Beyond the Classroom: Dr. Nelson Coulter's Vision for Education and Health in Our Public Schools

The Soil Sisters welcome one of their former coaches and teachers, Dr. Nelson Coulter, to the podcast to discuss his experience in Texas public schools. This discussion takes a ground-level look at changing school food systems and what becomes possible when communities prioritize health. Dr. Coulter explains the steps and bureaucracy involved in formally leaving the National School Lunch Program, the budget tradeoffs required, and why small districts can oftentimes innovate faster. The conversation covers what changed after the shift—less food waste, steadier energy and performance throughout the day, improved athletic practices, reduced after-school overeating at home, and better behavioral self-regulation—along with ideas for making healthier student meals feasible in all school districts. Dr. Coulter also shares how permaculture and regenerative practices shape his family’s ranch life, food production, and self-sufficiency.