From Soil to Soul: How Regenerative Farming and Slow Living Are Redefining Hospitality
Sunday, July 13 at 9 PM (ET) on AM 970: The Answer, CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL returns with an episode that digs deep—quite literally—into the future of food, farming, and the values shaping how we live and eat.
Hosted by Christina Cates, a veteran of New York City’s elite dining scene, CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL is more than a food show—it’s a place where chefs, changemakers, and curious eaters come together to explore the intersections of hospitality, sustainability, and human connection. With more than two decades of experience managing legendary restaurants like Tavern on the Green and The Palm, Christina brings an unmistakable mix of polish, passion, and perspective to every episode.
This week, the conversation moves from white tablecloths to fertile fields.
Meet the Guest: Melissa Sumner of Sumner Farms
Joining Christina is Melissa Sumner, co-founder of Sumner Farms in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Alongside her husband Ian and their four kids, Melissa traded in boardroom meetings for barn chores in a deliberate shift toward regenerative agriculture—a soil-first approach to farming that prioritizes ecological renewal, biodiversity, and long-term land health.
At Sumner Farms, the Sumners raise pasture-based livestock and cultivate crops using methods that build soil organic matter, increase carbon sequestration, and eliminate dependency on synthetic chemicals. But their story is about more than just yield and technique—it’s about embracing a philosophy of slow, intentional living that touches everything from homeschooling and parenting to food systems and civic responsibility.
“At Sumner Farms, they’re not just growing food—they’re raising a family, restoring land, and challenging the industrial model one pasture at a time. It’s not just inspiring—it’s a call to rethink everything we thought we knew about farming.” — Christina Cates, host of CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL
What Is Regenerative Agriculture—and Why Does It Matter?
Unlike conventional farming, which often strips the land of nutrients and relies heavily on fertilizers and pesticides, regenerative farming:
- Rebuilds topsoil
- Improves water retention
- Enhances ecosystem biodiversity
- Produces nutrient-dense, ethically-raised food
It’s a solution that’s both ancient and urgent. In the face of climate change, monoculture crop systems, and chronic health crises linked to diet, regenerative farming offers a hopeful, restorative blueprint for how we can grow what we eat—without costing the Earth.
As Christina and Melissa explore, food isn’t just fuel—it’s a story. One that begins in the dirt, unfolds at the dinner table, and echoes into our politics, our communities, and our futures.
Don’t miss it: CULINARY CONFIDENTIAL airs Sunday, July 13 at 9 PM ET on AM 970: The Answer and is available 24/7 on all major podcast platforms. [Links below.]
Learn more about the movement:
Because knowledge is more than power—it’s the secret ingredient to safe, joyful dining.
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