What connects regenerative agriculture, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Orthodox community, & the formation of the human person?
In this episode of the Orthodox Health Podcast, Nick Hillman rejoins Dr. Michael Christian & John to explain what regenerative agriculture is actually trying to restore... from soil biology, nutrient density & plant health to the relationship between farmers, food & the people they nourish.
Nick walks through regenerative viticulture, soil & plant testing, Korean Natural Farming, JADAM, compost extracts, cover crops, crop rotation, calcium amendments, earthworms, seed saving & the practical realities of restoring damaged land. He also audits John’s new backyard garden & explains how ordinary families can begin rebuilding the soil beneath their own feet.
The conversation then expands into Nick’s other work: the Meeting of the Lord Ranch, a proposed Orthodox retreat center and agricultural community; St. Nestor’s Grappling Club; his journey to a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt; & the announcement of our developing OrthrowBros podcast.
Farming, BJJ, homesteading & Orthodox community may appear to be separate topics. But each asks the same question:
What does it mean to faithfully tend something God has entrusted to you?
Real strength preserves, cultivates, serves, & leaves something healthier than it found it.
Featuring discussion of:
- Regenerative agriculture
- soil health
- nutrient density
- regenerative viticulture
- backyard gardening
- Korean Natural Farming
- JADAM
- homemade amendments
- seed saving
- Orthodox homesteading
- Meeting of the Lord Ranch
- St. Nestor
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- Orthodox masculinity
- stewardship & Christian formation
Chapters:
00:00 Coming Up
00:39 Orthodox Health Intro
02:19 Tending Creation: Soil, Strength & Stewardship
07:57 Regenerative Viticulture & the Future of Farming
14:00 What Regenerative Agriculture Actually Regenerates
17:38 Book Ad
19:17 Transitioning Farms Without Destroying the Soil
22:28 John’s Backyard Garden Audit
25:32 Korean Natural Farming, JADAM & Garden Amendments
31:13 Energy Ad
32:05 Watermelons, Soil Testing, Earthworms & Saving Seeds
48:04 Fasting Ad
48:42 The Meeting of the Lord Ranch
59:05 St. Nestor’s Grappling Club & Orthodox BJJ
01:03:48 Announcing the OrthrowBros Podcast
01:07:07 Tending What God Has Entrusted to YouMeeting of the Lord: Website, Orthodox Crowdfunding, Instagram, & YoutubeRegerative Ag Solutions - Website & InstagramSt. Nestor's Grappling Club - Instagram & YouTubeOther Resources: The Temple Steps "Salt of the Earth Conference" - Nigel Palmer - Regenerative Grower's GuideMaster Cho
Work with Dr. Mike
Signed Copies of Orthodoxy & The Medicine of the Future: OrthodoxHealth.com/book
Order Orthodoxy & the Medicine of the Future on Amazon
Donate to St. John the Theologian here
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Intro & Outro Music: St. John of Chicago Orthodox Church Choir (Arkansas) - Please support their building fund by buying the whole album here
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