The Redeeming the Dirt Podcast

Send us a textWhat happens when churches embrace agriculture as ministry? Frank Sindler, Executive Director of Equipping Farmers International, reveals how biblical farming principles are transforming both landscapes and lives across the Global South.The numbers tell a striking story: approximately 70-80% of Christians in developing nations are farmers, yet for decades, mission efforts have overlooked this crucial aspect of discipleship. While churches planted throughout Africa, Asia, and Latin America continue growing rapidly, many struggle with chronic food insecurity and dependence on Western funding. This disconnect between faith and farming has limited the church's ability to demonstrate Christ's redemptive power in tangible ways.Frank shares remarkable stories of transformation from multiple countries where EFI works. Farmers implementing conservation agriculture principles consistently see four to five-fold yield increases in their very first growing season—without expensive inputs. These dramatic improvements enable families to pay for education and healthcare while empowering local churches to fund their own ministry initiatives. In Liberia, one church network is already on track to replace half its outside funding with local agricultural revenue.Perhaps most surprising is the evangelistic impact. Without explicit proselytizing, these farming programs consistently lead to conversions among Muslims, Hindus, and adherents of traditional religions. As Frank explains, "Creation is like a doorway into God's heart." When people witness barren soil transformed into abundance through principles that honor the Creator's design, they naturally encounter the God behind those principles. Even an 85-year-old lifelong Christian described the training as "life-changing."The implications for global mission strategy are profound. As tens of millions come to faith in previously unreached regions, agricultural discipleship offers a sustainable pathway forward, unlocking local resources that far exceed what external support could provide. It challenges our compartmentalized thinking that separates "sacred" from "secular" activities, demonstrating that Christ's redemption extends to our relationship with creation itself.Ready to get involved? Visit www.efi-intl.org to learn about training opportunities, internships, and how your financial support can equip farmers to feed both bodies and souls.https://www.efi-intl.org/giving/https://www.efi-intl.org/get-involved/Support the show

Send us a textStep into the rich soil of discipleship as we explore the profound connections between farming and the Great Commission with Curtis Sergeant, a discipleship multiplication expert whose methods have catalyzed movements resulting in millions of believers and churches worldwide.Curtis shares his remarkable journey from an unreached island in China to establishing a training center that has equipped disciple-makers in 174 countries. The key? A simple, reproducible approach that mirrors agricultural principles—where multiplication is the natural outcome of healthy growth.For those called to agriculture, this conversation reveals that your vocation isn't separate from discipleship but divinely designed for it. Genesis shows us that tending the earth was God's original intention for humanity before the Fall. Every agricultural principle—sowing and reaping, pruning for growth, patience in waiting for harvest, dependence on God for rain—parallels spiritual truths that make the gospel tangible and visible.The "three-thirds process" Curtis teaches focuses on obedience rather than mere knowledge, equipping believers to spiritually self-feed, foster authentic community, and pass these skills to others through a training cycle of modeling, assisting, watching, and leaving. This approach has proven effective across cultures and contexts.Whether you're a professional farmer, homesteader, or backyard gardener, your agricultural calling provides unique opportunities to demonstrate the gospel holistically by addressing our broken relationships with God, self, others, and creation. As you steward the land, you're positioned to steward souls as well, participating in both temporal and eternal harvests.Ready to see your farm or garden become fertile ground for discipleship? Discover practical tools and approaches that will help you integrate the Great Commission into your agricultural calling. The fields truly are white for harvest—in more ways than one.Key Take-aways:• Discipleship means teaching obedience to Christ's commands, not just sharing information• The "three-thirds process" focuses on accountability, hearing from God, and application• Agriculture is a divine calling established before the Fall, not just a profession• Farming provides natural illustrations of spiritual principles like sowing, reaping, and patience• Effective disciple-making requires multiplication, just as seeds produce abundant harvests• Sharing the gospel with farmers can begin with the Garden of Eden narrative• Agricultural stewardship helps restore our broken relationship with creation• Simple tools like Zume training and The Only One book can equip anyone to make disciplesCheck out Curtis's resources at TheOnlyOneBook.com, Zume.training, and ObeyGC2.com to learn more about multiplying discipleship in your context.To access the after-show join Redeeming the Dirt Academy! www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com Support the show

Send us a textEmbrace a radical shift in your gardening approach as we dive deep into the concept of no-till gardening! This episode illuminates how you can cultivate a flourishing garden without the use of a tiller. Listeners will meet Johann, a seasoned farmer with extensive experience from Malawi, who shares invaluable insights on the significance of soil life and encouraging sustainable practices that honor God's creation.Explore the challenges and rewards of preparing your garden plot with minimal disturbance to the earth. We discuss the importance of understanding the delicate ecosystems beneath our feet, focusing on the myriad living organisms God created to contribute to a thriving environment. By incorporating mulching and organic matter into our gardening practices, we can foster healthier soil that yields bounteous crops.Join us as we debunk common misconceptions about tilling and redefine what it means to cultivate the earth with respect and care. This conversation not only highlights practical gardening techniques but also frames them within a biblical worldview of stewardship and responsibility. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting, this episode offers pearls of wisdom that can change how you approach your plot. Don't miss the opportunity to learn how to work with God's creation as a steward, rather than suffer the consequences of abusing it. Tune in and discover how to keep redeeming the dirt! Be sure to check out the links and resources in the show notes below for further learning and inspiration.Click here to download my free no-till gardening checklist! Here are some videos by Johann:Beautiful CropFoundations for Farming StoryFurther Resources for Planting a Garden without a Tiller:Redeeming the Dirt AcademyThe Well-Watered Garden HandbookFree PDF DownloadOn AmazonSupport the show

Send us a textIn this episode of the Redeeming the Dirt Podcast, we explore the important connection between agriculture and a Christian worldview, discussing how biblical principles can inform and transform farming practices. You will hear insights from Micah Humphreys, a professor at the College of the Ozarks, emphasizing stewardship and the role of faith in nurturing God's creation while encouraging listeners to engage in agriculture with hearts of humility and obedience to God.In our conversation we cover topics like:• Understanding the necessity of a Christian worldview in agriculture • The role of stewardship in reflecting our faith in farming practices • Insights from Micah Humphreys on education in agricultural perspectives • The relationship between daily farming tasks and worshipful living • Encouraging biblical thinking about different farming methods • The importance of storytelling in shaping our agricultural worldview • Navigating the tension of farming in a post-fall world with hope and humility • Practical ways to integrate faith into agriculture and decision-making • The significance of prayer and seeking God's guidance in farming practicesA powerful reminder from this episode is the importance of storytelling in shaping our worldview. Just as the world narrates its version of history, we, as Christians, have a narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration—one that is distinctly crafted by the gospel. This overarching story provides context and purpose to our lives, fostering a deeper appreciation for the land that we cultivate.Links:College of the Ozarkshttps://www.cofo.edu/Affiliate Book Links:Born-Again Dirt, Farming to the Glory of God by Noah SandersWell-Watered Garden Handbook by Noah SandersPollution and the Death of Man by Francis SchaefferWhere Garden Meets Wilderness by Calvin BeisnerSupport the show

Send us a textWhat if faith in Jesus could transform your everyday routines and responsibilities? This episode of the Redeeming the Dirt podcast challenges you to rethink how your Christian beliefs can permeate all aspects of life, especially in agriculture. Join me, Noah Sanders, as we unpack the concept of missional stewardship—where faith meets practical living. Discover how the biblical call to stewardship and discipleship can not only redeem our relationship with Creation but also reflect a life of surrender and purpose that glorifies God.Explore how living as a missional steward isn't just about rule-following; it's an invitation to embody faith in daily actions. From the Apostle Paul's example of a quiet, productive life to practical initiatives like Foundations for Farming, Farming God's Way, and Equipping Farmers International, we illustrate how faithfulness in the ordinary things of life can lead to extraordinary impacts. Learn how these approaches empower individuals to reduce poverty and dependency while showcasing a heart grounded in God's wisdom rather than man's.We'll also discuss the power of integrating faith with farming, creating missional opportunities for discipleship in community development. Resources like the Well-Watered Garden Handbook and Redeeming the Dirt Academy offer practical guidance for those eager to engage in faith-based outreach. Whether you're cultivating a garden or a relationship, this episode encourages you to embrace your role in spreading God's kingdom, using your gifts purposefully to make a lasting impact.Support the show

Food and farming matters to God because they are part of his design and creation and impact the life and health of every person on earth. But Satan also cares, because the control of food and farming brings opportunities and power for his agenda of death, theft, and slavery. As we seek to be faithful to steward the land and serve others, it is important that we understand the battle we live in so we can accurately walk in truth and live effective lives. In this episode I talk with filmmaker and speaker Curtis Bowers about the dangers we face in this day and age,  the joy of walking in radical obedience to God, and the opportunities we have as Christian land stewards. I highly recommend that you check out Curtis' resources and consider subscribing to his weekly newsletter. https://agendaweekly.com/ If you would like to support the show please visit: https://redeemingthedirt.com/support/ Support the show

As we seek to follow God, even in stewarding the land, we must be motivated by faith in his wisdom and guidance. Many people are feeling called to build 'ark' homesteads as a protection against times of judgement and difficulty. Sometimes it can be discouraging and be easy to second guess what we are doing, but we must always return to acting in faith, even when it seems foolish. The roles people are called to may be different, and not everyone is called to 'build an ark', but we must persevere in faith and faithfulness in whatever part God has given us in building his Kingdom. In this podcast episode I share some of my recent thoughts and encouragements that I hope will be a blessing. Support the show

In the United States most of us receive our daily necessities of food, water, energy, shelter and sanitation from the 'grid', a complex system of production and distribution. This grid is a historically unprecedented economic system that is characterized by specialization, centralization, complication, and communication. It is incredible in its ability to create and supply a wide range of services and products. However, it also creates a society of consumers who don't need many practical skills or relationships with local people. Many of us would likely die if the fragility of the 'grid' resulted in its total or partial collapse if the conditions of peace and stability it relies on disappears. But even if it doesn't collapse, the benefits of decreasing dependency on that grid can help us create families and communities that experience greater freedom and health. In this podcast episode I talk with Kemble Hildreth of Acorn Land Labs about practical thoughts and simple solutions for decreasing our dependency on unhealthy, vulnerable industrial systems. "Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,“Come out of her, my people,    lest you take part in her sins,lest you share in her plagues."Revelation 18:4 ESVLinks:https://shop.liveoakcs.com/pages/acorn-land-labTo support the Show go to www.redeemingthedirt.com/supportSupport the show

We live in an age where the family is viewed primarily as a unit of consumption. Families consume entertainment together, take vacations together, eat out together, and buy gifts for each other on birthdays and holidays. And these are great things to do together. But historically and biblically families were also productive and worked together to create valuable products and services through family households, homesteads, businesses and farms. Families that worked together with a common desire to serve others had unity and were at the foundation of healthy economies.  For many of us one of the attractions of agriculture is the ability to do meaningful work together with the people that we love most in life: our family.  Fewer and fewer jobs today allow for the participation of multiple ages and generations and agriculture is a space particularly suited for building and investing in relationships. And while this is the intention for many of us, the reality of learning to do this on a daily basis while coming from a culture of fragmentation, efficiency, and production can be challenging. In this episode I speak with Rory Groves, author of the book Durable Trades, about the blessing and challenge of learning to be productive families that work as a team as we learn to listen to and follow Jesus together. Rory's Book Durable Trades: https://a.co/d/8uENOz3Upcoming Agricultural and Discipleship Training: https://redeemingthedirt.com/training/Lamplighter Guild Horticulture Course: https://themastersguild.net/summerguildSupport the show

The new opportunities and potential of artificial intelligence are making waves in the digital world even as many of us are busy working in our gardens in the world of nature. We can ignore AI tools like ChatGPT, but they will impact our families and farms directly or indirectly whether we like it or not, the same way the internet and cell phones have. It is important that we understand the technology,  it's ramifications, and intentionally engage or disengage from it so that we avoid negative consequences and view it as the powerful tool that it is. My friend, Kevin, joins me on the show today to discuss how we as Christians should view any new technology like this and how we should respond to it. The AI generated picture that he created for a project with his boys is the artwork for this episode. Pretty crazy. Support the show at www.redeemingthedirt.com/supportSupport the show

It can be exciting to think about using gardens to serve and teach people in our community. But it can also be daunting. The good news is that we aren't designed to do it alone! In this episode I do a panel interview with members of the leadership team of the Well-Watered Gardens of Johnson County . They have created a wonderful model of collaborating with local organizations, volunteers, and churches to impact their community through a half dozen Well-Watered Gardens. I hope that their story will inspire you to gather your own team! You can check out their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/The-Well-Watered-Gardens-of-Johnson-County-104591021242781You can download the free Well-Watered Garden Handbook at www.wellwateredgardenproject.orgIf you are interested in our May 2023 In-Depth Training you can use this link to learn more info. https://redeemingthedirt.regfox.com/foundations-for-farming-training-for-trainers-may-2023To find out about other upcoming trainings go to www.redeemingthedirt.com/trainingTo support the show go to https://redeemingthedirt.com/support/Support the show

In 2021 Scott and Beth Sherman were sent by their pastor to a Foundations for Farming training where they learned about the Well-Watered Garden Project. After returning to their church in Naples, Florida they started a church community garden where they have trained over 200 people to 'Garden God's Way'. As a result they have created a vibrant community, grown the church, and introduced people to Jesus for the first time. Imagine what it would be like if churches all over the country were able to start similar projects? To learn more about the Well-Watered Garden Project go to www.wellwateredgardenproject.orgTo support the show go to www.redeemingthedirt.com/supportSupport the show

Does agriculture have a place in ministering to and helping the poor and marginalized in developed nations? In this interview I speak with Nick and Anna Heasman, whose family has been using gardening to work with long-term unemployed people. They have a vision and calling to implement the principles of Foundations for Farming in the UK and we get to hear some of the amazing journey God has them on. Support the show at www.redeemingthedirt.com/supportSupport the show

Does the lifestyle that we lead really matter as a Christian? How can we be good stewards not only in agriculture, but in the choices we make as consumers? In this episode I talk with Sarah and Nelson Phero about their journey in starting Hospitality Spring Farm and how their lifestyle has enabled them to share Christ with their community and people from abroad. You can purchase Sarah's book, Stewards of the Earth: A Call to More Sustainable Living at the following link. https://www.hospitalityspringfarm.com/hospitality-spring-publications/You can learn more about their farm at:www.hospitalityspringfarm.comSupport the Redeeming the Dirt Podcast at https://redeemingthedirt.com/support/Support the show

As many of us look to grow some of our own food in these times of threatening food shortages, energy often comes up on our radar as something else we depend on. In this episode of the Redeeming the Dirt Podcast Noah speaks with Jack Dody who has been living off-grid and helping others design off-grid systems around the world for decades. Jack shares practical advice and tips on real world systems and helps us recognize the importance of Christian community for true resilience. Check out Jack Dody's website at: http://www.abundaculture.org/atm/Here is Jack Dody's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AbundacultureAnd here is the house church website Jack mentioned on the show: https://lk10.com/Support the show

Today there is a movement of Christians being called back to the land who are starting homesteads, but with a desire to shine for Jesus. In this episode I am joined by Josh Thomas from The Homestead Family to talk about homesteading, why God cares about it, the modern Christian homesteading movement, and tips for people getting started. Josh and his family homestead in Idaho and serve countless people with their super helpful educational resources. He attended the 2018 Redeeming the Dirt Conference and we have been friends since then. You will find links to his sites below. Josh has also created a new resource capturing training on traditional skills that will be available at The School of Traditional Skills. On September 12-15th, 2022 he is hosting a free summit where you will be able to hear from all the teachers at the school. If you want to support Redeeming the Dirt through our affiliate link you can go to www.redeemingthedirt.com/summit Otherwise feel free to go directly tohttps://www.schooloftraditionalskills.com/Josh's Homesteading Resources:https://homesteadingfamily.com/https://www.schooloftraditionalskills.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu99W5TTPAucVN83TYQtCqQSupport the Show: www.redeemingthedirt.com/supportSupport the show

In a time when socialism is gaining more support the idea of private property, even in the church, can tend to be viewed as selfish and unnecessary.  Does God care about private property? As Christian farmers how should we view ownership of the land? Shouldn't we just have everything in common? In this important episode Noah Sanders interviews Ben Freeth about his experience standing up for property rights in a country where they were violently stripped away. They discuss the bibical basis for private property and share practical application tips for homesteaders and farmers. Note to Parents from Noah: I just want to make you aware that in this very personal interview Ben shares some of his experiences of being tortured for his convictions. All my young children listened to him share his story but you may want to use discretion with your own kids. Support the show: https://redeemingthedirt.com/support/Support the show

As we look around and see the unprecedented times we live in what should be our response as Christians? In this episode of the Redeeming the Dirt Podcast we take a look at the reality of the battles we face today both generally and in agriculture. We also wrestle with our responsibility as Christians to stand firm in these changing times as we seek to be prepared for the return of Jesus. To view the text of the "Stand Firm" poem I shared at the end you can click here. I want to give credit for inspiration from a video I watched shortly before giving this talk. It was a talk between Eric Metaxas, Francis Chan, and Mike Bickle at the International House of Prayer. I would definitely recommend watching it if you would like more inspiration on standing firm. https://mikebickle.org/watch/7DD5E0AB8FDb578e347B25047e3F Please send me your thoughts and comments to noahrora@protonmail.com Support the show

Plowing and tilling has become such a part of farming and gardening that many of us can't imagine how you would prepare a garden or grow crops any other way. But in this episode I share how caring for the soil God's way and mimicing his models in creation can have great benefit and result in greater profit. I want to thank the Mid-Ohio Growers Conference who invited me to give this workshop and who generously gave me permission to share it with you! I highly recommend their annual conference and encourage you to check out their site at http://midohiogrowers.com/. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

How much land do you need to have a profitable farm operation? On this podcast episode I share some lessons we have learned that enabled our 1/4 acre market garden to be more profitable than when we cultivated more land. Whether you have access to a lot of land or just a little, I hope you will learn something from this session that will help you more fully utilize what you have, be more profitable, and have greater JOY!I want to thank the Mid-Ohio Growers Conference who invited me to give this workshop and who generously gave me permission to share it with you! I highly recommend their annual conference and encourage you to check out their site at http://midohiogrowers.com/. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Often our biggest struggle as we seek to excel in agriculture isn't our lack of practical knowledge or skill, but finding the time to apply what we know. Juggling everything that needs to be done on the farm can be overwhelming and rob us of the joy we desire to experience. So how do we steward the time God has given us? Do we really have enough time for everything he has given us to do? In this audio excerpt from the Faithfully Focused Farmer Masterclass I am going to walk you through the last of  3 Simple Steps that will help you go from striving and overwhelmed with your time management to joyfully and faithfully focused!This Episode, Step 3: Gaining Joy Through FocusPrevious Episodes:Step 2: Bringing Order to the ChaosStep 1: Overcoming the OverwhelmTo get free access to the full course go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com. Once you apply and join you can find it under the courses section. The full course includes:3 Simple Steps, available in fewer, larger lessons, or multiple shorter lessons in easily consumable formatsVideo FormatAudio FormatFull Written TranscriptsMasterclass Workbook PDFMasterclass Community Forum to Share Assignments and Ask QuestionsAccess to the Redeeming the Dirt Community NetworkWe are providing this free as a resource to help the Body of Christ become more effective at living for Jesus, excelling in agriculture, and making disciples. If you want to support us in what we are doing consider using the 'support the show' link below. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Often our biggest struggle as we seek to excel in agriculture isn't our lack of practical knowledge or skill, but finding the time to apply what we know. Juggling everything that needs to be done on the farm can be overwhelming and rob us of the joy we desire to experience. So how do we steward the time God has given us? Do we really have enough time for everything he has given us to do? In this audio excerpt from the Faithfully Focused Farmer Masterclass I am going to walk you through the second of  3 Simple Steps that will help you go from striving and overwhelmed with your time management to joyfully and faithfully focused!This Episode, Step 2: Bringing Order to the ChaosLast Episode, Step 1: Overcoming the OverwhelmComing Soon:Step 3: Gaining Joy Through FocusTo get free access to the full course go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com. Once you apply and join you can find it under the courses section. The full course includes:3 Simple Steps, available in fewer, larger lessons, or multiple shorter lessons in easily consumable formatsVideo FormatAudio FormatFull Written TranscriptsMasterclass Workbook PDFMasterclass Community Forum to Share Assignments and Ask QuestionsAccess to the Redeeming the Dirt Community NetworkWe are providing this free as a resource to help the Body of Christ become more effective at living for Jesus, excelling in agriculture, and making disciples. If you want to support us in what we are doing consider using the 'support the show' link below. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Often our biggest struggle as we seek to excel in agriculture isn't our lack of practical knowledge or skill, but finding the time to apply what we know. Juggling everything that needs to be done on the farm can be overwhelming and rob us of the joy we desire to experience. So how do we steward the time God has given us? Do we really have enough time for everything he has given us to do? In this audio excerpt from the Faithfully Focused Farmer Masterclass I am going to walk you through the first of  3 Simple Steps that will help you go from striving and overwhelmed with your time management to joyfully and faithfully focused!This Week, Step 1: Overcoming the OverwhelmComing Soon: Step 2: Bringing Order to the ChaosStep 3: Gaining Joy Through FocusTo get free access to the full course go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com. Once you apply and join you can find it under the courses section. The full course includes:3 Simple Steps, available in fewer, larger lessons, or multiple shorter lessons in easily consumable formatsVideo FormatAudio FormatFull Written TranscriptsMasterclass Workbook PDFMasterclass Community Forum to Share Assignments and Ask QuestionsAccess to the Redeeming the Dirt Community NetworkWe are providing this free as a resource to help the Body of Christ become more effective at living for Jesus, excelling in agriculture, and making disciples. If you want to support us in what we are doing consider using the 'support the show' link below. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

We live in an era of communication unprecedented in recent history. Through our phones we can literally talk to people around the globe anytime we want for practically free! But as we wrap up our series on preparing for times of crisis, I want to share briefly about developing an alternative communication option that we can use for our families and communities. In this episode I give some personal updates before describing a little about Ham (or Amateur) Radio and why my wife and I recently got our licenses and several radios in order to have a more resilient form of local communication. Links for Ham Radio Resources: Getting Your License:Online Study for your Basic Technician LicenseSchedule an Online Test SessionBasic Radios we Purchased (Amazon affiliate links)Handheld Baofeng UV-5RMobile Radio for the CarMagnet Antenna Mount for CarJoin our community and training academy: https://www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com/Get started with a discipleship training garden in your community: https://www.wellwateredgardenproject.org/Support the show

In the US and other developed countries it is very easy to assume access to grid electricity on our farms and homestead. But are we able to continue operating when it's not available for short or long periods of time? Should we set up an off grid System to produce our own electricity? Or should we use electricity at all? My wife Dorothy and I discuss our low grid approach for appreciating but not depending on electricity in order to be in a better position to help others in times of crisis.Here is a link to the ram pump we purchased:https://www.landtohouse.com/rampumpsales/ Here are plans on how to build it yourself:http://lgpress.clemson.edu/publication/homemade-hydraulic-ram-pump-for-livestock-water/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

2020 has seen a global plague and increased violence. Is famine also on the horizon? Today I share a few thoughts and scriptures related to famine and our response as Christian food producers. https://www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com/http://www.wellwateredgardenproject.org/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

In this episode I share some updates from my farm and some encouragements and thoughts related to the US elections happening tomorrow. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Water may seem like a boring podcast topic. But water is essential to life, and our farms cannot function without it. How resilient is our source of water? Do we have more than one source of water? How can we be a better steward of the water on our farms? As Christians we should be motivated by gratitude to utilize every possible drop of water on our farms. Life depends on it. Support the show

As followers of Jesus who are called to steward the land, how can we practically make disciples in our own community? We are often busy and don't know where to start. But in this episode I share about a simple resource called a 'Well-watered Garden' and how it can be a powerful modelling and teaching tool for everyday farmers and gardeners. In this episode I am honored to interview the man who originally developed the idea of the Well-Watered Garden, Brian Oldreive. Brian is the founder of Farming God's Way and Foundations for Farming and lives in Zimbabwe and is one of my most influential mentors in both following Jesus and stewarding the land. To learn more about starting your own Well-Watered Garden visit: https://www.wellwateredgardenproject.org/ Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

One of the most fundamental skills needed to be truly sustainable and resilient during tough times on our homesteads and farms is the ability to save seeds. Whoever controls the food controls the people, and whoever controls the seed supply controls the food supply. So our freedom is very closely tied to our ability to produce and save seeds within our own community. Today I am excited to share with you an incredible interview with experienced seed saver, Craig Schaaf, who is a homesteader and market gardener that lives totally off-grid with his family in northern Michigan. Craig shares with us some of the basics of seed saving and practical tips on how we can get started. Books mentioned by Craig (with amazon affiliate links):Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties: The Gardener's and Farmer's Guide to Plant Breeding and Seed Saving, 2nd EditionCarol DeppeSeed to Seed: Seed Saving and Growing Techniques for Vegetable Gardeners, 2nd EditionSuzanne AshworthThe Organic Seed Grower: A Farmer's Guide to Vegetable Seed ProductionJohn NavazioSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Many people believe that food supplies, a good homestead, health, skills, or weapons are the key to surviving in times of trouble. But although these things can be useful and wise to obtain depending on your circumstances, they are a poor thing to trust in if you are motivated by fear or self-preservation. In this podcast I share about the key that God promises will result in Him protecting us in times of trouble, violence, and sickness. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

In the space of a few short months the lock downs and food supply disruptions due to Covid-19 have made a huge impact on the demand for locally produced food. It has also shown the fragility of our efficient, but un-resilient, industrial food supply. In this interview with Joel Salatin we talk about how the last few months have changed the local food system, the important role Christian food producers have in this time, and practical things we can be doing to weather hard times ahead. Support the show

Covid-19, civil unrest, political chaos . . . we definitely live in a time of crisis. But God is not surprised by any of this and we have an opportunity to join Jesus in his adventure of bringing hope and healing to the hurting. As Christian farmers and gardeners we have an important and urgent role to share the love of Jesus by serving and equipping our communities to be more resilient in times of disruption. This episode is an introduction to a series of podcasts I hope to create that will share ways we can respond to the times we live in and prepare to be used by God in the future. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Some have called him the most famous and influential farmer of our day. Renowned worldwide for his innovation in regenerative land stewardship and animal husbandry, Joel Salatin is a household name among small farmers, foodies, and health conscious families. Many of us who are now tending the land owe our inspiration to the writing and speaking of this faithful farmer. A self described 'Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic farmer', Mr. Salatin speaks most often to environmentally conscious crowds who would in no way describe themselves as Christians. But his genuine and down to earth relationship with Jesus has enabled him to show love to people as a simple farmer in a way that has opened doors normally shut to those who are vocal about their faith in God. In this insightful interview Joel shares about his personal testimony, how his faith impacts his farming, and how Christian farmers can be more effective in shining the light of Christ. Other Show Links:Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtRedeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to get started today!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

There is a growing number of people today who didn't grow up farming, but are interested in making a transition from their current career to agriculture. But there are a lot of challenges related to a transition like this, both in the heart and perspective as well as in the learning curve of skills and acquisition of resources. In this episode of the Redeeming the Dirt Podcast I talk with Ray Tyler of Rose Creek Farms who made a career change to farming. Lots of great wisdom from Ray in this episode and really think you will be encouraged by his heart and passion.Check out Ray's free Lettuce E-book below:https://www.lettuceclass.com/closedwaitlistRay's Online Farm Storehttps://rosecreekfarmstore.com/Check out Ray on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/rosecreekfarms/https://www.facebook.com/rosecreekfarmOther Show Links:Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtRedeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to get started today!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

It's good to be back! We are already several months in to 2020, and this is a good time for many of us to listen to God and reflect and make plans for the future. In this episode I take the time to give an update on what has been going on with me and my family on our farm and some of the lessons we have been learning. "Gratefulness and faithfulness lead to fruitfulness." -Sanders Family MottoSupport the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtOther Show Links:Redeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to get started today!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

As farmers who want to farm for God, our relationship with Him is essential.  Learning to incorporate prayer (talking with God) throughout our life and work on the farm is something we need to make a habit.  But what are some practical ways to do this?  On this podcast episode I speak with my friend Luis about the impact of prayer on our agricultural journeys and share some practical tips.B.L.E.S.S. acrostic for praying for others:Body LaborEconomic or EmotionalSocialSpiritual Link to the Prayer Guide for Famershttps://redeemingthedirt.com/prayer-guide/Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtOther Show Links:Redeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to get started today!Support the showSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

As we seek to tend the land and produce food we face a harsh reality of death, disease, decay, disorder, and suffering. How do we deal with the effects of sin and farm in light of the redemption Christ offers both in this life and the age to come? In this episode Noah wrestles with these questions and shares some of his perspectives.Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtOther Show Links:Redeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to get started today!Support the show

As farmers we don't earn God's love through our farms, but in response to his love we do want to bring him pleasure through them. In this episode I share a few things we can learn about the purpose and design of our farms through looking at three characteristics of the first garden planted by God.Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtOther Show Links:Redeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to start your free, 1-week trial today!Support the showSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

One of the most influential group of people in my life have been those from Foundations for Farming, formerly known as Farming God's Way*, a farming ministry based out of Zimbabwe. I have been blessed to obtain permission to share with you some of the episodes from a radio series they did several years back that originally aired on Trans World Radio. I hope you are challenged and encouraged! If you would like to support what Foundations for Farming is doing in Zimbabwe to help the poor, check out I Was Hungry, a partnership with Crown Financial Ministries where they conduct a program to disciple 30 people from a community for 2 weeks in faith, farming, finance, and family. My family and I support this ministry each month and encourage you to consider doing so as a great way to support a real solution to hunger.If you would like to learn more about some of the techniques that Foundations for Farming teaches we have some training videos available at Redeeming the Dirt Academy.(*For clarification some of the original Farming God's Way team continues to do amazing work under the old name and operate independently from the Foundations for Farming team. Both have the same heart and teach the same basic material.) Support the showSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

The title says it all!  Many of us desire to grow food and tend the land to the glory of God. But one of the most common struggles we face is not having enough time. In this week's podcast episode Noah addresses the topic of time-management as gardeners and farmers. We will look at it not just from a practical point of view, but also in light of our role as Christians and God's ownership of our time.Down below is the link for Noah's free webinar!https://redeemingthedirt.com/webinar/When: Nov. 21 @ 11:00am CST."I want your garden and homestead to be a positive tool that blesses and benefits every area of your life, including your relationship with God. But unfortunately many of us find ourselves overwhelmed and overworked. In this free webinar I want to share 7 mistakes that Christian gardeners and homesteaders make that can rob your joy and how to avoid them!" -Noah SandersSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Why is the home-front crucial to Redeeming the Dirt? In this episode, Noah wraps up the importance of home centered agriculture over growing industrialism.  This is the final part of a four part series featuring the talks that Noah gave at the Reformation of Food and Family conference in 2012. Enjoy!Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtOther Show Links:Redeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to start your free, 1-week trial today!Support the showSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Why is the home-front crucial to Redeeming the Dirt? In this episode, Noah speaks to the importance of home centered agriculture over growing industrialism.  This is part three of a four part series featuring the talks that Noah gave at the Reformation of Food and Family conference in 2012. Enjoy!Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtOther Show Links:Redeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to start your free, 1-week trial today!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Does God want Christians to grow food? In this episode Noah continues his talk about his journey into farming and his focus on growing good food for the Body of Christ. This is part two of a four part series featuring the talks that Noah gave at the Reformation of Food and Family conference in 2012. Enjoy!Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtOther Show Links:Redeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to start your free, 1-week trial today!Support the showSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Does God want Christians to grow food? In this episode Noah talks about his journey into farming and his focus on growing good food for the Body of Christ. This is part one of a four part series featuring the talks that Noah gave at the Reformation of Food and Family conference in 2012. Enjoy!Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtOther Show Links:Redeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to start your free, 1-week trial today!Support the show

As we seek to redeem the dirt, it is good to honestly look at some of the brokenness we see in modern agriculture. In this episode I am joined by my friend Micah as we discuss the root of the problems we see and how we as Christians should respond. Click here to get your free chapter of my book, Born-Again Dirt.Support the Show: https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirtOther Show Links:Redeeming the Dirt Academy:If you are interested in farming to the glory of God (or gardening or homesteading), check out Redeeming the Dirt Academy! Redeeming the Dirt Academy is an online educational mentorship experience featuring video courses, interactive community and live coaching designed for Christian gardeners, homesteaders, and market farmers. Topics range from making compost and simple soil science, to homestead design and marketing options for farm businesses. Also included are pressing topics like balancing farm work and family, making disciples as farmers, and being prepared for suffering. If you want to jump-start your faith and farming and join our growing community go to www.redeemingthedirtacademy.com to start your free, 1-week trial today!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

Permaculture is a increasingly popular topic among homesteaders, gardeners, farmers, and social reformers. It refers to a design science that uses natural patterns and principles to create well-thought out, productive, and efficient examples of land stewardship. Swales, herb spiral beds, compost, keylines, companion planting, no-till gardening, zone-layout, multi-function elements, utilization of perennials for food production, and integration of animals and crops are some of the things that come to mind when people think of permaculture. However, there are also some other things that are often associated with permaculture: new-age thinking, nature worship, evolution, eastern spiritualism, relative morality, etc. As Christians seeking to honor God through agriculture, many of us are attracted to the practical aspects of permaculture, but how do we respond to the anti-Christian perspectives that often go along with it? Is the permaculture movement something Christians should learn from?In this episode I talk with Erik Lutz of Harmony Hillside. Erik is a Christian homesteader and a member of Redeeming the Dirt Academy who recently completed a Permaculture Design Course (PDC). We discuss the benefits of permaculture and our perspectives of how we as Christians should view/utilize it. To connect with or learn more about Erik see the links below. Website: https://harmonyhillside.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonyhillside/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harmonyhillside/Eric shared some of his favorite resources for learning more about permaculture:- Free online overview course (by Doug Crouch, permaculture teacher in the Cincinnati area): https://treeyopermacultureedu.com/- Geoff Lawton YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_r1ELEvAuN0peKUxI0Umw- Good introductory book: Gaia's Garden (click here to see a blog post I wrote about my experience with this book. - Noah)- Cincinnati Permaculture Institute where I took my PDC (great resource for the OH/KY/IN area): http://cincinnatipermacultureinstitute.org/- Search the web- Visit your local library"Of course, it's very important for Christians to be discerning about anti-Christian philosophies laced through much of this material, but I believe the principles and methods are valuable to learn from." - Erik LutzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

One of the most influential group of people in my life have been those from Foundations for Farming, formerly known as Farming God's Way*, a farming ministry based out of Zimbabwe. I have been blessed to obtain permission to share with you some of the episodes from a radio series they did several years back that originally aired on Trans World Radio. I hope you are challenged and encouraged! If you would like to support what Foundations for Farming is doing in Zimbabwe to help the poor, check out I Was Hungry, a partnership with Crown Financial Ministries where they conduct a program to disciple 30 people from a community for 2 weeks in faith, farming, finance, and family. My family and I support this ministry each month and encourage you to consider doing so as a great way to support a real solution to hunger.If you would like to learn more about some of the techniques that Foundations for Farming teaches we have some training videos available at Redeeming the Dirt Academy.(*For clarification some of the original Farming God's Way team continues to do amazing work under the old name and operate independently from the Foundations for Farming team. Both have the same heart and teach the same basic material.) Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

This week I discuss a question I get asked frequently: “Can a small farm produce enough income to provide for a family?” Recorded while I was picking green beans, in this episode I share thoughts about God's provision, evaluating the success of a farming business, lifestyle entrepreneurship, starting my farm business, and changes we've made over the years. Enjoy!Show Notes:The custom CSA service that I use is Harvie (https://www.harvie.farm/forfarmers/). I have been totally wowed by both their software and incredible support team. If you decide their services might benefit your farm, tell them I referred you and receive $100 off of your setup fee. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

One of the most influential group of people in my life have been those from Farming God's Way, also known as Foundations for Farming, a farming ministry based out of Zimbabwe. I have been blessed to obtain permission to share with you some of the episodes from a radio series they did several years back that originally aired on Trans World Radio. I hope you are challenged and encouraged! If you would like to support what Foundations for Farming is doing in Zimbabwe to help the poor, check out I Was Hungry, a partnership with Crown Financial Ministries where they conduct a program to disciple 30 people from a community for 2 weeks in faith, farming, finance, and family. My family and I support this ministry each month and encourage you to consider doing so as a great way to support a real solution to hunger.If you would like to learn more about some of the techniques that Foundations for Farming teaches we have some training videos available at Redeeming the Dirt Academy.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)

One of the most influential group of people in my life have been those from Farming God's Way, also known as Foundations for Farming, a farming ministry based out of Zimbabwe. I have been blessed to obtain permission to share with you some of the episodes from a radio series they did several years back that originally aired on Trans World Radio. I hope you are challenged and encouraged! If you would like to support what Foundations for Farming is doing in Zimbabwe to help the poor, check out I Was Hungry, a partnership with Crown Financial Ministries where they conduct a program to disciple 30 people from a community for 2 weeks in faith, farming, finance, and family. My family and I support this ministry each month and encourage you to consider doing so as a great way to support a real solution to hunger.If you would like to learn more about some of the techniques that Foundations for Farming teaches we have some training videos available at Redeeming the Dirt Academy.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/redeemingthedirt)