from the Shepparton News (pic: Megan Fisher).Recorded on Friday 12 June 2020.Music:The System, by the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.Find more:Open Food Network.Moving Feast.The international award the Network won.The RegenNarration is an independent, ad-free, freely available podcast, thanks to the generous support of listeners. If you too value what you hear, please consider joining them, by heading to the Support page on The RegenNarration website.You can become a subscriber to the podcast, connect with other listeners &amp; receive other benefits, directly via the Patreon page.Visit The RegenNarration shop. And please keep sharing, rating &amp; reviewing the podcast.Thanks for your support!

Kirsten Larsen is co-founder with partner Serenity Hill of the Open Food Network. It’s a not-for-profit, global collaboration building food distribution systems that are fair, local and transparent. The Network’s flagship open source platform had been successfully enabling ethical food distribution in multiple countries. Now, in the wake of COVID-19, it has gone to a whole new level, as producers look for alternative ways to sell quality produce, and eaters look for alternative ways to access it. The Network reports a tenfold increase in people signing up to the platform, and a tenfold increase in turnover. This grass roots initiative now spans 13 countries, and continues to grow. As the greeting on the Open Food Network website puts it: Food Unincorporated - sometimes the best way to fix the system is to start a new one. Kirsten is a farmer herself, and an Honorary Fellow at the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute, at the University of Melbourne. She sees her work as focused on the complex challenges of sustainability and resilient food systems, and on the design and implementation of responses that also support healthy communities and regional economic development. Kirsten was kind enough to join me online from her home in Violet Town, Victoria, Australia. Title slide: from the Shepparton News (pic: Megan Fisher). Recorded on Friday 12 June 2020. Music: The System, by the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra. Find more:<a href="https://openfoodnetwork.org.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Open Food Network.</a> <a href="https://movingfeast.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Moving Feast.</a> <a href="https://blog.mozilla.org/blog/2020/06/08/mozilla-announces-second-three-covid-19-solutions-fund-recipients/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> The international award the Network won.</a>The RegenNarration is an independent, ad-free, freely available podcast, thanks to the generous support of listeners. If you too value what you hear, please consider joining them, by <a href="https://www.regennarration.com/support" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">heading to the Support page on The RegenNarration website.</a> You can become a subscriber to the podcast, connect with other listeners &amp; receive other benefits,<a href="https://www.patreon.com/RegenNarration" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> directly via the Patreon page</a>. Visit <a href="https://www.regennarration.com/shop" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The RegenNarration shop</a>. And please keep sharing, rating &amp; reviewing the podcast. Thanks for your support!