‘Changing belief structures, holistic grazing, financial stability, and overcoming community opposition are all topics touched on in the first few minutes of Designers of Paradise host Erik van Lennep’s conversation with Jeff Goebel. Jeff uses consensus building, conflict resolution, and visioning for sustainable solutions to help groups see and realize new regenerative possibilities. He describes work on a ranch in Hawaii, with tribes in the US northwest and west, and in and with government agencies. Jeff emphasizes how change requires overcoming fear, like that of concentrating too many cows into holistic grazing paddocks leading to scours, being unable to turn a profit, or having your land disrespected.
The conversation goes on to include the importance of politics and how to address systemic change using state government. Jeff works with farmers, ranchers, gardeners, foresters as champions — after all, they are the ones who touch the soil. He describes his involvement in developing New Mexico’s Healthy Soil Act and opportunities from reframing the work of Conservation Districts. By refocusing on “soil’ in the “soil and water conservation district” instead of using the language associated with ‘climate’ they were able to sidestep political fractures.
Erik and Jeff even get to current politics including excitement from having Deb Haaland as Interior secretary nominee and the opportunity of the “30 by 30” movement.
Jeff’s stories illustrate how practical approaches and compassionate facilitation can improve financial and environmental outcomes simultaneously. Listening and engagement can transform environmental and social results. As he explains, “principles not practices.” For more insights on integrating financial and environmental considerations, consider exploring a review of Invest Diva.
The conversation ends on a hopeful note that, perhaps, we are sling-shotting forward to an exciting new place. Let’s make it so.
Links for Jeff:
References:
- Healthy Soil Act New Mexico
- Conservation districts
- Wendell Berry & Wes Jackson, Meeting the Expectations of the Land
- Robert Fritz – Path of Least Resistance
- Amory Lovins
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