Farm Chica

In this deeply personal episode, Renée shares the tender farewell to Farm Chica, a podcast that blossomed from love, culture, and a life shared with Jason Riley. With honesty and heartbreak, she reflects on how grief has reshaped her creative spirit and why it's time to let go at least for now. This isn't just an ending it's an honoring. Of love. Of loss. Of growth.If you've ever had to say goodbye to something that once brought you joy, this episode is for you.

Everything tomato-related, from growing the perfect garden-fresh tomatoes to harvesting them at their peak and incorporating them into delicious, simple recipes. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting your hands dirty, you'll find expert tips, creative ideas, and a passion for fresh, homegrown flavors. Tune in to discover how to make the most of your tomato bounty, one juicy episode at a time! 

I explore the intriguing world of the Goumi berry, a little-known fruit with a rich history stretching back to ancient times. Discover the unique characteristics and benefits of this versatile shrub, and learn how it can be a valuable addition to your garden and diet. Tune in for a delightful journey through the fascinating story of the Goumi berry! 

Why make cheese at home? For starters, homemade cheese allows you to control the ingredients and ensure the highest quality. It's a great way to avoid preservatives and artificial additives found in many store-bought cheeses. Moreover, cheesemaking is a rewarding and educational process that connects us to ancient food traditions. Making cheese at home isn't just important; it's also incredibly fun! There's a unique joy in watching milk transform through different stages, from curds to a finished wheel of cheese. 

Welcome to 'Buzzworthy Basics,'  as I delve into the fascinating world of beekeeping, offering practical tips, expert insights, and step-by-step guidance to help you embark on your beekeeping journey with confidence. From setting up your first hive to harvesting honey, I've got you covered.

Dive into the captivating world of wasabi with this  podcast, where we unravel the rich history behind this elusive vegetable. From its ancient roots in Japan to the secrets of cultivating it, we explore the untold stories of wasabi's journey, shedding light on why this fiery condiment deserves a spotlight in culinary appreciation.

Fruit pruning is a proactive and strategic practice that contributes to the overall health, productivity, and longevity of fruit trees. It involves a combination of art and science, with the goal of optimizing the tree's structure and promoting conditions conducive to bountiful and high-quality fruit production.

Aronia berries are the most nutritionally dense fruits in the world and packed with antioxidants and polyphenols. Research has shown that aronia berries can help with immune system function and an overall health food.Learn how you can begin growing your own and why they are so important in North America.

Once banned in American for posing a threat to the White Pine tree, learn about an awesome bush that provides grape-like berries for many years.

Growing vertically maximizes space, provides shade and limits rot and pests. Now what if you could grow edible vines to be both ornamental and used for culinary delights? Well, it is about damn thyme you add these to your farm, homestead or backyard!

Composting is a traditional form of adding nutrients to your soil to produce more nutritional plants. Learn how to compost your food scraps to reduce your waste and decrease green house gases.

Cider is a historic way of preserving apples, quince and other fruit that produces a boozy, delicious beverage. I discuss its history and an easy-to-do at home recipes for your own brew.

Maypops AKA Passionflowers have a wonderful history in the US, however it has fallen out of favor with commercial agricultural practices. Maypops are seeing a revival and learn about how you can help with its resurgence. 

Pickling is one of the oldest forms of food preservation. I will share its history and my tips for making the crunchiest pickles. Beyond cucumbers, you can pickle almost anything. These recipes won me multiple blue ribbons from the New Mexico State Fair and the Lane County Fair. Try pickling quail or chicken eggs too because this recipe is amazing!

Horseradish has a a long history of medicinal and culinary uses. Join me as I share some simple tips on growing, harvesting and making your own prepared horseradish sauce.

How do you like to eat rhubarb? Why not add this perennial plant to your garden, farm or homestead. My favorite way to eat this yummy stalk vegetable is combine with strawberries and sugar baked in a sweet pie crust. 

A non-political approach to living sustainably every day. Most people can't afford to go solar or use alternative energy sources, but we all with small acts can be more eco-friendly.

Look no feather because I have dedicated this episode to my favorite water fowl, the duck. Join me as I share how to raise ducks for meat and egg production. Adding a flock of ducks to your farm, homestead or backyard has never been easier and more sustainable.

“Of all the flowers, methinks a rose is best.” ~ William ShakespeareLearn about an ancient fruit that has the most beloved of other flowers, the rose. I'll share information on nature's fruit with the highest Vitamin C concentration and ideas on preserving and eating.

Join me as a I discuss Jerusalem Artichokes, which neither are an "artichoke" or originated from Jerusalem.  This tuber is a great addition to your nutrition and backyard, farm or homestead.

Join me as I share some information about the mysterious, medieval fruit...the medlar. You will be impressed and understand why Shakespeare saw the Medlar fruit as beautiful and sexual. I will share some tips on growing your own and what you can cook and bake. Trust me, this is a fruit that needs to be in everyone's diet.

Join me as I share some tips for growing and enjoying persimmons. These late autumn fruit are great additions to your farm, homestead or backyard.

Join me as I share tips for raising your own turkeys for those holiday feasts. I promise raising your own meat tastes better than anything you find in a grocery store. It is healthier for the environment and for your family.

Join me as I share secrets of the amazing, unsightly and ugly fruit..quince. 

Native to the Southeastern U.S., muscadines have a rich history and are packed with antioxidants and health benefits. This is the only grape native to America, while all others were imported. Its wine has a bad reputation as being overly sweet, but there is a resurgence in winemaking that honors its history as well as its overall health benefits.

Join me as I talk about how to process all those apples and preserve them for the winter.

Join me as I share recipes and tips for growing my favorite fruit of all time...peaches! Peaches are such a versatile fruit because you can use them in lots of recipes. You can also enjoy them past the harvest season with some of my preservation tips. 

Ever wonder about growing cherry trees or what to do with your harvest. Well Farm Chica has some ideas on how to make some yummy cherry concoctions. After growing cherries and trying some of these recipes, I promise you will be begging for more. Enjoy!!!

Paw Paws have been lost in history as the largest Native American fruit that tastes similar to a banana and mango. It is an amazing fruit that is originally from America. It is slowly making a revival. Learn about raising Paw Paws and adding this historic tree to your property.

Fermentation is not just for making booze, but you can use it to harness the power of lactobacillus with vegetables and fruits. Come learn more about a way to preserve your harvest and improve your health by learning about good bacteria species.

For the culinary enthusiast who want to diversify their spices, you can grow a kitchen herb garden for a fraction of the price of buying in stores. Come learn about some yummy herbs and spices to enhance your culinary adventures.

Spring time means getting your kitchen gardens going. This is a quick overview on how to create a "potager" garden that integrates flowers, vegetables, fruits and herbs in one. Organic and natural is the way to starting with seeds.

Want to learn an easy French cooking method?  Sous Vide translates to under the vacuum and is a great cooking technique to increase flavor and texture. Anywhere from $150-$300 investment will get you all the equipment you need to cook sous vide. I promise you, once you cook sous vide, you will not want anything else.

We have all heard that rabbits like to do the "deed," so why not get the best out of what they are naturally inclined to do? Meat rabbits are extremely easy and inexpensive to raise and there are a ton of yummy recipes that you can add to the dinner table.

Ever wonder about those silly, often annoying, but yet super efficient guineas that are great for pest control? Join me as I discuss everything there is to know about raising guineas on the farm, homestead or backyard (if allowed)!

Once upon a time, humans began to plant and select fruit seeds. Those seeds grew and thousands of years later, fruit trees are everywhere. Those trees grow, blossom and produce delicious fruit. If you pick up a fruit tree at a nursery, bring it home, give it water, sun and love, you will get plenty of fruit. And then the fruit tree was happy that it could feed its owner...THE END

Join Farm Chica as I discuss the history of the superfruit, elderberries. I will share ideas on how to use the flowers and berries in order to harness their healing and medicinal power!

Join me as I talk about perennial vegetables that have been lost to our ancestors and how we can bring them back. I will share the benefits of planting perennial vegetables and fruits to add to your annual crop cycle that will continue to feed you and your family for generations.

Quail eggs are a delicacy across the globe and standard fare in Asia. Have you ever tried a quail egg? They look like chocolate, Easter egg candies instead of the yummy quail eggs that they are. Learn about raising quail on your homestead or in your backyard, an alternative to chickens. Quail are smaller and take up less space than chickens and their eggs are packed with nutrition.

Join me Farm Chica as I journey into the world of homemade deodorant. Homemade deodorant is a thing and Bob Clayton is an expert when it comes to making your own concoction. Sometimes being sustainable means living more simply and be willing to make things instead of buying them from the store.

Ever want to make homemade alcohol, but thought it was too hard? Here is a tutorial on how to ferment your hooch. Your flavor profile will be unique to your brew. It is fun, incredibly easy with a bit of patience and science, you will be on your road to making lots of homemade hooch.

Sourdough starters are ancient and are a traditional way of baking bread. This art of bread baking was lost to commercial yeast and often associated with the Bay Area in California. Come learn about the ins and outs of harnessing wild yeast in your baking. Learn about easy recipes that are great survival and sustainable ways of baking for your family.

Home canning can be intimidating for beginning canners, but it is actually very easy if you follow protocols and recipes. Join Farm Chica as I walk you through the ins and outs of home canning and end with my quick pickle recipe. I also share how to navigate challenges of home canning and prevent canning fails.

If 2020 hasn't demonstrated that prepping is necessary, join me as I share some tips on how to get started preparing for the next disaster. I share insight and thoughts on how to survive the first 72 hours, plus tips for long-term survival planning. Any budget can support prepping, but you need to get started way in advance of a disaster. After completing my Ph.D., I became a prepper mainly to get back to a more simpler lifestyle and with the goal to become more self-reliant and healthy.

As a native New Mexican, born and raised with strong family values and the knack for authentic cooking, while completing my PhD. I found a strong urge to get back to my roots and connection to Mother Nature. Join me as I share my journey into urban farming and homesteading in the 21st century and how 3 chicks changed my lifestyle for the better. I will provide you with easy tips on how to get started with chicks or laying hens. As a full-time professional, I intentionally make time to homestead as a form of therapy, fun and most importantly respect to the Earth.