How a Sicilian School is Training the Next Regenerative Farmers [VALDIBELLA #2]

What if transitioning to regenerative agriculture wasn’t just about changing farming techniques, but about shifting power, reclaiming autonomy, and rebuilding communities?

In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode, Carlotta Ebbreo (rural sociologist at Valdibella Practical School of Agroecology) joins us from the heart of Sicily to reimagine everything we think we know about learning, farming, and social change.

Carlotta takes us inside a groundbreaking project where farmers, scientists, technicians, and activists come together to build a new kind of school. One that’s horizontal, context-based, radically participatory, and deeply rooted in the land. From real-life case studies and peer-to-peer learning to fighting market dependency and reshaping the agri-food system, this is agroecology in action!

Whether you’re a farmer, educator, policymaker, student, or simply someone who dreams of a healthier, fairer future -> this conversation is a must-listen!

📚 We explore:

• How the Valdibella School of Agroecology is challenging traditional education systems through horizontal, participatory learning

• Why agroecology is a political act, not just a technical one

• The urgent need to decolonize knowledge systems and empower local farmers

• How practical training sessions, case studies, and cross-sector collaboration are transforming real farms across Sicily

• What it means to build a common vocabulary across disciplines—from water management to market disintermediation
  

Carlotta shares deep insights into the intersections of farming, knowledge, and justice, offering a hopeful yet radical vision for what a truly regenerative food system could look like.

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👩‍🌾 About the Guest:

Carlotta Ebbreo is a rural sociologist and educator based in Palermo, Sicily. She’s a core team member of the Valdibella Practical School of Agroecology, where she focuses on the social and political dimensions of agroecology, and supports the transition toward community-centered, resilient food systems.

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❤️ This podcast was produced in partnership with Soil Capital, a company that supports #regenerativeagriculture by financially rewarding farmers who improve soil health & biodiversity.

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🔗Useful links: 

• Valdibella - https://valdibella.com/

• Deep Seed podcast - https://www.deepseed.eu/

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