The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson

Chloe Lieberman on farming corn and other small-scale staple crops.In This Podcast: When one thinks of staple crops, what usually comes to mind is corn, wheat, and soybeans, yet Chloe Lieberman has worked with community farms around the world and discovered that there is an abundance of underutilized, calorie-dense types of crops. Listen in to learn about the value of staple crops, the processes of growing corn and wheat, and even learn how to make tortillas as Chloe shares the varieties of ancient grain corn that make the best tortillas.Chloe homesteads near Asheville, NC. She also writes and teaches for Wild Abundance, a school of permaculture, natural building, and homesteading that’s just down the road from Chloe’s farm. She and her partner raise dairy goats, ducks, a milk cow, vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, and herbs. One of Chloe’s great loves is growing staple crops: the kinds of plants that can be center stage during a meal. Along with growing food, Chloe is passionate about cooking and nutrition. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/08/11/551-chloe-lieberman/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!Chloe Lieberman on Growing Calorie Crops.

Recognizing herbs for their many essential benefits.In This Podcast: Herbs can be the easiest plants to grow, at the same time, they can be the most expensive item in the produce section of the store. Josephine DeFalco became inspired to educate others on how to grow herbs and the many benefits that arise from herbs aside from enhancing culinary flare. Listen in to learn about the importance of herbs in the garden, the best ways to process herbs, and how they can be a great alternative to salt with a focus on the value of herbs that improve overall health and well-being.Retired nurse and living by the Hippocratic belief that food is our best medicine, Josephine’s present mission as a registered dietitian is to encourage everyone to grow their own organic, chemical-free food, and develop skills for food preservation. In this way she shares how we can all be responsible for our own families, our own health, and our own well-being.She is the author of two books on gardening and food preservation: The Best Little Herb Book and The Best Little Bread Book with Flint Hills Publishing. Josephine has had her own garden from the time she was five years old and has not stopped playing in the dirt since then. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/08/04/550-josephine-defalco/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!Josephine DeFalco on Growing Herbs for Health and Happiness.

549: Seed Saving Class June 2020.This is the June 2020 episode of a live Seed Saving Class discussing difficult seeds to save, avoiding cross pollination, and so much more on creating a self-reinforcing breeding system for seed families.There is always a bounty of information available in conversations with Bill McDorman.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/07/28/549-seedchat/ for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Blending nutty flavors for healthy spread options.In This Podcast: When it comes to healthy food options, a common perception is that healthy doesn’t always taste good. After spending time in South America, Jeff Malkoon found inspiration to enter an untapped market and a mission to create all-natural spreads to cater to the health conscious while satisfying a sweet tooth. Listen in and learn about the origin of peanut butter and how it came to America. Then dive deeper into what inspired Jeff to form his own business blending some of the richest flavors without the guilt. It was obvious that Jeff had created an outstanding product when he completely sold out after attending his first farmers market.Jeff is the owner and developer of Peanut Butter Americano. The idea for this family owned business came about as Jeff was volunteering in Uruguay. He recognized that while peanuts grew abundantly in the area, people still preferred to consume sugary spreads such as dulce de leche. Inspired to find healthier alternatives, and after much trial and error back home in his mother's kitchen, 6 flavors of all-natural, low sugar, tasty spreads made their way to Arizona farmers markets. Today, alongside his sister Denise, PB Americano's mission is to provide delicious, nutritious and socially beneficial spreads.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/07/21/548-jeff-malkoon/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!Jeff Malkoon on the Origins of Peanut Butter.

Supporting 4th generation farmers while making healthier chocolates.In This Podcast: We've all heard some of the benefits of chocolate, but Shari Flam is harnessing the medicinal benefits of cacao beans by using the fermented beans in her tasty treats. Listen in to learn about ethically sourcing cacao beans, the health benefits of eating raw cacao, the different processing methods, and some of the treats she makes using the unprocessed cacao beans. She also discusses the mineral and chemical components of chocolate and how it interacts with the nervous system.Shari began her endeavors in chocolate 15 years ago as a home-based business for family and friends. A dream finally blossomed 3 years ago with the start of communal Uprising chocolate driven by a passion to help the planet and spread awareness through the heart-opening benefits of the cacao. The treats are all free of white sugar, completely ethically and environmentally sound using no plastic and purchased through a South American Co-op. Communal Uprising chocolate works for them, they do not work for us, says Shari. We educate about the benefits of raw cacao and create a connection in our minds to positivity.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/07/14/547-shari-flam/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!547: Shari Flam on Raw Cacao from Belize and Ecuador.

Playing with seeds and making history.In This Podcast: When you treat your space like a nature sanctuary, sometimes you get botanical surprises! Neal Bringe teaches us about a new variety of Christmas Squash and the conditions he created to cross two varieties of squash to create this beautiful new vegetable that is pleasing to the eye and mouth. Also learn more about growing in Colorado, working with nature so your land comes alive, and allowing plants to go to seed so your garden regenerates itself each year!Neal is a dedicated listener we invited on the show after learning he has developed a beautiful new variety of squash.  Having a PhD in Food Science, and active in his community and church in Elizabeth CO, Neal works with a mind to educate and provide for his family by creating gardens for produce and butterflies.  His photos have earned him multiple awards, and it was by sharing photos of his recent squash crop that we are able to see just how cool it is to create new varieties in our own gardens. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/07/07/546-neal-bringe/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!546: Neal Bringe on Creating a New Squash.

Growing food and sharing it with a campus community.In This Podcast: College isn't always the time people choose healthy eating, but Matt Provost, the student farm manager for the University of Wisconsin Madison is bringing free fresh produce to the students on campus. Listen in to learn how they set up and fund the farm, support other campus programs, and educate others about farming. Matt also discusses some of the epic moments on the farm and how they adapt growing seasons to the school semesters. If only every college offered this experience!Matt is involved with a student organization called FH King Students for Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin. He is one of two farm directors running the one-acre student farm on campus. They grow all sorts of vegetables, as well as fruit trees, berries, and hazelnuts. Every Friday during the growing season they harvest produce in the morning then truck it back to campus, set up a farm stand, and give the harvest to the student community for free. Matt is studying Landscape Architecture and very interested in permaculture, regenerative agriculture, and enhancing local food systems. He wants to work at the intersection of eco-restoration & agriculture and believes we can feed ourselves healthier food while providing habitat for all of the creatures that we share the land with.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/06/30/545-matt-provost/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!545: Matt Provost on Student Farming.

544: Seed Saving Class May 2020.A chat with an expert on Seeds.In This Podcast: This is the May 2020 episode of a live Seed Saving Class discussing seed hoarding, providing seeds to a community in times of need, and so much more about growing and creating seed resilience.There is always a bounty of information available in conversations with Bill McDorman.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/2020/06/23/544-seedchat/ for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Learning how to use food and herbs as medicine.In This Podcast: From her clean food restaurant to her urban farm, Audrey Barron is helping people feel better. Listen in to learn about her journey as a holistic health chef, her philosophy on eating trends, various diets, and how to heal through food. On top of running her restaurant, she also farms her own urban farm using permaculture practices, composting, and involving the community. Audrey shares her knowledge of farming and cooking in her new Medicine Woman program on healing foods.Audrey is the creator and owner of Ezra’s Enlightened Café, in Indianapolis, established in 2014 with a focus on plant-based and gluten-free fare made with non-GMO and organic ingredients. Chef Audrey began her journey toward healing in her early 20’s when she was experiencing some significant health issues and was inspired by a family member to try plant-based eating. Eventually opening Ezra’s Enlightenment Café, she is bringing her experience and training into every aspect -- from classes and programs to menu items and retail herbs. Audrey has been passionate about herbalism as well. Over the past decade, she trained with herbalists such as Susan Weed, Ron Teeguarden of Dragon Herbs, and Rosita Arvigo. Audrey is excited to bring her past decade of personal healing, herbalism training, expertise in making healing food, and the love of growing food in a way that nourishes the land. This extends to her newest offering, the Medicine Woman Membership where women are learning to use plants to heal, thrive, and take care of themselves and their families.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/06/16/543-audrey-barron/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!543: Audrey Barron on Food and Herbs for Health.

Bringing awareness to the value of local food systems.In This Podcast: Picture buying salad greens at the grocery store that were just picked the day before. Paul Lightfoot from BrightFarms is making this happen in the stores around their farm. Passionate about getting fresh food to more people, Paul discusses the benefits of local vs organic food, how shortening the supply chain provides fresher, safer food, and the nutritional value decline. Listen in to hear about the setup and safety protocols at BrightFarms so they ensure healthy, safe food.Paul is BrightFarms’ founder and president and leads the company on its mission to provide consumers with the freshest, tastiest, and most responsibly grown produce. Through his vision, BrightFarms is creating the first national brand of locally grown produce. In 2017, BrightFarms was named 235th on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies, ranking 10th among all food companies and the only produce company featured on the list. Paul is a member of the board of United Fresh Produce Association. They believe Local, indoor produce is fresher because it’s grown closer to where it’s sold. It is cleaner because it can be grown without pesticides. And most importantly, it tastes better. BrightFarms is the No. 1 brand of locally grown packaged salads, serving the freshest, tastiest and most responsibly grown produce to consumers nationwide. BrightFarms operates hydroponic greenhouse farms in the communities it serves, enabling them to eliminate time, distance, and costs from the food supply chain.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/06/09/542-paul-lightfoot/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!542: Paul Lightfoot on Local is the New Organic.

Bridging the gap between farmers and consumers.In This Podcast: Want more info on what it takes to be a farmer? Trevor Williams of the Farm Traveler Podcast interviews farmers about their day to day life and processes. Listen in to learn about becoming educated on where your food comes from, some of Trevor's epic guests, and some of the innovative things people are doing in the farming industry. He also shares what it's like to single-handedly produce a podcast and his goals and vision for the future of his show.Trevor is a former High School Agriscience teacher now software analyst and host of the podcast Farm Traveler. He graduated with a major in Agricultural Education and Communication and a minor in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida and is a former Florida Future Farmers of America State Officer. Trevor taught agriscience classes for two years in Daytona Beach, FL and helped direct a career academy focused on Horticulture and Aquaculture. After two years he moved closer to home and, in order to stay involved in agriculture while working as a software analyst, he started Farm Traveler in 2016 with the motivation and editorial expertise of his wife Allie. As host and producer of the Farm Traveler Podcast, he pretty much does it all to make it work.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/06/02/541-trevor-williams/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!541: Trevor Williams on Farming Podcasts.

Teaching about the personal and community benefits of harvesting rainwater.In This Podcast: Returning guest, Brad Lancaster, recently taught us about Harvesting the Rain and is back to teach about Planting the Rain. If you've ever considered capturing rainwater directly in your landscape, this episode will teach you about rainwater planting methods and strategies, how captured water impacts thermoregulation, and water as a lubricant for exchange. Get inspired by a village in India that changed their water planting culture and learn how to create healthier soil. Brad runs a successful permaculture consulting, design, and education business in Tucson, Arizona. He is focused on integrated and sustainable approaches to landscape design, planning, and living. Growing up in a dryland environment, water harvesting has long been one of his specialties and a true passion. He is the author of the permaculture bible for water harvesting: Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond Volumes I & II and he has just released new full color revised and expanded editions of both.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/05/26/540-brad-lancaster/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!540: Brad Lancaster on Planting the Rain.

Bringing green waste to your driveway.In This Podcast: Organic matter builds soil, and Bryan Kappa has a free service that allows nationwide users to quickly build the quality of their soil. Learn about ChipDrop, the program that connects gardeners with tree companies and benefits everyone. Not all mulch is created equal, and you'll learn the difference in mulch options, how to properly wood chip your yard and improve your soil Ph. There are some exciting improvements coming to ChipDrop, as well as creative ways to use it! Bryan is a Portland native who combined his love of trees and technology into the ChipDrop web service. While hauling brush for a local tree company he realized the potential cost savings of delivering the freshly chipped trees to neighbors and homeowners, as opposed to driving long distances to the dump (and paying their fees). He also knew that people loved free things. Bryan has a history of creating life hacks to combine urban living with environmental sustainability. In 2014 he was granted permission by the Portland Water Bureau to keep 2 goats and a pig on a small lot in North Portland to help clear brush and Ivy without the use of pesticides. He and his roommates kept a composting toilet in his residential North Portland home, only a mile from downtown. In his spare time, he serves on the board as a technical lead for Cascadia Wild, helping build and maintain their database of images of rare and threatened species in the Pacific Northwest wilderness.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/05/19/539-bryan-kappa/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!539: Bryan Kappa on ChipDrop.

Supporting a teaching farm in Africa.In This Podcast: Some people know their mission from a young age. Others, like Erin Douglas, find their direction as they go. With a desire to travel as her guide, Erin left her corporate job and traveled through Africa. An epic moment in Ghana inspired this novice farmer to create a non-profit farm that feeds residents, provides jobs, funds education, and supports an orphanage. Erin shares how she created a sustainable community model that could benefit societies all over the world.Erin is the founder of US non-profit Learn Grow Lead and helped birth a sustainable farm project in Ghana, Africa to support the local community. The Helper’s Farm, is an organic, community teaching farm that works in partnership with local agriculture school programs to encourage farmers to farm naturally, without the use of pesticides, transitioning farms in the surrounding communities to a healthier environment and a healthier food system.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/05/12/538-erin-douglas/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!538: Erin Douglas on Sustainable Farming in Ghana.

Clearing up illusions about the substances we use to grow our food.In This Podcast: We've all bought plant-specific fertilizer or used leaves to diagnose what additives we need for our plants. But according to Robert Pavlis, building great soil needs a different approach. After all, how can you know what to add if you don't know what's already there? Listen in for common soil and fertilizer myths, the easy additive that fixes anything over time, your ideal soil ratios, and how to distinguish fact from urban legend. You'll never think the same about fertilizer!Robert is a well-known speaker and educator with over 40 years of gardening experience. He is the author of three books, Building Natural Ponds, Garden Myths, and Soil Science for Gardeners and publishes the popular gardening blogs; GardenMyths.com and GardenFundamentals.com. As the owner and head gardener of Aspen Grove Gardens, a six-acre botanical garden, he grows 3,000 varieties of plants.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/05/05/537-robert-pavlis/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!537: Robert Pavlis on Garden Soil Myths.

Farming for yarn and more.In This Podcast: Not all farmers produce food. Some farm flowers, plants, or seeds. Others use their animal herd to produce fiber crops for yarn and textiles. Chris McLaughlin is a fiber farmer and educator who shares all about the fascinating world of raising goats, sheep, rabbits, and alpacas for their fibrous coats. Listen in to learn about angora, cashmere, and all the products from animal fibers. Then, gain insight into the fiber farming business, breed conservation, and spinning yarn. Chris is the author of eight books written about her life passions: gardening, small livestock, and the family farm. Her work can be found in Fine Gardening Magazine, Hobby Farm Home Magazine, Urban Farm Magazine, and more. Online, she's been a staff blogger for vegetablegardener.com, About.com, and many more websites. Chris is currently secretary of The Colored Angora Goat Breeders Association. She and her family enjoy an entertaining, and exhausting life in the Northern California foothills on their flower and fiber farm, Laughing Crow & Company.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/04/28/536-chris-mclaughlin/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!536: Chris McLaughlin on Raising Animals for Fiber.

Controlling unwanted volunteers in our farms and gardens.In This Podcast: Could weeds be friends? In some cases, John Moody thinks they are! John shares some of the knowledge from his book and experience on his homestead to help you determine what are beneficial weeds in the right area of your garden. Listen in to learn about using weeds as an understory to benefit plants, designing your growing space to minimize weeds, when to utilize their benefits, or how to safely remove them. If you've ever seen a weed in your yard, this is an episode for you!John does not consider himself a typical farmer. Farming and homesteading were not something he ever planned to do. Growing up, he enjoyed a varied diet of video games, cartoons, and processed foods. Dental decay, seasonal allergies, and constant sickness were the inevitable result – one that doctors denied was connected to food and lifestyle choices.In his early 20s, he was waylaid by duodenal ulcers, his body’s warning that some things were dreadfully awry. Over the course of a year, he and his now wife Jessica completely changed their understanding of food, asking – what is food? How should it be raised? and How should it be prepared? This eventually led to moving out to a farm of their own, and writing several books including The Frugal Homesteader Handbook, The Elderberry Book, and Winning the War Against Weeds.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/04/21/535-john-moody/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!535: John Moody on Weed Suppression.

Growing most anything you want to in a Desert Garden.In This Podcast: Herbs are a wonderful way to begin gardening and get a lot of bang for your buck! Catherine Crowley, or "The Herb Lady" as many people know her, shares some of her favorite, unique plants to grow and how she uses them. This episode will help you plan your garden like an experienced gardener. Catherine highlights her experiences and thoughts about sun orientation, plant height, light needs, and other considerations so your plants and herbs will thrive!Catherine "The Herb Lady", is an expert in edible landscaping in the desert, an author, and a lecturer. She has been gardening for over 3 decades, initially focusing on just culinary herbs. Then her garden journey expanded to growing anything she ate or drank as a base for experimenting with new-to-her and common edible herbs, vegetables, fruits, and flowers.These days Catherine blogs and writes on gardening and cooking with the garden bounty she harvests from her garden and community.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/04/14/534-catherine-crowley/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!534: Catherine Crowley on Her Favorite Herbs.

Building community and local food resilience through a Farmers Market.In This Podcast: Have you ever thought about selling at a Farmers Market, but the whole process seemed intimidating? We spoke with Amanda Fallis, assistant manager of the Vernon Farmers Market to understand what it takes to get started selling at a market. Learn about the certifications, insurance, how the vendors pay for their place in the market, and the community markets build. You'll quickly realize it's not as hard as it seems and after the initial set up all you have to do is have fun. Amanda grew up doing home renovation with her father. She did a quick stint as a mechanic right out of high school before returning to renovations. She moved to British Columbia from Toronto at age twenty-five and started embracing simpler living which included Market Life. One thing led to another and since May 2019, she has been the Assistant Manager to The Vernon Farmers Market in Vernon, BC.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/04/07/533-amanda-fallis/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!533: Amanda Fallis on Market Life.

Growing food on top of a hospital.Lindsay is a farmer and educator, from Boston, Massachusetts. She has been farming for the past 10 years and managed farms in both rural and suburban locations around and outside the United States. She currently works with Higher Ground Farm as the Operations Director, and as the Farm Manager of the 7,000 square foot Rooftop Farm at Boston Medical Center. A strong ethic towards food justice, climate change mitigation and a passion for getting creative in how we grow and distribute food in our urban landscapes brought Lindsay to work with Higher Ground Farm. Outside of the direct farming working she is a certified Permaculture Designer and Educator and teaches courses a few times a year on the subject. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Agroforestry. When Lindsay is not teaching or growing food, she can be found happily experimenting with fermentations, communing with chickens, spending time outdoors, crafting, or sharing a good home-cooked meal with family and friends.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/03/31/532-lindsay-allen/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!532: Lindsay Allen on Rooftop Farming.

Watching the world of yoga change from underground to mainstream.In This Podcast: Many of our listeners find inner peace in their gardens but after this interview with J. Brown, you may find yourself wanting to explore the therapeutic nature of yoga. Not all yoga involves the complicated pretzel twists that have become popular images in social media. In fact, simple movements can have a profound impact on feeling good. Here, we discuss yoga's evolution, benefits, finding the right teacher, and its deeper purpose that leads to enlightenment. J. is a yoga teacher, writer, and podcaster. He is at the forefront of a quiet yoga revolution based in healing, that seeks to change the dialogue and direction of yoga practice in the west. His writing has been featured in Yoga Therapy Today, The International Journal of Yoga Therapy, and across the yoga blogosphere. His podcast J Brown Yoga Talks is internationally renowned for raising the level of conversation.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/03/24/531-j-brown/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!531: J. Brown on Yoga’s Evolution.

Addressing the significant conversations happening in the world.In This Podcast: The world is changing almost daily around us. With change comes new needs, focuses, and learning. Urban Farm's Proprietor Greg Peterson and General Manager Janis Norton, discuss how The Urban Farm is adapting their programs to better support their listeners and community. This means changes to the podcast, but also new educational opportunities that will help everybody build their food resilience. Listen in to learn about past podcasts and our new daily classes that will help you start your food journey.Greg Peterson is the Proprietor of The Urban Farm and Host of The Urban Farm Podcast.  He is a green living and sustainability innovator who is well-known regionally. His mission is inspire people to embrace their own greenness, which he does daily by living what he speaks.Janis is the General Manager and Podcast Producer for The Urban Farm. Her passion to make The Urban Farm a truly valued resource for our listeners, readers, and in-person participants is obvious in all that she does. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/03/21/530-changes/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!530: The Urban Farm's Response to COVID-19.

529: Seed Saving Class February 2020.In This Podcast: You don't want to miss the February 2020 episode of a live Seed Saving Class discussing how to start plants from seed with special guest Kari Spencer. Listen in for methods of starting seeds, things to consider, and the number one reason seeds don't sprout. Greg, Bill, and Kari share some of their tips and tricks as well as answer listener questions about specific plant seeds.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.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/2020/03/17/529-seedchat/ for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Transforming the food systems of the world through good seeds and sustainable practices.In This Podcast: Did you know that seeds help communities rebuild after a crisis? Here, we speak with Jane Rabinowicz about her work with the Canadian organization SeedChange. Their support for grassroots projects, farmers across the world, and global seed policy impact everyone worldwide. Listen in for how the organization began, how they protect seed diversity and work with local agriculture to preserve endangered plant varieties through seed saving.Jane was appointed as an Executive Director of SeedChange in 2016, after joining the organization in 2011. Jane has dedicated her career to community-led change. She is co-founder of the Silver Dollar Foundation and serves on the Board of Directors of Tides Canada. Jane was named one of the 53 most influential people in Canada’s food system by The Globe and Mail, and one of Canada’s leading women changing the way we eat by Châtelaine Magazine.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/03/14/528-jane-rabinowicz/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library! 528: Jane Rabinowicz on Global Seed Work.

Starting an urban farm to keep young the later years.In This Podcast: Have you ever wished for more gardening space? So did Ray Speakman when he took early retirement. But instead of just wishing, he recruited neighbors for their land and made his farming dreams a reality! Listen in to learn how he went from 1 garden bed to a half-acre of productive land and started a neighborhood CSA and weekend produce stand. Ray shares what it was like becoming a farmer in retirement, abundant food production in smaller spaces, and making it happen. Ray has always been an entrepreneur at heart with a drive to affect the lives of others for the better. He grew up on a chicken farm in Cottonwood, Arizona with 5000 chickens, as well as cows, horses, and large gardens. After moving to Mesa with his parents in the mid 1960’s, he married his wonderful wife. After a series of different businesses and 8 children, he ended up working for an international plant nutrition manufacturing company as their VP of Marketing. It was there that he fell in love with agriculture and the effect it has on individual lives and mother earth. In June of 2017, with a neighbor and prolific gardener, Ray started an urban farm in the middle of Mesa. His family, friends and area neighborhoods are enjoying the farm as they have watched it grow and enjoy the benefits of eating the delightfully delicious and healthy food.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/03/10/527-ray-speakman/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!527: Ray Speakman about Farming Instead of Retiring

Moving mountains by changing one mind and one attitude at a time.In This Podcast: Sustaining a community garden that is successful for over 10 years is not an easy endeavor. In this update from repeat podcast guest, Darren Chapman, we gain insight into the organizational growth of a community garden, how they stay relevant, and continue to serve the needs of the community. Listen in for some of the challenges in the neighborhoods surrounding the community garden and how TigerMountain addresses and heals some of those disparities. Darren is a community pro-activist who has committed his life to helping people. He is Founder and CEO of TigerMountain Foundation, which has implemented Empowerment Initiatives to uplift communities and eliminate blight. TigerMountain’s initiatives include community gardens; edible landscape development; audio, visual and performance art; plus community service and volunteerism. The gardens promote healthy living and active lifestyles by feeding, engaging and enfranchising the community. TigerMountain’s Asset Based Community Development model was developed with the thought that everyone can and should be connected and feel a part of society. The endgame strategy is urban renewal and community restoration via participants who are encouraged to stay engaged and motivated to keep positive and develop their individual very important assets.Their motto is to change one mind and attitude at a time, encouraging all who have been touched to pay it forward, which will undoubtedly make the immediate and surrounding community and world a better place to live. He is from South Central Los Angeles and grew up in L.A. and Phoenix. He currently resides and works in South Phoenix and the Phoenix Metropolitan area.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/03/07/526-darren-chapman/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!526: Darren Chapman on Inner City Urban Farming.

Seeking climate change solutions through sustainable farming investments.In This Podcast: Want a way to combat climate change and make a good financial investment? David Chan explains the social and financial benefits of agricultural real estate investing. The FarmTogether system brings farm families together with investors for a stronger countrywide self-sufficient food system. He also explains the organic agriculture value chain, how regenerative agriculture processes builds soil health, the Patagonia competition, and the TerraTone Challenge. David is the Co-Founder and COO of FarmTogether, and he has spent several years working in the organic agriculture value chain. Before forming FarmTogether, David was a senior private equity associate at AMERRA Capital Management, where he worked closely with one of the fund's portfolio companies having a focus on supply chains in sustainable agriculture and serving the US organic grains market. David also worked with SLM Partners, PGIM Ag Equity Investments, and was a finalist in Patagonia's first graduate case competition on scaling regenerative agriculture.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/03/03/525-david-chan/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!525: David Chan on Regenerative Agriculture.

Breaking the mold on traditional canine snacks.In This Podcast: As gardeners, we think of our health and the food we put in our bodies but have you thought much about what you feed your pets? Treats should benefit your dog's health as well as taste good. We talked canine healthy treats with Neil Werde and got the inside scoop on the best ingredients and processing method for a quality dog treat.  Neil dove into some of the findings around Raw and Mediterranean diets for your furry friends as well as pet toys that keep your children safe too. Neil has over 40 years of experience creating and marketing consumer products including children’s toys at Tyco and Mattel, pop culture & music at Rhino Records, and for the past 18 years durable toy products in the pet industry. He has delighted parents, children, and our four-legged friends with thoughtful and innovative products and solutions. Neil co-founded the Quaker Pet Group, and in 2015 they merged into pet industry innovator Worldwise, Inc, where his product development team has been focused on bringing healthy treats to our canine friends.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/02/29/524-neil-werde/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!524: Neil Werde on Recognizing Quality Dog Treats.

Maximizing farm production with a little help from some four-legged friends.In This Podcast: Even if you live in a city, this podcast with DaNelle Wolford will have you checking your zoning regulations on backyard goats and pigs! Listen in to learn why she loves raising Nigerian Dwarf goats, all about their milk, and why it digests better than cow's milk. She shares all about animal care, breeding goats, milk production, and how they maximize all the functions of their farm animals. You'll be searching her videos for more about her cool setup before the podcast is over!DaNelle is an urban farmer & goat enthusiast located in Phoenix, Arizona. She runs a popular blog & YouTube channel called Weed 'em & Reap that boasts over 100 million views. She started to take an interest in a healthier lifestyle after being diagnosed with two debilitating chronic diseases. On a mission to create a farm of her own, she & her husband purchased an acre of land in the city and transformed it into their very own urban farm. Together with their two children, they milk goats, gather eggs from their chickens, tend to a large garden, and raise fish in Arizona's first naturally filtered swimming pond. They share their hilarious farm adventures on their YouTube channel with over 400,000 subscribers and are passionate about inspiring others to grow food and raise animals, no matter the size of their yard.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/02/25/523-danelle-wolford/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!523: DaNelle Wolford on Making More with Goats.

Agriculturally inspired fiction with the power of a plant’s fragrance is steeped in mystery and danger.In This Podcast: Plants inspire most of our listeners, but Karen Hugg used her horticultural inspiration to create mystery novels that capture the magic and possibilities of new plant varieties. Exciting storylines entwine with Karen's passion for plants as she talks about getting published and why she left the tech world to start a gardening business. Listen in to learn about her gardening experience, what she loves to grow, and how she uses that to inspire her characters. Karen is the author of The Forgetting Flower, a literary thriller about a dangerous plant in Paris. Most of Karen’s stories are set in worlds where plants, real or imagined, affect people in strange new ways. Born and raised in Chicago, she later moved to Seattle and worked as an editor before becoming a certified ornamental horticulturalist and master pruner. She earned her MFA from Goddard College and has been published in the Rooted anthology, Minerva Rising, Garden Rant, and other publications. When not writing, she digs in the dirt. When not digging in the dirt, she hangs out with her husband, three children, and four pets. When not doing any of those things, she sits outside and stares at the sky.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/02/22/522-karen-hugg/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!522: Karen Hugg on The Forgetting Flower.

521: Seed Saving Class January 2020. This is the January 2020 episode of a live Seed Saving Class discussing seed catalogs, sourcing local seeds, building community, seed diversity, and so much more.There is always a bounty of information available in conversations with Bill McDorman.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/2020/02/18/521-seedchat/ for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Encouraging youth to bloom through off-grid farming on vacant lots.In This Podcast: We usually speak with food farmers, however, Quilen Blackwell is doing something so amazing with flower farming we needed to get him on the show! Learn why he chose to farm flowers over food, got community buy-in, and how he eliminated much of the overhead cost of a farm by working with nature (even in the middle of a big city). The flowers are a product of his true passion, which is teaching skills to at-risk youth and giving them job skills to better their future.Quilen’s background in renewable energy and community organizing is well suited in his role as president of Southside Blooms where they serve over 70 youth a week at four sites in Chicago and one site in Detroit. Southside Blooms has the mission of using sustainability to alleviate inner-city poverty through a scalable social enterprise program that converts vacant city lots into off-grid flower farms.Quilen’s organizing credentials include work abroad as a volunteer in the Peace Corp organizing rural farmers in Thailand all the way to helping working-class residents of suburban Milwaukee attain affordable housing. He later worked in the biofuels industry where he procured feedstock such as used cooking oil and soybean oil for biodiesel production. Quilen holds a bachelor’s degree with comprehensive honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master’s degree in environmental policy from the University of Denver.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/02/15/520-quilen-blackwell/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!520: Quilen Blackwell on Urban Flower Farms.

Growing enough food to provide for a family of four all year.In This Podcast: If you had to exist just from the food in your yard, what would you be eating? Melissa Norris would have very few lifestyle changes. She is a professional homesteader who grows and preserves enough fruits, vegetables, and meat on her property to feed her family all year long. Here, she discusses what's growing in her garden, season extending for longer harvests, planning for a year's worth of food, the amount of space it takes to feed a family of four, and her new book.Melissa is a 5th generation homesteader and believes everyone can and should grow some of their own food. She’s the host of the Pioneering Today Podcast and founder of the Pioneering Today Academy where she teaches people how to live a homegrown and homemade life in a modern world.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/02/11/519-melissa-norris/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!519: Melissa Norris on Feeding A Family.

Balancing the larger world context with local, practical, and creative solutions.In This Podcast: In the final part of our interview with David Holmgren, the co-founder of permaculture talks soil, owning your mistakes, and balancing food production in limited spaces. He also shares what it’s like to live a voluntarily simplistic life, and how children absorb knowledge just by being around parents in agriculture. Listen in for some of his failures and successes, as well as what drives him and his advice for others. We are very excited to have the co-founder of permaculture on the show today. When I got David on the call I just let him talk and it turned into a 90-minute chat, so we decided to split it into three shows. This is part 3 and if you enjoy our content please consider supporting the podcast at UrbanFarmPodcast.org Since developing permaculture with Bill Mollison in the mid-1970s, David’s local and global influence has gone beyond permaculture networks. He is a public intellectual working outside of academia, government or corporate support. His depth of thinking, design practice and teaching has been continually informed by practical experience through a lifetime of household self-reliance, voluntary simplicity, and innovative action. He has received many awards including an honorary Ph.D. from Central Queensland University. He has written 8 books about permaculture & related topics, been a part of at least 5 other books, written multiple articles, given numerous presentations, has over 40 years of practical experience, he is an authority on the permaculture concept and how to make it work and basically – he is the guy who penned it!Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/02/08/518-david-holmgren/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!518: David Holmgren on Downshifting to a Resilient Future. Part 3

Balancing the larger world context with local, practical, and creative solutions.In This Podcast: In part 2 of 3 we hear from David Holmgren, the co-founder of permaculture, about his definition of permaculture, soil conservation and regenerative practices, creating civilization systems that can withstand the test of time, and creative reuse of resources instead of recycling or composting. Learn about David’s new book: Retrosuburbia and how to rebuild economies, habits, and biological landscapes on a household level. We are very excited to have the co-founder of permaculture on the show today. When I got David on the call I just let him talk and it turned into a 90-minute chat, so we decided to split it into three shows. This is part 2 and if you enjoy our content please consider supporting the podcast at UrbanFarmPodcast.org Since developing permaculture with Bill Mollison in the mid-1970s, David’s local and global influence has gone beyond permaculture networks. He is a public intellectual working outside of academia, government or corporate support. His depth of thinking, design practice and teaching has been continually informed by practical experience through a lifetime of household self-reliance, voluntary simplicity, and innovative action. He has received many awards including an honorary Ph.D. from Central Queensland University. He has written 8 books about permaculture & related topics, been a part of at least 5 other books, written multiple articles, given numerous presentations, has over 40 years of practical experience, he is an authority on the permaculture concept and how to make it work and basically – he is the guy who penned it!Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/02/06/517-david-holmgren/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!517: David Holmgren on Downshifting to a Resilient Future. Part 2

Balancing the larger world context with local, practical, and creative solutions.In This Podcast: In part 1 of 3 we hear from David Holmgren, the co-founder of permaculture, about the birth of permaculture over 40 years ago. Learn about what inspired the concept of permaculture, permanent agriculture, working with nature, sustainability, and how to take new industry concepts and have them become widely accepted. David also discusses what it's like when your theory takes on a life of its own and the balance of being both a fan and critic.We are very excited to have the co-founder of permaculture on the show today. When I got David on the call I just let him talk and it turned into a 90-minute chat, so we decided to split it into three shows. This is part 1 and if you enjoy our content please consider supporting the podcast at UrbanFarmPodcast.org  Since developing permaculture with Bill Mollison in the mid-1970s, David’s local and global influence has gone beyond permaculture networks. He is a public intellectual working outside of academia, government or corporate support. His depth of thinking, design practice and teaching has been continually informed by practical experience through a lifetime of household self-reliance, voluntary simplicity, and innovative action. He has received many awards including an honorary Ph.D. from Central Queensland University. He has written 8 books about permaculture & related topics, been a part of at least 5 other books, written multiple articles, given numerous presentations, has over 40 years of practical experience, he is an authority on the permaculture concept and how to make it work and basically – he is the guy who penned it!Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/02/04/516-david-holmgren/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!516: David Holmgren on Downshifting to a Resilient Future. Part 1

Mentoring cancer survivors through backyard vegetable gardens.In This Podcast: Anyone who gardens knows the benefits, but Kerry Smith is proving it with her Harvest for Health program for cancer survivors. This experiment partners the Alabama Master Gardeners with Auburn University to track improvements in physical activity, diet, and stress markers for people who beat cancer. In addition to teaching them gardening basics and healthy food habits, they spread the love for plants through volunteers who are motivated by heartwarming experiences. Kerry is the Home Grounds team Co-leader in the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Working with team members she develops, supports and delivers programs that inspire smart yards for home landscapes. She is also the State Program Coordinator for the Alabama Master Gardener Program, a large volunteer group assisting the same mission of promoting sustainable, smart yard landscapes. Kerry has worked for the Education Department at Callaway Gardens, been a schoolteacher, an estate gardener, and many things in between. Her current priority for the Master Gardener program is Harvest for Health, a 5-year garden mentor project in partnership with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Comprehensive Cancer Center and funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Through this project, Master Gardeners mentor cancer survivors learning to grow a backyard vegetable garden.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/02/01/515-kerry-smith/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!515: Kerry Smith on Harvest for Health.

Maximizing the benefit of rainwater for both personal and community use.In This Podcast: Have you ever considered capturing free water for your landscape? Brad Lancaster has pioneered rainwater harvesting in Tucson, AZ and around the world. He teaches how to reinvest rainwater into living systems that grow resources all for the cost of shoveling some dirt. Learn about rain gardens, zoning, benefits of rainwater, adjusting your mentality, developing your strategy, and integrating sun, shade, and gravity into your design. You'll never look at your yard the same way!Brad runs a successful permaculture consulting, design, and education business in Tucson, Arizona. He is focused on integrated and sustainable approaches to landscape design, planning, and living. Growing up in a dryland environment, water harvesting has long been one of his specialties and a true passion. He is the author of the permaculture bible for water harvesting: Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond Volumes I & II and he has just released new full color revised and expanded editions of both.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/01/28/514-brad-lancaster/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!514: Brad Lancaster about Harvesting the Rain.

Getting fruit and vegetables into and through a network of community support services.In This Podcast: We know our food system is broken, however, the food bank system is surprisingly effective! April Bradham from the Arizona Food Bank Network explains how local, state and national food banks distribute huge amounts of fresh produce and food within days. Listen in to learn where the surplus food and food waste comes from, how they work to spread healthy food to people in need, and the new Arizona initiative that is helping both small and mid-size farms as well as the food banks. April is Vice President for Programs, of the Arizona Food Bank Network and oversees the Member Services and Innovation programs. April holds a B.S. in Business Administration from The Sage Colleges in New York, and an M.B.A. from Arizona State University. She has worked in operations and supply chain for over 17 years in a variety of industries. April and her team offer food banks - logistics and transportation support, plus they coordinate the “Southwest Produce Cooperative,” which was started to help with the sharing of produce between food banks in AZ, NM, and TX.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/01/25/513-april-bradham/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!513: April Bradham about Moving Produce through Food Banks.

A chat with an expert on Seeds. In This Podcast: This is the December 2019 episode of a live Seed Saving Class discussing seed catalog season, the best seed catalogs, what the terminology in the catalogs mean, and so much more.There is always a bounty of information available in conversations with Bill McDorman.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/2020/01/21/seedchat19dec/ for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!512: Seed Saving Class December 2019.

Sharing good gardening information with others.In This Podcast: Gardening in a new climate can pose challenges; however, Angela Judd did not let it stop her from becoming an inspirational gardener who regularly contributes to area publications. She reviews the classes and resources she used to take her from novice to knowledgable, and some of the things that make her hot climate garden successful in providing food for her family and friends. Planting times, soil, involving your kids, and trial and error are all part of her success story. Angela is an avid vegetable, flower, and fruit tree gardener. As a mother of five, she enjoys growing and preparing food from the garden for her family. She shares inspiration and tips on her blog GrowingInTheGarden.com and other social channels to help home gardeners successfully grow their own garden.As a certified Master Gardener, Angela has been featured in Phoenix Home & Garden, San Diego Home/Garden, Edible Phoenix, Family Fun, Burpee.com, and is a regular contributor to Master Gardener publications. Her articles and videos are can be found in several well-known online publications including Better Homes & Gardens, Gardeners.com, and GardeningKnowHow.com.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/01/18/512-angela-judd/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!511: Angela Judd on Inspiring Gardeners to Grow.

Promoting the local food scene and building the local food community in an accessible, affordable, and original way.In This Podcast: Food brings people together, and David Tyda specializes in creating events and festivals that build relationships between local restaurants and the community. If you've ever wondered how food festivals become a reality or considered starting your own, listen in to learn how he creates affordable events for 10,000 people! David shares things he considers, ways to maximize the event space and infrastructure, and how he makes fun, original events that people attend year after year!David is always busy, which is why he requires so many calories to pull off all the projects he has going on. 10 years ago, he co-created the Arizona Taco Festival - which was the first taco festival in the world. Now there are over 200 of them!Over the years he’s created many food festivals, including the Annual Phoenix Pizza Festival and Downtown Donut Festival. If you are in Phoenix this spring, catch his 2nd FRIED, A French Fry & Music Festival. David prides himself on two things: making sure every event is original - he despises copycats; and making sure the events are inclusive - he’s not a fan of high-ticket price events. Having moved on from the Taco Festival, he is opening an agave bar in Downtown Phoenix to help keep him connected to the “taco lifestyle” he so identifies with.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/01/14/510-david-tyda/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!510: David Tyda about Food Festivals.

Giving nature a helping hand by restoring vegetation.In This Podcast: How can we revitalize arid areas in a logistically feasible way? Dr. Elise Gornish walks us through the process of working with land and stakeholders to restore their land using seed balls. Learn about seed balls: making them, how they work, and strategies for small or large scale production. She also gives tips on creating invasion resilience and deterring invasive weeds while encouraging native plants. Full of great info for teachers, parents, and environmental enthusiasts! Elise is a Cooperative Extension Specialist in Ecological Restoration at the University of Arizona. Her research and outreach program largely focuses on identifying strategies for successful restoration in arid land systems and integration of restoration approaches into weed management. Originally from New York, she received her MS and PhD from Florida State University in 2013. She then completed two years of a post doc at the University of California, Davis before becoming a Cooperative Extension Specialist in Ecological Restoration at UC Davis. Then in 2017 she moved to Tucson AZ! Seed ball super hero Elise is an early career leader in the fields of arid land restoration and weed management, and has published over 40 papers and has presented over 150 times at various venues.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/01/11/509-elise-gornish/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!509: Dr. Elise Gornish on Seed Balls.

Committing to sustainable resourcing and zero waste, while supporting local agriculture.In This Podcast: How do you go from teaching yoga with no culinary experience to a culinary leader implementing sustainable change within our food system? When Danielle Leoni jumped into fine cuisine, her journey was shaped by her patrons inquiring where the food was sourced. She soon discovered the true cost of inexpensive food and is now actively engaged in the good food fight and influencing traceable sourcing. This episode will inspire everyone to follow their dreams and live their values!Chef Danielle is the Executive Chef & Owner of The Breadfruit & Rum Bar in Phoenix, Arizona. Hailed as a champion of sustainability and green restaurant innovation, Chef Danielle has distinguished herself with an avant-garde approach to blending the best of the southwest with the tropical traditions of Jamaica. She has explored the islands of the Caribbean and immersed herself in seaside food cultures with a keen eye on responsible fishing practices. Under her stewardship, The Breadfruit and Rum Bar has introduced an entirely new cuisine to Arizona while redefining perceptions of tropical and green dining.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/01/07/508-danielle-leoni/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!508: Danielle Leoni on Serving up Good Food.

Bringing life into your home.In This Podcast: The OGarden, a high tech way of bringing indoor gardening into a small space in your home, is Pierre Nibart's labor of love to improve people's well being. With his OGarden, you can grow 90 plants in a self-lit, 29" by 53" space with minimal involvement. Learn how to start seeds, use the plants in your daily meals, and teach kids about gardening. Plus, it's a great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables when they play a part in growing the plants! Pierre has a life that, like his vision of the world, is largely out of the ordinary. At 11 years old, he left his parents' home, traveling and living in more than 20 countries, which allowed him to learn about many different cultures. He studied hotel management in a prestigious school in Belgium to finally discover his true passion, entrepreneurship. As president of Manufacture OGarden, Pierre delights in helping his customers bring all the benefits of growing food and plants into their home.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/01/04/507-pierre-nibart/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!507: Pierre Nibart on Indoor Gardening.

Providing convenience, variety, and deliciousness to the on-the-go conscientious eater.In This Podcast: We've all heard about the benefits of eating microgreens, but what does it take to grow them? Melissa Canales of Quantum Microgreens did a career 180 after a health crisis and now makes it her business to grow and supply this amazing health food. Hear about her growing set up and which varieties are the best for beginners. For more advanced farmers, she shares how she made the leap into farming, the business side, and how to find your place in the farming community. Melissa grows and sells microgreens in the heart of San Diego, California. Her company Quantum Microgreens was formed in early 2017, and she specializes in selling living trays of microgreens, grown outside year-round direct to customers at farmer’s markets. She does workshops in the community introducing people to the world of microgreens and helps busy people stay healthy with fresh greens. She also sells Grow Your Own Microgreens kits to share the microgreens love throughout the country.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2019/12/31/506-melissa-canales/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!506: Melissa Canales on Urban Microgreens.

Transitioning from factory farmed foods to healthy organic.In This Podcast: Many of us try to eat organic fruits and vegetables and pasture raised meats as often as possible. However due to marketing terms, we may not be eating what we think we bought. Eugene Trufkin explains what the gimmicky packaging terms really mean, how that impacts your diet and body, and how to source high quality meat and produce if you aren't growing your own. Nutrition minded, healthy food visionaries will love the information in this episode!Eugene grew up on a Biodynamic farm in Ukraine and has dedicated his entire life to the understanding of mental and physical health. He currently operates Trufkin Athletics in Irvine, California – a fat loss training center that takes a holistic approach to fat loss and wellness. He’s a graduate from the University of California, Irvine and a CHECK Institute trained professional. He also holds a degree from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2019/12/28/505-eugene-trufkin/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!505: Eugene Trufkin on Changing to Better Diets.

Developing lead generation without giving up the farm.In This Podcast: An online presence is important for any farmer or person in agriculture to share their products and knowledge. This episode's guest, John Lagoudakis, professionally coaches businesses on reaching their audience. Here, he gives Urban Farmers tips on how to build their business using online strategies. Learn about the benefits of a website, the best way to use social media, and how to capture future customer's attention using consistent, free content and genuine interaction. John is one of Australia’s leading Internet marketers. It all started back in 2007, when he stumbled across affiliate marketing and within two years was able to go from $0 online, to being one of Clickbank’s top 100 affiliates worldwide. He’s been featured in the New York Times bestseller ‘Get Rich Click’, has authored several books, and been the host of a long-running Internet marketing podcast.  Today, John helps businesses create lead generation campaigns on Facebook and Google that get results fast. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2019/12/24/504-john-lagoudakis/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!504: John Lagoudakis on Business Side of Urban Farms.

Taking the initial steps to starting her own farm.In This Podcast: Returning guest, Tiffany Panaccione, is back for an update on her new basil farm. She discusses some of her early learnings on preparing greenhouse plants for a garden, when to plant outside of your area's planting calendar, how she protects against pests, and theories on a mysterious overnight digger. Also, listen in for her experience attending the Earthship Academy, some of her mentors as she starts her farm, and why basil holds a special place in her heart. Tiff is a Phoenix native with a gypsy soul. Her self-healing journey has sailed her around the world and right back home to her roots. With a strong craving and an inner calling to go deep within herself and simultaneously the dirt, she is now listening, learning, discovering, and planning to cultivate the gifts of the Sonoran Desert. After all, she wonders… is it really worth doing the “hard work” if it isn’t your heart’s work? Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2019/12/21/503-tiffany-panaccione/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!503: Tiffany Panaccione on The Basil Project.

Bonus Episode 32: Seed Saving Class November 2019. In This Bonus Podcast: This special seed saving chat covers Bill McDorman's learning and experiences after attending the 8th Session of the Governing Body International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resource for Food and Agriculture in Rome, Italy. This is a recording of the November 2019 episode of a live Seed Saving Class discussing the global seed situation, plant patents, advanced methods for creating new plants, why seed saving is more important than ever, and so much more.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/2019/12/17/bonus32/  for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!