We were thrilled to gather scientists, nurses, doctors, nutritionists, conservationists, and producers at TomKat Ranch for “Healthy Food, Healthy Planet”, a workshop focused on the relationship between agricultural practices and nutrient outcomes in food.
Are you really eating a balanced, nutritious diet?
Speakers and TomKat staff at the event (From left to right): Mary Purdy (Nutrient Density Alliance), Kathy Webster (TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation), Mariana Barboza (UC Davis, Periodic Table of Food Initiative), Wendy Millet (TomKat Ranch Educational Foundation), Michael Jochner (Morgan Hill Unified School District), Bob Quinn (Quinn Institute), Kate Geagan (Food+Planet), Chris Vogliano (Food+Planet), and Stephan van Vliet (Bionutrient Institute/Utah State University). Missing are Cindy Daley (CSU Chico/Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Food Systems) and Chef Santana Diaz (UC Davis Medical Center)
06/23/2025
By: Kathy Webster
We were thrilled to gather scientists, nurses, doctors, nutritionists, conservationists, and producers at TomKat Ranch for “Healthy Food, Healthy Planet”, a workshop focused on the relationship between agricultural practices and nutrient outcomes in food.
Our interest in the connection between soil health, plant diversity, and the nutrients found in our LeftCoast GrassFed beef started in 2010 after we read Dr. Cynthia Daley’s article about lipid profiles in grass-fed dairy and beef. This research inspired us to try to better understand the ratios of essential fatty acids (Omega 3:6) in our beef. To do that, we reached out to several labs, but it wasn’t until 2022 that we found the one we wanted to work with. It was then that we learned that the Bionutrient Institute was seeking ranches to participate in a meat study to examine the connections between nutrient variations in beef and multiple factors, including management, genetics, soil, forage, and microbiome. We signed up, sent in samples, and began discussions with lead researcher Dr. Stephan van Vliet at Utah State University.
Motivated by what we learned from Stephan and the growing body of work we were hearing about related to nutrient density, the concept of food as medicine, and the impact of agricultural practices on the nutrient content of food, we created the “Healthy Food, Healthy Planet” workshop. We collaborated with a group of wonderful advisors to bring together experts and practitioners to learn more together about the links between soil health, land practices, and the nutritional quality of food.
Mary Purdy (Nutrient Density Alliance) gives the power sign to nutrient-dense meat during her presentation at the “Healthy Food, Healthy Planet” gathering at TomKat Ranch.
Workshop Highlights:
Day 1 highlighted research efforts including the observation of nutrient variances (and resulting human health results) in meat from livestock that graze on different diets (pastures, grains, plant species), as well as research around soil health, use of chemicals and the impact on grains, dairy, and almonds.
Day 2 consisted of several breakout sessions: research gaps, messaging and marketing needs, supply chain and procurement challenges and opportunities, and steps we might take together to advance actions and learning in this space.
It was an extremely interesting workshop and we left feeling very inspired and appreciative of the experts in this growing field and look forward to continuing our collaboration to expand the work to a larger audience.
