Rooted & Rising: The Return of the Tasting Terroir Podcast and the Vision of Dr. Bob Quinn
- Sara (Hessenflow) Harper
- Apr 24
- 4 min read
After a year-long pause, Tasting Terroir is back—and more rooted than ever.
In this season relaunch, co-hosts Sara (Hessenflow) Harper and Dr. Jill Clapperton reflect on what’s changed over the past year and what’s ahead for the podcast. Spoiler alert: it’s going to be a season filled with rich soil stories, grounded science, and farmers doing the quiet, powerful work of building a healthier world.
You can listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next!
A Year of Transitions and New Beginnings: The Return of the Tasting Terroir Podcast
Jill shares a major shift in her own journey—stepping away from her work with Edacious to return to the soil, both physically and spiritually. With time spent traveling, learning, and reconnecting with the land, she comes into this season with renewed purpose: to shine a light on the often-overlooked heroes of regenerative agriculture.
“There are so many families making a difference—changing their agroecosystems, improving soil health and protecting our water and air in powerful ways. I look forward to sharing their stories!”
-- Dr. Jill Clapperton
These aren’t the flashy headlines or big-budget marketing campaigns. They’re the workhorses, not the show horses—and their stories deserve to be heard.
What to Expect This Season on Tasting Terroir
This season is all about people power—farmers, families, scientists, and health experts who are reshaping how we grow food and care for the land. You’ll hear:
Stories from family farms leading change on the ground
Insights from researchers with bold, systems-level thinking
Deep dives into soil health, human health, and ecosystem vitality
Conversations that remind us: there is more to be hopeful about than we think
And we’re starting strong—with a guest who exemplifies it all.
Meet Dr. Bob Quinn: Soil Scientist, Regenerative Organic Farmer, and Visionary
In our featured interview, Jill speaks with Dr. Bob Quinn, a true pioneer of regenerative agriculture and sustainable business. After earning a PhD in plant biochemistry from UC Davis, Bob returned to his hometown of Big Sandy, Montana, and began transforming his family’s 3,000-acre farm.
By the early 1980s, he had converted it entirely to a regenerative organic system—long before it was trending.
But Bob didn’t stop there. He also founded Kamut International, introducing an ancient grain to the modern world and building a business rooted in health, transparency, and community.
And now, through his latest endeavor—The Quinn Institute—Bob is taking his work even further.
He continues to experiment and innovate, especially in dryland ecosystems, offering critical insight into how regenerative practices can thrive in arid northern climates.
The mission of The Quinn Institute is ambitious yet simple: to scale up the number of successful regenerative organic producers and demonstrate that agriculture can be both profitable and a force for good. Through research, education, and practical demonstrations, the Institute aims to lead by example—showing that the health of our communities and the planet is intertwined with the health of our farms.
🎥 Watch:
Explore this important work—and the people behind it—through a series of short films that highlight Bob’s journey and vision for the future of farming
Learn more: Ancient Grain for Future Farming Army
Why These Stories Matter
In a world flooded with hype and hyperbole, we’re hungry for stories that feel real—stories that are grounded in truth, hard work, and hope. That’s what Tasting Terroir brings to the table.
So whether you’re a grower, a foodie, a soil nerd, or someone who just wants to feel a little more connected to the land and your food—you’re in the right place.
Learn More
Curious about the science and strategy behind soil health? Explore more about Jill’s work at:
🌱 Rhizoterra Inc. – Her company focused on helping farmers restore soil ecosystems and grow nutrient-dense food.
🌎 Global Food & Farm Community - Her online network of farmers from around the world helping each other build up soil health
🎤 JillClapperton.com – Her speaking and consulting site, where she shares her global experience and vision for regenerative agriculture.
Stay Connected
Want to dig deeper into these topics? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel for updates, resources, and behind-the-scenes stories from the podcast -- because at the end of the day, healthy soil means a healthier world.
Help Us Go Further
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