Fair Hill Farmstead Life

Yes. Using light to solve for measuring nutrient density in food. Meet Dan Kittredge, man who coined the term Nutrient Density, founder of the Bionutrient Institute, Bionutrient Food Association, and a man on a mission to map how much nutrition is possible in food. Sure, our food situation serious. We are 3-4 generations into systemic malnutrition. But according to Dan, the good news is that massive improvement is possible, and any one of 8 different things you can do will cause it to be better. We can actually improve the system function pretty fast. Even more encouraging, it's really easy to do a much better job once we realize what we are doing. Now imagine if people had the ability to judge the quality of food in their hand before they buy it, by just bloop-bloop handheld light analysis. It could change the trajectory of humankind. That's *exactly* what he's doing in his 25 million dollar project. Dan explains how this device is the foundation for shifting incentive in our food system from volume-based to quality-rewarding. And the implications are seismic. www.bionutrient.org www.bionutrientfood.org www.dankittredge.com

Ed and Maya Skopal at I-TAL acres share their approach to what they call "fusion herbalism," drawing on Native American, Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Caribbean traditions, and explain why growing their own herbs from seed to tincture makes all the difference in potency. Whether you're a seasoned herbalist or just curious about what's growing in your own backyard, this conversation will change how you think about the healing power of plants. http://www.italacres.com http://www.instagram.com/italacres/ http://www.facebook.com/italacres/

Enjoy an engaging episode with Ralph Bianculli, CEO and Founder of Emerald Ecovations. Since 1997, Ralph has spearheaded the green movement, reducing waste and advancing sustainability via innovative products like Tree-Free™ towels and tissues, compostable tableware, and non-toxic cleaners—proving businesses can prosper while safeguarding the planet. In this interview, Ralph unveils how his material technology firm aggregates eco-friendly raw materials from U.S. farmland byproducts (bagasse, clay, cornstarch, wheat, miscanthus) and equips manufacturers with blueprints, licensing, marketing, and data. It's a blueprint for middle America to seize the middle market, thriving amid tariffs and the "Buy American" revival, with direct contracts prioritizing organic and regenerative farmers. Self-employed entrepreneurs and U.S. manufacturing enthusiasts—tune in for Ralph's actionable insights on forging a greener, resilient future.

What if the future of food wasn’t just sustainable, but regeneratively superior? Join us for an explosive deep dive with Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, Founder & Director, Ecdysis Foundation and owner of Blue Dasher Farm, a research foundation as well as training ground for future scientists and farmers. He is an Agroecologist, Farmer, Rancher, and Beekeeper the driving force behind the Thousand Farms Initiative. This isn’t just another farm study. This is the largest regenerative food nutritional analysis and ecological data-gathering effort in history spanning over 1,700 farms, 10+ ecoregions, and decades of soil, crop, and livestock data including the largest comprehensive nutritional nutritional analysis gathering data on over 16,000 phytonutrients alone. Dr. Lundgren tackles hard questions: What is healthy food? How much nutritional value do we have in our food today? How much should we have? How much is possible? Regenerative systems are handily outperforming conventional in nutrient density, pest control, and profitability and he's following thousands of farms and gathering before and after data when they are converting from conventional to regenerative methods. He's doing the hard work and proving it works. www.ecdysis.bio www.bluedasher.farm

Peter Byck is currently helping to lead a $10 million research project comparing Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) grazing with conventional grazing; collaborating with 20 scientists and 10 farm families, focused on soil health & soil carbon storage, GHG cycling, microbial/bug/bird biodiversity & water cycling. The research also includes a new, 4-part docuseries called Roots So Deep (you can see the devil down there), directed by Byck, which is all about the inventive farmers and maverick scientists building a path to solving climate change with hooves, heart and soil. View the trailer and CNN segment. Byck is a professor of practice at Arizona State University, in both the School of Sustainability and the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, where he teaches students to make short documentary films about sustainability solutions. He is the director, producer and writer of carbon nation, a documentary film about climate change solutions. In 2020, Byck completed carbon cowboys, a 10-part documentary short film series, focused on regenerative grazing.

Powerful antiviral and cellular health powerhouse Elderberry are surging in popularity... because it WORKS! Russell Carter is about more than crafting a cleaner elderberry syrup. He’s helping to open eyes to the reality that a majority of elderberry products on the market are cleverly watered down, and that sugar and preservatives have become the norm. Russell has built a regenerative farm model where his elderberries come from his own fields and every drop of honey is produced by hives his family tends, providing full transparency from plant to bottle. Indiana-based Heartland Elderberry Farms’ mission reflects a commitment to both land stewardship and consumer education. Russell is especially passionate about the idea that not all elderberry syrups are created equal and loves providing clarity for families who want to make more informed wellness decisions. He’s always eager to dive into what it takes to truly honor the land and support immune health the right way. https://www.heartlandelderberryfarms.com/

Evan Harrison, the visionary CEO of Kiss the Ground—a nonprofit powerhouse that's igniting the regenerative agriculture movement through storytelling. Evan unpacks the transformative power of regenerative agriculture, from boosting nutrient density in our food to fueling the farm-to-table movement that's reconnecting us with nature's bounty. We'll also explore the cultural ripple effects of Kiss the Ground's groundbreaking films: the award-winning film Kiss the Ground (narrated by Woody Harrelson), which has inspired millions and even influenced USDA policy with its call to regenerate soils for climate stability; and its even more impactful sequel documentary film Common Ground (featuring narrators Laura Dern, Jason Momoa, Rosario Dawson, and Donald Glover), a Tribeca and Cinema for Peace winner exposing the politics behind our broken food system while spotlighting real-world solutions from regenerative farmers. With a background in digital media, Evan pioneered music platforms at iHeartRadio and AOL. Now Evan brings his passion for environmentalism (sparked by his lifelong love of surfing and board service at Surfrider Foundation) to lead the charge against climate, water, and health crises through soil regeneration. Donate to help convert land to regenerative practices at www.kisstheground.com Common Ground Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFIHqbStxpU&t=6

Keith Bearden, CEO of Alter Eco Foods, makes chocolate. REALLY GOOD chocolate. His company takes chocolate to a whole new level, for the whole ‘ecosystem’ from producer to manufacturing to finished product. We discuss growing, transportation, processing, manufacturing, packaging, and more. You’ll walk away from this knowing a LOT more about chocolate and caring very much what’s in it, why, and where it came from. According to Keith, if you eat an Alter Eco bar you’re helping to improve the planet one chocolate bar at a time. https://www.alterecofoods.com/

Josh Dorfman is a climate entrepreneur, author, and media personality. As CEO and host of Supercool, he hosts the SUPERCOOL podcast spotlighting real-world climate solutions that cut carbon, boost the bottom line, and improve modern life. Previously, Josh co-founded and was CEO of Plantd a carbon-negative building materials manufacturer named to Fast Company’s 2024 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Josh has founded two modern design sustainable furniture startups, launched and led Vine.com, an Amazon business for natural and organic products, and served as CEO of The Collider, the nation’s first innovation center for climate resilience and adaptation. Earlier in his career, Josh was executive producer and host of The Lazy Environmentalist, an award-winning media brand he developed into a Sundance Channel television series, a daily SiriusXM radio show, and two books.

Over 17,000 ranches fail annually, a trend persisting for 40 years. The average rancher is 58, with 89% of ranches under 100 cows (average herd: 22). Most are family-run, with off-farm jobs. For every retiring rancher, fewer than one replaces them, threatening agriculture’s future. Joel and the crew at Smoke River Ranch are experts in history, economics, and agriculture, are reversing this decline. Their proof-of-concept farm grew from 15 to over 400 head in three years, pioneering digital localism, community-building, ultra-high-density grazing, and advanced cattle genetics. https://www.smokeriverranch.com/ X: UntappedGrowth

A new and ancient story about perennial nut trees, our ecological role as humans, and the future of food. Feed Us with Trees is Elspeth's hopeful manifesto about a new and ancient food system centered on perennial nut trees: oaks, chestnuts, and hazelnuts. Elspeth is an Author, creator of the Local Food Report, and proponent of place-based living. Deeply immersed in her own local-food system, Elspeth’s work focuses on food, the environment, and the people, places, and ideas that feed us. www.elspethhay.com IG: Elspeth Hay (@elspethhay)

Louis de Jaeger is a permaculturist, author, and award-winning documentary filmmaker from Bruges, Belgium. He’s pro Team Humanity and deeply passionate about soil regeneration. He's on a mission to regenerate 550 million hectares of land through his work. Louis sees a path forward for our species as stewards on this Earth. We discussed his brand new critically acclaimed book "Save Our Soils." To quote Alan Savory on Louis' writing:"he puts his ego aside with humility to listen to what nature is saying, with the courage to challenge his own beliefs." https://louisdj.com/ linkedin.com/in/louisdejaeger

Sam Baker is a chemist who started a company with his friends while he was at University. Wrigglebrew is a unique little company solving fertilizer runoff, algal blooms, increasing nutrient density in foods, all by creating a shelf-stable organic fertilizer from earthworm manure tea. He tells his tale of Perionyx Excavatus earthworms, Teddy the worm guy, the magic of enzymes in natural processes, the great problems of growing 10x every year, and the latest project he is working on – his own discovered process using a series of worms to successfully ingest and consume nonrecyclable dirty polystyrene and related plastics and then making tea from it! www.wrigglebrew.com www.instragram.com/wrigglebrew www.Facebook.com/PRAGwrigglebrew https://x.com/llcprag www.linkedin.com/company/wrigglebrew https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPzJEBVwHWJzbmc15QN5TcQ

Skeptical of hydroponics claiming to be regenerative? Meet Connor Tidd CEO of Just Vertical. Right out of the gate Judith challenges Connor to make the case that hydroponics can indeed be regenerative and even the best option in certain places on earth where us humans live. Just Vertical is a small company out of Ontario Canada that's starting to get a lot of attention. www.justvertical.com and on IG: just.vertical

Van Carlson is the Founder & CEO of SRA 831(b) Admin and has over 25 years of experience within the risk management industry. In 2008, he saw the Great Recession hit his commercial business clients hard, and just like them, he was also affected by the sharp downturn in our economy. During this time, he realized there must be a better way to manage risk overall. From that desire to improve business operations for both himself and his clients, along with his extensive background in insurance, risk management, and finance, a mission to educate others about 831(b) Plans began. It continues today with his steadfast commitment to empowering trusted advisors and entrepreneurs through innovative risk solutions, Carlson has been a guest on more than 75 podcasts in a myriad of industries and has presented at conferences across the country. He also spearheaded SRA to new heights, earning a spot on the Inc 5000 among other prestigious awards. https://www.831b.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/vancarlson/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/sra-831b/

Meet Andrew Millison, permaculture educator at Oregon State University, and owner of the largest permaculture channel on YouTube. He’s known for his instructional videos covering massive projects like greening the Sahara Desert and several different national level projects in India to restore entire watersheds and make rivers flow again. Andrew talks about a series of projects around the world he's covered, things he's learned and lessons for us all. Andrew seeks solutions and then highlights them to spark understanding and seeing the inner connection between the earth, food, health, and society… he finds the places where things are working and he studies them then elevates and shares these success stories, all across the globe. Youtube Channel: Andrew Millison

Meet Janelle Anderson, the striking tall iconic farmsteading milkmaid and cattle guru. She’s in lots of homesteading videos in her wide brimmed hat flashing her million dollar smile and sharing a TON of knowledge. She and her husband founded The Haven Farmstead in Tennessee where they live with their children. Janelle examines the critical importance of planning, mentors, support networks and community, touching on the differences between plans and the flow of life circumstances, and how to be both flexible and resilient in the face of unexpected events and setbacks. We also talk about biodiversity in pasture management, nerd out on native grasses. Janelle talks candidly about hard choices and the temptation of adding too much livestock, and touches on having a Plan B in case of adversity – and how she ended up using her own small crisis and turned it into a blessing for others. Her big heart and deep wisdom shines through. It’s no wonder that she’s gracing stages nationwide in homesteading circles. To take advantage of Janelle’s classes, workshops, livestock consulting and mentoring, and to learn about her upcoming book on beef cattle on the farmstead, visit www.TheHavenFarmstead.com IG: JanelleLynnAnderson

Billy Nelson, custom knifemaker and founder of ELEVEN KNIVES COMPANY – (soon to be XIRO knives). is a hard-charging craftsman, driven by his ambition, entrepreneurism, and relentless pursuit of quality. He creates knives from special-purpose American industrial steel that is being discarded, wooden waste materials, and a special proprietary process for making visually stunning handles in a regenerative process turning waste to heirlooms. He talks about the timeless resilient beauty of carbon steel heirloom cleavers and his bestselling vegetable workhorse – the timeless Japanese Nakiri. I’ve held his knives. Not only are they perfectly balanced and perfectly fashioned, but they are drop-dead GORGEOUS. Check out his stellar craftsmanship at http://www.elevenknives.com

Lindy Elston, owner of Lindy’s Designs and a 24-year old entrepreneur, specializing in upcycling items, adding Pendleton Wool patterns, and giving things a new life. She’s a 4th generation farmer in Pennsylvania sharing knowledge and experience with her own generation, Gen Z / Post Millennials, in today’s uncertain world. From Lindy’s designs upcycled items to Lindy’s Field Notes where she teaches canning, homesteading skills, hunting, gardening, and and old things new again. See her inspired designs, named after influential women in her life: www.Lindy-design.com and on instagram: _lindydesign_

From catching a wild swarm to horizontal hives, listen to how to shed the 'factory beekeeping' paradigms and raise super healthy bees, naturally, with minimal physical effort, happier bees, fewer stings, and zero chemical inputs. Adam lays it all out sequentially in this must-listen-to episode. Adam is the founder of http://www.beekept.com and the author of Bee Kept with Wild and Free Honeybees. Adam and his wife Leslie keep bees in Culleoka, Tennessee and build horizontal hives, give classes, run an online mentor-mentee beekeeping club, and much more.

Iconic cattleman Will Harris spends an hour talking about regenerative ranching and raising 10 species of grassfed meats on his 2000 acre farm in Bluffton Georgia. He leases and grazes an additional 3000 acres and has created nearly 200 jobs in his town, entirely reversing the downward trajectory that his town was in. Will discusses the positive ripple effect and benefit in the surrounding county. Author of "A Bold Return to Giving a Damn; One Farm, Six Generations and the Future of Food" he's the driving force behind www.whiteoakpastures.com where he and his daughters and a stellar staff of dedicated hardworking people bring education, outreach, and top quality food to the surrounding areas and thousands of families.

Support for the West End Bakery, they're feeding hundreds of families every day out of their own pocket, running a bakery with no power, just gas, serving up hearty healthy sourdough bread. They need supplies and support - you can contribute to them at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-west-end-bakerys-effort-to-feed-asheville Additional agencies who are on the ground and doing great work are the Cajun Navy, Samaritan's Purse, and Mercury One.

Straight talk about what happened, why, what's going on and how people can help. Discussion about general preparedness follows. Specific ways to help: The Funny Farm: A small business that is leading grassroots efforts to get supplies to those that were cut off from everything by the Nolichucky River. Venmo @FunnyFarmTN (3632) put “floods” in the description. Follow @FunnyFarmTN on Instagram and Facebook for updates. Run by Tammy Stanton, one of the speakers that was at The East Tennessee Homestead Alliance Festival River of Life / Michael & Deirdre Hefflin: Making meals for those in urgent need; Venmo @riveroflifemiracles CashApp:$riveroflifemiracles Follow River of Life (River of Life Miracles) on Facebook Samaritan's Purse - Headquartered in Boone, NC, one of the cities that were hit extremely hard. Currently helping in 5 sites. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/ Grindstone Ministries: non-profit organization that provides disaster relief and construction services to those affected by devastating storms. They will be helping in Tennessee and North Carolina www.grindstoneministries.com Local Churches: Our local churches are playing a HUGE role in recovery efforts. If your local church is collecting monetary or physical donations to send to a sister church in Appalachia, that would be a great option as our supply chains are currently very stressed. Needs (NOT CLOTHES): Living Essentials: non-perishable food, water, tents, flashlights, gas cans, propane tanks (large and small), portable grills (with propane or charcoal), can openers, baby food and formula, diapers Cleaning and Sanitizing: buckets, bleach, gloves,n-95 masks, paper towels, trash bags

Another installation of This Month I Learned, group chat with Wendi Bergen and Greg Peterson. Last month we laughed about Chicken Juice. This month we discover the spinach tree and Pea-Trees. We discuss freeze drying the harvest, deterring deer and what to do when big tomatoes fail three years in a row- grow lots of little ones! We discuss the decline of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, APEEL, and then cover a whiz bang app that helps people make healthier decisions in the grocery store, the niftiest pickle jar ever, and how to reuse/recycle canning seals. Prominently mentioned in this episode: https://permapasturesfarm.com/products/billys-bone-sauce

Chad Johnson, protegee of Sepp Holzer, permaculture designer at Kingdom Come Permaculture, is pushing the boundaries of what we consider possible. He ‘unfolds the earth’ to create microclimates and sacred spaces for humans, designing with nature for the delight of humans. He has a special affinity for water and earthworks, creating crown gardens, connecting human hearts to nature and feeding the soul, and connecting through dreams in a process he calls imagineering, planting "raspbarriers", and continuously experimenting. www.kingdomcome.earth

Water on the mind because there's not enough here. Worst drought in 35 years. Getting philosophical on water handling and sharing the golden observations of what drought looks like on my farmstead. PS: Rainmaker needed.

Jim Gale is not just talking about change—he's making it happen. From tackling the turmoil in our food systems to launching Second Chance University, where permaculture meets prison reform, this episode is all about flipping scarcity on its head and cultivating abundance. Tune in as we explore how one man's audacious projects are turning the paradigm upside down, offering hope, and realigning our world with life itself. https://secondchanceuniversity.org https://foodforestabundance.com/

Meet Billy Bond, the mastermind behind Billy's Bone Sauce, the unofficial king of comfrey, author of "Scrapsteading," and host of the Permaculture P.I.M.P Cast. A jack-of-all-trades from Perma Pastures Farm, he's not just a permaculture designer and trained butcher, but also an electrician, family man, and community builder. Dive into his world where innovation meets tradition, and discover how he's just warming up in his quest to foster a community of abundance, make the difference in the lives of disadvantaged kids, and end human trafficking. Www.permapasturesfarm.com. Www.kalebhouse.org

What the heck is chicken juice? I didn’t know till I learned how to make some. Ride along as three seasoned pros share tips, tricks, product reviews and anecdotal yuks. And remember folks, bugs carry bugs.

Nigel O'Quinn, discusses the launch of his business, why he came to the USA, settled in Montana, and singlehandedly created a brand new revenue stream for his regenerative rancher neighbors through this venture. He's a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner with a background in Kinesiology, founded Higher Healths - Beef organs as Real food for real people - to ensure his family received the best nutrition possible. This personal journey led to the creation of a business that addresses a broader nutritional need. Check out https://www.higherhealths.com/

Hilda Labrada Gore (a/k/a Holistic Hilda) is a certified health coach who is known as a kind of Dora the Explorer 2.0. She has traveled extensively, as an experiential anthropologist—Mongolia, Peru, Ethiopia, Ecuador, Kenya, Australia, etc.—with the objective of exploring traditional practices to improve the energy and vitality of humanity. Hilda is the host and producer of the Wise Traditions podcast (13+ million downloads to date) on behalf of the Weston A. Price Foundation. Hilda shares the best of experts, experiences, and epic adventures on the podcast, her Holistic Hilda YouTube channel, and in person at conferences and retreats. Hilda has energy to spare because she keeps her feet on the ground and her face to the sun. Follow her at www.holistichilda.com

Tama Matsuoko Wong, finance lawyer in Hong Kong turned professional forager for top restaurants in New York City. Hunting for clean chickweed, stinging nettle, purslane, lambsquarters and so much more... Tama discusses her journey and her life’s work. Author of “Into the Weeds” She’s the recipient of the New Jersey Forest Service Steward of the year, working with conservation groups and botanists to map wild plants and their ecological behavior, all along the Eastern Coast of the USA. She tours, lectures, and runs workshops. Follow her work on IG: Meadowsandmore.

The most carefully planned, innovative community perhaps on Earth today. Listen to the thought process, the team, and learn about the structure and innovation behind Witchcliffe EcoVillage, 3 hours south of Perth, on Australia's West coast through an in-depth discussion with Jeff Thierfelder, one of the members of the team who brought this to life. https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffthierfelder/ https://www.ecovillage.net.au/

Hear a couple astonishing tales of the power of herbalism from Wendi Bergin, founder of Joyfully Prepared. She is running an educational hub for water bath canning, pressure canning, freeze drying, herbal remedies and more. Her "prepper" site is different because Wendi focuses not on an upcoming zombie apocalypse, doomsday bunkers. These are generational skills that have experienced a generational lapse. Wendi talks about accumulating life skills as being prepared for whatever "personal apocalypse" moment that we all encounter some day in our lives. She’s busy bringing a healthy positive attitude, humor, and can-do-mindset toward learning self sufficiency and empowerment for moms in today’s busy world. You can follow Wendi's work at www.joyfullyprepared.com and enjoy her podcast "Joyfully Prepared" on all major platforms.

About my visit to Polyface, introducing a friend to the community, clients who become connected friends, what's in the works, and more.

Growing up on the salty shores of the south, Sandy spent her years in the gym eating Hormel Chili and TV dinners. Married to her best friend of 38 years, attending (as she puts it) her Mother-In-Law’s ‘School of Dirt’, then homeschooling 5 children, and loving 9 grandchildren, it’s been quite the journey. She has become a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Gym Owner, Garden Designer and Founder of East Tennessee Homestead Alliance, where she and her husband embrace heritage skills, cultivate community and equip the next generation. www.wildbodyschool.com on FB: East Tennessee Homestead Alliance

Philip Hartman, inventor and CEO of InstaFarm, launched the world’s first soil-based fully recyclable and compostable microgreen robotic countertop micro farm in March 2023. He’s in Colorado, where he lives and this cool little machine is manufactured. It's designed so that fresh, nutrient dense beyond-organic food is as fresh as humanly possible, traveling from harvest to plate as fast as you can snip and serve. Going forward, expect upgrades - next on his menu are mushrooms and garden starts. www.instafarm.ag

Austin Frerick is the author of bestselling book “Barons – Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry.” He is an expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. He worked at the Open Markets Institute, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Congressional Research Service before becoming a Fellow at Yale University. He is a 7th generation Iowan and 1st generation college graduate, with degrees from Grinnell College and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. https://www.austinfrerick.com/

Let’s talk Progress, year-over-year. One of the things that I hear from people new to homesteading or new to farming and their own food production is overwhelm. I feel for them, because when we first moved into our farm, I was in the same space. Between getting my home set up and wanting to do ALL THE THINGS and just being so pumped for owning my first farm, I felt like a spinning top. And not in a good way. Today I'm sharing my Seven Rules for keeping your sanity and making steady progress on your farmstead.

This one is for Farmers AND Consumers both. Community support is critical for the survival of small local farms. CSAs are a POWERFUL option for all parties involved. And you likely have one available to you in your area. My family buys a CSA share every year, even though we grow a LOT of produce, meat, dairy and eggs each year. So let’s have that conversation because I clearly see both sides. Full of tips and info for producers and customers alike. Let's get growing.

Jim Gale, entrepreneur and expert permaculturist, man of faith and deep thinker is the founder of Food Forest Abundance. A positive energy dynamo, he talks about the solutions to society's most wicked problems. The solutions are really simple. Just not easy. He’s an educator, expert permaculture designer and advocate for clean, nutrient dense food. He’s also designing a sustainable off-grid living community, innovative home construction, and espouses the importance of permaculture as curriculum in schools. From motivations to practical steps, reaching youth, and even touching on the idea of NPCs. Jim boasts a 100% inspiration rate. This episode barely scratches the surface of the bigger picture with Jim at Food Forest Abundance .

Joel Salatin, husband, father, world-famous regenerative farmer, speaker, 16-time author, owner of Polyface Farm and cofounder of the Rogue Food Conference joins to discuss contemporary topics: creating a more resilient food supply chain, regulatory issues, food freedom, raw milk, and going ‘rogue’ with food. He offers specific encouragement for the youth who want to get into agriculture and has an impassioned positive message to all who feel abuzz over the state of the world and society today. Polyface Farm. Healing the land one bite at a time. www.polyfacefarms.com

Larry Footer founded FOOP Organic Biosciences in 2016 and has been a man on a mission to bring the best possible product to the market for plant growers everywhere. It’s not even fair to call it plant food. It’s a proprietary blend- a spectrum of beneficial bacteria from fish manure, 11 strains of mycorrhizae, micronutrients and macronutrients from fish manure, fish emulsion, seaweed, volcanic ash and more. The products are for your garden, house or farm. From cloning gel to foliar spray, liquid, and now inoculated biochar –inspired by Larry learning about Terra Preta – This little company in Virginia is growing gangbusters thanks to Larry’s leadership and innovation. Enjoy the tour and the future of FOOP. www.thefoop.com

In 2010, Jeremy Lekich founded Nashville Foodscapes and in 2014, Jeremy co-founded Compost Nashville. As of January 2021, Nashville Foodscapes became a worker-owned cooperative. Jeremy's journey as an entrepreneur has allowed him to witness the value of leveraging our current systems and capital to create new ones that are more equitable and harmonious. Today he is a community resilience enthusiast and believes in the power of a localized economy and an inspired, well-fed community. And he's on a mission to help people learn how to grow food within their own landscaping on their properties, parks, and community plantings.

Farmer Jesse Frost of No-Till Growers talks soil life, growing top notch veggies with no-till methods and getting started in regenerative agriculture. He shares his journey from cooking in restaurant kitchens in Louisville and New York City, through his awakening during a tour of a French vineyards to becoming a farm intern and finally being a renown market gardener, author of The Living Soil Handbook, and much more. Jesse created the No-Till Growers Network, hosts The No-Till Market Garden Podcast and the No-Till Growers channel on YouTube. He has also contributed to The Atlantic, Modern Farmer, Civil Eats, and maintained the Marketing Column for Hobby Farms Magazine for many years. He and his wife Hannah Crabtree own and operate Rough Draft Farmstead central Kentucky. Connect with Jesse on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

Veterinarian Lori Davis may live in a small town but she has a world class education and heart bigger than the state she lives in. Ride along with the farm vet who didn't grow up in the country but today lives a James Herriot lifestyle in Central Ohio. Meet the farm vet who purchased a shrinking housepet practice and turned it around in just a couple years to a wide-ranging, successful farm practice.

In today's episode I’m talking to a super entertaining, memorable lady - Amy Dingmann, 11-time published author, from A Farmish Kind of Life website and podcast. She’s also a Facebook blogger, a thinker and serious foodie… We hear how homesteads and little farms are a different kind of wonderful, despite the difference between our early dreams vs final reality, and how it’s OKAY to just enjoy the experience of homesteading. The big theme however, was farm-awesome-food! From the idea of box elder syrup to adventures in smoking turkeys into edibility, and how great ingredients and from-scratch farm cooking changes people. According to Amy, “Raising your own food turns you into a food snob and it somehow fills you up in a different way.” We discuss how scratch-cooking makes a difference in family dynamic, and how homesteaders intentionally choose a different kind of life. But it’s not just about doing things the by-hand way… it’s so much more. WHY do we homesteaders choose the seemingly “harder” choice? What IS that? We have some ideas. You can read more about Amy Dingmann’s adventures and sign up to get her Farmish Papers delivered to your door at www.afarmishkindoflife.com Amy on Telegram: https://t.me/+xHbWrSuNobdjNTE5

Joshua is willing to take the punches and get his hands dirty. He cares deeply about protecting life on earth and shares his story of an unsuccessful start to his first homestead in Montana. From what he knew then, to what he learned in the process, what he knows now and where he's going... this is a great story of failing forward and helping others be successful. Joshua and his wife Emily live in Panama, where they're thriving and starting new regenerative ventures through his community of regenerative businesses at www.seedsoftao.com

They’re millennials from the world of tech and engineering… and they returned to Kiley’s roots of multigenerational farming. As Kiley put it, “Doors were opened” during the Covid pandemic and they embraced the opportunity. Today they farm in a different way than prior generations as they’ve embraced rotational grazing and adopted some permaculture concepts on their farm. They’re definitely in growth mode, but they have big dreams and big goals including a state inspected poultry processing facility… no small feat. Follow them at www.earnestrootsfarm.com

Meet Greg Peterson, the man who is doing his part to fix our broken food system... starting in everyone's own home! According to Greg, no matter where you live, if you grow it and share it with others, you're a farmer! Growing food is a basic human right and at www.urbanfarm.org Greg teaches, connects, and grows a burgeoning community of like-minded people. Greg discusses his humble beginnings in aquaculture, early awareness of our food system, some great books to read, and some pivotal moments in the life he's led, doing exactly what he's always loved doing, and more.