The Urban Farm Podcast
Where we work together educating and inspiring YOU to become part of your food revolution!
The Urban Farm Podcast is your connection to the food revolution with twice-weekly conversations with some of the best and most innovative regenerative farmers and home gardeners out there, interviews with up and coming urban growers, and inspiration from healthy-food visionaries around the globe. All of our podcast guests are making a difference to create a better tomorrow and we believe they will inspire you to do the same.
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This is just a few of our most current episodes!
888: Desert Foraging with Cactus Kelly – A Rosie Replay
A Rosie on the House Radio Show Replay.In this reply episode of ‘Rosie on the House’, Romey Romero and Farmer Greg host special guest Cactus Kelly, a master gardener and foraging educator. We explore foraging native edibles in Arizona, highlighting various plants like Palo Verde beans, mesquite, and Ironwood. Cactus Kelly shares valuable insights on how to harvest, prepare, and consume these native plants, often found in urban environments. We also delve into the uses of weeds, cacti such as prickly pear and barrel cactus, and other native flora. We dive into foraging techniques, the nutritional benefits of these plants, and how they support local ecosystems. The segment aims to educate and encourage sustainable harvesting practices while introducing traditional uses and modern applications of native desert plants.
887: Who Owns Our Seeds with Bill McDorman, A Seed Chat
A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In This Podcast: Greg and Bill navigate the evolution of seed ownership and its impact on biodiversity. They highlight how, historically, seeds were predominantly grown locally, fostering diversity. However, today, four major companies dominate the global seed market, resulting in a significant loss of agricultural diversity. This shift has made the food system vulnerable to diseases and climate change, which were traditionally mitigated by seed diversity. Efforts to preserve genetic diversity through seed banks are underfunded and face operational challenges, raising concerns about future accessibility.
The conversation emphasizes the importance of local seed saving and sharing initiatives as a means to reclaim control over seeds. Resources like Seed Up Saturday and organizations such as goingtoseed.org are promoted as vital tools for increasing seed diversity within communities. The session concludes with encouragement for individuals to actively participate in seed saving and sharing to enhance local food security and biodiversity.
886: Tony Sarah on Earth Friendly Fertilizers
Tony Sarah shares his background in the nursery business and the accidental discovery that led him to develop his organic fertilizer, Tony’s Magic Mix. He discusses the ingredients and scientific principles behind the fertilizer, focusing on soil health and balanced plant nutrients. Tony recounts success stories, such as record avocado harvests and thriving gardens in harsh climates like Phoenix and emphasizes the importance of promoting a healthy soil biome with organic fertilizers. Tony also talks about his personal journey, including past business failures, the success of his current business, and the support from his family. Tony concludes with a recommendation for spending time outdoors and enjoying the magic of nature.
BONUS Episode: Getting the Most Seed Diversity to the Most People
Hosted by Bill McDorman and Greg Peterson, focusing on increasing seed diversity and local seed stewardship. Guest speakers include Julia Dakin of Going to Seed, Rebecca Newburn from Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library, and Bevin Cohen of Small House Farm. Topics covered include the importance of seed diversity, the role of community seed saving, seed libraries, and sustainable agricultural practices.
885: Michael Olson on 3 Laws of the Food Chain
In This Podcast: Greg interviews Michael Olson, a returning guest and influential figure in the food system. Michael shares his background as a Montana farm boy, Vietnam veteran, and author of Metro Farm. Then they jump into Michael’s ‘Three Laws of the Food Chain,’ which include: 1) Agriculture is the foundation upon which we build all our sandcastles, 2) The farther we go from the source of our food, the less control we have over what’s in our food, and 3) Cheap food isn’t cheap. They discuss the evolution of local food movements, the impact of farmer’s markets, and the importance of understanding where our food comes from. Michael emphasizes the value of local, nutrient-rich foods and the historical precedent for sustainable, small-scale farming seen in Asian cultures. The episode concludes with a call to action for consumers to seek out food with its farmer’s face on it, underscoring the profound impact of food on human well-being.
884: Elements, Zones and Stacking Functions in Permaculture
A Garden Chat with Don Titmus- Join Farmer Greg and Don Titmus, a horticulturist and permaculturist as they reflect on their 20-year friendship and shared journey in permaculture. They outline the fundamental principles of permaculture then introduce the concepts from permaculture of elements, zones and stacking functions, where each element in a design performs multiple roles, using chickens as a primary example. They explore how zones and sectors work in permaculture design, emphasizing the importance of understanding the external elements and how they impact the property.
