Top 50 Farmers
Ciara Whittaker
Top 50 Farmers is an acceleration platform paving the way for regenerative agriculture to be scaled from soil to gut. We identify the farmers who are role modeling what the future of farming looks like and share their stories. We also connect them with industry executives and pioneering thought leaders to unlock new opportunities across the value chain.
As Project Coordinator at Top 50 Farmers, Ciara brings her science-based insights and passion for sustainability to support the nomination, application, and selection processes.
She coordinates project efforts, assists the farmer network, and works closely with the Selection Committee to drive the mission of T50F forward.Ciara Whittaker is half German and half Irish, and her passion for the natural world was sparked from a young age. Growing up with a father who was a tree surgeon and a mother dedicated to working in animal shelters, she was immersed in a life that valued both plants and animals, which nurtured her interest in the environment and our potential to have a positive, protective impact on it.
Blending her studies in Environmental Biology and Physics with her fascination for the plant world, Ciara has carved a multifaceted path in her career. Volunteer work in botanic gardens ignited a love for the human-plant intersection while her studies in Ethnobotany allowed her to connect hard science with human impact. This led her to champion sustainable gastronomy and regenerative agriculture with Greentable e.V and Zero Foodprint, promoting ways to create a sustainable and resilient food system.
Ciara is passionate about science communication, a field where creative thinking and problem-solving meet sustainable action. When teaching natural sciences,her goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the environment to inspire others to protect it. Through her work in conservation research expeditions to Madagascar and Oman, she has seen firsthand the power of informed action in protecting our planet's biodiversity.
What was your journey into regenerative agriculture?
For a long time, studying environmental science and health felt like gazing into a storm—things looked pretty dire and it’s easy to feel hopeless. But during university, I began learning about regenerative agriculture and sustainable land use models. Slowly, a clearer picture started to emerge: humans can have a positive impact. We can actively improve the land, leaving it better than before. Through my studies, it became clear that regenerative farming could restore ecosystems while nurturing the planet and people.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about how we can transform something as everyday as sharing a meal into something bigger, an act of regeneration—both for our bodies and the planet. My studies helped me realize that delicious food from sustainable sources brings together the planet, the science, and the joy of eating. When producers lead with regenerative practices, we’re not just enjoying a meal—we’re supporting a system that replenishes the earth and supports human health.
As Project Coordinator at Top 50 Farmers, Ciara brings her science-based insights and passion for sustainability to support the nomination, application, and selection processes.
She coordinates project efforts, assists the farmer network, and works closely with the Selection Committee to drive the mission of T50F forward.Ciara Whittaker is half German and half Irish, and her passion for the natural world was sparked from a young age. Growing up with a father who was a tree surgeon and a mother dedicated to working in animal shelters, she was immersed in a life that valued both plants and animals, which nurtured her interest in the environment and our potential to have a positive, protective impact on it.
Blending her studies in Environmental Biology and Physics with her fascination for the plant world, Ciara has carved a multifaceted path in her career. Volunteer work in botanic gardens ignited a love for the human-plant intersection while her studies in Ethnobotany allowed her to connect hard science with human impact. This led her to champion sustainable gastronomy and regenerative agriculture with Greentable e.V and Zero Foodprint, promoting ways to create a sustainable and resilient food system.
Ciara is passionate about science communication, a field where creative thinking and problem-solving meet sustainable action. When teaching natural sciences,her goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the environment to inspire others to protect it. Through her work in conservation research expeditions to Madagascar and Oman, she has seen firsthand the power of informed action in protecting our planet's biodiversity.
What was your journey into regenerative agriculture?
For a long time, studying environmental science and health felt like gazing into a storm—things looked pretty dire and it’s easy to feel hopeless. But during university, I began learning about regenerative agriculture and sustainable land use models. Slowly, a clearer picture started to emerge: humans can have a positive impact. We can actively improve the land, leaving it better than before. Through my studies, it became clear that regenerative farming could restore ecosystems while nurturing the planet and people.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about how we can transform something as everyday as sharing a meal into something bigger, an act of regeneration—both for our bodies and the planet. My studies helped me realize that delicious food from sustainable sources brings together the planet, the science, and the joy of eating. When producers lead with regenerative practices, we’re not just enjoying a meal—we’re supporting a system that replenishes the earth and supports human health.
