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859: Holistic Gardening Insights with Janis Norton – A Rosie Replay

A Rosie on the House Radio Show Replay. In This Podcast: of Rosie on the House, Janis Norton the manager of all things Urban Farm, Romey Romero and Farmer Greg discuss holistic gardening and permaculture. They define holistic gardening as considering the entire ecosystem, including your yard and neighborhood. The conversation covers permaculture ethics—care for the earth, care for people, and care for the future—and practical tips like zoning and regenerative systems. They also introduce the Permaculture Design Course, emphasizing it as a deep dive into sustainable and interconnected gardening practices.

858: Seeds of Innovation and Natural Harmony – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In this episode, Greg Peterson from Urban Farm U and Bill McDormand discuss seed-saving and the importance of embracing creativity and chaos in gardening, particularly during winter. They delve into personal anecdotes about sustainable practices and running businesses, highlighting the intersections of fear, excitement, and change in various aspects of life. Additionally, they touch on the evolving practices in permaculture and grain cultivation, particularly Kernza, and its potential for sustainable agriculture.

857: Rebecca Newburn on Building Seed Swap Resources

Rebecca Newburn, discusses the importance and logistics of organizing seed swaps. She explains the benefits of seed swaps, including local adaptation of seeds and community connections. Then highlights various resources she’s created, such as organizing guides, seed swap participants guides, and seed labeling templates to improve the experience for both donors and borrowers. Rebecca also emphasizes the importance of proper labeling and education on seed diversity and viability. Additionally, she introduces innovative tools and resources available on SeedLibraryNetwork.org to aid seed swap organizers and participants

856: Mike Clow on Technology on the Homestead

Mike Clow, a homesteader, engineer, and co-founder of Desert Life Ranch, discusses his journey from suburban life to sustainable living in the Arizona desert. He emphasizes the importance of integrating technology like solar power and aquaponics to enhance self-reliance and sustainability. Mike introduces his innovative project ‘Homestead Electronics,’ which uses affordable, custom-built sensors to monitor various homestead parameters, aiming to simplify and improve homestead management. Mike also touches on the challenges and continuous learning involved in homesteading and the importance of perseverance. He offers practical advice for those interested in merging technology with homesteading for more efficient and resilient living

855: David Stelzer on revolutionizing organic food distribution.

David Stelzer, founder and CEO of Azure Standard, discusses the evolution of his company from selling organic grain out of his pickup truck to building a nationwide organic food distribution network.

David shares his personal journey into organic farming, inspired by his parents’ commitment to a healthy diet after his own health issues as a child. He describes the creation of Community Drops, a unique delivery system that spans 50 states, enabling Azure Standard to serve over 3 million families. David also talks about the importance of healthy diets, sustainable farming practices, and Azure Standard’s mission to provide high-quality, affordable organic food. The podcast delves into the company’s development, the challenges faced, and the impact on local food systems

854: Debbie Piesen on Building Home Scale DC Grids

Debbie Piesen from Living Energy Farm discusses sustainable energy systems and microgrids. Debbie explains her journey and the challenges of living off-grid without fossil fuels. She shares the benefits and challenges of DC microgrids over AC systems and the importance of good design and decentralized energy production. Additionally, Debbie highlights various sustainable practices and projects, including solar ovens and battery storage, that are being implemented at Living Energy Farm and in the Caribbean. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of communal effort and education in transitioning to renewable energy sources

853: Dianne Blazek on Insights on Plant Breeding

We interview Diane Blazek, the executive director of All America Selections and National Garden Bureau, about the process of plant innovation and how new plant varieties make their way into gardens. Diane explains the various stages a plant goes through—from breeding to distribution—highlighting the roles of breeders, brokers, and growers. They discuss different propagation methods, including seeds and vegetative cuttings, and the intricacies involved in each step. Diane also touches on the importance of flowering plants for pollination, how to stay informed about new varieties through the National Garden Bureau, and shares a bit of horticultural history connected to Victory Gardens. Lastly, Diane offers advice for gardeners to try new plants and visit local public gardens

851: Exploring Seed Conferences – A Seed Chat

A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – (excerpt here)

850: Winter Growing in the Desert – A Rosie Replay

A Rosie on the House Radio Show Replay. This episode of Rosie on the House features Farmer Greg, Romey Romero and guest Jordan Stejskal discussing desert winter gardening. They include the benefits of growing plants from October to May and the variety of plants suitable for this season, such as brassicas, lettuces, and root vegetables and emphasize the importance of soil preparation using compost and fertilizers, and the considerations when sourcing manures

849: Meghan Baker on Navigating Cooperative Extension Programs.

Horticultural professional Meghan Baker discusses the intricacies of small farm management and the vital role of Cooperative Extension agents. Meghan shares her journey from a childhood fascination with nature to her current role as a small farms extension agent. She describes the key duties of a Cooperative Extension agent, including bringing university research to the local farming community, providing technical assistance, and supporting sustainable and regenerative farming practices.