{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"ep. 107: Animal Centric Agriculture","description":"Episode 107:  Animal Centric Agriculture Host: Aaron Niederhelman Guest: \u00d8istein Thorsen, CEO of FAI Farms Did you know that across the globe we process 70,000,000,000 (billion) land animals every year?! That includes nine billion food animals each yr. in the U.S. alone. And yet, it\u2019s still difficult to find good meat! That\u2019s so out of sync with where consumer trends are headed. Why isn\u2019t better meat more of the norm? Elevating practices to reap the benefits at market is very feasible in (better quality) meat production. In this episode we hear more from upstart leader \u00d8istein Thorsen of FAI Farms about the opportunities there are for evolving production practice and scaling supply of better quality animal proteins. With some tweaks and strategic investments into the well-being of the animal producing meat, fish, eggs and dairy \u2013 FAI thwarts impending supply chain concerns for big food companies while aligning with buying behaviors of contemporary consumer interests. As insurance & marketing tilth \u2013 it\u2019s a no-brainer for these food companies with large scale needs. Investments that will benefit the eater, the producer, the environment and the planet all by improving farm animal qualify of life. Based out of Oxford, U.K., for twenty years the Food Animal Initiative (FAI) has been developing systems that improve the supply chains of big food companies through investments into the well-being of the food animal. Rich in knowledge and deep in insight, they\u2019ve honed \u201canimal-centric\u201d operating models for each food animal category. As you\u2019ll hear from \u00d8istein, more commitments to elevate production practice in meat, dairy, farmed fish and eggs is is a tent post in repairing the broader broken food systems. And, since new growth in conventional meat and animal protein production proves more unsustainable with each passing year, the notion that this old system can manage more production load on top of the current through-put just seems irresponsible to plan around. Right?! Thorsen argues that the market opportunity for pushing the holistic view of personal well-being, planetary stability, and benevolence has a pinnacle in meat production. So, is the well-being of food animals the foundation for large scale food systems change? #Tunein to get more on that from \u00d8istein.   Getting us to Animal Centric Meat Production The reality is that people are going to eat meat in the future. A lot more of it as new folks adopt western lifestyles. In fact, experts say that 2050 demand for animal proteins will increase by 70%. Could you imagine what 2\/3s more load would do to the impact of conventional meat? Leaders have arisen with new approaches to raise food animals and produce enough protein to meet this increased demand \u2013 while still respecting planetary boundaries, and tapping into those current POVs. \u00d8istein Thorsen of FAI Farms is one of these upstart pioneers that\u2019s instigating a values-based food system through focus on improving in the health and well-being of food animals. In our conversation Thorsen explains the approach as \u201cAnimal Centric Meat Production\u201d. He describes it this way, \u201cto keep a shrinking planet fed and nourished for decades to come \u2013 it all begins with respecting the food animal today.\u201d   Animal-Centric Food Systems in the Future The French expression Noblesse Oblige translates to \u201cnobility obliges\u201d. It effectively means that with power and privilege that we\u2019re obligated to look out for the wellbeing of others that are less fortunate. Thorsen tells us that a bit more respect is needed here for the animals that sustain us. To clean-up the food system, this animal-centric mantra actually taps that obligation that is seeded in us all, while also fueling actions of consumer empowerment that will help sway consumer behaviors. Something like \u2013 knowing how we manage sentient animals that produce meat, eggs, and dairy will evolve everything about the food system \u2013 because we become more empowered eaters through deeper connection with these animals and nature. Animal Centric food production may actually scratch a primal itch to do better for all creatures, including those that sustain us. We are indebted. What do you think?   Q: How much of the holistic continuum impacts your current food buying decisions? Q: Will you evolve your behavior if you knew of the direct impact? Q: Are you obligated?   As we hear from \u00d8istein, not only is this evolution the ethical thing to do, but the reality is the resulting food products are significantly better for you and your surroundings than anything coming from conventional streams. In fact, according to Thorsen \u2013 this good meat, dairy and eggs from healthy animals living in more natural environments is better than anything coming to market \u2013 especially all this newly concocted lab-grown protein derived from processed and artificial means. We need better meat and less of it. Despite all the buzz behind those plant-based \/ lab-grown proteins, or new noise from conventional climate-friendly propaganda \u2013 the only silver-bullet solution to big global problems like malnutrition, hunger, supply-chain disruption and even climate instability comes from doing a better job shepherding the regenerative natural resources underpinning the production of our food. So, let\u2019s not throw the baby out with the bathwater; it\u2019s not the cow that\u2019s the problem, but the how we raise the cow for dairy and meat. Let\u2019s start there. \u201cIt has mutually beneficial outcomes in which all stakeholders win,\u201d explains Thorsen.   A Holistic Approach to Producing Good Meat Farm Animal Initiative (FAI) Farms was founded in 2001 at the Oxford University farm estate. 20 years later they remain a ground-breaking research and advisory firm on a mission to help the food sector overcome key challenges and implement better practices on land and at sea. Utilizing their \u201c3E\u201d (Economic, Environmental, Ethical) approach, FAI works with farmers and many of the world\u2019s largest food companies to implement practical solutions for climate and food security concerns in a contemporary world.   The Growing Footprint of Animal Centric A purpose driven company committed to providing solutions to climate and food security, FAI offers services led by science, data, and the practice of holistic food production. FAI\u2019s world leading multi-disciplinary team work in partnership with major food brands to create a high welfare, equitable and regenerative food system. FAI is headquartered in Oxford, UK, with representation in the USA, Norway, Brazil, New Zealand and partners in China.   a next generation pioneer in food animal production: \u00d8istein Thorsen As CEO of FAI, \u00d8istein is responsible for the company\u2019s growth and impact strategy, and new business development. He joined FAI in 2012, working with global partners including IKEA, Ferrero, McDonald\u2019s and KFC, before leading the company through an MBO in August 2020. \u00d8istein grew up in shuttle between Sudan, Norway, and Ethiopia. He holds an MSc in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a BA in African Studies and Development Studies from SOAS. Before joining FAI he followed in his parents\u2019 footprints pursuing a career in international development. He worked for VSO and Oxfam, focusing on community engagement, global agricultural trade policy, and humanitarian advocacy at the United Nations. Thorsen is the associate producer of \u201cBlack Gold\u201d, a Sundance Film Festival feature-documentary film about coffee growers in Ethiopia\u2019s place in the global coffee market. \u00d8istein lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children.   DO YOUR PART: Stabilize the Planet by Investing in Animal Centric Agriculture With the huge uptick in global consumption of proteins over the next few decades, current conventional practice and cutting-edge tech will only continue to send natural systems out of whack. When scaled with proper knowhow, Animal Centric agriculture food solutions can have positive and lasting impact on the planet and all of its inhabitants. We learn that when animals are put in the middle and given due respect throughout food production \u2013 it becomes the tent pole to build the new food system, to return to natural order, and to benefit each involved party. Starting with the quality of life of the food animals themselves.   As part of the Core Food Systems Change series, in this episode you\u2019ll hear that when Animal Centric Agriculture becomes part of our collective consciousness it\u2019s the best opportunity that we\u2019ve got for a stable future.   www.SourcingMatters.show ","author_name":"Sourcing Matters.show","author_url":"http:\/\/www.sourcingmatters.show\/","html":"