The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson

Working to increase awareness about healthy food and personal health.In This Podcast:Shannon Owen shares the joys and struggles of starting a new farm business with her husband, Chris.  They saw a need in their community and decided to help by growing microgreens in their basement.  Shannon reveals the magic that happens when they take their greens out into the community, and she describes the encouraging conversations that educate and bring people together, as well as the love of community that inspires them to grow and sell healthy, nutritious food.Shannon Owen and her husband, Chris, are the Co-Owners at Cheshire Curiosities MicroFarm & Homestead located in Evansville, Indiana. In 2020, they converted their basement to a commercial grow room with a heart for developing nutrient-dense food in their area by growing microgreens! With this newfound focus, they began a mission to feed their community by bringing healthy options to their local region. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/12/31/652-shannon-owen/ for show notes and links.Educational Gaps in Nutrition Density.

A chat with Raymond Jess.  In This Garden Chat: Farmer Greg talks with Raymond Jess and Janis Norton, from the Urban Farm, about a multitude of variations on the traditional garden box.  They share their own experiences and discuss the unique advantages of each type of bed, covering topics such as how they work, how to set them up, and how to care for them.  Raymond gives us a peek inside his garden, telling us what he is currently growing and how he is growing it, and Janis tells how to nourish your plants so they thrive.On the last Tuesday every month we host The Urban Farm Garden Chats where Greg Peterson has a relaxed conversation in a Zoom room with a special guest to cover useful gardening topics, and they answer questions from the live listening audience. To join us for the next event, go to www.GardenChat.org or Click HERE to register for the Monthly Garden Chat with Live Q&AOur Special Guest: Raymond Jess is the Urban Farm General Store leader, master gardener, and all around fun guy.  Ray has been gardening for more than two decades and loves to experiment with ways to plant in the ground and in various containers.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/12/24/651-garden-chat/ for show notes and links.

Working Toward Bee Conservation and Biodiversity in Urban Areas.In This Podcast:Jennifer Foltz-Sweat opens our eyes to the wide world of bees.  By now many of us have heard that bees are a crucial element of the environment, but what should we do with that knowledge?  Jennifer explains easy things we can do to attract bees to our garden and warns us what not to do.  She gives uplifting examples of how important education is to conservation, tells us about the move toward citizen science, and encourages all of us to get involved. Jennifer Foltz-Sweat began researching wild bee ecology in 2002, while a graduate student in California. Her studies focused on determining how wild bee communities differed between grassland habitats and urban areas. She moved back to Arizona, where she grew up, in 2009 and began teaching at Arizona State University West campus and the Maricopa County Community College District. Jennifer continues to conduct research on urban bee communities with her undergraduate students. She is interested in measuring native bee foraging on urban flowering plants and characterizing urban bee communities. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/12/17/650-jennifer-foltz/ for show notes and links.Urban Bee Communities.

Growing Compact and Bountiful Gardens in the Smallest of SpacesIn This Podcast:Jennifer McGuinness’ contagious enthusiasm for gardening will have you pining to grow something.  No space? No problem!  Jen has found creative ways to grow food in small spaces.  She gives us a taste of the small space gardening projects we’ll find in her new book and she shares the joy she found in writing and taking the photos for it.  Jen tells about her website, describes all the things she loves about gardening, and revels in her current role in the gardening community.Jennifer McGuinness began regularly writing as Frau Zinnie in 2011 on her garden blog, FrauZinnie.com. The website features Jen’s writing, photography, personal experiences in her garden located in Connecticut, and interviews with garden experts. She is a proponent of organic methods and pollinator-friendly gardens, and excited about her first published book “Micro Food Gardening: Project plans and plants for growing fruits and veggies in tiny spaces”.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/12/10/649-jennifer-mcguinness/ for show notes and links.Micro Food Gardening.

Returning to Living As We Were Designed.In This Podcast:Listen as Tony Horn shows us where to look and what to do to rediscover peace in our lives.  Tony shares his key definition of peace and his vision of a beautiful world where humans are once again living as nature intended.   He explains that the biggest human struggles we face today have surfaced recently and are of our own making, but he believes we do have the power to eliminate these problems.  First, though, we must wake up, gather together, and be willing to change.Tony is an educator and author. He has taught both junior high and college students, and has many years of corporate experience as an Instructional Designer.  He is an author of several books including:  The Three R’s: Government for the Way People Live and his most recent book Change or Perish.  He’s also the founder of Community Groove, Inc., a non-profit company dedicated to rebuilding strong communities globally.  He lives in Sun Lakes, AZ where he writes and enjoys playing tennis. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/12/03/648-tony-horn/ for shownotes and links.Living in Harmony.

Exploring Solutions to Current Water Challenges for Farming.In This Podcast:Seth Siegel is passionate about tackling the world’s water problems before they get to crisis level.   He explains the practical steps necessary to put into practice the solutions he has gathered from around the world.  Agriculture is one of the largest consumers of water, but most crops are watered using wasteful methods that are centuries old.  Seth presents a new technological solution that is both effective and cost effective, making it more appealing to commercial farms.  Seth is a serial entrepreneur, water activist, New York Times bestselling author, and the Chief Sustainability Officer for N-Drip. His critically acclaimed award-winning book Let There Be Water: Israel’s Solution for a Water-Starved World has been published in 20 languages and is on sale in more than 50 countries. His other books are Troubled Water: What's Wrong with What We Drink, and Other People’s Words all produced by St Martin’s Press.  In addition to his books, his commentary on a range of topics has appeared in many leading publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. Seth has spoken on water issues at more than 325 venues in 68 cities, 26 states, and on four continents–and during the Coronavirus lockdown, to dozens of others via video. For his work in communicating water needs, he was named one of the 100 Global Water Heroes.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/11/26/647-seth-siegel/ for shownotes and links.Water Scarcity in Agricultural Areas.

646: Loving Those Legumes.A Chat with an Expert on Seeds.In This Podcast: This is the October 2021 Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman discussing legumes.  Beans and peas are great to eat and also great for your soil. Incorporating them into your garden rotation is smart and delicious. Pollinators also love legumes so it's a win-win all around. Plant them along a wall or fence for a beautiful display of cascading leaves and fruit for easy picking. There is so much to love about legumes! At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class. Join the class! Register anytime for the next event. Register Here for the Seed Saving Class with Live Q&ABill McDorman is Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed movement while in college in 1979 when he helped start Garden City Seeds. In 1984, Bill started Seeds Trust/High Altitude Gardens, a mail order seed company he ran successfully until it sold in 2013.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/11/19/646-seed-chat/ for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!

A Farmer Friday Interview with Alyssa Brodsky.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Composting for Your Neighbors:Have you tried composting food scraps, only to give up because you did not generate enough waste to be successful?  Alyssa Brodsky shares details about a composting program that solves this problem.  Residential participants learn how to collect local neighborhood waste and turn it into plenty of rich compost that they can share with their neighbors.  Some participants even earn an income, making this a great way to enrich soil and enrich lives at the same time!Gardening tips, tricks, and advice, in short, bite-size episodes.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack…Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/11/12/645-farmer-friday/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!Composting for Your Neighbors.

A chat with Christy Wilhelmi. You’ll enjoy Christy Wilhelmi’s contagious enthusiasm for the cooler planting seasons as she explains how to increase your chance of success by planting the right crop in the right season.  Christy covers it all, from the basics of what “in season” actually means, to the specifics of which crops do well in cooler temperatures.  Hear why fall is her favorite season and learn some clever tips and tricks for getting the most out of this under appreciated time of the year.On the last Tuesday every month we host The Urban Farm Garden Chats where Greg Peterson has a relaxed conversation in a Zoom room with a special guest to cover useful gardening topics, and they answer questions from the live listening audience.To join us for the next event, go to www.GardenChat.orgOur Special Guest:Christy Wilhelmi is founder of Gardenerd, the ultimate resource for garden nerds, where she publishes newsletters, her popular blog, top-ranked podcasts, and YouTube videos. She also specializes in small-space, organic vegetable garden design, consulting, and classes.  She is author of Gardening for Geeks (Fox Chapel Publishing), 400+ Tips for Organic Gardening Success (Amazon Digital), Grow Your Own Mini Fruit Garden published by our friends at Cool Springs Press, and her upcoming novel Garden Variety (William Morrow/Harper Collins) will be sprouting in April 2022. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/11/05/644-garden-chat/ for show notes and links

643: Nifty Nightshades.This is the September 2021 Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman discussing nightshades.  We are so glad the deadly nightshades aren’t!  Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and tomatillos.  Easy to save the seeds and so many reasons to.  And the good news is that these plants are self-pollinating so no worries about your plants “getting crossed up.”  Everyone’s favorite vegetable, tomato, could become your favorite seed saving variety.  Plant, pick, save seeds.  Oh and eat the fruit.  Really!  At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class. Bill McDorman is Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed movement while in college in 1979 when he helped start Garden City Seeds. In 1984, Bill started Seeds Trust/High Altitude Gardens, a mail order seed company he ran successfully until it sold in 2013.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/10/29/643-seed-chat/ for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Motivating People Into Action to Protect Our Ecosystems.In This Podcast:Jeffrey Smith sounds the alarm about the devastating harm that can be caused by genetic engineering.  He explains how GMO’s have the potential to destroy entire microbiomes, and he describes the serious negative effects on people, pets and the environment.  Discover the first step Jeffrey recommends we all take to start healing our bodies of dozens of diseases, then learn how easy it is to take that a step further.  Take action and become an advocate for all of nature!  Jeffrey is a bestselling author, award-winning filmmaker and celebrated public speaker. He has influenced the behavior and health of millions of people worldwide through his books like Seeds of Deception, and Genetic Roulette, and his podcast Live Healthy Be Well. Jeffrey is the founding executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, which has started a global education campaign called Protect Nature Now with the documentary titled “Don’t Let the Gene Out of the Bottle”, which just won a Telly Award. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/10/22/642-jeffrey-smith/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!The Impact of GMO's On Our Environment and Health.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Christy Wilhelmi.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Garden Soil Prep for Success:Christy Wilhelmi returns to the Urban Farm, this time to talk about keeping life healthy below the ground as well as above it.  Healthy soil is all about healthy microbes, and Christy shares her special recipes for feeding them.  Hear why worm castings are a gardener’s secret weapon against certain pests and learn how to make a compost tea your soil will love.  You’ll also discover how to use a broadfork and find out why you might want to trade in your tiller.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/10/15/641-farmer-friday/ under the Farmer Fridays section for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!Garden Soil Prep for Success.

Focusing on Leveraging Micro Landscapes into Ecosystem Changes.In This Podcast:Zach Loeks encourages each of us to transform our human habitat by focusing on one small section of landscape at a time.  He believes that changes are most successful when they are manageable, and he reminds us that positive change will naturally grow and spread.  Zach paints a beautiful picture of “edible biodiversity” and then shares some manageable, specific changes that will move us toward that goal. Zach is an educator, designer and grower who specializes in Edible Eco-system Design through landscaping and education. He manages an award-winning farm with diversified food forest products, heirloom garlic, and a hardy tree nursery.  He is also the director of the Ecosystem Solution Institute, which is dedicated to the education, propagation and inspiration of ecosystem solutions for land use transition. The Institute oversees pathbreaking education sites, including an Edible Biodiversity Conservation Area near Ottawa, Ontario and a suburban food forest in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  And he is the author of several books including The Permaculture Market Garden, and The Edible Ecosystem Solution. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/10/08/640-zach-loeks/ for shownotes and links.Edible Ecosystems In a Nutshell.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Nicole Gennetta.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Keeping Bees:Nicole Gennetta, a Master Beekeeper, sets us on the path to successful beekeeping by sharing the 5 steps she recommends beginners take before getting any bees.  She tells how to determine if bees are legal on your property, and she recommends beginners learn all they can about beekeeping before making any purchases.  Nicole gives tips on finding the information you need, purchasing equipment, and acquiring the bees for your new hive.  Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/10/01/639-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Keeping Bees.

A chat with Kari Spencer.  In This Garden Chat: Great gardeners seem to know all the rules - but the very best gardener is the one who wrote the rules. She is Mother Nature and has no equal. Her systems and regenerative cycles CAN be replicated in our own gardens and food forests to help them be amazingly resilient. Permaculture is the best way to start and it can make your gardening much easier! Author Kari Spencer is going to help us find the best ways to adopt permaculture practices for increased resilience in our gardens.On the last Tuesday every month we host The Urban Farm Garden Chats where Greg Peterson has a relaxed conversation in a Zoom room with a special guest to cover useful gardening topics, and they answer questions from the live listening audience.Our Special Guest:Kari Spencer is a popular local gardening & homesteading speaker. As a Master Gardener and a Master Farmer, she enjoys sharing her passion for growing and raising food with others. In addition to teaching classes all over the city of Phoenix, she is the creator of Urban Farm U’s Growing Food the Basics & Backyard Livestock courses. She and her family operate The Micro Farm Project, a small farm in North Phoenix, where gardens and livestock animals provide her family with fun and food. Her book is City Farming: How-To Guide to Growing Crops & Raising Livestock in Urban Spaces.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/09/28/638-garden-chat/ for shownotes and links.Permaculture in the Garden.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Christy Wilhemi.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Growing Great Berries:Christy Wilhelmi helps us appreciate the potential of berries in our gardens and urban farms. She breaks down the different varieties of berries and why to choose different types for your own climate and harvest goals.  We learn a bit about why some berries are better in containers, and some are fabulous in the ground, and why climate and chill hours can make or break your harvest.  And she shares some highlights on blueberries and acidic soil as well as some fertilizing tips.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/09/24/637-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Growing Great Berries.

636: How to let your garden go to seed.In This Podcast:This is the August 2021 Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman discussing brassicas.  Take the best seeds from this year’s garden and save them for the next. When you adapt and save seeds from plants that were hardy, and exhibited characteristics you like (disease and insect resistance for example) those seeds will work better in your garden the following year because after all, that is where they learned their new tricks. Join us and we’ll show you how to select the best seed for your best garden. At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class. Bill McDorman is Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed movement while in college in 1979 when he helped start Garden City Seeds. In 1984, Bill started Seeds Trust/High Altitude Gardens, a mail order seed company he ran successfully until it sold in 2013. He is one of the creators of The Great American Seed Up.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/09/21/636-seed-chat/ for shownotes and links.How to Let Your Garden Go to Seed.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Vicki Hird.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Rebugging Your Farm and Garden:Vicki Hird reminds us that it is possible to have bugs without having a bug problem.  In fact, when it comes to bugs, the more you have in your garden the better!  Vicki provides information about the beneficial roles that bugs play and she tells how to nurture and protect them.  Learn what to do to encourage (and live with!) a healthy bug population in your own garden as well as how to advocate for them in your community.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit whttps://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/09/17/635-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Rebugging Your Farm and Garden.

Turning Homesteading Skills Into a New Business Venture.In This Podcast:Anyone who has ever had chickens knows that feeding poultry is a messy business.  Erik Diedrichsen found a better way, and in the process, he found his way into a new business venture.  Erik shares his experience of growing a product from idea to market and explains what he believes it takes to be a successful inventor. Hear about the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned, and of course get the scoop on what Erik and Greg call the “best chicken feeder on the market”.Erik lost his main trade show business due to Covid.  He turned to the skills he knew as a part-time homesteader and designed, patented, and produced the “best chicken feeder on the market” and started his new business PoultryProFeeder.com.  Aside from wanting to provide a proven superior product, Erik is using the opportunity to learn the business process.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/09/14/634-erik-diedrichsen/ for shownotes and links.Developing a New Poultry Feeder.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Mike Biltonen.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Soil Is Not Dirt:Though the words are often used interchangeably, soil and dirt are not the same thing.  Mike Biltonen explains that we must know the distinction before we can truly appreciate the treasure that is our soil.  Once we realize its true worth, we will want to nurture and protect this most valuable resource, to preserve both the life in it and the life that comes from it.  Mike gives details about specific ways we can do just that.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/09/10/633-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Soil Is Not Dirt.

Don’t Let Yard Size Determine Your Harvests.In This Podcast:Are your fruit trees an investment or an experiment?  Christy Wilhelmi talks about the steps needed to ensure that the fruit trees you plant in your yard are an investment that bears fruit.  She covers every stage of the process, including planning your harvest, planting trees in suitable soil, and pruning to keep your trees a manageable size.  Christy also explains why these steps are different from what you might hear in classes or read in agricultural textbooks. Christy is founder of Gardenerd, the ultimate resource for garden nerds, where she publishes newsletters, her popular blog, top-ranked podcasts, and YouTube videos. She also specializes in small-space, organic vegetable garden design, consulting, and classes.  She is author of Gardening for Geeks (Fox Chapel Publishing), 400+ Tips for Organic Gardening Success (Amazon Digital), Grow Your Own Mini Fruit Garden published by our friends at Cool Springs Press, and her upcoming novel Garden Variety (William Morrow/Harper Collins) will be sprouting in April 2022.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/09/07/632-christy-wilhelmi/ for shownotes and links.Growing Fruit in Small Spaces.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Nicole Gennetta.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Feeding Chickens:What do chickens eat?  Nicole Gennetta explains that they are omnivores and can eat just about anything, so she answers that question by providing an important list of foods to avoid.  She discusses how to safely prepare specific foods and prevent food-related problems.   Listen and learn how to grow chicks into healthy adults by considering their special nutritional needs, and even how to show your chickens some love with healthy treats they’ll appreciate.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/09/03/631-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Feeding Chickens.

A chat with Niki Jabbour.  In This Garden Chat: Great things come in small packages, even in gardening!  Niki Jabbour’s enthusiasm for corners, windowsills, and balconies will have you reconsidering the growing potential of your tiniest spaces.  Niki tells us what makes a good space, giving examples of some places that are often overlooked.  Learn how to decide which foods to grow and where, how to plant them, and how to ensure your plants thrive in their small space.  You’ll never look at a driveway the same way again! On the last Tuesday every month we host The Urban Farm Garden Chats where Greg Peterson has a relaxed conversation in a Zoom room with a special guest to cover useful gardening topics, and they answer questions from the live listening audience.To join us for the next event, go to www.GardenChat.org or Click HERE to register for the Monthly Garden Chat with Live Q&AOur Special Guest:Niki is the author of four books on food gardening including The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener and Growing Under Cover. She’s also a two-time winner of the prestigious American Horticultural Society Book Award. She writes for newspapers and magazines and has hosted a weekly radio show for the past 14 years.  Niki gardens in zone 5B in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/08/31/630-garden-chat/ for shownotes and links.Small Space - Big Potential.

A SPECIAL Farmer Friday Interview with Jeffrey Smith.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Wrap Up of Roundup:Jeffrey Smith joins us to discuss the astonishing news that Bayer will discontinue sales of Roundup to residential consumers in the US.  Jeffrey is a passionate advocate for people and nature in the fight against Roundup and GMO’s.  He explains the significance of this announcement by discussing both the history leading up to it and the opportunities created by it. There is still much work to do to protect our health and safety, but this is a monumental step forward! Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/08/27/629-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Wrap Up of Roundup.

628: Brazen Brassicas.In This Podcast:This is the July 2021 Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman discussing brassicas.  Sassy, unpretentious and unapologetic, the brassica family covers some of the easiest and trickiest plants to grow, and from which to save seeds.  Break through the mystery, the challenge, and myths and learn how to grow and save seeds from this family of diverse species which includes kale, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, arugula and broccoli. At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class. Bill McDorman is Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed movement while in college in 1979 when he helped start Garden City Seeds. In 1984, Bill started Seeds Trust/High Altitude Gardens, a mail order seed company he ran successfully until it sold in 2013.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/08/24/628-seed-chat/ for shownotes and links.Brazen Brassicas.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Zach Loeks.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Ecosystem Mimicry and Layering:Greg welcomes back Zach Loeks to discuss how to simplify the process of ecosystem design by observing and mimicking the natural layers and patterns of existing ecosystems.  Zach details what to look for when observing.  He also explains how to create a more complete ecosystem by using layering to fill a space vertically and patterns to fill it horizontally.  You will enjoy the fun examples he gives.  Don't miss hearing Zach explain how to jazz up your design!Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/08/20/627-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Ecosystem Mimcry and Layering.

Getting Excited About Sharing Gardening Stories.In This Podcast:Kevin is passionate about gardening and driven to find ways to help others grow plants.  We are excited to have him return, this time to give us updates about both his personal and professional gardening endeavors.   Kevin shares stories of new digs, new products and a new book.  All of his stories share the common themes of ease and sustainability, and all of them are generously sprinkled with epic tidbits of gardening wisdom. Kevin Espiritu began his business Epic Gardening as a way for him to present gardening information in a more modern, updated way to friends and family.  First came the website, followed by YouTube, a daily podcast, and finally his social media presence on Instagram, and Facebook.  Kevin is the author of Field Guide to Urban Gardening, and his new book is Grow Bag Gardening, both from our friends at Quarto Publishing.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/08/17/626-kevin-espiritu/ for shownotes and links.Epic Gardening Growth.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Zach Loeks.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Old Growth:Greg talks with Zach Loeks about old growth.  Most of us think of redwood forests or the Amazon, but Zach explains how the concept of old growth also applies to food forests.  Learn what old growth is and listen as Zach paints a beautifully vivid picture of what it looks like.  He takes us on a journey through time, traveling back to the food forests of our ancestors, and forward to imagine what his planting will look like hundreds of years in the future.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/08/13/625-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Old Growth in a Food Forest.

Encouraging Children to Eat More Colorful Foods.In This Podcast:Sharon Pesner was just an ordinary mom, struggling to get her children to eat healthy foods, until she bravely presented her ideas at a PTA meeting and they grew into a program called Eating the Rainbow.  Sharon shares how the program developed, the contagious excitement it generated, and the impact it had on the entire school community.  She also reflects on the personal growth she experienced while working on the program, and she tells us where she volunteers now.Sharon Pesner is the creator of the Eating the Rainbow School Nutrition Program.  A parent-led, community supported, principal & PTA endorsed, school-wide program that ran successfully at the Chestnut Hills Elementary School in Dix Hills, NY until it closed.  Eating the Rainbow was an inspired idea that with the help of three other moms, and numerous volunteers, evolved into an EPIC program reaching far into the community and school district and impacting hundreds of kids and their families.  Sharon is a mother of two ‘almost-adults’, and knows that a mom’s dedication to the health of her kids can move mountains when it needs to.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/08/10/624-sharon-pesner/ for shownotes and links.Eating the Rainbow.

In This Farmer Friday Podcast on How to Grow Potatoes:Greg dishes with Kevin Espiritu about potatoes. Bake them, mash them, or boil them in a stew…. There are many ways to eat the versatile potato and, as Kevin discovered, there are several ways to grow them as well! He gives us the steps for two common methods, and then he tells us what happened when he experimented to see if he could make the process even simpler. The result is what Kevin calls his “lazy potato” method, and it couldn’t be much easier!Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/08/06/623-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.How to Grow Potatoes.

Working to Protect the Land That Produces Our Food.In This Podcast:Leon Kolankiewicz defines the problem of urban sprawl, and he describes the alarming rate at which it is permanently destroying farmland and our future food security.   What is driving this sprawl, and what can we do about it? Leon is optimistic that farmland can be saved if long term trends are addressed. Hear the solutions he recommends, based on his decades of research, and the changes he believes can be made at both the individual and government levels.Leon is a consulting environmental scientist and planner. He has managed Environmental Impact Statements (EIS's) on projects ranging from dams and reservoirs to flood control facilities, roads, parks, power plants, oil drilling, and mines. He has assisted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the preparation of management plans at 50 national wildlife refuges in many states. Receiving his B.S. at Virginia Tech and M.Sc. at the University of British Columbia, during his career he has worked for several agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, National Marine Fisheries Service, as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras, and as a consultant. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/08/03/622-leon-kolankiewicz/ for shownotes and links.Leon Kolankiewicz on Preserving Quality Farmland.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Laura Allen.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on How to Grow Healthy Plants with Greywater:Greg welcomes back Laura, from Greywater Action, this time to teach us some specifics about using greywater.  While the concept of greywater is fairly straightforward, there are some basic rules.  Laura tells us how to easily recognize and avoid things that should not be in the water, what happens if one of them should make it into the water, and what types of plants are suitable for greywater. She also shares some very handy resources.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/07/30/621-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.How to Grow Healthy Plants with Greywater.

A chat with Don Titmus.  In This Garden Chat: Greg, co-host Janis Norton, and Don discuss how to apply permaculture concepts to address water issues in our landscapes.  They dive deep to reveal the natural systems that protect plants from climate extremes, and they explore ways we can replicate these systems in our landscapes.  Whether your local climate is wet or dry, hot or cold, you will appreciate the many practical tips for identifying, observing, and managing the water available on your property.On the last Tuesday every month we host The Urban Farm Garden Chats where Greg Peterson has a relaxed conversation in a Zoom room with a special guest to cover useful gardening topics, and they answer questions from the live listening audience.Our Special Guest:Don grew up in London and at age 16 spent 4 years being trained in horticulture through an apprenticeship and a college course. From there he continued landscaping in his hometown until he moved to Arizona in 1981, where he worked in landscaping and then started his own business in garden maintenance. In 2003 he attended a Permaculture Design Course, which was life-changing for Don. He knew right away that this was the path he’d been waiting for, and later attended two Permaculture Teacher Trainings. He co-founded the Phoenix Permaculture Guild, started a Permaculture design company, redesigned his home site into a permaculture design destination, and helped develop a thriving permaculture community in the Phoenix, Arizona area. He has presented in 5 cities, worked in several states, attended classes in 5 states, and pretty much lives and breathes permaculture.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/07/27/620-garden-chat/ for shownotes and links.Water In and For Our Landscape.

A Farmer Friday Reflection by Greg Peterson.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Margaret the Condo Gardener:Greg tells the story of Margaret, who simply walked around her neighborhood and began her transition from food consumer to observer, and finally to gardener.  She thought she was looking for a place to grow food.  What she found was a renewed relationship with nature and stronger bonds within her community.  Learn what Margaret did on her walks that allowed her to discover an abundant source of fresh, healthy food... and so much more!Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/07/23/619-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Margaret the Condo Gardener.

618: Wildflowers.In This Podcast:At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman.  This is the June 2021 class discussing wildflowers.  Bill draws on his 28 years of careful observation as he shares expert tips for successful wildcrafting and planting of wildflower seeds, including mistakes to avoid.  He also clears up some common misconceptions about wildflowers and discusses problems in the wildflower industry. Bill McDorman is Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed movement while in college in 1979 when he helped start Garden City Seeds. In 1984, Bill started Seeds Trust/High Altitude Gardens, a mail order seed company he ran successfully until it sold in 2013.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/07/20/618-seed-chat/ for shownotes and links.

A Farmer Friday Reflection by Greg Peterson.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Water Harvesting at the Urban Farm:Farmer Greg’s sustainable, regenerative water harvesting system has him singing in the rain, even in the desert.  Greg explains where the water comes from and where it goes, and he gives details about how he collects and distributes it.  He also gives a formula for calculating the amount of water available for harvesting on your own site, along with other helpful tips and resources for getting started safely and legally.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/07/16/617-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Water Harvesting at the Urban Farm.

Bringing New Life to Gardens.In This Podcast:Tara Nolan encourages us to grow edibles in whatever space we have and shows us how to think outside the 4 foot by 8 foot box when designing raised beds.  Those who don’t have (or want) a full vegetable garden will appreciate her ideas for adding vegetables to the existing landscape.  Tara also takes us along on her gardening journey and shares how she combined that passion with her passion for writing, resulting in two books full of creative gardening ideas. Tara is a co-founder of the award-winning gardening website Savvy Gardening.  As a freelance writer and editor, her work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, CBC Life and Garden Making, among others. Tara’s latest book, Gardening Your Front Yard: Projects and Ideas for Big & Small Spaces was published in March 2020. Her first book, the best-selling Raised Bed Revolution: Build it, Fill it, Plant it… Garden Anywhere, came out in 2016.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/07/13/616-tara-nolan/ for shownotes and links.Tara Nolan on Revamping Raised Bed Designs.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Laura Allen.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Getting Started with Greywater:Greg talks with Laura Allen from Greywater Action about a great way to get more life out of our water - by sending water we have already used in our home out to our gardens instead of down the drain.  Laura reveals the easiest place in the house to get started and the best plants to water using greywater.  She also explains how greywater systems work and how the installation compares to the very familiar traditional drip systems.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/07/09/615-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Getting Started with Greywater.

Looking Outside Of The Box For Garden Growing.In This Podcast:Jenn Frymark has grown fresh produce in some very unexpected places, so she is a firm believer that everyone can grow fresh and close to home, wherever home might be.  She explains how she took this belief a step further and started Gotham Greens, using her hard-earned expertise to find out if food could be grown and distributed locally as a business, rather than a grant-funded educational or community project.  Jenn talks about the early challenges and many successes.Jenn is the Chief Greenhouse Officer of Gotham Greens, a pioneer in urban indoor agriculture with a national network of local high-tech farms.  At Gotham Greens, Jenn oversees all greenhouse design and growing operations.  Prior to Gotham Greens, she managed greenhouses at McMurdo and South Pole stations in Antarctica, providing fresh vegetables for U.S. research scientists. She also worked in the greenhouse at the Cuisinart Resort and Spa in Anguilla and designed and led operations for the Science Barge in New York City. Jenn earned a Master’s degree in Plant Sciences from The University of Arizona and a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Biology from Arizona State University. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/07/06/614-jenn-frymark/ for shownotes and links.Growing Fresh and Closer to Home.

A Farmer Friday Interview with Kristina Hunter.In This Farmer Friday Podcast on Connecting with Nature:Greg is excited to speak with Kristina about the many benefits of connecting with nature, some of them unexpected! Kristina points out that we intuitively know that nature is good for us, and she recommends we include nature as a sacred part of our daily routine.  She teaches that connecting with nature provides direct and immediate benefits to our bodies and our minds.  Kristina and Greg both share simple ways they connect with nature each day.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/07/02/613-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Connecting With Nature.

A chat with Emily Rockey.  In This Garden Chat: Emily Rockey joins us for an illuminating discussion on soil - the living, breathing foundation of every garden.  Emily takes us down to the roots and peels back the layers to discover what makes up this fascinating, hidden ecosystem.  Nature already knows how to make the best soil, and Emily discusses some simple ways to replicate and care for that perfect balance in our gardens.On the last Tuesday every month we host The Urban Farm Garden Chats where Greg Peterson has a relaxed conversation in a Zoom room with a special guest to cover useful gardening topics, and they answer questions from the live listening audience.To join us for the next event, go to www.GardenChat.org or Click HERE to register for the Monthly Garden Chat with Live Q&AOur Special Guest:Emily is the Garden Supervisor at Mission Garden in Tucson Arizona, a 4-acre living agricultural museum which invites the public to learn about local multicultural histories, sustainability and organic gardening, and the environment. She has studied plant sciences at the University of Arizona, served as an intern on organic farms in the U.S. and Italy, and worked in non-profits and businesses focused on sustainability, gardening, and promotion of compost and healthy soil.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/29/612-garden-chat/ for shownotes and links.

Gardening tips, tricks, and advice, in short, bite-size episodes.In This Farmer Friday Podcast:Greg is excited to speak with Andrew Faust about biodynamic tree paste, a concept Greg learned about years prior, yet it is not widely discussed. Andrew is an expert on biodynamics and he educates us on this tree paste that adds micronutrients and eliminates pest habitats in trees. There are variations for the recipe, however all the ingredients are simple, natural, and is one of the most holistic approaches to orchard care.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/25/611-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Caring For Orchards with Holistic Biodynamic Tree Paste.

610: Saving Seeds of Cucurbits.In This Podcast:At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman. This is the May 2021 class discussing cucurbit varieties, crossbreeding squashes versus melons, and so much more on the main species of cucurbits and their differences that allow for 'wild crosses'.Bill McDorman is Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed movement while in college in 1979 when he helped start Garden City Seeds. In 1984, Bill started Seeds Trust/High Altitude Gardens, a mail order seed company he ran successfully until it sold in 2013.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/22/610-seed-chat/ for shownotes and links.

Gardening tips, tricks, and advice, in short, bite-size episodes.In This Farmer Friday Podcast:Marlene Simon from Flower Power Garden Hour Podcast returns to reveal the many ways that cover crops can be used in the garden to add nitrogen, shade, moisture, and more. Marlene explains the process of nitrogen fixing and the most common mistakes gardeners make when trying to maximize nitrogen within the soil. Marlene and Greg discuss the benefits that arise with growing cover crops and how we can use them efficiently in the garden.Don’t miss an episode!visit UrbanFarm.Org/podcastDo you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/18/609-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Growing Cover Crops for Multiple Benefits.

Expanding farmers reach to customers with busy schedules.In This Podcast:We hear from Jon Hayes about a new app he created and launched that brings local food even closer to home. Jon tells us how his app has many benefits outside of local food sourcing, and essentially can be utilized for anything to do with food production from gardening products to consulting services. With this app’s ability to reach a large market segment, this can be a fundamental solution to the global food system. Don’t miss an episode!visit UrbanFarm.Org/podcastJon is a software engineer and aspiring (sub)urban farmer and the founder of Locavore.co.  Locavore is an online, hyper-local, peer-to-peer food network where you can find fresh locally grown produce, food services, opportunities, farm equipment and more to buy, rent, sell, share or trade.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/15/608-jon-hayes/ for shownotes and links.Jon Hayes on Online Farmers Marketplace.

Gardening tips, tricks, and advice, in short, bite-size episodes.In This Farmer Friday Podcast:Kristina Hunter from Live. Well. Green Podcast educates us on the many sources and types of contaminants that can be found in soil, especially in an urban garden. While some sources are evident, Kristina calls attention to also consider the site's history. Sharing viable solutions, Kristina guides us through some key tips to mitigate and avoid contaminated soil.Don’t miss an episode!visit UrbanFarm.Org/podcastDo you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/11/607-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Watching for Contaminants in Your Soil.

Bringing gardening methods full circle.In This Podcast:We learn from Crystal Stevens about the many inexpensive ways to build a regenerative and edible landscape using natural resources. Crystal describes the different possibilities that can be incorporated into any size space that can lead one down the path towards self-sufficiency. One of her specialties is herbs and she shares with us some of the medicinal properties of herbs and their health benefits. Don’t miss an episode!visit UrbanFarm.Org/podcastCrystal lives along the bluffs of the Mighty Mississippi River in Godfrey, Illinois with her husband, and 2 children. She is an Author, an Artist/Art Teacher, a Folk Herbalist, a Regenerative Farmer, and a Permaculturist. She has written 3 books published by New Society Publishers: Grow Create Inspire, Worms at Work, and Your Edible Yard. Crystal speaks at conferences and Mother Earth News Fairs across the United States and has been teaching a Resilient Living workshop series for over a decade.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/08/606-crystal-stevens/ for shownotes and links.Crystal Stevens on regenerative urban farming.

Gardening tips, tricks, and advice, in short, bite-size episodes.In This Farmer Friday Podcast:Greg is joined by Andrew Faust, host of Permaculture Perspectives podcast, who gives us an in-depth look at a holistic approach to growing plants called biodynamic farming. A term coined by a chemist and he tells us this is a practice that aligns permaculture principles with astrological patterns. Andrew shares the mystical perspectives of this approach that have been scientifically proven to work as ‘beyond organic’ methodologies for gardening and farming.Don’t miss an episode! Visit UrbanFarm.Org/podcastDo you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/04/605-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Using Biodynamic Approaches to Farming and Gardening.

Connecting farmers with farm workers looking for jobs.In This Podcast:We learn about the Farm Post App created and designed by Michael Schaeffer, an entrepreneurial idea stemming from need to connect farmers with workers. While traditional ways of finding farm work have become obsolete, Michael has successfully implemented an easy-to-use app for farmers to post jobs and workers are able to apply directly through this app. Michael’s app was initially designed to support Iowa farmers, however due to its success the app is gaining momentum nationwide.  Michael is an Iowa entrepreneur on a mission to close the technology gap in the farm employee market. With roots in farming and precision agriculture, Michael understands the challenges farmers face in connecting with the agricultural and urban farm workforce. After interviewing hundreds of farmers and ranch owners across the country, he developed the Farm Post App (Previously the farm hand app) to make it easy for farmers to connect with experienced help in their local areas. In less than two years, the Farm Post App has helped farmers fill thousands of positions in their farm operations.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/01/604-michael-schaeffer/ for shownotes and links.Michael Shaffer on Finding Farmhands.

Gardening tips, tricks, and advice in short, bite-size episodes.Marlene Simon from Flower Power Garden Hour podcast returns for an eye-opening chat on understanding all stages of the bug life cycle. Marlene tells us what signs to look for when certain eggs or insects appear in your garden, as our first instinct is to kill them however these could be indicators of nature working in your favor. Bugs also have the added benefit of helping us identify whether plants are healthy or not as Marlene says “Bad bugs are attracted to stressed plants”.  Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/05/28/603-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Spotting beneficial predators in your garden.