From Soil to Soul: How One Farm Is Rebuilding Land, Food, and Dignity

Gabriel Gould, Founder and Executive Director

I’ve had a lot of interesting conversations about fundraising, leadership, culture, and what actually drives impact.

A Jewish regenerative farm in Chicago wasn’t on my bingo card.

After talking with Gabe Gould, I walked away thinking about something much bigger than farming. What he’s building at the Institute of Soil and Soul (informally known as Soil and Soul) isn’t just about growing food. It’s about rethinking how we care for the land, support people, and bring values to life in a real, tangible way.

Gabe didn’t grow up on a farm, and he didn’t set out to become a farmer. At one point, he was deciding between rabbinical school and becoming a psychoanalyst—two very different paths, neither of which involved agriculture. Yet through a mix of global farming experiences and a deeper exploration of his Jewish identity, something clicked. Farming, he realized, wasn’t just a profession. It was a way to connect purpose, spirituality, and action.

That realization became the Institute of Soil and Soul.

Most people are familiar with sustainable agriculture, the idea of doing less harm and preserving what we have. Regenerative agriculture goes a step further. It asks a more ambitious question: what if we could actively restore what’s been lost?

That question matters more than most people realize. Globally, we’ve already lost more than a third of our topsoil, and once it’s gone, it can take hundreds, or even thousands of years to regenerate naturally. Soil and Soul is working to reverse that trend. Through practices like composting, crop rotation, and minimal soil disruption, the farm is rebuilding soil health while producing food in a way that is environmentally responsible and highly productive.

What surprised me most is that this approach doesn’t require sacrificing output. In fact, the opposite is true. The farm is producing about 1.8 times more food per acre than conventional methods, all without chemicals. That’s not theoretical. It’s happening right now, driven by intentional design and disciplined execution.

But the impact of Soil and Soul extends far beyond the soil itself.

Every piece of produce grown on the farm is donated. One hundred percent. Through partnerships with local food pantries, Soil and Soul reaches approximately 1,500 people each year with fresh, nutrient-dense vegetables—often harvested and delivered within 24 hours.

If you’ve spent any time around food distribution systems, you understand how meaningful that is. This isn’t just about access to food; it’s about dignity! Providing high-quality and fresh options allows people to make real choices about what they eat, rather than relying solely on shelf-stable goods. Which are usually not the most nutrient dense options.

Hard at work: Sam Schumaker (left) with Jacob Isaacson, and Gabe (right)

At its core, Gabe’s work is deeply rooted in Jewish agricultural values. For thousands of years, Jewish tradition has emphasized care for the land, fairness in food distribution, and responsibility to community. Many of the ideas now associated with regenerative agriculture are closely aligned with these long-standing principles.

In that sense, Soil and Soul isn’t inventing something new. It’s reconnecting with something ancient and applying it in a modern inclusive way.

The work is also expanding beyond the farm itself. Soil and Soul is also an educational platform designed to train the next generation of farmers, leaders, and community members. Their curriculum goes beyond technical farming skills. It challenges people to think differently about food systems, sustainability, and responsibility, equipping them with both the tools and the perspective to carry this work forward.

Gabe didn’t wait for a perfect plan or try to solve everything at once. He started with a clear idea, stayed grounded in his values, and kept building.

The results speak for themselves:

• Healthier land

• More productive farming

• Fresh food for those who need it most

• A growing network of people committed to doing this differently

  
  

And perhaps most importantly, a model that has the potential to influence far more than a single farm.

That’s the kind of work worth paying attention to.

For more information check out their website: https://soilandsoulfarm.org/

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I help nonprofits raise more money through education, coaching, and strategic planning. I also lead high-impact professional development, coaching programs, and retreats for companies of all sizes. If you're ready to strengthen your fundraising strategy, turn board members into advocates, or build a comprehensive legacy giving program, let's talk.