Q: Laura, word on the street is Farm Hero is going to make waves in the regenerative agriculture space. How do you see your role in this movement?
Laura Zaspel: I see myself as the voice of regenerative agriculture. I’m interviewing the authorities, the opinion leaders, the experts—bringing their knowledge to the forefront and making these complex topics accessible to consumers. Will Harris, one of the biggest names in regenerative ranching, wrote in his book, A Bold Return to Giving a Damn, “Dear Laura, thank you for being the voice of regenerative agriculture.” That really hit me because it’s true—I am that bridge between the experts and the people who need this information.
Q: What do you think is the biggest obstacle to regenerative agriculture adoption?
Laura Zaspel: It’s not resistance, it’s unawareness. Regenerative agriculture only really came to light in 2020 with Kiss the Ground. The conventional system has been shaped by big pharma, big ag, and big food—turning farming into a chemistry problem. Agriculture became about “what do you kill today?”—herbicides, fungicides, insecticides—whereas regenerative agriculture says, “What does nature do?”
Healthy soil has more living organisms in a tablespoon than there are people on this planet. It’s a beautiful, natural system where plants and microorganisms work together to exchange nutrients. This isn’t widely taught, and farmers are often skeptical because making the switch requires new equipment and knowledge. But awareness is growing, and Farm Hero is here to accelerate that.
Q: What are the key benefits of regenerative agriculture?
Laura Zaspel: It starts with the soil. Healthy soil leads to healthy food, which leads to a healthy body and a healthier planet. The ability of soil to sequester carbon alone is huge. The flooding we see? Healthy soil absorbs water, preventing floods. Chronic diseases? A healthy gut biome, which is directly linked to soil health, can help prevent those. Everything is connected, and regenerative agriculture provides the solution.
“Dear Laura, thank you for being the voice of regenerative agriculture.” – Will Harris
Q: What role do consumers play in this movement?
Laura Zaspel: Consumers drive the demand. If we want farmers to make the switch, they need to know there’s a market for regenerative products. Companies like Chipotle are committing to sourcing regenerative agriculture rice, but there’s not enough supply yet. Consumers need to support this movement by asking, “Where does my food come from? How is it grown?” Our tagline is: Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food. If consumers start asking those questions and demanding better, the market will follow.
Q: Why did you decide to take on the role of Host and Executive Producer of Farm Hero?
Laura Zaspel: It wasn’t planned! My background is in cognitive science, environmental policy, and sustainability. I worked at the U.S. Department of Energy creating markets for renewable energy. Then I got into the food industry—owning Serendipity Catering, where we spend $2 million a year on sustainable sourcing.
I met Richard Lackey, who produces a top-rated show in Africa on regenerative agriculture, and we both saw the need for a media-driven solution to push this movement forward. We didn’t want a one-off documentary—we wanted a full-fledged TV series with a long-term impact. Initially, I was just an investor, but Richard was adamant that I should host. In hindsight, he was right—my experience, my connections, and my passion made me the right person for this role.
Q: What’s next for Farm Hero and the future of regenerative agriculture?
Laura Zaspel: In ten years, I want “regenerative agriculture” to just be called “agriculture.” Right now, it’s seen as an alternative, but it needs to become the standard. That requires scaling up—making it competitive with conventional farming while ensuring that farmers are supported.
We also need to show major corporations how they can transition. Take Gerber, owned by Nestlé—they’re investing in regenerative apple orchards to reduce pesticide use. That’s the kind of shift we need on a large scale. Consumers and corporations have to work together to change the system.
Q: If you could leave people with one final message, what would it be?
Laura Zaspel: What would nature do? That’s the guiding principle. When we let nature lead, everything else falls into place. Healthy soil, healthy food, healthy people—it’s all connected. The choice isn’t just about what we eat, it’s about the future we want to build.
Q: How can people find out more about Farm Hero and get involved?
Laura Zaspel: The best way to stay connected is through our website and social media channels. We regularly share updates, behind-the-scenes footage, and ways to take action. From March you can also watch Farm Hero on EarthX TV and follow our journey as we highlight farmers and ranchers making a difference. If you want to support the movement, start by learning about where your food comes from and making conscious choices as a consumer. Every purchase is a vote for the kind of food system we want to see in the future.
Farm Hero Sneak Peek on Youtube
Connect with the Farm Hero community
About Laura Zaspel
Laura Zaspel is a passionate advocate for sustainability, best known as the Host and Executive Producer of Farm Hero, a TV series sparking a worldwide movement for regenerative agriculture. Based in Denver, Colorado, she also co-founded and leads Serendipity Catering and Events, a 20-year food industry leader spending $2M annually on sustainable sourcing. “As ‘Fastest Growing Company’ in Denver,” Zaspel says, “I use our platform to educate leaders and consumers on soil health and nutritious food for planetary well-being.” With master’s degrees in Cognitive Science and Environmental Policy from the University of Denver, and prior work at the U.S. Department of Energy, Zaspel blends expertise and action, driving Farm Hero to empower communities and reshape agriculture globally.
