Back to the Roots Podcast

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Connecting people with organic farmers across the country, from Amish country to farmers on the West coast. Join us as we travel back to the agricultural roots and have conversations whose livelihood is organic farming.

Back to the Roots


    • Jun 9, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 55m AVG DURATION
    • 163 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Back to the Roots Podcast is an incredible podcast that I am incredibly grateful to have discovered. From the first episode, I was hooked and found myself tearing up with gratitude for the stories shared on this show. It is such a relief to hear that Martha is doing well, and it warms my heart to know that the host's friend recommended this podcast to me. The information shared on this podcast is truly amazing and it feels like a breath of fresh air in today's world. I cannot express enough how much I appreciate the hard-working farmers who take time out of their busy lives to share their knowledge and experiences with us. Thank you all so very, very much!

    One of the best aspects of The Back to the Roots Podcast is the quality of information provided by its guests. Having listened to almost all of the episodes, some multiple times, I have gained a deep respect for people like Salatin who have pushed forward small farms with pastured animals. Their wisdom and expertise in sustainable agriculture is truly commendable. Additionally, I appreciate how this podcast delves into not only the practical aspects of farming but also explores personal stories about why individuals choose to farm and how they have overcome challenges along the way. It provides a holistic view of farming that is both informative and inspiring.

    However, one aspect of this podcast that could be improved upon is its lack of diversity in interviewees. While it is great to hear from successful farmers like Salatin, it would be even more enriching to listen to interviews with women farmers on their own and people of color, particularly in different regions like the West and South. This would provide a more balanced perspective on organic farming and bring forth new voices and ideas into the conversation.

    In conclusion, The Back to the Roots Podcast is a fantastic show that offers invaluable insights into sustainable agriculture and farming practices. Despite its minor shortcomings in terms of representation, it remains one of my favorite podcasts due to its in-depth episodes and the hope it brings. Each hour-long episode is filled with so much good information that time flies by, leaving listeners feeling inspired and empowered. I highly recommend this podcast to anyone interested in food, growing food, and the future of sustainable agriculture. Don't forget to rate and review the show to help more people discover it!



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    Latest episodes from Back to the Roots Podcast

    Big Bottom Milk Company with Preston Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2025 73:15


    Preston Green is the co-owner of Big Bottom Milk Company in Rutherfordton, North Carolina where they process and bottle their own milk to sell in the southeast. Preston joins us today to tell us how the dairy got started, the hardships and the blessings that came along with Hurricane Helene and the rapid growth of Big Bottom. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by Byron Seeds.

    Fix Your Qi with Dr Megan Detloff

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 51:58


    Dr Megan Detloff is the owner of Dr Paul's Labs and daughter of pioneering organic veterinarian, Dr Paul Detloff. She joins us to talk about her work at Dr Paul's labs as an herbalist, how that crosses over into her other role as an accupuncturist and some of the common ways that our bodies are affected by the outside environment. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by Byron Seeds.

    Organic Dairy on Shipshe Meadows Farm with Marlin Eash

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 87:02


    Marlin Eash is an organic dairy farmer in Shipshewana, Indiana. He joins us to talk about the history of his farm, the decision to transition to organic and learning to question what is best for his farm. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by Byron Seeds

    Vermont Maple Syrup with Jacob Powsner

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 67:54


    Jacob Powsner is a 4th generation farmer at Baird Maple Farm in Chittendon, Vermont. Jacob joins us to talk about the history of the farm, the landscape of the maple industry, producing certified organic maple syrup and how advances in technology have helped him improve the operation. Rooted In Organic is sponsored by Byron Seeds

    Community Assisting Local Farmers (CALF) with Leon Mast and Ross Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 58:17


    Leon Mast, dairy farmer in La Grange, Indiana and chair of the CALF committee, and Ross Smith, Regional Manager for CROPP Cooperative and advisor to the CALF Committee, join us to talk about their experiences starting an advisory group for start-up farmers, some common mistakes they see when working with those farmers and the varied ways they've seen success. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by Byron Seeds

    Back on the Farm with Eric Beiler

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 56:46


    Eric Beiler is a dairy farmer in upstate New York. He joins us to talk about his path to having his own farm, what he learned in his years working for other farmers and considerations to transitioning to organic production. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Certified Organic with Mark Seeley

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 65:33


    Mark Seeley is the founder and executive director of OnMark Certification Services, a USDA accredited organic certification agency. Mark joins us to talk about the reasons and steps behind starting a certification agency, what the steps are to become certified organic and some of the lessons learned through his experience in the industry. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Views on Health with Dr Theron Hutton

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2024 79:42


    Dr Theron Hutton is the founder and medical director at Mulberry Clinics in Tennessee. He joins us again for further discussion on how food and lifestyle impacts overall health, his experiences helping patients with health problems and some of his views on the current medical industry. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Developing Farmers with Daniel Salatin

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2024 55:30


    Daniel Salatin is the Operations Manager at Polyface Farms in Swoope, VA. He joins us to talk about the day to day operations at Polyface, leading the program to develop the skills of new farmers and what he's learned through experience as a hands on farmer. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics

    Suburban Sodbusting with Monty Schrunk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 74:36


    Monty Schrunk is a natural beekeeper and organic gardener in Affton, MO. He joins us to share how he got into beekeeping, best ways to catch a swarm of bees in an urban environment and the different types of hives to keep bees. Monty is known as the Suburban Sodbuster and can be found on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds

    A Farm That Feeds Us with Shawn and Beth Dougherty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 69:59


    Shawn and Beth Dougherty have been farming in Toronto, Ohio since the 1980's. They join us to talk about finding their farm, learning how to build soils through rotational grazing and learning to manage their farm with as few off-farm inputs as possible. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Starting From Scratch with The Saylor's

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 65:07


    Troy and Erin Saylor run Earth Rich Acres and Earth Rich Wellness in Urbana, OH. They join us to talk about their own journey to learning the value of healthy food, the learning curve of producing that food themselves and now teaching those lessons learned to others. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Learning By Living with Rory Feek

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 42:21


    Rory Feek is a country music artist and homesteader in Columbia, TN. He joins us to talk about his journey from a trailer park in Kansas to a farm in Tennessee. He also talks about the upcoming Homestead Festival which takes place June 7-8 on Rory's farm in Columbia. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by Byron Seeds, SoilBiotics and Farming Magazine.

    Maintaining Community with Jerry D Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2024 49:36


    Jerry D Miller is a organic dairy farmer from Millersburg, OH. He joins us to talk about the Plain Community, how technology impacts maintaining community and how a sense of community is passed to others. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Reasons to Go Organic with Gregory Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024 60:30


    Gregory Smith is the owner of Smith's Farm and Ranch in Tuskegee, AL. He joins us to talk about growing up loving to farm, trying to find his way back to agriculture and the experiences that drove him to go organic. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Rebuilding Community with Will Harris

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2024 70:29


    Will Harris is the owner of White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, GA. He joins us to talk about the history of his farm, the pros and cons of doing things differently and the generational changes and benefits he sees on his farm. This episode is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Agriculture At Home and Abroad with Lloyd Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2023 52:06


    Lloyd Miller is a 100% grassfed organic dairy farmer in Millersburg, OH. He joins us to talk about being one of the leaders of the grazing movement in Ohio, transitioning to 100% grassfed and his families experience teaching agriculture in England. Rooted In Organic is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    The Permaculture Orchard with Stefan Sobkowiak

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2023 66:50


    Stefan Sobkowiak is a permaculture educator and the owner of Miracle Farms outside of Montreal, Canada. He joins us to talk about his learning journey from running a monoculture orchard to a "grocery store style" permaculture orchard, the mistakes that led him to where he's at today and how he markets his product to his customers. Stefan's YouTube channel can be found here. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Reminiscing with Wes Jackson and David Kline

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2023 74:11


    This is a re-release of our 10th episode with Wes Jackson and David Kline. Wes talked to us about the development of Kernza at The Land Institute and other sustainable farming practices. Rooted In Organic Podcast is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Back To The Roots Joins Rooted In Organic Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2023 28:54


    We are now Rooted In Organic Podcast! Not to confuse everybody but our first guest under the new name is Back To The Roots. Back To The Roots produces indoor and outdoor gardening supplies that are 100% organic. Co-founder and Co-CEO Alejandro Velez joins us to talk about his journey into gardening and organic, the background of his company and how they've grown over the years. Rooted In Organic is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Pioneer of Organic Dairy with Jim Wedeberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2023 61:06


    Jim Wedeberg is a dairy farmer and one of the original seven farmers that developed CROPP Cooperative in La Farge, WI. He joins us to talk about those early days, the development of the organic dairy standards and philosphies behind creating a farmer-owned cooperative. Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Organic Bananas with Daniella Valazquez de Leon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 54:40


    Dani Valazquez de Leon is the General Manager at Organics Unlimited in San Diego, CA. She is the fourth generation of her family to be in the banana business. Dani joins us to talk all things organic bananas- farming practices, marketing, supply chain and supporting communities where they're grown. Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Ode to Dr Paul Dettloff

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 105:18


    Today we're re-releasing our 2018 episode with Dr Paul in his honor. Dr Paul passed away on July 7, 2023 and will be sorely missed. Here is his obituary. Dr Paul helped build the organic movement and was a friend to all. Thank you Dr Paul for everything you did. We'll be back next week with a another new epidsode.

    Four Generations of Farming in Washington with the Mallonee's

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2023 60:44


    Maynard and Jack Mallonee of Curtis, WA are the third and fourth generation of dairy farmers in southwest Washington. They sit down with us to talk about the history of their farm, working together to transfer the farm and some of the intricacies of farming in the state of Washington. Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Organic (Policy) Always and Forever with Mike Dill

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2023 66:20


    Mike Dill is the Manager of Policy and Advocacy at Organically Grown Company in Oregon. He sits down with us to talk about the history of Organically Grown Company, his journey into his current role working with organic promotion and protection and what some of the hot topics are in the world of organics. This episode is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.  

    Sequestering Carbon at Neutral Foods

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2023 68:47


    In honor of Earth Day on April 22 we're joined by Ann Radil and Jake Schmitz of Neutral Foods. They discuss how the company was started, how they work with farmers on carbon reduction practices and Neutral's vision for how farming can improve the climate. This episode is sponsored by SoilBiotics, Byron Seeds and Neutral Foods.

    Grass, Trees and Cows with Jon and Ross Bansen

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2023 86:03


    Jon and Ross Bansen run Double J Jerseys dairy farm in Monmouth, Oregon. They join us to talk about learning over the years, being willing to change as they learn more and the different projects they're implementing including direct marketing and silvopasture. This episode is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Nancy's: Proof Is In the Yogurt

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2023 56:09


    Sue Kesey is the co-founder of Nancy's Probiotic Foods in Eugene, OR and Cheryl Kesey-Thompson is a second generation co-owner. They join us to discuss how the creamery got its start, their passion for making yogurt and other cultured dairy products, struggling through the hard times of a growing business and the unique ideas they had to get through. This episode is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Managing 2000 Organic Cows at Forest Glen Jerseys

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 62:47


    Robert and Stuart Kircher are the farm and crop managers at Forest Glen Jerseys in Dayton, OR. They sit down to talk about how the farm has grown over the years, the logistics of grazing 2000 cows and managing 3000 acres of crops. This episode is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Doing Things A Little Different with David Hershberger

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2022 53:00


    David Hershberger is an organic dairy farmer from Fredericksburg, OH. He joins us to talk about his unconventional road into organic farming, what new practices he's been able to implement over the years and the lessons learned along the way. Back to the Roots is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Thriving Farms with Edwin Blosser

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 48:52


    Edwin Blosser is the owner of Midwest Bio Systems which makes Aeromaster composting equipment as well as provides education and reccomendations to farmers. Edwin joins us to discuss his learning curve into regenerative farming, what he's learned through that process and some of his key observations that hold farms back. Back to the Roots is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Functional Medicine with Dr Theron Hutton

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2022 54:17


    Dr Theron Hutton is the founder of Mulberry Clinic in Spring Hill, TN. He joins us to talk about learning how conventional medicine works and how that has shaped building a practice with a focus on his patients and lifestyle changes that could be most beneficial to their health. Back to the Roots is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Value Adding to Agriculture with Justin Rhodes

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 64:36


    Justin Rhodes, permaculturalist, author and social media presence joins to talk about his journey into agriculture, turning that lifestyle into a vlog and paths to earn extra income as a farmer. (Episode Note- Our SD card filled up part way through our conversation with Justin so there is a pause about half way through before we resumed recording) Justin can be found on YouTube as well at his companies website, Abundant Permaculture. Back to the Roots is sponsored by SoilBiotics and Byron Seeds.

    Organic Market Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2022 27:18


    Ryan Koory, Vice President of Economics at Mercaris, joins to give the latest updates from the organic marketplace. Topics discussed: -Soybean Harvet and Trade Update -Corn Harvest and Pricing Sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics

    Skincare and Health with Emilie Toups

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2022 39:45


    Emilie Toups is the owner of Toups & Co Organics which uses grassfed beef tallow as a base for many of their skincare products. She joins us to talk about why tallow, how the food we eat impacts our skin and starting a business based around these philosphies. Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.  

    Lunatic Farmer Joel Salatin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2022 75:44


    Joel Salatin is the owner of Polyface Farm in Virginia and known around the world for his advocacy of local, sustainable and regenerative agriculture. He joins us to talk about his path into farming, outlook on agriculture and advice to current and future farmers. Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Spreading Seeds with Rory Feek

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2022 22:39


    Rory Feek is musician and songwriter as well as a homesteader in Columbia, TN. He sits down with us to tell his story of why he got into growing his own food as well as why he decided to host the Homestead Festival on his farm. Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics

    California Farming with The McClelland's

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2022 84:14


    George McClelland of McClelland Dairy and Jolynn McClelland of Robert McClelland Dairy, both in Petaluma, CA, join us to talk about how they got started in the dairy business, the opportunity to go organic, how they graze 1000 cows and the hardships of farming in California. Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics.

    Organic Market Update

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2022 23:11


    Ryan Koory, Vice President of Economics at Mercaris, joins to give the latest updates from the organic marketplace. Topics discussed: -2022 Early Planting Trends -Organic Soybean and Corn markets -Organic Grain Imports Sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics

    Fun and Farming with Tim and Emily Zweber

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2022 79:31


    Zweber Farms is located in Elko, MN where they (and their farm goat) have a 100% grassfed dairy herd as well as direct market beef, pork, chicken and eggs. Tim and Emily join us to talk about their operation, how they've built up the direct marketing side and taking time for hobbies away from the farm. How to order meat as well as their blog with recipes is at https://zweberfarms.com/ Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds, SoilBiotics and Elite Equine and Farm Supply.

    Beekeeping Without Treatments with Kirk Webster

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2022 75:31


    Kirk Webster of Middlebury, VT, is a beekeeper who has developed his own system to raise bees without any treatments of pesticides. He joins us to talk about what he does and how an overhaul in all agriculture towards organic management practices can and should be done. He can be contacted at https://kirkwebster.com/contact-info/ Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds, SoilBiotics and Elite Equine and Farm Supply.

    Learning Through Humility with Klaas Martens

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2022 57:28


    Klaas Martens is an organic Farmer from Penn Yan, NY. He and his wife, Mary farm 2000 acres as well as run Lakeview Organic Grains. Klaas sits down with us to share his journey into organics and how he learned to start asking the right questions. Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds, SoilBiotics and Elite Equine and Farm Supply

    Peace and Patience Through Farming with Tai Lopez

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2022 53:56


    Tai Lopez is best known as an investor and entrepreneur as well as for his social media presence. What might be less known, but of great interest to us, is that he has also put some of his money where his mouth is and operates several farms using regenerative farming principles. He joins us to talk about his learning journey in agriculture and how it has applied to the rest of his life. Tai can be found on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube Back to the Roots is sponsored by Byron Seeds, SoilBiotics and Elite Equine and Farm Supply  

    December 2021 Organic Market Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2021 22:24


    Ryan Koory, Vice President of Economics at Mercaris, joins to give the latest updates from the organic marketplace. Topics discussed: Fertilizer shortages 2022 Crop Planning Outlook Organic grain supply and pricing Sponsored by Byron Seeds and Mercaris

    2021 Regional Farmer Year in Review Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2021 53:36


    Abbie Corse (Whitingham, VT), Ann Miller (Fredericksburg, OH), Melissa Weyland (Neenah, WI) and Jolynn McClelland (Petaluma, CA) join to give an overview of their farming year. They share some highlights and lowlights of the year and share advice for each other. Thanks to Abbie, Ann, Melissa and Jolynn for their time! Sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics

    Evening With an Amish Farmer: Ivan Troyer

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2021 63:41


    Ivan Troyer is an organic dairy farmer in Fredericksburg, OH. He sits down with us to talk about how he got into dairy, learning from his peers and how the next generation of dairy farmers can survive. Here is a link to the video referenced, Weekend with an Amish Farmer: https://youtu.be/Ex4d9LwmpvM Sponsored by Byron Seeds

    November 2021 Organic Market Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2021 31:03


    Rob Wallbridge, Agronomist with SureSource Commodities and Ryan Koory, Vice President of Economics, join to give the latest updates from the field and organic marketplace. Topics discussed: 2021 Harvest update Fall crop progress India tariff and certification decisions Organic grain pricing Sponsored by Byron Seeds and Mercaris

    2021 Regional Farmer Year in Review Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2021 70:41


    Eric Beiler (New York), Marlin Eash (Indiana), Corby Groen (Washington/Wisconsin) and Chris Hoffner (North Carolina) give an overview of their farming year. They share the positives and negatives, ask questions of each other and give some goals they're working towards next year. Thanks to Eric, Marlin, Corby and Chris for their time in 2021! We'll have part 2 with Ann, Melissa, Jolynn and Abbie in December. Sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics

    It Started With Wanting To Take A Trip: Mary Hostetler of Sweetwater Farms

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 57:46


    Mary Hostetler and her husband, Bert, run Sweetwater Farm in Sugarcreek, OH. Mary joins us to share how the farm market got started, their growing practices and how the customers shape their business. This episode is sponsored by Byron Seeds

    October 2021 Organic Market Update

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2021 26:34


    Ryan Koory, Vice President of Economics at Mercaris, and Rob Wallbridge, Agronomist with SureSource Commodities, join to give the latest updates from the organic marketplace and the field. Topics discussed: Outlook for organic corn market 2021 Harvest progress Ripple effects of fertilizer shortages Sponsored by Byron Seeds and Mercaris

    October 2021 Regional Farmer Updates

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2021 41:30


    Regional updates from the farm by: Ann Miller (Fredericksburg, OH) Melissa Weyland (Neenah, WI) Jolynn McClelland (Petaluma, CA) Abbie Corse (Whitingham, VT) We will feature these four women in ag every other month to give updates from their farms. Sponsored by Byron Seeds and SoilBiotics

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