Modern Farm and Artisan Co-Op Podcast

Official release of the Modern Farm and Artisan Co-Op Podcast trailer, featuring the winner of our theme music contest and southern Utah local, Jake Shepard! This podcast was created as a resource for inspiration and education. Our mission is to connect you to the lives and stories of our local farmers, makers, and educators that all are dedicating themselves to positively and powerfully impact our southern Utah community. Through these stories we hope to connect you to food in an entirely new way, inspire you to possibly start producing your own food, step into a new creative path, and understand the importance of voting with your dollar and strengthening the local economy. We will be launching our first five episodes on March 17th 2020 and will continue to release new episodes every two weeks! Until then, we'll see you at the farmers market! Support this podcast

Meg Nelson is the owner of Circle Moon, a local brand that uses natural dyes and natural fibers to create heirloom quality products. Meg refers to Circle Moon as a process based company and focuses on the idea of slow crafting. One of the key values of her company is using the purest sources possible and keeping it as close to home as possible and she lives these values by using a local pattern maker and local seamstresses for all the sewing. Meg is also working on creating a bee, butterfly and bird garden that will serve a dual purpose in helping the pollinators and other important local species and by producing local dye plants for her products! Support this podcast

Episode two of the Modern Farm and Artisan Co-Op Podcast is an introductory episode for podcast co-host Anna Lytle. Anna, a military veteran and Texas native, moved to Utah with her husband, who is originally from Saint George, about five years ago. After the birth of their daughter, Anna started learning more about the human impact on the environment and it quickly became a passion for her and she began attempting to live as low waste and environmentally conscious as possible. Anna quickly realized that making a positive environmental impact went hand in hand with supporting the local economy by creating connections with local farmers and artisans. Shortly after Anna and Kat met, the idea of the podcast was born in hopes of creating a resource for the southern Utah community to create incredible local connections and support the local economy. Support this podcast

Jaclyn Pace is the founder of DiversiTEACH, a local organization committed to creating meaningful, interactive, educational experiences that celebrate diversity, promote sustainability and foster community in southern Utah. DiversiTEACH hosts free activities for all ages at the West Village Artisans Market on the first Wednesday of every month and at the Downtown Farmers Market at Ancestors Square every Saturday from May-October. In the episode we learn about Jaclyn's background and what formed her educational philosophy and what motivates and inspires her to run DiversiTEACH. Support this podcast

Kat Puzey is the founder of the Modern Farm and Artisan Co-Op. Kat is also the owner of the Downtown Farmers Market in Ancestors Square and of the monthly, year round market at West Village, both of which are in Saint George, Utah. To top it all off, she is co-hosting this podcast. If you are a regular at the markets you probably know Kat and if you are not a regular yet, this is your chance to get to know the woman is transforming the way we support our local economy here in Southern Utah. Support this podcast

In episode 3, we are talking with Robert and Jodi Bronner of Cherith Brook Farms in Enterprise, Utah. They sustainably raise lamb, chicken, and goat and for the first time this year, pig. All their animals are pasture raised and free of synthetic hormones, vaccines and antibiotics and they are able to raise their animals this way because of the careful and loving way that Robert, Jodi and their three kids manage their animals. They tend to the land in a way that heals the earth and creates an incredibly healthy animal protein. In the interview we'll be talking about Robert's background, how he got started raising animals for meat and delve into the why and how he and his family raise their animals in line with the principles of Regenerative Agriculture, as well as get a glimpse of what its like running a family business. We hope you enjoy the conversation and can learn as much as we did!  Support this podcast

In episode 6 we get to know Lauren, the artist and owner behind the creative company, The Doodling Nomad, a brand that offers prints and unique travel-centric stickers. In this interview we learn more about Lauren's background, her Alaskan adventures and how she got started with stickers and then turning it into a full time business. Lauren also gives insight into her creative process and tools she uses to bring her stickers to life! Support this podcast

Due to increased interest in gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to create a bonus episode that will give you some ways to get your garden started! In this bonus episode, podcast co-host Anna goes in to how to start composting, where to place your beds, how to set up your beds, buying seeds and transplants, companion planting and soil amendments. If anyone has questions or would like Anna to go more in detail on other gardening topics in future bonus episodes, send us an email at podcast@mofacoutah.com! Support this podcast

This is part one of our two part interview with Christina and Randy of Christie's Asian Kitchen, part two of the episode will be released on April 28th. This episode is full of cultural insight and transformative discussions about eating and cooking good food! You'll get to know Christina and Randy and learn their stories and what inspires them to create the incredible dishes they share with our community. Support this podcast

Bonus episode #2 is all about how to start your plants from seed! In this episode Anna goes in to detail about the method she uses to start everything from seed as well as some of the common problems people can have when starting out this way. Support this podcast

If you missed part one of this two part interview, you can go back to episode 8 which was released on April 14th. In this part of the interview we discuss what Christina and Randy have learned from starting Christie's Asian Kitchen and their plans for the future! Support this podcast

For this episode we are sharing the conversations that we had with vendors and attendees at the 2020 Utah Farm Conference in Cedar City, Utah back in February. The conference was put on by Red Acre Center and they will be holding the 2021 Utah Farm Conference up in Cedar City again on January 14-16 of next year! Registration for the conference opens up in August so make sure you get your tickets, you wont want to miss it! Support this podcast

Our last interview at the 2020 Utah Farm Conference was with Dale Thurber of Delectation of tomatoes. Dale has a background as an Ecologist and Endangered Species Biologist. He started is own seed company back in 2011 and now is able to run Delectation of Tomatoes full time. Dale is so passionate about working with heirloom varieties of all sorts of plants, but predominately tomatoes. Enjoy the conversation! Support this podcast

First episode since June! We are officially back and will be releasing episodes every two weeks again! In todays episode we talk with Kaydee Emmett of Freckle and Flower Farm in Enterprise, Utah. Kaydee has been selling her incredibly gorgeous and unique floral arrangements at the Downtown Farmers Market for 2 years now and also has a flower truck that she fills up every week outside her home in Enterprise! We learn about how she got interested in growing flowers as well as her favorite varieties, how she preps her beds and the time it takes to grow, harvest and make her beautiful arrangements! Support this podcast

Part one of a two part episode with our local beekeeping couple Brett and Helena, from Washington, UT. What started as a hobby for years ended up becoming their full-time work over two years ago when they started selling at the farmers market. In todays conversation you will gain a glimpse into the challenges of beekeeping and managing 300 hives in an urban environment! Part two will be released on November 3rd Make sure you check out their honey in the Modern Farm and Artisan Co-op at 55 N Main St in downtown Saint George, Utah. Support this podcast

**we leave off right where part one ended so make sure you listen to that one first!** Part two of a two part episode with our local beekeeping couple Brett and Helena, from Washington, UT. What started as a hobby for years ended up becoming their full-time work over two years ago when they started selling at the farmers market. In todays conversation you will gain a glimpse into the challenges of beekeeping and managing 300 hives in an urban environment! Make sure you check out their honey in the Modern Farm and Artisan Co-op at 55 N Main St in downtown Saint George, Utah. Support this podcast

In this episode we talk with Aubree of Desert Roots Apothecary, a local certified herbalist who focuses on using locally grown plants in her medicines. We discuss how she got interested in herbalism, the courses she took and how she uses her herbs. We also carry all of her herbal products in our store in downtown Saint George, Utah! Be sure to check her out on her Instagram as well at Desert.Root.Apothecary to get all the incredible information she shares on there. Support this podcast

In todays episode we talk with Melissa Damms or Melissa Daams art. We learn how she got started crocheting, her time living in the Netherlands, and then how she got into selling her crocheted dolls and animals. You can find her creations at 55 N Main in downtown Saint George or on our mobile market at www.mofacomobile.com Support this podcast

In todays episode we talk with Connie and Steve of Dewey's Dog Treats. They make handmade, homemade gourmet dog treats with human grade ingredients. We talk about how they got started making treats, their favorite parts about it, and also working with local rescues. We also learn about their dog Dewey who started it all! Support this podcast

We officially released season one of the podcast on March 17th 2020, but began recording episodes in December 2019. Its safe to say a lot has happened this past year so we decided to kick off season two, talking about it all! Kat talks about switching to an online farmers market, continuing the online option, and then transitioning to opening a brick and mortar in downtown Saint George, as well as some behind the scenes details about what goes into to making the store happen. We also talk about MoFACo starting an incubator/community farm space and what is happening with that! Support this podcast

In episode two of our second season, we talk with Kierstin Madsen of MPE Designs. Kierstin is an artists with many skills and talents including metal work, painting, jewelry making, sewing, etc. We discuss her background, her philosophy, and a learn about her artistic process. You can find her work at our brick and mortar in downtown Saint George, Utah at 55 N Main. Support this podcast

In todays episode we talk with Gerri of Sunshyne Ceramics. Gerri is a St George native and studied at Dixie and Utah State. We learn about some of the challenges she faced in school and also about her artistic process and inspiration. Gerri has a really fun story, so we hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. Support this podcast

In todays episode we chat with MoFACo's Community Partner, 6Bit Creative, the brother sister duo of Brian Jensen and Alicia Lockwood. If you have been in the store, you have seen their set up in the back of our shared business space. They have been with MoFACo from the beginning and designed the logo, 3D renderings for the building, and have helped with the logo and business branding for vendors in the Co-Op. Learn each of their stories, their unique partnership, as well as all of the amazing services they can offer you! Support this podcast

In todays episode we talk with Julianne Skinner of Neon Arts, mother of twins who only started painting about 5 years ago. We talk about her unique style, why she uses a pallet knife for her artwork instead of traditional paint brushes, how her style has evolved, how she finds inspiration and the mom-work life balance. You can find her work in MoFACo at 55 N Main St in downtown Saint George, Utah! Support this podcast

In todays episode we talk with Lynne, the daughter of Anja Maki who is the artists behind all the work that Lynne sells. We learn about Anja's life and Lynne's background and what inspired Lynne to get her mothers artwork into the world. She uses the profits from her mothers work to give free art kits to kids, as well as adults, to inspire them to paint what smiles at them and spread the joy her mother felt when painting our beautiful world! Support this podcast

In this episode we interview Todd and Lucy Duke, the hilarious couple behind Lazy 3 Leather Company. In this episode they tell us about getting started, struggles within the industry, what to look for when purchasing leather goods, and so much more! Support this podcast