In Conversation With: Our Head of Agriculture
At Ponda, we’re on a mission to regenerate carbon-emitting wetlands and create a more sustainable future for people and the planet. By cultivating Typha latifolia, a resilient wetland plant, we’re helping to build a new supply chain that supports biodiversity, captures carbon, and sustains farmers’ livelihoods.
Typha is a hardy, low-maintenance crop grown through paludiculture, a method of farming on rewetted peatlands, bogs and fens. These unique landscapes are among the most powerful natural carbon stores on Earth, holding over 40% of all soil carbon, which is twice as much as the world’s forests combined. However, traditional land drainage has resulted in these precious carbon stores becoming carbon emitters. Typha grows quickly, helps restore ecosystems, and produces a high-quality fibre used in sustainable textiles such as BioPuff.
Behind this work is a dedicated team of growers, scientists and innovators, including Austin, Ponda’s Head of Agriculture. With experience across farming, forestry and sustainable supply chains, Austin leads the development of Ponda’s agricultural systems. He works closely with farmers and landowners to cultivate, harvest and scale Typha production, ensuring each project contributes to environmental restoration and long-term impact.
Could you share a bit about your background and what first drew you to agriculture and environmental restoration?
Growing up in rural Wiltshire, I was surrounded by agriculture and nature. My childhood was spent exploring the countryside, and my first jobs were on farms and rural estates. Later, I moved into logistics and supply chain management while studying for an MSc in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security. This path eventually led me to work in sustainable forestry certification with the Soil Association before joining Ponda.
What does a typical day look like in your role as Head of Agriculture at Ponda?
There’s really no such thing as a typical day. One day I might be organising international shipping documentation for a delivery of Typha from the EU, and the next I could be working with farmers and landowners on-site design, crop establishment or harvest planning. I also collaborate closely with our product and manufacturing teams to enhance fibre quality and performance through agronomic improvements. At Ponda, our teams are highly collaborative, so my work constantly shifts between supply chain, field and product development challenges.
What excites you most about the work Ponda is doing right now?
What excites me most is how Ponda’s work creates benefits across the board. We’re giving farmers and landowners a profitable, regenerative alternative to traditional crops, while also providing brands and consumers with sustainable options that reduce the impact of resource-intensive textiles. It’s inspiring to be driving change in such a new and innovative area of material development, especially within an industry I never imagined I’d be part of back when I was working on farms as a teenager.
Has nature ever taught you something that’s changed the way you approach your work?
Nature is always changing and adapting to its surroundings. Nothing stays the same for long, and that constant evolution has shaped how I approach my work. It’s taught me to stay flexible, responsive and ready to make the most of opportunities as they arise, because you never know when they might disappear.
What are some of the key environmental benefits of wetland restoration, especially when it comes to reducing carbon emissions?
Restoring wetlands captures and stores carbon while preventing its release. It also supports nutrient management and improves water quality. Healthy wetland systems filter nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, reducing downstream pollution and helping to meet nutrient neutrality goals. Fast-growing plants like Typha store carbon in both their biomass and soil and can ultimately be harvested for sustainable materials like BioPuff.
How does Ponda support farmers as they transition from traditional agriculture to wetland cultivation?
We collaborate closely with our farmers from site design and planting through to establishment, harvest and logistics. It’s a truly collaborative process. We’re also integrating new technologies such as drone sowing and mechanical harvesting. The continuous feedback loop between us and our farmers is essential to shared success.
In your view, how could wetland farming shape the future of regenerative agriculture and sustainable material innovation?
Wetland farming will play a key role in the future of regenerative agriculture because it strikes a balance between commercial viability, emissions reduction, biodiversity and water quality, while also leading to innovative and sustainable materials.
If you could share one message with farmers or landowners thinking about restoring wetlands, what would it be?
If you’re looking to turn your land into something that delivers long-term benefits for the planet and wildlife while supporting a cleaner fashion supply chain, get in touch. We’d love to chat and explore how wetlands could work for you.
For any questions about wetland restoration or Typha cultivation, you can reach Austin at:
Email: austin@ponda.bio
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-shepherd-119b21372/