Your Vegetables Aren’t Vegan

Erin explains why conventional fertilisers made from animal byproducts are, in her view, unsustainable: they can carry antibiotics and hormones, and she argues they cannot be reabsorbed by the soil. She traces her own path to creating plant- and mineral-based fertilisers as an alternative.

She challenges the assumption that organic vegetables are automatically vegan, since some organic fertilisers still contain animal products, while noting that non-organic produce can carry pesticide, herbicide and fungicide residues.

The conversation closes with practical steps for home growers: composting, growing your own fruit and vegetables, and choosing animal-free inputs for the garden.