Tomorrow's Bites

What makes soil “ideal”? The answer isn’t as simple as a universal formula. Soil health depends on its environment, its use, and the ecosystem it supports. But there are a few common traits that all productive soils share. The scientific breakdown of soil composition: 45% minerals (sand, silt, clay) – Provides physical structure. 25% water – Helps transport nutrients. 25% air – Essential for root respiration. 5% organic matter – The fuel for microbes and plant growth. But structure alone isn’t enough. Healthy soil is alive, constantly cycling nutrients and supporting plant growth. The key indicators? 1. High microbial diversity. A mix of bacteria, fungi, and nematodes ensures proper decomposition and nutrient cycling. 2. Deep root growth & aeration. Plants should be able to access deeper moisture and nutrients. 3. Water retention & drainage balance. Soil should hold enough moisture without drowning the roots. 4. Natural nutrient cycling. The best soils minimize the need for fertilizers by breaking down organic matter efficiently. "In principle, ideal soil is simple—45% minerals, 25% water, 25% air, 5% organic matter. But in reality, it's incredibly complex." - said Michał Słota. Soil isn’t just dirt—it’s a dynamic system. And if we want to build a more sustainable food system, we need to start from the ground up. I am just wondering what do you think: How can we improve soil health in modern agriculture? -Best, Sjacco.

Could soil be the key to happiness? Science says yes. Exposure to healthy soil has been linked to serotonin release—the very neurotransmitter responsible for boosting mood and reducing stress. Here’s why: 1. Soil microbes produce hexatechnoic acid, a compound that stimulates serotonin production in humans. 2. This explains why spending time in nature or working with soil can improve mental health. 3. But modern life is pulling us further away. Urbanization has distanced people from soil, potentially contributing to higher stress levels. Gardening and regenerative farming could offer mental health benefits beyond food production. "The smell of healthy soil that we experience in a forest is directly linked to serotonin release in the brain." Maybe the solution to stress isn’t in a pill—but in the ground beneath our feet. What do you think? Could reconnecting with soil make us happier? -Best, Sjacco.

Are we making our crops “addicted” to fertilizers? Overusing nitrogen doesn’t just waste resources—it weakens plants and damages soil microbiomes. That’s where precision agriculture changes the game. By using real-time data and AI-driven insights, farmers can: 1. Reduce fertilizer waste. Instead of overloading soil with nitrogen, targeted application strengthens crops without dependency. 2. Conserve water. Smart irrigation ensures plants get exactly what they need—no overwatering, no drought stress. 3. Adapt to climate change. Satellite and drone monitoring track temperature, pests, and soil conditions to help farmers adjust in real time. "We need to balance the soil biology to do it effectively—if we overuse resources, plants become dependent like addicts." Precision agriculture isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about sustainability. I think the question is more, are we ready to make the shift? -Have a great Sunday, Sjacco.

Plants can handle stress—but not without our help. When temperatures rise or drop, plants have built-in mechanisms to survive. They adjust their metabolism, slow down photosynthesis, and even recruit microbes to help them absorb nutrients. But survival isn’t the same as thriving. Extreme weather is becoming the norm, and farmers need to step in. Michał Słotał highlights the most effective ways to manage temperature stress: 1. Adjust planting and harvesting times to avoid extreme conditions. 2. Improve soil management with mulching and regenerative practices to retain moisture. 3. Optimize irrigation—drip systems prevent excessive water loss. 4. Select heat-resistant crops with deeper roots and better adaptability. "We need to adapt planting and harvesting times, optimize irrigation, and select better cultivars to handle extreme weather." The challenge isn’t just for plants—it’s for us. So, how do we evolve alongside them? -Have a great weekend, Sjacco.

AI could transform soil science—but only if we fix the data. Right now, we’re training AI models on incomplete, inconsistent, and messy data. And when it comes to soil microbes, we’ve barely scratched the surface—we only know 1% of them. Michał Słota highlights three major challenges: 1. Microbial complexity. AI can’t predict what we don’t understand. 2. Lack of standardized data collection. Different studies, different methods, no consistency. 3. Too many uncontrolled variables. Soil conditions shift dramatically based on location, farming practices, and climate. But here’s the potential: AI could detect microbial patterns we’ve never seen before. It could guide farmers to use only what’s needed, when it’s needed. It could create custom soil prescriptions to improve sustainability. "There is a technology that could turn the data into true and valid insights, but we just need to get the right input." The future is within reach—but only if we solve the data problem first. Curious to hear your thoughts. Can AI live up to the hype in soil science? - Best, Sjacco.

One of the biggest enemies of NGOs… is other NGOs. The fight for a better food system should be about impact. But too often, NGOs compete instead of collaborate. As Sarah Lake, CEO of Tilt Collective shared with us: 🌱 Hundreds of organizations agree that our food system is broken. ⚡ Yet, instead of aligning, they fight over solutions—while their opponents stay strategically united. 🚨 Meanwhile, big meat companies coordinate messaging, funding, and lobbying to push their agenda forward. We don’t need one perfect solution. We need one common goal. How can NGOs improve collaboration instead of competing? Best, Andres #ClimateAction #FoodSystem #Collaboration #Sustainability

Academia is supposed to change the world. But most research never even gets read. Researchers enter academia with big ambitions. They want to solve global challenges, shape policies, drive innovation. But then, Sarah Lake, in our last episode shared a very hard fact: 80% of World Bank research is never even downloaded. The problem? It’s not the research—it’s how it’s communicated. 🔹 Policymakers don’t have time to work with dense academic papers. 🔹 Businesses don’t know how to apply the findings. 🔹 Society isn’t even aware the research exists. Most researchers aren’t trained to bridge this gap. And until we fix that, academia’s impact will remain locked behind paywalls and jargon. How do we make research more accessible and actionable? Best, Andrés. #academia #climatechange #research #impact

Resilience is the real secret to success. Giuseppe learned this the hard way. He chased big dreams, faced setbacks, and learned that entrepreneurship isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about patience, persistence, and the ability to learn from failure. "Patience is one thing that as a startup you really have to have." Most give up too soon. The ones who make it? They keep going. Watch our conversation and tell me: What’s the biggest lesson failure has taught you? -Best, Sjacco

Should founders hire before they truly understand their business? Many founders raise money and immediately build a team—but if you don’t know your business inside-out, how can you lead others effectively? Hiring too soon can lead to chaos. Employees will be guessing instead of executing. The founder needs to make the first mistakes, learn, and then bring people in with clarity. 💡 Key lessons from Giuseppe: 🔹 Know your business before hiring—Don’t let employees figure it out for you. 🔹 Hire for values, not just skills—Alignment with your vision matters more than experience. 🔹 Lead with experience—Founders should master the role before delegating it. As Giuseppe puts it: "What are they coming to do? They’re just coming to make a lot of mistakes, really." Would you agree with this approach? Or is it better to hire fast and figure it out as you go? Let’s discuss 👇 -Best, Sjacco

Rejection isn’t always the end of the story. When Giuseppe Baidoo searched for a manufacturer for Gusto Snacks, he thought he’d found the right fit. But after multiple discussions, they turned him down. Most founders would move on. Giuseppe didn’t. Instead of walking away, he kept the conversation open. And that’s when something unexpected happened—the manufacturer, who had just rejected him, introduced him to another factory. A competitor. In an industry where competition is fierce, this moment proved something powerful: relationships matter. Rejection can open new doors. A strong reputation earns trust—even from competitors. Persistence turns “no” into “not here, but maybe elsewhere.” The food industry is smaller than it seems. And sometimes, the people you think are your rivals might just be the ones who help you succeed. Have you ever turned a rejection into an opportunity? Let’s hear it 👇 -Best, Sjacco