Welcoming Eric Feiler to the Board of the Soil Food Web Foundation
We are honored to announce Eric Feiler as the newest member of the Soil Food Web Foundation Board of Directors. Eric brings a rare combination of deep scientific training, hands-on ecological restoration experience, and long-standing leadership within the Soil Food Web School – making him a powerful addition as we scale impact in soil regeneration.
Eric’s background represents the kind of grounded, science-driven leadership this movement needs.
A Scientific Foundation Rooted in Ecology and History
Eric’s career began in science, with early work as an archaeologist and paleoecologist after earning his M.S. from Northern Arizona University. By studying prehistoric peoples alongside ancient environments, Eric developed a systems-level understanding of how human cultures and ecosystems co-evolve, an insight that directly informs modern regenerative farming and land stewardship.
He later co-founded the Paleocultural Research Group, a nonprofit dedicated to understanding the prehistoric peoples and environments of the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains. This work laid the groundwork for his lifelong focus on ecological systems, long-term resilience, and data-driven restoration.
From Academic Research to Living Soil Systems
After “retiring” from academia, Eric relocated with his family to remote Southern Utah, where he became caretaker of a 200-acre property. What followed was a hands-on immersion into ecological restoration, soil biology, and land regeneration in real-world conditions.
It was during this period that Eric attended a week-long workshop with Dr. Elaine Ingham, an experience that reshaped his professional path. Seeing the soil food web in action – microbes and plants creating a mutually beneficial ecosystem without chemical intervention – Eric became deeply committed to advancing soil microbiology as the foundation of regenerative agriculture.
Leadership Within the Soil Food Web School
Eric’s relationship with the Soil Food Web School runs deep. In 2019, he joined the school as a Consultant Training Program Mentor, teaching and mentoring students for five years. In 2022, he became a certified Soil Food Web School Consultant, further solidifying his role as both educator and practitioner.
Students know Eric for his clarity, humility, and ability to translate complex soil science into practical, field-ready knowledge – skills that directly support scalable, measurable outcomes for the regeneration space from the boardroom.
A Lifelong Gardener with a Generational Perspective
Eric’s passion for plants began early, learning to grow food alongside his grandmother, an Iowa farm wife in the early 1900s. That intergenerational knowledge, combined with modern soil microbiome science, gives Eric a uniquely grounded perspective on regenerative farming: one that honors tradition while advancing innovation.
Advancing Soil Regeneration at Scale
As an Executive Committee Member of the Soil Food Web Foundation, Eric brings scientific rigor, educational leadership, and lived restoration experience to our mission. His focus aligns squarely with advancing understanding of the significance of the soil microbiome, supporting regenerative land practices within communities, and ensuring long-term ecological and organizational sustainability.
For investors and partners in the soil regeneration space, Eric’s leadership strengthens the Foundation’s ability to deliver credible science, tangible impact, and scalable regenerative solutions.
We are thrilled to welcome Eric Feiler to the board and look forward to the insight, stewardship, and integrity he brings to the future of soil health and regenerative agriculture.
