On Brutal Soil, We Grow

Earlier this year, I was rejected for a senior position at a regenerative agriculture startup after the fourth interview with a panel. The role involved designing an AI agronomist to assist farmers in making regenerative choices, while helping big business partners to inset scope 3 carbon emissions from their supply chains. My assumption was that the focus of revenue generation would be on the corporate side.

When putting together my case studies, I made a conscious decision: I chose to omit numbers. Not because I didn’t have them, but because my focus in designing for regeneration isn’t primarily on numbers but on human needs and system's operations.

I started and ended my presentation with a question:

“How do we design systems that serve life, not just measure it?”

The response was as blunt:

“You do know we’re trying to monetise farmers, right?”

And the feedback after rejection?

“You’re not commercial enough.”

So, I reflected on what exactly is being ‘regenerated’ during this time of transition.

This experience re-rooted me in my values.

When we measure with tools shaped by the same systems of extraction we claim to be escaping, we’re not just measuring — we are reinforcing what we want to transform.

I choose to measure with congruence, alignment, and service to life — not simply numbers and profit.

“You’re not commercial enough.” Turned out to be the best rejection I ever got. It forced clarity. I always knew but knocked on the wrong doors a few too many times.

I build for systems that serve the collective, transparency, public data, and cooperative action. That’s the stance I’ve re-rooted and regenerated. And for that, I’m immeasurably grateful.

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