Real Food Real People

<p>Producing pastured pork, chicken, lamb and beef with her family on their small family farm Widnor Farms, Brianna Widen is living her dream.</p> <p>Hear her unique perspective on what's wrong with our food system, and get a personal look at the challenges of small farming in Washington state.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/brianna-widen-072/">Brianna Widen | #072</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>For the first time, prominent Seattle chef Kevin Davis is sharing the heartbreaking behind-the-scenes story of being forced to close his four celebrated, local food-focused restaurants as a result of COVID.</p> <p>Hear how the tragic end to his downtown restaurant empire brought him closer than ever to his passion for reconnecting our food system, at a hidden gem called Canyon River Grill.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/kevin-davis-071/">Kevin Davis | #071</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>While he grows some of the best asparagus in the world, Scott Middleton and his brothers do so much more than that on their family farm near Pasco, WA.</p> <p>Hear how Scott's family came to Washington's Columbia Basin over a half-century ago and built a farm that not only produces incredible food, but also welcomes the public to visit every fall.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/scott-middleton-070/">Scott Middleton | #070</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>The science that keeps damaging bugs out of our food and out of the fields is pretty amazing!</p> <p>Meet entomologist, AKA 'bug scientist' Rebecca Schmidt who works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's research facility in Wapato, WA, to learn about the creepy crawlies we don't want in our food, and how she's working to stop them in a sustainable way.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/rebecca-schmidt-069/">Rebecca Schmidt | #069</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Jagwinder Singh Gill is passionate about growing blueberries and stewarding the environment on and around his new farm near Everson, WA.</p> <p>But he fears what could happen to his farm with lawsuits and government action on water management that doesn't take into account protecting local food production as well as streams and fish.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/jagwinder-gill-068/">Jagwinder Gill | #068</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>"It's almost like the Ninja Warrior, you know, you're trying to go through just to see if you can make it to the end," Madison McPherson says of the challenges family farmers in WA face right now.</p> <p>The Chelan-area cherry and apple orchardist shares why she's worried that more and more family farms will soon be gone for good if things don't change.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/madison-mcpherson-067/">Madison McPherson | #067</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Not only does she grow the grapes, but Kerry Shiels also makes Côte Bonneville's award-winning wines.</p> <p>She shares how important having a sense of place is to appreciating fine wine, and how that sense should be key to all local food.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/kerry-shiels-066/">Kerry Shiels | #066</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Bringing his family full circle back to its farming roots from Palestine, Imad Ahmad is raising halal lamb and goat here in Washington state.</p> <p>He explains what halal really means, and how his farming practices are focused on sustainability and harmony with nature's rhythms.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/imad-ahmad-065/">Imad Ahmad | #065</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Beating the odds and surviving huge setbacks, David Lukens and family have built a following across the Pacific Northwest with Grace Harbor Farms, providing small-scale, locally produced cultured goat and cow dairy products.</p> <p>Hear how their small family farm started "by accident" and overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles to become what it is today.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/david-lukens-064/">David Lukens | #064</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Joining with her siblings to carry on her family's multigenerational farming legacy, Ellie Steensma is thinking outside the box and passionate about not just producing amazing local food, but also educating the next generation.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/ellie-steensma-063/">Ellie Steensma | #063</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>A journey of self-discovery brought Alice VanderHaak full-circle after growing up in a small WA farming community.</p> <p>Hear her share how passionate she is about sustainability, and how that influences every aspect of her small farm in Snohomish, WA, Lowlands Farm.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/alice-vanderhaak-062/">Alice VanderHaak | #062</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Even though Americans eat lots of onions, the tasty vegetable doesn't often get the spotlight.</p> <p>Hear from onion farmer Kevin Kudsk about how onions are grown, harvested and stored right here in Washington state, not to mention his personal journey to becoming an onion guru!</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/kevin-kudsk-061/">Kevin Kudsk | #061</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Flor de Maria Maldonado's parents were farmworkers, and now the family owns their own small cherry, pear and apple orchard in Tonasket, WA.</p> <p>Coming back to the family orchard at the beginning of the pandemic, Flor de Maria and her brothers face an uphill battle to carry on their parents' legacy.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/flor-de-maria-maldonado-060/">Flor de Maria Maldonado | #060</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Traveling from the east coast with her home in tow, Lulu Redder settled in western Washington and started Feral Woman Farm, raising hogs, goats, sheep and chickens for meat.</p> <p>Lulu talks about the challenges and benefits of running a small farm off the grid, and ongoing barriers to change in the food system, particularly for locally-sourced meats.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/lulu-redder-059/">Lulu Redder | #059</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Arriving in the US with virtually nothing, Manuel Imperial and his family began building Imperial's Garden from the ground up 37 years ago. </p> <p>He shares his incredible journey as an immigrant farmer, and the unique insight he's gained into the food system and its dysfunction.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/manuel-imperial-058/">Manuel Imperial | #058</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Brady Karstetter and his family grow apples, cherries, pears, sweet corn, field corn, beef, hay and more in the Quincy, WA area.</p> <p>As you can imagine, it's a lot to manage, but Brady explains how it's not just the crops that make his life stressful.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/brady-karstetter-057/">Brady Karstetter | #057</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Admitting she fears for her young son's future as a family farmer, apple and cherry orchardist Leah Eddie reveals the intense pressure that Washington's tree fruit farmers face, and how she hopes it changes.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/leah-eddie-056/">Leah Eddie | #056</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Despite carrying on the legacy of one of Washington state's oldest farming families, farmer Jay Gordon is as innovative and focused on the future of our food system as anyone.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/jay-gordon-055/">Jay Gordon | #055</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Ashton Beanblossom had a big decision to make when her parents recently decided to retire from dairy farming.</p> <p>Hear how she struggled with the sense of loss, but then chose to build her own dairy -- with an interesting twist.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/ashton-beanblossom-054/">Ashton Beanblossom | #054</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Living in the shadows is how Miguel Navarrete describes growing up as an undocumented person, explaining what it's like to feel invisible and isolated.</p> <p>Miguel opens up about coming to the US and earning legal status in this week's episode.</p> <p>He also shares how the technology he's responsible for maintaining as an IT Manager on an Eastern Washington dairy defies people's perceptions of farming.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/miguel-navarrete/">Miguel Navarrete | #053</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>In the face of her father's struggle with a debilitating disease, Anna Nicholson wants to continue her family's small orchard and fruit stand near Leavenworth.</p> <p>Hear about the struggles making that future uncertain for Anna and her siblings as we visit her orchard.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/anna-nicholson-052/">Anna Nicholson | #052</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>From farm worker to farm owner... through heartbreak, José Torres realized his dream of owning his own dairy farm.</p> <p>Hear his incredible story and get insight into the struggles his farm faces as he continues to produce high quality milk in Elma, WA.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/jose-torres-051/">José Torres | #051</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/morgan-hawley-050/">Morgan Hawley | #050</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>She has seen the food system from the bottom to the top, and shares her wisdom as we launch Season 2!!</p> <p>Meet Elena Gonzalez, and hear about her incredible journey from humble beginnings on a farm in Mexico to earning culinary praise here in Washington state.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/elena-gonzales-049/">Elena Gonzales | #049</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>An intense battle with mental illness took Duane Brandsma away from his family's farm and the work that he had cared so deeply about.</p> <p>Duane gives an inside look into the deeply personal details of what really happened when he says he "cracked," and why he's now speaking out about the mental health crisis among farmers.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/duane-brandsma-048/">Duane Brandsma | #048</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Growing up in Guatemala, Enrique Mendoza never expected that he would one day run his own dairy farm here in Washington state.</p> <p>But after working for Everson-area dairy farmer Jerry Van Dellen for several years, Enrique found he loved dairy farming and began working toward owning his own farm.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/enrique-mendoza-047/">Enrique Mendoza | #047</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Host Dillon Honcoop's grandfather produced milk for 45 years and raised a family on a small family dairy near Lynden, Wash. </p> <p>90-year-old Lawrence Honcoop sits down with his podcaster grandson for a personal reflection on the challenges and triumphs he faced over the years, all the way back to being raised by a single mom with her own small farm just out of the Great Depression.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/lawrence-honcoop-046/">Lawrence Honcoop | #046</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>She's a high school teacher and first-generation organic blueberry farmer who, along with her husband, grew her farm from the ground up. Oh, and they distill craft liquor, too. Mariah Butenschoen of Breckenridge Blueberries and Probably Shouldn't Distillery shares about the risks and the hardships they faced on their journey to realize a dream that many said wasn't possible.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/mariah-butenschoen-045/">Mariah Butenschoen | #045</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>A rare medical condition nearly took the life of organic dairy farmer Corby Groen earlier this year. He shares the amazing story of how doctors raced to figure out what was killing him from the inside, and how his family and the surrounding community was able to keep the farm going while he was hospitalized for months.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/corby-groen-044/">Corby Groen | #044</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Even with a successful career in fashion, entertainment and marketing in LA, Macala Wright wasn't happy or healthy. She explains how she reached her breaking point, turning to farming and real food to heal her body and mind, and ultimately bringing her life full circle.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/macala-wright-043/">Macala Wright | #043</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>She could have gone into a career in marketing, but instead Kristyn Mensonides chose to return to her family's dairy farm. In this week's episode, Kristyn gives us a look inside life as a herd manager working with her family and a team of workers to produce milk for a farmer-owned cooperative.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/kristyn-mensonides-042/">Kristyn Mensonides | #042</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Riley Hille is a Ritzville-area family farmer and wheat seed consultant. She says she's proof that you don't have to grow up on a farm to become a farmer.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/riley-hille-041/">Riley Hille | #041</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Despite the nature of her job as an administrator, Viridianna Barajas feels very connected to the food produced at the dairy where she's office manager and HR director. She opens up about her family's heritage of growing and making food.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/viridianna-barajas-040/">Viridianna Barajas | #040</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>She's been around dairy farming her whole life, and managed to find a life partner who shares her passion for raising animals and producing milk. Katie Harris gives us a look inside life on a real Washington dairy, and the rollercoaster ride that it can be.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/katie-harris-039/">Katie Harris | #039</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Although he's just out of college, Blake Carson has been growing food for years alongside his grandpa. Now as he helps other farmers, Blake sees a future with more food grown locally in spite of the challenges.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/blake-carson-038/">Blake Carson | #038</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Vegetable farmer Rosella Mosby grows literally tons of local food just minutes from the heart of Seattle. She shares some big challenges our food system faces to make locally-grown produce more available.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/rosella-mosby-037/">Rosella Mosby | #037</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>An unexpected path led Kady Porterfield from her family's California ranch here to Washington state. She has a passion for helping the people behind our food, and shares her dream for her future.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/kady-porterfield-036/">Kady Porterfield | #036</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>A freak incident almost killed Steve Pabody, completely changing his perspective on how he manages his small farm in Ferndale, WA. Hear how he and his wife started Triple Wren Farms with no farming experience, and grew it into a diverse, thriving operation.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/steve-pabody-035/">Steve Pabody | #035</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>He grew up in Europe on a small family dairy, but he now runs a large dairy in Eastern Washington. Meet Case VanderMeulen, and hear his story of growth as he demystifies how large dairy farms really work.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/case-vandermuelen-034/">Case VanderMeulen | #034</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Hay farmer Andrew Eddie explains how hay is made in Eastern Washington, and reveals a potential opportunity for this state's huge tech community.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/andrew-eddie-part-2-033/">Andrew Eddie part 2 | #033</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>When Andrew Eddie turned 18, he decided he wanted nothing to do with his family's Moses Lake hay farm. But with a few years away from home and a college degree under his belt, he began to see things differently.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/andrew-eddie-part-1-032/">Andrew Eddie part 1 | #032</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>After cooking in restaurants all over the Seattle area, Bobby Morrison followed his passion and became a butcher. He shares his personal journey as well as insights from his unique perspective behind the scenes in our regional food system.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/bobby-morrison-031/">Bobby Morrison | #031</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>She's a digital communications expert and consultant, but she also runs a beef ranch in Eastern Washington. In the second half of our conversation with Bridget Coon we hear her dream for changing our food system for the better.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/bridget-coon-part-2-030/">Bridget Coon part 2 | #030</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>She used to have an office next door to the White House, but Bridget Coon says she's happy to be back in Washington state, growing beef and hay near the tiny locale of Benge, WA.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/bridget-coon-part-1-029/">Bridget Coon part 1 | #029</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Just because a farm is big doesn't necessarily mean it's not a family farm. Derek Friehe shares the story of his family's roots, and his unconventional path back to farming.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/derek-friehe-028/">Derek Friehe | #028</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>When you have wine from Washington, know that there's a lot of science and a lot of work that goes into it. Viticulturist Andrew Schultz explains in detail the secrets to growing great wine grapes, and how he's always challenging the status quo.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/andrew-schultz-part-2-027/">Andrew Schultz part 2 | #027</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>His journey to farming took him to Iraq and back, and now he's changing the way wine grapes are grown in Washington state. Meet Andrew Schultz, US Army veteran and founder of Brothers in Farms near Benton City.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/andrew-schultz-part-1-026/">Andrew Schultz part 1 | #026</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>Although she's an artist and a teacher, Chelsea Putnam only really found herself when she came back to her family's farm. This is her story of renewal and passion for stewarding the land and producing food.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/chelsea-putnam-025/">Chelsea Putnam | #025</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>She didn't grow up around farming, and never expected to run a farm herself. But Krista Stauffer is now a widely-followed farmer and blogger from northeast Washington who is passionate about showing the truth about farming.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/krista-stauffer-024/">Krista Stauffer | #024</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>

<p>In what may be our most emotional episode yet, raspberry farm manager Juan Garcia opens up about his battle with alcoholism and dealing with a deep personal loss, all while growing some of the world's best red raspberries.</p> <p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org/juan-garcia-part-2-023/">Juan Garcia part 2 | #023</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://realfoodrealpeople.org">Real Food Real People</a>.</p>