On today’s episode, our guest is the agroecologist, systems thinker, educator, and author Nicole Masters. Originally from New Zealand, Nicole is one of the most well-respected voices on soil health and ecologically responsible grazing practices. She is also the author of the excellent book For the Love of Soil: Strategies to Regenerate Our Food Production Systems. In this conversation, Nicole discusses her life-long connection to nature and the land, her early career that included growing avocados and being a worm farmer, her move from New Zealand to the American West, her process for writing, some common misconceptions about the idea of food scarcity, and much more. -- Topics Covered: 1:25: Nicole’s upbringing 3:10 Traveling, education, and overseas experiences 4:40 When agriculture became a part of Nicole’s life 8:10 Nicole’s first jobs 9:30 Buying a farm and having a child 13:20 Jumping into agriculture head first, Nicole’s gratitude to her father 14:55 What brought Nicole to the United States 19:00 Being an outsider in the American West 22:00 How Nicole defines her work 25:00 Why don’t all ranches use regenerative methods? 30:00 Can ecological responsible practices feed the world? 33:50 Resources for people interested in regenerative soil science 35:00 Nicole’s book “For the Love of Soil” 37:00 Why did she write a book? 40:00 Finding the purpose of one's life 42:20 Advice for young people 45:50 How can people contribute to responsible agriculture 47:00 Where does Nicole see her career in 15 years 51:00 Why should a lifelong city dweller care about the land? 52:00 Common misconceptions about agriculture  53:00 Books Nicole recommends 54:15 What music Nicole has been listening to 54:50: What gives Nicole hope for the future