Category: Podcast – Free

840: Harvesting and Storing Seeds – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In this episode, we discuss methods of dry and wet harvesting, particularly for tomatoes and squashes, and emphasize the importance of understanding plant families in seed collection. Various methods to ensure seed viability, such as proper drying and cool storage, are explored, along with the significance of seed diversity and the role of local seed libraries. The conversation also highlights the need for more individuals to start saving seeds to adapt to changing climates and revitalize local agriculture.

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839: Jeremy Chevallier on Food Forest Innovations

The podcast features Jeremy Chevallier, a Phoenix native and serial entrepreneur, who is pioneering urban food forest initiatives with his charity, Homegrown, aiming to combat food shortages by promoting regenerative agriculture and self-sufficient communities. Jeremy discusses his journey from a conventional career to founding Homegrown, influenced by his community experiences and discoveries in soil health and permaculture. His initiatives include permaculture-based landscape services, a soil-focused real estate project, and a local food system in Phoenix that encompasses gleaning and urban farming. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement in transforming urban landscapes into food-producing areas while addressing the logistical challenges of distributing harvested produce.

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838: Austin Frerick on The Food Barons of our Time

Austin shares his personal and professional journey that shaped his insights on the food system, highlighting the consolidation and exploitation in the industry through the profiles of various ‘food barons.’ The conversation explores the systemic issues related to the industrialization of agriculture, including environmental impacts and labor exploitation, and emphasizes the importance of returning to more sustainable, local food systems. Austin’s narratives provide a critique of current policies and suggest actionable steps to challenge the status quo in favor of a more equitable and regenerative food future.

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836: Seed Saving Secrets – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In this episode, Greg Peterson from Urban Farm U and Bill McDorman discuss the fundamentals of seed saving, techniques for collecting and preparing seeds from various plants, and the benefits of maintaining genetic diversity. They also address specific audience questions about harvesting and storing seeds, and the effects of cross-pollination. The conversation emphasizes the importance of home-based seed saving for adapting plants to local conditions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

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835: Growing Wild Food in Your Yard – A Rosie Replay

A Rosie on the House Radio Show Replay. In this episode of Rosie on the House, hosts Romey Romero and Farmer Greg discuss growing wild food in in your yard. They emphasize the benefits of planting food-producing plants and using permaculture principles like composting, chickens and layering plants. Greg also highlights the importance of observing microclimates, proper water management, utilizing open-pollinated seeds and having chicken workers in your yard. Additionally, he touches on community involvement, local ordinances, and the Permaculture Design Course for creating sustainable, food-producing landscapes……

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834: Kirsten Simmons on Streamlining Farmers’ Busy Work

We follow the journey of Kirsten Simmons. After experiencing farm failures, she co-founded Good Agriculture in 2022, a company that manages administrative tasks and provides financial, marketing, and grant-writing support for farmers. Kirstin shares how the company has grown, helped farmers become more profitable, and developed manual and automated tools to support farm operations. Good Agriculture aims to streamline back-office tasks, enabling farmers to focus on farming, with services tailored to small and large farms.

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833: Jaron Lukas on Healthy Nutrition for Dogs

Jaron Lukas, CEO and founder of Yum Woof, a brand specializing in air-dried dog food, discusses his journey from tech to pet nutrition, driven by personal experiences with food allergies. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding dry kibble, highlighting the benefits of more natural dog food options for canine health and longevity. Jaron also delves into insights from his book, ‘The Canine CocoMega Effect,’ which explores the synergistic benefits of combining coconut oil and omega-3s in dog diets.

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832: Cindy Gentry on Food Coop’s Impact on Local Food

Cindy discusses her extensive work in food co-ops, hunger prevention, and healthy food systems development. She shares her experiences in establishing the Phoenix Public Market and various farmers market programs to support local farmers and improve food accessibility. Cindy outlines the origins and goals of the Sun Produce Cooperative and its impact on local food distribution. Additionally, she delves into her personal journey, reflecting on past challenges and successes in her mission to promote local agriculture and fair food systems.

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831: Growing Gourmet Mushrooms – A Garden Chat

A Garden Chat with Michael Judd. – Farmer Greg and Michael Judd, an expert in edible and ecological landscape design, discuss growing gourmet mushrooms outdoors. They cover the three easiest mushrooms to grow: shiitake, oyster, and wine cap mushrooms, along with their preferred growing conditions and necessary preparations. Michael shares practical advice on sourcing the right wood, maintaining moisture, and utilizing permaculture principles for effective mushroom cultivation. He also offers insights into his mini course and other resources available for those interested in further learning

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830: Seed Starting Essentials Explained – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In June 2024’s Seed Chat, Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman discuss key aspects of nurturing seed starts for a thriving garden. They emphasize the importance of proper seed starting mediums, suggesting lightweight, aerated materials like perlite and cocopeat over regular garden soil. They also highlight the need for adequate light, recommending artificial light setups if natural light is insufficient. Proper watering techniques are crucial, ensuring the soil remains moist without over-watering. They advocate for hands-on gardening and learning through observation and experimentation to achieve the best results. Come Chat with Us!

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