Stewardship & Sustainability Series: Recent Episodes

Y on Earth Community

Welcome to the Y on Earth Community's "Stewardship & Sustainability" podcast series!

Join author Aaron William Perry as he discusses hopeful information and actionable inspiration with community leaders, authors, and educators from diverse geographic, social and cultural backgrounds.

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Elizabeth Whitlow, Executive Director of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, discusses the recently launched Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) for farms, food, beverage, and apparel products. Integrating three key pillars: soil health, animal welfare, and farm worker fairness, the ROC is the most comprehensive and holistic third party certification available.

The ROC was established through a collaborative effort by Dr. Bronner's, Patagonia, and the Rodale Institute, all three of which are at the forefront of the global regenerative movement (see episodes #111, #89, #70, #69, and #63 for more information). Acknowledging that "What we do to the soil, we do to ourselves," and the ancient Hippocratic maxim, "Let food be thy medicine," Elizabeth discusses the connection between soil health and well-being, and the converse, soil-toxicity and disease (including diabetes, heart disease, and myriad cancers). She also acknowledges the foundational contributions of George Washington Carver to the contemporary regenerative organic movement.

Elizabeth Whitlow's role as the Executive Director of the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) is the culmination of over 20 years working for systemic change in agriculture systems. Whitlow began her career as an advocate for shade-grown, fair-trade, and organic coffee growers in Central America. Since then, she has worked across the spectrum of elevated certifications, both in farming and ranching. She is now leading the charge for regenerative organic agriculture, managing the holistic and high-bar Regenerative Organic Certified™ (ROC™) standard. The ROC is the North Star of certifications, building upon the USDA Organic label through the pillars of soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. She resides in Sonoma County, California tending to her micro-farm and an array of animals, promoting community-driven, local food systems.

Regenerating the living crust of the Earth has been Elizabeth Whitlow’s mission since she was first exposed in the 1990s to the harmful practices of industrial agriculture and the power of building thriving food systems. Thus, began the long journey of examining the deeper systemic policies of agriculture and advocating for programs that reward holistic farmers. Now, as the Executive Director of the Regenerative Organic Alliance, Elizabeth is overseeing the launch of a revolutionary certification program, Regenerative Organic Certified.

RESOURCES: Web: regenorganic.org Instagram: @regenerativeorganic

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Stephen Brooks has been living for the past 25 years in Costa Rica and is a world leader in creating thriving ecological communities, promoting Permaculture practices and fostering sustainable food production models. He is the co-founder of Ecoversity and the Punta Mona Center for Regenerative Design & Botanical Studies. In 2006, Stephen co-founded and developed La Ecovilla, a 45 home community in San Mateo, Costa Rica. His most recent addition is Alegria Village, which neighbors La Ecovilla. Stephen has been featured globally, in Forbes, and in TV shows for Discovery, ABC and most recently Zac Efrons’ Down to Earth on Netflix.

In this episode, learn about Ecoversity’s educational offerings and certifications, about Permaculture, and about the Punta Mona Center. EXCLUSIVELY FOR Y ON EARTH COMMUNITY PODCAST AUDIENCE MEMBERS: 5% DISCOUNT on Ecoversity’s upcoming Permaculture Design Certification Course using this special link: https://www.ecoversity.org/a/2147498261/PgJgCbnX and discount code: YONEARTH. (The Early Bird sale price is available through November 17th, 2021; regular course price through December 7, 2021. In either case, 5% discount can be applied).

www.ecoversity.org

www.puntamona.org

www.alegriavillage.com

www.envisionfestival.com

@stephenrbrooks

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[GOT BUDDHIST ECONOMICS?] Author, Buddhist lecturer, and finance professional Layth Matthews shares insights regarding happiness, contentment, and bringing more balance into our lives – especially in the hectic “rat race” of advanced economies. In his book, "The Four Noble Truths of Wealth: A Buddhist View of Economic Life", Layth brings together a mastery of Buddhist principles, expertise in economics and finance, and a sensibility about meaning, purpose, and thoughtfulness in hyper-consumerist society. The book is full of wise, pithy aphorisms, such as: “Beware of false urgency,” “The foundation of genuine discipline is making friends with oneself,” and “It is relaxing with the holes in one’s identity that creates a tremendous space for humor, curiosity, and compassion.”

After graduating from the University of Washington in Economics, Layth attended the 1984 Vajradhatu Buddhist seminary. Layth is President of Rigden Financial Inc. and recently joined the faculty of College of New Caledonia in Prince George, British Columbia, as an Instructor of Business Administration. Layth asserts that “A wealthy outlook is the first step and the fruition of genuine prosperity”. He is convinced the best way to help this world, spiritually and economically, is to make friends with oneself at the atomic level, and the best way to do that is through the practice of sitting meditation. His book, “The Four Noble Truths of Wealth: a Buddhist View of Economic Life” provides the foundation of a deeper form of prosperity which cools the fires of materialism from the inside out.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-genuine-prosperity-layth-matthews/ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-genuine-prosperity-layth-matthews/ https://shambhalatimes.org/2015/06/09/buddhist-economics-090/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFourNobleTruthsOfWealth/ https://www.amazon.com/Four-Noble-Truths-Wealth-Buddhist/dp/0991802306/ref=sr_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=the+four+noble+truths&qid=1629573490&s=books&sr=1-14

https://www.taramartin.org/

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[HONOR THY LABEL] Gero Leson, Dr. Bronner’s VP of Special Operations, discusses his new book, Honor Thy Label, chronicling the company’s development of farm-direct regenerative organic supply chains around the world. Gero shares the challenges and opportunities of working with diverse communities “on the ground” to source coconut oil, olive oil, chocolate, hemp, peppermint oil, and a variety of other ingredients from regenerative farmers in Sri Lanka, the Holy Land, India, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and elsewhere. He also discusses the creation of the Regenerative Organic Alliance – the leading certification body that incorporates land stewardship, fair trade practices, and animal welfare into its three-pillar framework.

Dr. Bronner’s is “cleaning up the world with soap” and leads the regenerative organic movement alongside organizations like Patagonia, Demeter, and the Rodale Institute. Instituting advanced internal mechanisms for regeneration, sustainability, and equitable treatment of its stakeholders, Dr. Bronner’s has voluntarily imposed an executive pay cap and allocates its profits to taxes, philanthropy, and activism. In Gero’s Honor Thy Label you’ll find vignettes by key Bronner family executives: Trudy, David, and Mike, and their colleague Michael Milam , as well as a very touching account of Gero's work to help heal the Jewish Bronner (originally Heilbronner) family's connection to its ancestral German roots.

Gero Leson is Vice President of Special Operations at Dr. Bronner’s. Since 2005 he has managed Dr. Bronner’s shift to sourcing its main ingredients from organic and fair trade projects. These ingredients are hemp, coconut, palm, olive, several essential oils, sugar, alcohol – and now cocoa beans.

Gero’s Special Operations team of 8 has built and operates, several integrated farming and processing projects with local partner teams. These involve hundreds to thousands of smallholder farmers, processing operations with 200-300 staff, and significant social impact through hands-on engagement in education, health care, and infrastructure development. The Special Ops team also works closely with and purchases from other projects not owned by Dr. Bronner’s, such as Canaan Palestine in the West Bank. In recent years, all projects are emphasizing the shift to regenerative agriculture to improve soil productivity, resilience – and carbon sequestration.

Born in Cologne, Germany, Gero has a master’s degree in physics from the University of Cologne and a doctorate in Environmental Science and Engineering from UCLA. Before working for Dr. Bronner’s he worked as an environmental consultant to US industry in the development of industrial hemp and in international development. When not traveling he lives in Berkeley, California.

RESOURCES:

  • https://www.drbronner.com/
  • https://www.facebook.com/DrBronner
  • https://www.instagram.com/drbronner/
  • https://twitter.com/DrBronner
  • https://www.drbronner.com/media-center/images/

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[GOT TREE OF LIFE?] In her second Y on Earth Community Podcast appearance, Brigitte Mars, world-renown herbalist, author, and educator, speculates on the potential connection between cannabis and the mythical tree of life. Drawing from her extensive herbal knowledge, historical and folk knowledge, and from the continuously developing archeological record, Brigitte takes us through an intriguing presentation, and an exploratory adventure.

Ranging from old testament biblical passages to the locale of Jesus’ first miracle (Cana), from the legends of Zoroaster to the Egyptian goddess Sheshmet (“lady of seven points”), from Scythian culture (“scythe = ‘to cut hemp’”) to the Urantia Book, from ancient Greek Dioscorides (author of ‘Materia Medica’) to the Sadhus of India, from Nostradamus to Abraham Lincoln, and from Plato to Carl Sagan, Brigitte takes us on a tour de force of fascinating cultural connections and possibilities.

Although you may not immediately “buy” all that Brigitte is presenting here, you are encouraged to consider the possibilities with an open mind!

Brigitte Mars is an herbalist and nutritional consultant of Natural Health with almost fifty years of experience. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University, and The School of Health Mastery in Iceland. She has taught at the Omega Institute, the Esalen Institute, Kripalu, Sivananda Yoga Ashram, Arise, Envision and Unify Festivals, and The Mayo Clinic. She is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild.

Brigitte is the author of many books and DVDs, including The Natural First Aid Handbook, The Home Reference to Holistic Health and Healing, The Country Almanac of Home Remedies, The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, Beauty by Nature, Addiction Free Naturally, The Sexual Herbal, Healing Herbal Teas, Rawsome! and co-author of The HempNut Cookbook. DVDs include Sacred Psychoactive, Herbal Wizardry for Kids of all Ages, Natural Remedies for Childhood Ailments, Overcoming Addictions, and Natural Remedies for Emotional Health.

Brigitte and her daughter, Sunflower Sparkle Mars run Herb Camp for Kids in Boulder, Colorado. Brigitte's other daughter is world famous activist/yogini-actress/ international model, Rainbeau Mars.

RESOURCES: www.brigittemars.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brigittemarsherbalist Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brigitte.mars/

Thanks for reading this far! Now, here's something special for the lawyers and regulators out there: The statements made regarding these plants have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these plants has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These plants and statements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.

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In this important episode, Dr. Robert Cloninger, MD, PhD, discusses the key psychological drivers of personality that distinguish “post materialist cultural creatives” from “traditionalists” and “materialistic and individualistic modernists”. Drawing on substantial data as well as cutting edge genetic research, Dr. Cloninger, one of the most cited scientists in the world (top 0.01%), has identified three key personality traits that elucidate the different personality expressions: self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence. In general, the first two are well developed among traditional corporate and political leaders (cooperativeness too often being limited to an immediate sphere of mutually-beneficial influence, but not necessarily for the greater good). But the third tends to be under-developed among world leaders. It is exactly this, the self-transcendence of creative characters, which “facilitates flexible and resilient adaptation in harmony with other people and nature” (MSM, “What Makes People Healthy, Happy, And Fulfilled In The Face Of Current World Challenges?” p.18 - see PDF link below). Those of us in the regenerative, stewardship, and sustainability movement would do well to understand this framework, and to do what we can to improve in all three categories. When all three are strong, tremendous leadership and positive impact is made possible.

Dr. Cloninger not only walks us through the data, science, and framework in a clear, cogent, and easy-to-understand manner, he also offers insights and suggestions as to how we can each improve our own traits. Thank goodness for neuroplasticity (!) suggests Dr. Cloninger, as he describes why he is hopeful and optimistic about human beings’ potential for growth, change, and psycho-spiritual evolution. Along with the interview, we encourage you to read the short paper, “What Makes People Healthy, Happy, And Fulfilled In The Face Of Current World Challenges?”, which succinctly outlines and explains all of this in a manner accessible to non-technical, non-scientific readers. “Well-being,” writes Cloninger, “depends on functioning with foresight, plasticity, and virtue,” and, he continues, “The development of self-transcendence has a radical transformative impact on self-directedness and cooperativeness. The purposeful striving of self-directedness is transformed into hope and letting go of fighting and worry…” and an “outlook that leads to love, hope, and humility…” (Op. cit. p.21-22).

Dr. C. Robert Cloninger, MD, PhD is Director of the Anthropedia Institute and Professor Emeritus at Washington University in St. Louis. He was Wallace Renard Professor of Psychiatry, Professor of Genetics, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, and Director of the Sansone Family Center for Well-Being at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis until July 2019. The Anthropedia Institute is the research and advisory component of the Anthropedia Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to development of human well-being through initiatives in health care and education. He is widely cited and honored for his innovative biopsychosocial research that spans the genetics, neurobiology, development, psychology, brain imaging, and assessment of personality and psychopathology. His personality inventories have been used in more than 6000 peer-reviewed publications around the world and he is one of the most highly cited scientists in the world across all fields (top 0.01 percentile).

He received his B.A. with High Honors and Special Honors in Philosophy, Psychology, and Anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin, 1966. He received his M.D. from Washington University in 1970, and Honorary Doctorates from the University of Umea in 1983 (MD in Genetics) and University of Gothenburg in 2012 (PhD in Psychology).

Dr. Cloninger has published ten books and over 600 articles in psychiatry, psychology, and genetics. His recent books include Feeling Good: The Science of Well-Being by Oxford University Press, Origins of Altruism and Cooperation by Springer, and Personality and Psychopathology by American Psychiatric Press. Among his many awards, Dr. Cloninger has received the American Psychiatric Association’s Adolf Meyer Award (1993) and Judd Marmor Award (2009), and lifetime achievement awards from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (2000) and the International Society of Psychiatric Genetics (2003). He received the Oskar Pfister Award in 2014 from the American Association of Professional Chaplains and the American Psychiatric Association for his contributions to dialogue between psychiatry, religion, and spirituality. He is a fellow of the American Academy for the Advancement of Science and of the National Academy of Medicine in the USA.

RESOURCES

Anthropedia Foundation: https://anthropedia.org

Zwir I, et al. Three genetic-environmental networks for human personality. Mol. Psychiatry, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-019-0579-x (2019).

Cloninger CR, Cloninger KM, Zwir I, Keltigangas-Jarvinen L. The complex genetics and biology of human temperament: a review of traditional concepts in relation to new molecular findings. Trans Psychiatry. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-019-0621-4

Cloninger CR. “What Makes People Healthy, Happy, And Fulfilled In The Face Of Current World Challenges?” Mens Sana Monographs 2013; 11:16-24. (Click following link to download PDF, published with permission of the author).

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Herbal medicine is an essential part of the human story, and may be key to our ongoing health and wellbeing as a species. In this important interview, Ann Armbrecht, the author of The Business of Botanicals: Exploring the Healing Promise of Plant Medicines in a Global Industry (Chelsea Green Publishing, February 2021), discusses the global herbal medicine industry, supply chains, challenges, shortcomings, needs, and opportunities to become a much stronger exemplar of social and environmental sustainability and stewardship.

She shares her own intimate experience with the plant world, including how cultivating a relationship of reciprocity with healing plants may be essential for insights and understandings that modern western science may not on its own provide. Recognizing the deep heritage of indigenous and traditional life-ways and relationships with healing plants, as well as the knowledge made available through modern science, Ann describes an experience of “seeing double” – perceiving both the “visible” and the “invisible” realities embodied by our plant and tree cousins – and suggests that not “seeing double” makes us selfish. She encourages us to cultivate curiosity, connection, intention, and an ethos of reciprocity in our own relationships with healing plants, and discusses the “healing green energy of nature” that Hildegard von Bingen called “Viriditas” a thousand years ago. Gardens, Ann suggests, can awaken us to the lost art of “seeing”.

In the book, Ann shares insights and learnings from renown herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, and discusses herbal medicine companies such as Aveeno, Herb Farm (which has earned the Regenerative Organic Certification), and others. With such favorites as motherwort, black cohosh, lemon balm, calendula, and nettles, Ann reveals some of her own personal story while expertly reporting on the state of the global herbal medicine industry.

Ann Armbrecht is the director of the Sustainable Herbs Program under the auspices of the American Botanical Council. She is a writer and anthropologist (PhD, Harvard 1995) whose work explores the relationships between humans and the earth, most recently through her work with plants and plant medicine. She is the co-producer of the documentary Numen: The Nature of Plants and the author of the award-winning ethnographic memoir Thin Places: A Pilgrimage Home, based on her research in Nepal. Her latest book is The Business of Botanicals: Exploring the Healing Promise of Plant Medicines in a Global Industry (Chelsea Green Publishing, February 2021). She lives with her family in central Vermont.

Author Website: http://annarmbrecht.com/

Organization Website: https://sustainableherbsprogram.org/

Purchase Links: https://yonearth.org/partners-supporters/ Click on Chelsea Green logo (10% discount with code: YOE10)

Twitter: @armbrecht_ann

Facebook: @ann.armbrecht

Instagram: @ann_armbrecht

Chelsea Green Publishing Resources:

Facebook: @chelseagreenpub

Twitter: @chelseagreen

Instagram: @chelseagreenbooks

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Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa, "Where healing waters flow," is a sanctuary in the San Luis Valley of southern Colorado enjoyed by many. In this episode, founder Elaine Blumenhein describes her spiritual guidance to create the sanctuary, the land-healing work she experienced, and gives thanks to her former husband and life partner, Dick Blumenhein, for his role in making Joyful Journey what it is. Also appearing on this episode are Charmaine Boudreaux, Group Event Coordinator, and Jason Denham, who is hosting a special retreat for caregivers and healthcare professionals at Joyful Journey this June: "Art of Well-Being: A Restorative Retreat with Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa" (June 27 - July 2, 2021).

According to its Mission Statement, "Joyful Journey is a sanctuary, a community, and a retreat, where people from all walks of life come to experience its soothing waters – to heal and find peace from the stress of their daily lives. As owner/guardian of these sacred waters since 1999, my intent is to allow our mineral hot springs’ healing water and therapies to awaken the hearts and uplift the spirits of all who come, so that they might experience the amazing benefits these waters provide." With sacred healing waters (full of natural restorative minerals), yurts, cabanas, a greenhouse grow-dome, labyrinth, and special meditation benches facing the four directions, this sanctuary helps people de-stress and reconnect with nature's magic and majesty. The towering Sangre de Cristo mountains stand vigil in the East, visible from the soaking pools.

Elaine Blumenhein acquired Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa in 1998 when it was just three pools and still named after the town where it stands: Mineral Hot Springs. She moved to the area in 1999 and since then, Elaine has added yurts, lodge rooms, tipis!, a large retreat center, a geodesic biodome greenhouse, an 11-unit labyrinth and more recently, two electric vehicle charging stations, plus numerous other aesthetic touches that have made this a true sanctuary for the soul. After living in the nearby spiritual mecca of Crestone for 20 years, Elaine recently moved back to Boulder to spend more time with her family. Her blessings and prayers reach Joyful Journey on a daily basis as she continues to contribute to the day-to-day activities.

Jason Denham is a life and recovery coach as well as yoga, meditation, and Pilates instructor, who founded Gr8fulMoves. In his former life, Jason was a caregiver for 15 years working as a mentor, coach, and program director in various therapeutic wilderness and residential settings. In those roles, he worked with small groups to help clients communicate more effectively, set boundaries, emotionally regulate, and work through trauma by connecting mind and body. As a former caregiver, who knows how taxing the role can be, Jason is very excited to be hosting the Art of Well-Being: A Restorative Retreat with Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

Charmaine Boudreaux curates special group events and retreats at Joyful Journey, and works gracefully behind the scenes, putting the "joy" in Joyful Journey Hot Springs Spa.

RESOURCES: Joyful Journey website: http://www.joyfuljourneyhotsprings.com/ Joyful Journey Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoyfulJourneyHotSprings Joyful Journey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfuljourneyhotsprings Gr8ful Moves website: https://www.gr8fulmoves.com/ Retreat: http://joyfuljourneyhotsprings.com/artofwellbeing/

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Jackie Bowen, the Executive Director of the Clean Label Project, discusses the link between chronic illnesses like cancer, and low-level toxic contamination of our food, vitamins, sunscreens, and other products. Bowen informs us that the predominant "food borne illness" focus of the Food & Drug Administration, with rapid response protocols for containing Listeria, E. coli, Salmonella, and other pathogens is necessary but insufficient. We need comprehensive and systemic focus on long-term exposure to toxins such as lead (a neurotoxic carcinogen), cadmium, Bisphenol A (BPA), Dioxins, Phthalates, Perchlorate, and dangerous pesticides like Atrazine, Organophosphates, and Glyphosate. The Clean Label Project provides such analysis.

Covering products such as baby food, protein powders, edible oils, prenatal vitamins, sunscreen, and even pet food, the Clean Label Project conducts scientific, data-driven analysis, and shares its results with the public. Their "Best & Worst" listings show the most contaminated and least contaminated products in each category - a tremendous public resource that allows consumers to get informed and decide for ourselves.

Jackie also discusses the impacts of in utero exposure to toxins, often compounded by early childhood exposure from contaminated baby food, water, paints, and fire retardants, and the direct connection with decreased cognitive function and IQ, increased hyperactivity, increased conditions like autism, decreased immune function, increased allergies, increased infertility, and increased behavioral disorders. As a society, we are the unwitting guinea pigs in a century-long toxification of our food, water, and household products, and it is wreaking havoc on our communities and society.

Jackie also emphasizes the importance of eating organic foods high in antioxidant compounds as well as carefully selecting the products that we choose to buy, consume, and share with our families. She reminds us that each dollar we spend on healthy, organic food, is a vote made in our massive, complex food and product industries for decreased toxicity and increased health and wellness.

Jaclyn Bowen MPH, MS is a food and consumer products quality and safety systems engineer and executive director of Clean Label Project, a national non-profit and standards development organization with the mission to bring truth and transparency to food and consumer product labeling. Before coming to Clean Label Project, Jaclyn held numerous technical, standards development, food safety, quality, and executive roles within the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre, NSF International. Her expertise is in organic, gluten-free, non-gmo labeling, food safety, and label claim substantiation and compliance. Bowen authored one of the most comprehensive peer-reviewed studies of heavy metals in America's top-selling infant formulas and baby foods in America. Bowen and Clean Label Project have appeared on NBC, ABC, CNN, ‘The Doctors’, 'Dr. Oz', 'Dr. Drew' and 450+ print and online media outlets including USA Today and Huff Post. Bowen holds a Bachelors of Science in environmental biology from Michigan State University, a Master of Science in quality engineering from Eastern Michigan University and a Master of Public Health in management and policy from University of Michigan.

RESOURCES: cleanlabelproject.org instagram.com/cleanlabelproject facebook.com/CleanLabelProject sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969718334442

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In this instructional episode, social entrepreneur and accountant Aaron William Perry provides an introduction to accounting and bookkeeping for social enterprises, non-profits, regenerative farms, and sustainability and stewardship oriented businesses. The episode was recorded during a special workshop for the Drylands Agroecology Research community of regenerative farms near Lyons, Colorado: Elk Run Farm, Meta Carbon Farm, and Allens Farm. Introducing the material, Aaron provides some historical context behind the double entry accounting system that is the backbone of all accounting software (including Quickbooks) and financial reporting conventions of virtually all companies, non-profits, and organizations world-wide.

Did you know that modern accounting has its roots in the Italian Renaissance? Brother Luca Pacioli, a mathematician, educator and Franciscan Friar considered to be the "father of accounting," lived contemporaneously with Leonardo da Vinci. In 1494, Pacioli published the "Summa" in which he codified the systematic mechanics of double-entry bookkeeping and accounting. With this historical context in mind, Aaron discusses the five major account types (Assets, Liabilities, Equity, Income, and Expenses), how Debits and Credits work across each account type, and the major financial reports in which these five account types are expressed: the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement; also known in the non-profit arena as the Statement of Position, Statement of Activity, and Cash Flow Statement, respectively. This instructional session also walks through some of the basic functions organizations of every size and scale need to know: Invoicing, Depositing Monies, Billing and Expenditures, Reconciling Bank Accounts, Running Reports, Budgeting, and reading Financial Statements.

The Y on Earth Community first intended this workshop to be available only to the Ambassador network, through its Ambassador Resources. However, after some reflection and deliberation, it became evident that the workshop could be much more widely beneficial by making it public through this podcast episode. A very special thank you to Marissa Pulaski and Nick DiDomenico of Drylands Agroecology Research and Elk Run Farm, Azuraye Wycoff of Allens Farm, and Shane Weigel of Meta Carbon Farm. If you would like additional instruction and/or consulting and advising support from Aaron Perry and the Y on Earth Community Team, contact us via the "Advising & Consulting" resources page: yonearth.org/advising-consulting.

RESOURCES: Advising & Consulting Resources: https://yonearth.org/advising-consulting/ Background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-entry_bookkeeping