An Embodiment of Regenerative
This post accompanies my regenerative agriculture storytelling piece, An Embodiment of Regenerative.
Welcome back to Caring is Intelligence! Last July on a business trip, I was lucky enough to visit Craig McNamara, a regenerative organic farmer in Winters, California. This visit left me with inspiration that would carry me through my year abroad in Bologna, Italy and would inspire me to write my first regenerative storytelling piece, for what would eventually become, Caring is Intelligence.
Craig and his story are the initial inspiration for Caring is Intelligence, so it only felt right that my first blog post would be in recognition of Craig, his story, and my first regenerative storytelling piece An Embodiment of Regenerative - an introduction to not only regenerative agriculture, but an introduction to a remarkable man.
Craig McNamara and his farm, Sierra Orchards, help redefine regenerative farming as an act of, “radical selflessness,” reminding us that we are not alone in this journey to do good. And while it is exhausting to care, I hope my words, Craig, and Sierra Orchards can be a hopeful reminder that there is so much good going on behind the scenes.
This piece represents a lot for me, as it is not only the first piece of my regenerative storytelling journey, but is an authentic and educational introduction to regenerative agriculture and a personal introduction to the people behind it.
Regenerative agriculture is bigger than a new agricultural market and industry — the growing movement represents a mindset shift in our nation's food culture, sustainable food systems, and land conservation, holding the potential to shift the narrative between agriculture and climate change. And while regenerative agriculture as an industry is growing, one thing is missing, a creative, artistic transition to you, the reader, and the average consumer.
No matter your background — this is a space for you.
I encourage you to take a walk through the regenerative organic walnut groves of Sierra Orchards with me.
I promise, you will learn something.
“Watching Sierra Orchard’s river run clear, my glossy eyes mixed with the streaks of the sun's rays on the flowing water, giving the illusion of salmon shimmering back upstream, I realized that this is what regenerative looks like: a practice of leaving the world better, because someone had the courage to choose selflessness in a system that rewards selfishness.” An Embodiment of Regenerative, Raquel Kalpakoff
This series stems from one of my strongest beliefs — Storytelling is infrastructure. Specifically, the power of storytelling as a means of public engagement and education. Regenerative agriculture has the potential to transform the agriculture industry, but I believe that these stories and changes need to be made public through engaging, creative, simple language. Craig is the perfect pilot piece, but his story is not unique. Farmers are struggling and want to transition to sustainable practices, but it is financially, and logistically more difficult, risking their already low margins. There is a large disconnect between the public and our agricultural producers. My hope, is to close that gap between you, the reader, and your local farmer, one story at a time.
Thank you for tuning in, and as always,
thanks for caring.
Read An Embodiment of Regenerativehere
Interested in Learning More?
The piece connects Craig’s autobiography, Because Our Fathers Lied — his life story as the son of Robert McNamara, with my personal reflections and experiences from my visit to his farm, Sierra Orchards, in June 2025. If you are interested in reading his autobiography, you can find it here. I truly cannot recommend this read enough, and I hope you will leave feeling just as inspired as I have.
As regenerative continues to develop, I look forward to sharing more regenerative products that you can find in your local grocery stores. If you are interested in Sierra Orchards and GoodSam PBC regenerative organic walnuts, you can find them here. They are also sold at Whole Foods.
