EP 54: The Great Regenerative Agro-tourism Experiment with Nick and Spencer of Solar Punk Farms

I’m so thrilled to introduce you to my guests for this episode of Our Nature: Nick and Spencer of Solar Punk Farms. Solar Punk Farms is a queer-run, regenerative agro-tourism experiment in Guerneville California.

As Nick and Spencer share in this episode, the vision for Solar Punk Farms is emergent and ever-changing, but they have always intended to create a community-first place for people to connect with the land and each other in the process. They have a link in their bio for example where you can sign up to visit the farm and help out. Best of all, I love how they bring an energy of fun and enjoyment to everything they create.

In the episode, they talk about hoping to re-define what is considered aspirational; the concept of place as self; the kismet experience that prompted Nick and Spencer to physically invest in the creation of Solar Park Farms; what covid has afforded all of us in terms of connecting with the natural world; what to consider when we enter or settle into a new space and how to create a more reciprocal relationship with that place; the vision and philosophy of solar punk farms; and what has surprised Nick and Spencer the most about this journey.

“Solar Punk is a movement in art and literature and it’s also a form of activism that seeks to answer: What does a sustainable civilization look like and how do we get there.” - Solar Punk Farms x Our Nature

“Never in my life have I been more exhausted, and never in my life have I been so happy at the end of every day.” - Solar Punk Farms x Our Nature

Resources

Show Notes

  • Nick and Spencer share their respective relationships to nature as children

  • The concept of place as self

  • The kismet experience that compelled Nicka and Spencer to physically invest and put down roots for Solar Park Farms

  • What covid has afforded all of us in terms of connecting with the natural world

  • What to consider when we enter or settle into a new space and how to create a more reciprical relationship with that place

  • The vision for Solar Punk Farms

  • What the grand experiment has brought to Nick and Spencer

  • The philosophy of Solar Punk

  • Shifting the narrative around how we think about what our role is in terms of taking care of the earth

  • Nick and Spencer on redefining what’s considered aspirational

  • The culture of generosity in the farming world

  • What has surprised Nick and Spencer the most about this wild journey

  • The last five questions

The Last Five Questions

  1. What is your favorite place in nature?

    Nick: waterfalls, Spencer: redwood forests

  2. What is the animal, mineral or plant that resonates with you the most?

    Nick: dolphins, Spencer: foxes.

  3. What is one thing we can do right now to connect with the natural world and bring more harmony into our lives?

    Nick: plant something, Spencer: start identifying plants around you

  4. What’s the greatest lesson nature has taught you?

    Nick: That humans can be helpful, they’re not just extractive Spencer: seasonality and cycles of death, decay, rebirth

  5. Nature brings me…Nick: Bliss, Spencer: Inspiration

Connect with Solar Punk Farms:

Connect with Our Nature Podcast:

Gratitude List: This podcast would not be possible without the group of talented individuals below. I offer them my sincerest thanks and love.

episodesAlyssa Benjaminregenerative farming