Podcasts about Northeast Organic Farming Association

Northeast Farmers Market SeasonHost Amaris Pollock welcomed Devin Cornia who is the Executive Director of the Northeast Farming Association of New Jersey back to the show. They discuss the upcoming farmers market season and the opportunity for people to interact with farmers and learn about agriculture.  They also discussed Devin's history within the industry, along with some of the programs, initiatives, and the publication "The Natural Farmer" which NOFA provides to the community.NOFA's Local Food Initiatives:Devin explains that NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association) is a 50-year-old organization with seven state chapters supporting organics, land stewardship, and local food. The New Jersey chapter, which is 40 years old, focuses on supporting community and economic vehicles that make local food work. Devin discusses the challenges and opportunities in the current economic environment, emphasizing the need for collaboration and investment in local economies to build resilient, self-reliant food systems. He also highlights the importance of organic farming for health and the environment, and shares two exciting projects: a commercial kitchen to support value-added product creation for farmers, and a grains project involving a documentary and grain processing equipment installation to strengthen the local grain economy.NOFA-NJ Updates and Initiatives:Devin also discussed NOFA-NJ's upcoming events and website, encouraging people to check for future activities starting in July. Amaris and Devin also talked about NOFA-NJ's outdoor project which is nearly complete and can accommodate around 50 people. That space will open the doors to future opportunities for dining events, discussions, and more--which both farmers and the surrounding communities can benefit from. ------------------------------------------- Next Segment------------------------------------------Annette Anthony's Book Tour Event at Free Library:Annette Anthony, author of "Always Enough: A Global Memoir," discusses her upcoming event at the Free Library of Philadelphia as part of World Heritage Week. The sold-out event, scheduled for Tuesday evening, will include a talk, book signing, and food tasting featuring two seasonal salad recipes from her book. Annette shares her background as a native Philadelphian and how her experiences in West Philadelphia and as part of a military family shaped her global perspective. She expresses excitement about Philadelphia being honored as a global city and its renowned culinary scene, including the recent attention from Michelin.Cookbook and Cultural Flavors:Annette discusses her cookbook and her love for Ethiopian food. She shares a humorous story about taking her father to an Ethiopian restaurant for the first time, where he mistook the injera bread for a napkin. Annette explains that her cookbook includes recipes from various cultures and that she enjoys seeing readers make the recipes their own. She highlights the Casablanca Couscous recipe as a versatile dish that can accommodate different dietary preferences. Annette also mentions that she is working on another cookbook and emphasizes the importance of being mindful about food choices. ------------------------------------------- Next Segment------------------------------------------Chef DiMeo's Culinary Empire Expansion:Chef Antimo DiMeo discusses his culinary journey and how his passion led him to form the Bardea Restaurant Group with numerous concepts, all located in Wilmington, Delaware. He shared what inspired him while growing up; with his origins founded in his grandmother's kitchen. After a brief period studying finance at Drexel University, he found himself focusing on the fermentation of dough and decided to pursue his passion. This decision resulted with DiMeo learning his craft under a Michelin-starred restaurant in Naples, Italy.  DiMeo then returned to the US, and after working in a notable restaurant in PA, he began his journey as a Chef-Owner and opened his first restaurant, Bardea Food & Drink. Since then, he has expanded and now offers multiple concepts like Bardea Steak, Casa Nonna, and the upcoming Roost. DiMeo focuses on Italian-inspired cuisine with global influences, emphasizing quality ingredients and innovative techniques. He takes pride in elevating Wilmington's food scene, maintaining consistency across locations through a central commissary kitchen, and expresses excitement about continuing to grow and improve the local culinary landscape. ------------------------------------------- End of Episode------------------------------------------Related Links:https://nofanj.orghttps://annetteanthony.comhttps://www.bardeafoodanddrink.com

Connecticut's Northeast Organic Farming Association - or CT NOFA - held their 43rd Winter Conference last weekend at Eastern CT State University, and For the People was there to put together a live Special Report that digs into everything from worms and bugs to a proposed state Constitutional Amendment and making agriculture more sustainable and equitable - especially for veterans, minority community members, and new Connecticut farmers. So stay tuned and hear from participants including She Worms Composting, the CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), CT NOFA's Director of Advocacy, the CT Land Conservation Council, Phocas Seeds, CT REsource & Conservation Development, and the New CT Farmer Alliance.

Series: Edible Schoolyards   Episode Description: “School meals are part of the education day.” —Betsy Rosenbluth   For far too long, the school lunchroom has been the butt of jokes and the source of dread for students and parents alike. Mention the words "cafeteria food" and visions of limp, gray mystery meat and rock-hard tater tots immediately come to mind. This pervasive stigma has reduced the lunchroom to a place where kids simply have to get through the meal as quickly as possible before rushing off to their next class.   By changing the culture and elevating the dining experience, we can empower students to see the cafeteria as an extension of the classroom, where they can learn about nutrition, explore new flavors, and take pride in the food that fuels their growing bodies and minds.   This week, we hear how we can transform the lunch room into a place of nourishment, community, and joy with Betsy Rosenbluth. Betsy is the Farm to School Director at Shelburne Farms, a nonprofit organization on a 1400-acre working farm in Vermont. For the past 10 years, Betsy has been spearheading efforts to expand farm-to-school programming across Vermont and support a national movement to transform the school food system.   Stay tuned as Justine and Betsy talk about the importance of tailoring programs to local needs, overcoming supply chain challenges, empowering students to make informed choices about their food, the benefits of building partnerships, and how farm-to-school programs are inspiring long-term impacts.  Connect with Betsy:  Betsy is Co-Director of Vermont FEED, a nationally recognized farm-to-school partnership program of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont and Shelburne Farms. Betsy also coordinates the Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network and the Northeast Farm to School Collaborative and serves on the Advisory Board of the National Farm to School Network.   Prior to joining Shelburne Farms, Betsy helped establish the Burlington School Food Project and Education for Sustainability programs in Burlington schools. She also helped Vermont FEED draft and pass Vermont's first Farm to School bill and grant program. She led the effort to create a Lake Champlain museum on Burlington's waterfront with a nationally recognized youth employment program. Most recently, Betsy was Director of Projects and Interim Director at the Orton Family Foundation with a focus on community planning, development, and engagement in small cities and towns.    Website Facebook X  Instagram   Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram  LinkedIn YouTube Episode Highlights: 01:06 Mission: Educate and Cultivate  06:38 Tailoring Programs to Communities 11:30 Getting Schools' Attention 15:34 Getting Funding and the Importance of Partnerships 18:31 Incorporating Values 22:45 Celebrating Food Through Cooking Competitions  26:37 Empowering Kids to Try New Things  

Join us for a compelling live webinar interview with Briana Alfaro and Danielle Peláez from Soul Fire Farm as we dig into the rich and essential world of soil as well as the profound relationship we share with soil. This engaging discussion will cover:Is Soil Alive?: Taking a look at the composition and nature of soil and perception of soil and its vital role in sustaining life on Earth.Soul Fire Farm's Soil Practices: An in-depth look at how Soul Fire Farm's regenerative practices in caring for their soil promote biodiversity and ecological balance.Caring for and Honoring Our Soil: Practical advice and insights on nurturing and respecting the soil in our own landscapes.Briana and Danielle will share their expertise, experiences, and ways that Soul Fire Farm partners with the land to help the soil remain vibrant and life-giving. This webinar promises to be a rich exchange of knowledge, fostering a deeper connection to the Earth beneath our feet and inspiring actionable steps to support soil health in our own communities. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn from two passionate experts in regenerative agriculture and soil stewardship!About Soul Fire Farm:  Soul Fire Farm is an Afro-Indigenous centered community farm committed to uprooting racism and seeding sovereignty in the food system. To learn more about Soul Fire Farm and their fantastic work, visit their website at www.soulfirefarm.org.  Briana Alfaro, Soul Fire Farm Administrative Director of Programs & Partnerships, (she/her) is a multiracial, Mexican and Indigenous grower, educator, writer, and activist living in unceded Gayogohó:nǫ˺ territory, in Ithaca, NY. She co-creates educational offerings and supports coalition work as Director of Programs & Partnerships at Soul Fire Farm. Her passion for land stewardship and agriculture is rooted in a long-held infatuation with food and cooking; in her family's experience as campesino farmers and US farm workers; and in a love of nature cultivated by family camping trips as a child. She has worked with National Young Farmers Coalition, Northeast Organic Farming Association of NY, and San Diego Food System Alliance. She holds a M.S. Food Studies from Syracuse University and serves on the Board of the Youth Farm Project. Danielle Peláez, Soul Fire Farm Education Manager, (she/they || ella/elle) is a queer farmer, educator, and land tender. A lover of plantitas, fungi, human and non-human beings, Danielle dreams of serving her community through facilitating (re)connection to the soil, drawing on her roots in the western highlands of Guatemala. As the Farm Education Manager, Dani co-creates and co-leads earth-based educational offerings. They love being outside in all forms (gardening, hiking, foraging, napping in hammocks) and sharing meals with friends.Support the Show.

Amy Antonucci, Living Land Permaculture, returns to bring us a little deeper into the world of permaculture. She discusses the differences between organic gardening vs permaculture. The why's and how's of soil building complete with a tutorial on the technique of lasagna gardening. We talked about soil testing and the best place to get it done. The best plants to begin with, the theory of “chop and drop”, no till gardening, the Seacoast Permaculture Group and much more. She is the main organizer for Seacoast NH Permaculture and was proud to be named Leading Gardener of 2017 and Mentor of the Year in 2022 by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH

Continuing with my discussions about permaculture today Amy Antonucci called in to WKXL and NH Unscripted to chat up the Seacoast Permaculture Group as well as her homestead. She teaches workshops on homesteading topics including: permaculture, soil building, no-till gardening, composting, herbal infusions, beekeeping, goats, poultry, cheese and yogurt making, and food preservation. She has spoken at libraries, schools, garden clubs, at the NOFA-NH winter conference, and on the radio. She began growing food in 1995 on a local organic farm and CSA. She later became a certified permaculture designer and transitioned to homesteading and teaching others. She now keeps poultry, goats, plants and builds soil at Living Land Permaculture Homestead in Barrington, NH. She is the main organizer for Seacoast NH Permaculture and was proud to be named Leading Gardener of 2017 and Mentor of the Year in 2022 by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH.

Continuing with my discussions about permaculture today Amy Antonucci called in to chat up the Seacoast Permaculture Group as well as her homestead. She teaches workshops on homesteading topics including: permaculture, soil building, no-till gardening, composting, herbal infusions, beekeeping, goats, poultry, cheese and yogurt making, and food preservation. She has spoken at libraries, schools, garden clubs, at the NOFA-NH winter conference, and on the radio. She began growing food in 1995 on a local organic farm and CSA. She later became a certified permaculture designer and transitioned to homesteading and teaching others. She now keeps poultry, goats, plants and builds soil at Living Land Permaculture Homestead in Barrington, NH. She is the main organizer for Seacoast NH Permaculture and was proud to be named Leading Gardener of 2017 and Mentor of the Year in 2022 by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH.

Closing the Mushroom Production Loop: Evaluating Soil Microbe Changes Following Field Application of Compost Inoculated with Spent Mushroom Substrate with host, Tony Kennette, Ruben Parilla Soil Tech Coordinator and Education Dir NOFA MASS and Elizabeth Almeida of Fat Moon Farm.  In this episode we discuss the use of compost inocullated with "spent" mushroom substrate, and the scientific discoveries found regarding increased fungal activity in the soil when applied. This podcast episode is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number ONE20-378. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To find out more about Fat Moon Farm visit https://fatmoonmushrooms.com/ To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at https://nofa.org/  For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list.  https://www.nofamass.org/    Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube Music By Tony & The Trees https://tonyandthetrees.com/    NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Tony Kennette of https://nofanj.org/ and https://martenettefarms.com/       

Did you know that agriculture is not sustainable without fair wages? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her interview with Elizabeth Henderson, award-winning farmer, writer, activist, and agrarian leader best known for her decades of support of and contributions to organic and sustainable agriculture. She is a founding member of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) and has been a pioneer of the CSA model in the United States. She is committed to resisting the many injustices of a cheap food system through the power of cooperation. She's the author of Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen's Guide to Community Supported Agriculture;  and a core leader of the Agricultural Justice Project. Related website:  Agricultural Justice Project and certification: https://www.agriculturaljusticeproject.org/en/ Elizabeth Henderson papers at U. of MA – Amherst: http://findingaids.library.umass.edu/ead/mums746 Real Organic Project interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA26cX2i9lg 

Humans are eating more seafood than can ever be replenished, a vital source of protein for 3.3 billion people. There are many different ways to feed people while conserving our marine ecosystems without overfishing and industrial fish farming. Unfortunately, the US government and multinational corporations are pushing offshore industrial fish farming as a way to keep people eating their salmon and shrimp. In fact the US government is fast tracking industrial fish farms in federal waters, in underwater or floating net pens, pods, and cages. International agribusiness companies are pushing legislation that would open the floodgates for US offshore factory fish farms (think Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations on the ocean). Our guest, Andrianna Natsoulas from the Don't Cage Our Oceans coalition campaign [https://dontcageouroceans.org/], says no to these industrial fish farms, while advocating for community-centered seafood supply chains. We talk about the impacts to public health and the environment from these massive open net-pens. She also advocates for the alternatives: sustainably managed wild-caught seafood and aquaculture fish farming practices that are embedded in social, economic, and environmental values. For the extended interview, click here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/andrianna-of-our-86979454 Andrianna Natsoulas is the Campaign Director of the coalition Don't Cage our Oceans [https://dontcageouroceans.org]. She has worked on agricultural and fisheries issues in varying capacities and venues for over two decades. She has been an independent consultant and worked for organizations, such as Food & Water Watch, the North American Marine Alliance, and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York. Andrianna wrote the book, Food Voices: Stories From the People Who Feed Us, which is a collection of personal stories from farmers and fishermen who are part of the food sovereignty movement. Jessica Aldridge, Co-Host and Producer of EcoJustice Radio, is an environmental educator, community organizer, and 15-year waste industry leader. She is a co-founder of SoCal 350, organizer for ReusableLA, and founded Adventures in Waste. She is a former professor of Recycling and Resource Management at Santa Monica College, and an award recipient of the international 2021 Women in Sustainability Leadership and the 2016 inaugural Waste360, 40 Under 40. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer: Jack Eidt Host and Producer: Jessica Aldridge Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Photo credit: Andrianna Natsoulas

In this episode I am joined by Central Massachusetts cattle farmer, Ridge Shinn to discuss the amazing possibilities that good management of cattle can have on soils and land as a whole. Ridge Shinn is the founder of Big Picture Beef in Hardwick Mass. Big Picture Beef is an aggregator of grass-fed cattle and an educational resource for cattle farmers interested in a Grass-Fed paradigm.  Ridge is also frequent and long time contributor with us at NOFA and most recently co-author with Lynne Pledger of the book Grass-Fed Beef for a Post-Pandemic World.  This podcast episode is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number ONE20-378. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More information on Ridge and Big Picture Beef you can visit the website bigpicturebeef.com  To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list. NOFAmass.org Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Jason Valcourt  

A discussion with Kim Stoner and Maya van Rossum, leaders, respectively, in CT and nationally to get state legislatures to pass so-called Green Amendments, which guarantee residents the right to clean air, clean water, clean soil and climate protection. Kim is a leader of the CT Climate Crisis Mobilization and is director of advocacy for the CT Chapter of NOFA, the Northeast Organic Farming Association, working on the CT Environmental Rights Amendment. Maya is founder of For the Generations, a clearinghouse for the many state efforts, and author of the book, "The Green Amendment: Securing Our Right to a Healthy Environment."

A discussion with Kim Stoner and Maya van Rossum, leaders, respectively, of the CT Environmental Rights Amendment and the national effort to get states to pass a Green Amendment, which would guarantee residents' right to clean air, water, soil and a safe climate. Kim is director of advocacy for the CT chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association and a leader of the CT Climate Crisis Mobilization. Maya is leader of For the Generations and author of The Green Amendment

We've got exciting news for farmers, gardeners and those who love our land resources - The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (NOFA-CT) is with us previewing the 41st Winter Conference coming up in March and culminating with an in-person gathering and celebration at Wesleyan University. Then, we'll tell you about CONNIE - the CT Health Exchange that's required to implement by May. There are more than a few serious concerns about it and a lot that consumers aren't aware of — so we'll call on the President of the CT Psychological Association to help unpack some of the key details you need to know. And we'll close with more good environmental news - a 41-mile section of the Housatonic River just received federal Wild and Scenic designation, which should lead to better protections for the waterway. So we'll chat up a leader from the Housatonic Valley Association - one of the two organizations that helped Connecticut earn this high profile national designation to learn more.

Lawn care probably isn't the first thing you think of when you think about backyard ecology. Honestly, it isn't for me either. But it is something that most of us have to deal with in one way or another whether we do it ourselves or hire someone to do it for us. And I don't know about you, but lawn equipment in general, much less battery powered lawn equipment, is not my area of expertise. That's why when I heard about a landscaping company which specializes in low impact lawn care and has transitioned to all battery powered equipment, I became intrigued. Anthony and I have some battery powered lawn care equipment, but we've always shied away from battery powered lawn mowers. We just didn't think battery powered lawn mowers could handle our uneven, rough, hilly yard. But if this company was using all battery powered equipment on a commercial scale, then maybe we needed to rethink our assumptions for our own yard. Maybe you're in a similar boat and are trying to decide if battery powered is the way to go for your next piece of lawn equipment. Or maybe you'd like to be able to hire someone who approaches lawn care from a more ecological perspective but don't know how to find that person or the questions to ask. If so, then this episode is for you. In this episode, we are talking to Richard McCoy. Richard is the owner and operator of McCoy Horticultural Services. In the last couple of years, his business has transitioned from traditional gas powered lawn care equipment to battery powered equipment. His company also specializes in organic and low impact lawn care. Our conversation covered a number of topics related to battery powered lawn care equipment, vetting a land care contractor, and low impact lawn care. I appreciate Richard sharing his expertise and experiences with us. [2:58] Richard's story about how he got to where he is now [6:05] Compost, manure and the need to ask “why” and never stop learning [9:07] The transition from gas powered to battery powered lawn equipment [13:42] Battery powered lawn tool certification organizations [14:15] Are there instances when gas is a better option than battery powered equipment? [16:18] Basic guidelines for creating an ecologically sound landscape [18:22] Real world example of battery powered lawn equipment in use [20:09] How ecological lawncare differs from traditional lawncare [22:38] Battery powered lawn care equipment is on par with gasoline powered equipment, except for backpack leaf blowers [27:18] How homeowners can transition to battery powered lawn equipment [30:46] Challenges in ecological lawncare [31:36] Vetting a lawncare service and how to educate yourself [34:30] Beyond going electric – incorporating native plants [36:00] Putting it all together and having not just a yard but an ecosystem [37:43] Plant the species that are native to your area [39:02] Discussing the complexity of plant communities [41:39] How homeowners should plan their landscape [42:11] What is native and why does it matter [45:08] Ways landowners can find native plants for sale [46:44] The importance of understanding soil If you are looking for some simple, quick and easy ways to make your yard more attractive to pollinators and wildlife, you may want to check out my newest book, Attract Pollinators and Wildlife to Your Yard: 15 Free and Easy Ways. You can learn more about the book and place your order at https://shannontrimboli.com/product/attract-pollinators-and-wildlife-to-your-yard-15-free-and-easy-ways/ . Until next week, I encourage you to take some time to enjoy the nature in your own yard and community. Richard's Information: Website: https://mccoyfinegardens.com/ Blog: https://ecologymatters.net/ What to Look for When Hiring an Organic Landscaper: https://ecologymatters.net/2020/02/06/what-to-look-for-when-hiring-an-organic-landscaper-a-homeowners-quick-guide-to-simplify-the-search/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mccoyhorticultural/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccoyhorticultural/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-a-mccoy-28a26b73/ Other Resources Richard Recommended: American Green Zone Alliance: https://agza.net/ Northeast Organic Farming Association: https://nofa.org/ National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder: https://www.nwf.org/nativeplantfinder/ Rutgers' Organic Lance Care Best Practices Manual: https://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.php?pid=e357 Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design by Benjamin Vogt*: https://amzn.to/3xdLivn Nature's Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard by Doug Tallamy*: https://amzn.to/3lrao7r Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants by Doug Tallamy*: https://amzn.to/3JVv69J The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees by Doug Tallamy*: https://amzn.to/3JVyDVl General Backyard Ecology Links: Website: https://backyardecology.net YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/backyardecology Blog: https://www.backyardecology.net/blog/ Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/backyardecology Make a one-time donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=K7F3HJLJT9F8N Subscribe to Backyard Ecology emails: https://www.backyardecology.net/subscribe/ Episode image: Lawn mower Photo credit: Alexas_Fotos, cc-0 https://pixabay.com/photos/lawn-mower-mow-cut-the-lawn-green-2430725/

In this episode I am joined by my colleague Ruben Parilla our NOFA/Mass Soil Tech Coordinator and together we interview Lincoln Fishman of Sawyer Farm in Worthington, MA. Lincoln is presenting at our upcoming NOFA/Mass Winter Conference happening the weekend of January 14th & 15th, 2022.  Lincoln Fishman is co-owner/operator of Sawyer Farm. In 2010 they started raising vegetables and livestock, and using only draft power. In 2020, Sawyer Farm started experimenting with no-till systems and an the spring of 2022, sold their team and bought a tractor to allow them to fully explore tillage-reduced systems. They currently grow most of their crops in perennial Dutch White Clover, with some high value crops in other no-till systems.  More information on Lincoln and Sawyer Farm you can email him at sawyerfarmshare@gmail.com or visit their website at sawyer.farm  To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list. NOFAmass.org Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Jason Valcourt

In this episode I interview Mary Sage Napolitan and Evan Abramson about their collaborative work on re-establishing ecologically diverse landscape to the properties of Island Grown Initiative in the town of Vineyard Haven on the island of Martha's Vineyard.  Mary Sage and Evan are presenting their work on this project at our upcoming NOFA/Mass Winter Conference happening the weekend of January 14th & 15th 2022.  Mary Sage Napolitan is the Regenerative Landscape Manager at Island Grown Initiative. Born and raised on the island, her work focuses on collaborative design, farms as an intersection of social & environmental issues in the landscape, and perennial and native foods for ecosystem health and food sovereignty. Evan Abramson is the Founder and Principal of Landscape Interactions, creating functionally diverse and ecologically resilient landscapes for campuses, conservation properties, farms, municipal parks, and more and is responsible for over 300 acres of habitat installed in the Northeast United States, specifically targeting at-risk bee, butterfly and moth species. You can find more information on Mary Sage and Island Grown Initiative at igimv.org More information on Evan Abramon and Landscape Interactions as well as the downloadable .pdf of this project and others, visit landscapeinteractions.com To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list. NOFAmass.org Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and engineered by Jason Valcourt

Elizabeth Henderson was raised by people concerned with peace and justice, which shaped her life path. This week, Elizabeth sits down with our host, Ron, and talks about community-supported agriculture (CSAs), organic ag, and food justice. She is a long-time activist for local and national policies and programs to advance socially and economically just sustainable agriculture—both in the US and abroad. She may be most known for helping shape the landmark organic food policy act of 1990, but tells us about much more. Elizabeth farmed at Peacework Farm in Wayne County, New York, producing organically grown vegetables for the fresh market for more than 30 years. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY), co-chairs the Policy Committee, and represents the NOFA Interstate Council on the Board of the Agricultural Justice Project. For 20 years, from 1993 to 2013, she chaired the Agricultural Development Board in Wayne County and took an active role in creating the Farming and Farmland Protection Plan for the county. In 2001, the organic industry honored her with one of the first “Spirit of Organic” awards, in 2007, Abundance Co-op honored her with the “Cooperating for Communities” award, and in 2009, NOFA-NY honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award and then a Golden Carrot in 2013. In 2014, Eco-Farm presented her with their Advocate of Social Justice Award, the “Justie.” Her writings on organic agriculture appear in The Natural Farmer and other publications, she is the lead author of Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen's Guide to Community Supported Agriculture (Chelsea Green, 2007), with a Spanish language e-book edition in 2017, and co-authored Whole Farm Planning: Ecological Imperatives, Personal Values and Economics with farmer Karl North (2004). She also wrote A Food Book for a Sustainable Harvest for the members of Peacework Organic Community Supported Agriculture (aka GVOCSA) in its 29th year in 2017. The interview was conducted on Dec. 14, 2017. Links this episode: National Sustainable Agriculture Oral History Archive (video link) “Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen's Guide to Community Supported Agriculture” “Whole Farm Planning: Ecological Imperatives, Personal Values and Economics” -------- Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Audible, Apple, Google, and more. Catch past episodes, a transcript, and show notes at cfra.org/SustainbleAgPodcast.

In this episode I interview my colleague Andrew Laurion to discuss the bioremediation project underway in Springfield, MA. We talk about the changes in the soil, the properties and the community now that this project has been underway for two years.  Andrew Laurion is the Bioremediation Project Coordinator for NOFA/Mass and the Youth Program Coordinator of the food justice organization Gardening the Community (GTC) in Springfield, Massachusetts. Andrew is also an avid urban grower, a woodworker and loves his role mentoring the youth and helping to create healthy, sustainable communities To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list at NOFAmass.org. Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Jason Valcourt

With Jen Cirillo and Betsy Rosenbluth of Shelburne Farms What is farm to school? Are there any common misconceptions about it? Why is farm to school such an essential part of the educational journey? In this lively discussion, Jen and Betsy walk us through the three Cs of farm to school, how educators can better incorporate it into their teaching (without taking up too much extra time!), the core values underlying the practice, and the ways our current food system reinforces injustice and inequity. There's also talk of salamanders, overcoming barriers, forging meaningful relationships, and the importance of throwing a party! (A bad plant pun might have found its way into the mix, too…) Guests: Jen Cirillo serves as Director of Professional Learning at Shelburne Farms. She brings 20 years of experience in Education for Sustainability (EFS) from co-developing and teaching a teen program integrating art, science, and sustainability to her most recent work leading professional learning programs around the world. Jen has a strong background in standards-based curriculum development, facilitation, and evaluation, plus a wealth of experience engaging schools and communities in creating a vision for a just and healthy future. Jen holds a B.S. from the University of Vermont and an M.S. from the Audubon Expedition Institute/Lesley University. Betsy Rosenbluth is Project Director of Vermont FEED, a nationally recognized farm-to-school partnership program of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont and Shelburne Farms.  Betsy also helped to establish the Burlington School Food Project and Education for Sustainability programs in Burlington schools. Prior to joining Shelburne Farms, Betsy was Director of Projects at the Orton Family Foundation. *Episode edited by M. Angel Goñi Avila

On this episode of Climate Check, we get to chat with Chris Nickell, a community organizer and a member of the Northeast Organic Farming Association's (NOFA) Soil Subcommittee. We learn about soil health, farming practices, and the cultural and societal impact of food in today's ecosystem. Take a listen to learn why you should trust your mouth!

In this episode I am joined by two of my NOFA colleagues Monique Bosch from our CT NOFA chapter as well as Ruben Parilla of NOFA/Mass and they introduce us to the world of microscopy. We discuss the advantages of looking at your soil and compost under the microscope to determine the state of affairs and influence your soil management strategies.  Monique Bosch, is the Organic Land Care Coordinator and the Soil Health Technician at CT NOFA and an avid microscopy enthusiast.  Ruben Parilla, is the NOFA/Mass Soil Tech Coordinator and is also an avid microscope enthusiast. You can find more microscopy info and resources from CT NOFA at ctnofa.org/microscopy You can find Soil Health and microscopy info and resources at nofamass.org and navigate to the soil health technical services page.  To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list. NOFAmass.org Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Jason Valcourt

Bio: Andrianna Natsoulas is the Campaign Director for the non-profit organization, Don't Cage Our Oceans. Prior to joining Don't Cage Our Oceans, Andrianna was the Executive Director for NOFA-NY, (Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York.) She has created and implemented comprehensive programs at several other organizations, including Greenpeace, Food & Water Watch, and the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance (now North American Marine Alliance) Andrianna has coordinated with the global food sovereignty movements and has served on national and international boards and steering committees. Her work inspired the interviews of over 80 farmers and fisherman, which she compiled into the book,"Food Voices: Stories of the People Who Feed Us." Through that work, she excels at alliance building and networking across cultures and backgrounds. Andrianna also has broad range of executive level experience from fundraising to budgeting to management to human resources. Andrianna received her bachelor's of science degree from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York and her master's of science degree from the University of Warwick in Coventry, England. She lives in New York's beautiful Hudson Valley.   Tagine with Butter Beans, Broccoli Raab and Cherry Tomatoes Serves 4 people  4 tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, roughly chopped 2 Tbs. Minced garlic 1 Tbs minced ginger 1 t. thyme 1 t. coriander 1 t. ground cinnamon ½ t. saffron threads, soaked in ½ cup boiling water 1 tsp cumin ¼ t. salt ¼ t. red pepper flakes 1 t. Ras Harout Spice Blend 1 bunch broccoli Raab, chopped 1 can chickpeas 1 can Trader Joe's Giant Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce 15 kalamata olives- halved 15 cherry tomatoes- Halved 2 Tbs. toasted pine nuts 1 lemon, juiced a handful fresh chopped parsley In a Tagine: 1. Heat olive oil in bottom of Tagine and sauté the onion for a few minutes until it softens. 2. Add garlic, ginger and the spices. 3. Add the broccoli raab and let that cook down a bit. 4. Add the giant beans, chickpeas, tomatoes and olives. 5. Add the saffron with the soaking water. Bring the stew to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer and put the Tagine cone top on. 6. Let cook for 5 minutes, allowing all of the flavors to meld. 7. Remove the lid to stir once or twice, and then return the lid. 8. Add the pine nuts, the fresh chopped parsley and squeeze the juice of one lemon into the dish. 9. Garnish with fresh parsley Serve with: Brown Rice or Couscous

In this episode I am joined again by our NOFA/Mass Soil Tech Coordinator, Ruben Parilla. We interview Yoko Takemura of Assawaga Farm in Putnam, CT. This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. Yoko Takemura owns and operates Assawaga Farm with her husband Alex Carpenter in Putnam, CT. Since 2016 they've grown organic vegetables with an emphasis on Japanese varieties, flowers and fruits on less than an acre using no-till and regenerative practices. Here's our conversation with Yoko where we discuss their approach to soil health and various no-till practices.  You can find more info on Assawaga Farm at assawagafarm.com and on FB and Instagram at Assawaga farm To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list. NOFAmass.org Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Jason Valcourt

In this episode I am joined again by my NOFA/Mass colleague, Soil Health Projects Manager, Christine Manuck. We interview Meryl Latronica, Director of Farm Operations at Just Roots in Greenfield, MA. We continue our conversations with farmers working within our Compaction Mitigation grant as a collaboration with an MDAR 2020 Specialty Crop Block Grant titled Accelerating Soil Health Through Compaction Mitigation: A Data-Supported Peer-to-Peer Farmer Learning Project. Meryl Latronica is the Director of Farm Operations at Just Roots.  She is a dedicated and experienced production farmer, farm-based educator, community organizer, mentor to new farmers and devoted member of the New England farm community. She has been focusing her work on balancing intensive organic vegetable production with a commitment to building strong communities around food and farms. Just Roots provides educational programming on the farm, in schools and in the community and has a mission to create equitable access to healthy local food in Western Massachusetts, and work toward just, vibrant, and sustainable farm and food systems everywhere. You can find more info Meryl and Just Roots and the various programs they support at JustRoots.Org To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list. NOFAmass.org Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Jason Valcourt

NOFA/Mass Winter Conference Highlight - When and How To Kill (Winter) Cover Crops With Arthur Siller In this episode we're drawing another highlight from our annual NOFA/Mass Winter Conference that happened remotely in January 2022. We join University of Massachusetts at Amherst PhD student Arthur Siller as he outlines four different cover crop killing strategies that we can employ, and he also overviews our primary winter cover crops and their management strategies. Arthur Siller is a PhD student in the Hashemi lab at University of Massachusetts at Amherst's College of Natural Sciences Stockbridge School Agriculture. They have extensive experience in sustainable farming practices, doing current research on cover crop termination strategies to reduce off-farm resources and improve soil health.  You can find more information on Arthur Siller and the programs of UMass Amherst's College of Natural Sciences Stockbridge School of Agriculture at stockbridge.cns.umass.edu To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list. NOFAmass.org Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Jason Valcourt

In this episode we're drawing more highlights from our annual NOFA/Mass Winter Conference that happened remotely in January 2022. First we join Natural Farmer, Marco Thomas for an introduction to the Natural Farming technique of collecting of Indigenous Micro Organisms (IMOs).  Then, we join Richard Robinson of Hopestill Farm for a deep dive into mulching, and his impassioned reasons for using leaves as mulch as possible.  Marco Thomas is a natural farmer in Central Virginia, and is the founder of Microbes by Marco producing small batch craft inputs for soils. His work is focused on building soil and cultivating microorganisms to enhance his own garden and urban farm and he is guided by the principles, “Do as nature does.” and “Focus on the natural way.”  Richard Robinson began organic gardening over 40 years ago and became a serious farmer in 2004. He grows certified organic vegetables, small fruits, and Christmas trees at Hopestill Farm in Sherborn, MA. Richard has also a member of the NOFA/Mass Board of Directors since 2017. You can find Marco Thomas at MicrobesbyMarco.com  and on Instagram at: marco_is_growing More information on Richard Robinson and Hopestill Farm can be found at Hopestill.com To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list. NOFAmass.org Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Jason Valcourt

In this episode I am joined by our NOFA/Mass Soil Tech Coordinator, Ruben Parilla. We interview soil scientist, Dr. Justin Richardson, from University of Massachusetts Amherst, about the state of the invasive Jumping Worm in the Northeast.  Dr. Justin Richardson is an Assistant Professor of Geosciences at UMass Amherst working in the field of Biogeochemistry. Dr. Richardson studies metals and metalloids, examining metals due to their role as essential nutrients for ecosystems and toxicity to plants and humans. He also studies forest soils due to their impact on forest resources and their illustrative nature of vegetation-soil-rock interactions. You can find more of Dr. Richardson's work and many publications on his website Soilbiogeochemist.com To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list. NOFAmass.org Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Jason Valcourt

Sean Barrett has built a long career creating ocean-centric small businesses and establishing new models for the utilization of marine resources in North and Central America. He is the founder of Dock to Dish™️, an expansive network of small-scale community-based fishery programs, as well as The Montauk Seaweed Supply Company™️. Sean is currently pioneering a “sea to soil” movement to revive an ancient symbiotic relationship between regional gardens and farmlands and our local oceans through the cultivation of macroalgae, such as sugar kelp, which is converted into a variety of fertilizer and livestock feed products.  He serves as an appointed member on the Marine Resources Advisory Council at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, on the Executive Board at the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, as advisor to the federal Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and has been named Person of the Year by the United Restaurant and Tavern Owners Association of New York State.   Linguine al Limone with Cashew Crema 4-6 Servings Ingredients- 2 Lemons- Zest and Juice 1 lb Organic Linguine (or other GF Pasta) Kosher Salt 1 cup cashews, soaked for 1 hour 1-2 Tbs. Truffle Oil (optional) 3 Tbs. Olive Oil 1 cup frozen petite peas- run under warm water to defrost. 2 Tbs. Nutritional Yeast ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley, plus 1 Tbs. 2 cups pasta water Salt and Pepper Preparation 1- Using a vegetable peeler, remove three 2"-long strips of lemon zest. Thinly slice each strip lengthwise into thin strands; set aside for serving. Grate the rest of the zest and put into small bowl. Cut lemons in half and juice. You need 1/3 cup of lemon juice (you can add more lemon juice at the end of recipe if desired). Put in small bowl and set aside. 2- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling water with plenty of salt. (Add enough salt to water to taste like the sea.) Cook until al dente, don't over cook because pasta will finish cooking in the sauce. 3- Meanwhile, drain the cashews. Put into mini food processor or blender, add 1 cup of water, and puree until very smooth and creamy. 4- Using a large pot, sauté the lemon zest in 3 Tbs. of olive oil for 1 minute. Add the cashew crema and 1 cup of pasta water to the pot, and mix well. Cook over medium heat, whisking often, for about 2 minutes. Lower heat and add another cup of pasta water. 5- Using tongs, transfer linguine to the pot with sauce . Toss well. Add the nutritional yeast, the peas, the chopped parsley, and the reserved lemon juice. Toss again, being careful not to squish the peas. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water, 1 Tbs at a time, until desired consistency is reached. (Cream sauces thicken as they cool, so save some of the pasta water to add if needed) 6- Season with salt and pepper. 7- Transfer pasta to large pasta bowl. Drizzle with truffle oil. Add reserved lemon zest strips and garnish with chopped parsley.

NOFA/Mass Winter Conference Highlight - Seed Sovereignty Means Land Sovereignty In this episode we're drawing highlights from our Round Table discussion on Seed Sovereignty at this year's annual NOFA/Mass winter conference.  You will hear two inspiring opening statements that preceded the discussion from Amirah Mitchell and Luke Jeffries. You can find Amirah Mitchell at Sistahseeds.com and on Instagram at SistahSeeds. More information on Luke Jeffries and Kenhteke Seed Sanctuary can be found at kenhtekeseedsanctuary.com as well as on Facebook To find more information on the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in your state please visit us at NOFA.org For additional information on upcoming workshops, articles and NOFA/Mass project updates, please follow our NOFA/Mass Facebook page and join our mailing list. NOFAmass.org   Music by Matt Jatkola https://mattjatkola.com/ https://mattjatkola.bandcamp.com/ https://jatk.bandcamp.com/ Music by Jason Valcourt https://www.jasonvalcourt.com/ JV on YouTube NOFA Podcast produced and edited by Jason Valcourt   Biography Information Amirah Mitchell is a farmer, seedkeeper and community educator. She holds a B.S. in Horticulture from Temple University and has worked in agriculture since 2007. She has worked on urban farms in Massachusetts, Georgia and Pennsylvania, including four years at Truelove Seeds, a Philadelphia-based farm and seed company. Currently, Amirah is working to start her own farm business, Sistah Seeds, growing heirloom seeds from across the African Diaspora. Luke Jeffries is a Mohawk from Tyendinaga, Mohawk Territory. He is a language learner, avid gardener, and Project Coordinator for Ratinenhayénthos, who operate the Kenhté:ke Seed Sanctuary in Tyendinaga. They have rematriated a seed collection in the last few years and have been working to ensure that the living collection remains viable for future generations.

Later this week the CT League of Conservation Voters will be hosting their 2022 Environmental Summit, so we'll check-in to see what's in store as lawmakers, advocates, policy experts, and the public discover what key environmental issues are on the table for the 2022 state legislative session. Then we'll visit with the director of CT's Office of Health Strategy to look into the business of health care as delivered by local hospitals with a review of key data from the OHS Annual Report on the Financial Status of Connecticut's Short Term Acute Care Hospitals. And we'll close touching base with the The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut - previewing their 40th Winter Conference. Find out why you should attend this virtual event offering over 20 workshops on farming, seed saving, organic land care, community food security, social justice issues, and more. 

Nate was born in Philadelphia. He graduated from Abington Friends School in 2000 and from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service in 2004. Following college, he worked as a landscaper, camp counselor, office manager, and theatrical spotlight operator, before committing himself to a life of activism. He has worked in a variety of jobs in politics and organizing, including Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign and Joe Sestak's 2010 U.S. Senate campaign, though he quit his last “real job” in 2012 (as an organizer with the Service Employees International Union). He is grateful to consider himself equal parts farmer and organizer today.As a volunteer, Nate has been involved in efforts ranging from the Sudan Freedom Walk to Occupy Sandy. He has participated in foreign delegations to Mexico, Honduras, and Cuba. He helped found InterOccupy, an open communication platform for activists, and used it to help coordinate Occupy Sandy New Jersey. He ran for U.S. Congress in 2012 (and was called “the first Occupy candidate” by Politico magazine). He has served on the Executive Board of the Project for Nuclear Awareness, the Cumberland County (NJ) Long Term Recovery Group, and the Jewish Social Policy Action Network. He is a member of the Seed Advisory Committee of the Non-GMO Project, the Education Committee of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ), and Vice President of GMO Free Pennsylvania. As a plant breeder and researcher, Nate has a broad range of interests, but he is most engaged at the moment in the pursuit of climate stabilizing perennial staple crops, especially sorghum.Nate now works with the Experimental Farm Network: https://www.experimentalfarmnetwork.org/

How to introduce Sefra Alexandra, “the Seed Huntress”?  She's an agroecological educator with a masters degree from Cornell University and she's worked as an ethnobotanist all around the world, including in her home town of Southport, Connecticut.  Sefra's a “BOATanist” who plants seed-grown natives along riparian corridors by canoe, and she's a member of The Explorers Club.  Currently Sefra is also the coordinator of the Northeast Organic Farming Association's program to restore pollinator habitat, the EcoType Project.  For this project she's supervising and assisting in the sustainable collection of wild type, locally adapted seed, and facilitating their cultivation so that these plants' seeds can be harvested, processed, and delivered to local nurseries to be grown on and returned to the wild or gardens.  A Seed Huntress, it appears, is a person of many skills.

Networking Shouldn't Feel Icky | An Interview with Mieko Ozeki Episode 139 Today's podcast episode is the sixth in the Breaking Money Silence® with Your Younger Self series. I interviewed Mieko Ozeki, co-founder of Vermont Womenpreneurs about being a small business owner and why she decided to provide women in Vermont with a different networking experience.  Mieko is a mompreneur, born and raised in New York City, and currently residing in Burlington, Vermont. She is the owner of a small business called Radiance Studios LLC, a marketing firm offering website and content strategy, digital marketing and personal branding, project management, and event production for small businesses and individuals. She is also the co-founder of the Vermont Womenpreneurs and serves on several boards including the Vermont Farmers Market Association, Governor Scott's Future of Agriculture Commission, Intervale Community Farm, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, and recently joined Congressman Welch's Business Advisory Council.  Here are 5 things you will learn by listening to this episode: How a mentor helped Mieko launch her business  Her favorite and least favorite parts about owning her enterprise The importance of having a good relationship with your bookkeeper How the pandemic created a new wave of entrepreneurs The advice she would give her younger self Want to connect with Mieko? Here's how:  Radiance Studios Website  Vermont Womenpreneurs Website  Social: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: Mieko_Ozeki RadiantCareer   A special thank you to our episode sponsor, Plan Well. Be Well.     Plan well. Be Well is a place that connects your financial well-being to your personal well-being. It's a place to inspire and learn. To define aspirations. To begin articulating what well-being looks like for you. And a place to provide the financial tools needed to achieve your financial goals and live your intended life. Because when you plan well, you can be well. Now and in the future. For more information, visit PlanWellBeWell.com  Apply for the Master Class on Negotiating: Join me for this small group coaching experience and learn how to remove psychological roadblocks to earning your true worth. A new group starts January 2022. Space is limited so register today. Click here to register. .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_content { background-color: #146a7d !important; } .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_container .et_bloom_form_header { background-color: #146a7d !important; } .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_content button { background-color: #f58023 !important; } .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_content .et_bloom_fields i { color: #f58023 !important; } .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_content .et_bloom_custom_field_radio i:before { background: #f58023 !important; } .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_content button { background-color: #f58023 !important; } .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_container h2, .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_container h2 span, .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_container h2 strong { font-family: "Open Sans", Helvetica, Arial, Lucida, sans-serif; }.et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_container p, .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_container p span, .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_container p strong, .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .et_bloom_form_container form input, .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_1 .

Food Sovereignty is basically when a person or a people have agency over their foodways.  Many people today do not have this agency, including Vermont's indigenous communities.  We heard from Chief Don Stevens of the Nulhegan band of the Abenaki in episode 10, Indigenous Food Sovereignty in Vermont, about his three pronged approach to creating more food security for Abenaki citizens.     For Abenaki people today, growing and distributing culturally relevant and healthy food is challenging because of the limited access to tribal lands.  Chief Don Stevens and others have addressed this difficulty by cultivating partnerships with generous land stewards and organizations like NOFA-VT, the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont.    In episode 11 we heard about the work of Seeds of Renewal and Alnobaiwi, Abenaki led programs that bridge traditional and contemporary foodways.  Many seeds from Seeds of Renewal make it into tribal gardens and Abenaki Land Link gardens across the state, gardens and growers that are coordinated by NOFA-VT.    On this episode we get out to the field and hear about growing Abenaki foods in Vermont, while we connect again with Chief Don Stevens and with Zea Luce of NOFA-VT. This episode was produced by Stephen Abatiell. Special thanks to Chief Don Stevens, Zea Luce, and all of the Abenaki Land Link growers across the state. To learn more, check out NOFA-VT's Agricultural Literacy Week YouTube video on the Abenaki Land Link Project or at NOFAVT.org.   Root Words is produced in the heart of Rutland County Vermont and is made possible by generous support from listeners like you.  You can support Root Words by visiting us Online

In this Episode, Farmer D and Sona Desai share their passion and experiences on how to harness the power of food systems to regenerate the health of people and the planet.   Join Our Community!Show Notes:San Diego Food System AllianceCoastal Roots FarmIntervale CenterAdditional Resources:Citizen Farmers Resources Citizen Farmers BookCredits:Co-Produced and Recorded by Daron Joffe and Ben BernsteinAudio Editing by Sarah MilliganMusic by Ben BernsteinAbout Farmer D:Farmer D is a nationally recognized biodynamic farmer, designer, speaker, entrepreneur and educator.He is the author of the acclaimed book "Citizen Farmers: The Biodynamic Way to Grow Healthy Food, Build Thriving Communities and Give Back to the Earth" and has spent the past 25 years designing and building community farms and gardens all over the country.Farmer D has worked on a wide range of public and private farm development projects ranging from residential “agrihood” communities like Serenbe and Rancho Mission Viejo to non-profit projects such as Coastal Roots Farm and Camp Twin Lakes.About Sona Desai:Sona has been working to advance sustainable and equitable food systems for more than 20 years. She has a background in organic farming, food marketing & distribution, farm business development, and is recognized nationally as a leader in food hub and community food systems development.Before joining the San Diego Food System Alliance, Sona was the Director of Food Systems Development at the Leichtag Foundation where she provided thought leadership, research, and food and farm based consulting services to advance the Foundation’s food system strategy. She also served as the Associate Director of Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas.Sona moved to California in 2016 after working at the Intervale Center in Burlington, Vermont for ten years. At the Intervale Center, Sona led the development and management of the Intervale Food Hub and the organization’s Gleaning & Food Rescue Program. She was also actively engaged in the Vermont Farm to Plate Network, and served on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont.As the Associate Director of the San Diego Food System Alliance, Sona provides strategic and management support for the organization, strengthens support services for small-scale sustainable food producers and fishermen in the region, supports economic development in the food system, and leads diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. She is also leading the development of San Diego County Food Vision 2030, a bold, 10-year plan and movement to cultivate a healthier, more sustainable, and more just food system in the region. Support the show (https://www.citizenfarmers.com/podcast/#podcast-subscribe)

Welcome to Modern Ways!Hosted and produced by Madison HopkinsWanda Osterman-Harris and I cover the topic of 'going pesticide free' and how that creates a positive ripple effect on your whole community's ecosystem!WHY going pesticide free is important!HOW people are able to do that!NETWORKS or communities for people to join!Links / Networks mentioned:Beyond PesticidesNOFA Standards for Organic Land CareSoil TestingsPeople and Pollinator Action Network Grouphttps://www.meetup.com/People-and-Pollinators-Action-Network/Denver Botanic Gardens OMRI listed productsNon-toxic CommunitiesIntegrated Pest Management ProgramsInternational Climate Action ChallengeTree People

In response to the murder of George Floyd, violent protests erupted for the second night in a row on Wednesday in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floyd, an African-American man, was seen on video pleading for medical assistance and saying that he could not breath while Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin placed a knee upon his neck while detaining him on the ground. The Minneapolis Police Department identified the other officers at the scene as Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng. All four officers have since been fired. What are we to make of these new developments?Some 2.1 million Americans filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week as US President Donald Trump and state governors try to reopen the economy. This is according to data released by the Labor Department on Thursday. "In the week ending May 23, a seasonally adjusted 2,123,000 Americans filed initial claims for unemployment benefits, falling from a revised total of 2,446,000 applications filed the week before," The Hill reported Thursday. How do we make sense of this? "A $3 billion federal program designed to get food from farmers to hungry Americans during the coronavirus pandemic is being criticized by charitable groups for neglecting New York and other northeastern US states hit hard by the outbreak," the Financial Times reported Wednesday. "Of the $1.2 billion awarded by the US Department of Agriculture so far, only $54 million, or less than 5%, has gone to food distributors serving its northeastern region — New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, seven states that together represent roughly a tenth of the US population. The distribution of the aid has raised questions of political fairness, since none of the states voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 election. It also follows allegations that companies without proper qualifications were given contracts in the 'Farmers to Families Food Box Program.'”GUESTS:David Schultz — Professor of political science at Hamline University and author of "Presidential Swing States: Why Only Ten Matter." Dr. Jack Rasmus — Professor of economics at Saint Mary's College of California and author of "Central Bankers at the End of Their Ropes: Monetary Policy and the Coming Depression." Elizabeth Henderson — Member of the National Family Farming Coalition and the board of directors of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY) who co-chairs the Policy Committee and represents the NOFA Interstate Council on the board of the Agricultural Justice Project. Her writings on organic agriculture appear in The Natural Farmer and other publications, and she is the lead author of "Sharing the Harvest: A Citizen's Guide to Community Supported Agriculture." She also wrote "A Food Book for a Sustainable Harvest" for the members of Peacework Organic Community Supported Agriculture (GVOCSA).

If there were one enterprise that addresses environmental degradation, chronic illness, depression, and poverty, would you be willing to learn about it? Today, we speak to someone who seems to have hit the jackpot…he and his family have developed a highly productive, dense nutrient-producing farming style that feeds people like medicine. They have reached a point with their fields where weeds, pests, and disease issues are all but null, and the life and vitality that reaches well beyond their farm is rewarded with a community that supports and celebrates their efforts. Bryan O’Hara has been growing vegetables for a livelihood since 1990 at Tobacco Road Farm in Lebanon, Connecticut. He works with natural systems to build complex and balanced soil life, resulting in a highly productive, vibrant growing system. Bryan was named Northeast Organic Farming Association’s Farmer of the Year in 2016, and is the author of No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture. It’s easy to fall into the mentality that humans are bad for the Earth…but the Earth is actually overjoyed to have humans work with her, and are in fact the Earth’s best allies in bringing about health, vitality and increase of life and abundance for not only ourselves, but all of nature around us.   In this episode… How declining environmental conditions caused Bryan to explore the way he raised his vegetables How he transitioned to a no-till growing system Weeds, insects and disease show the farmer what kind of imbalance exists in the environment; when plants are a state of health and vitality, insects and diseases do not attack those plants We are currently experiencing a global pandemic that we can view as an indicator that our planetary environment is likewise imbalanced If a crop is experiencing lack of fertility or vitality, it will experience pest and disease pressure. Typically, a pesticide is applied to protect that crop, but if that plant lacked the vitality to survive, it will not confer vitality to the animal (or human) that consumes that crop. …conversely, a crop that is full of vitality that doesn’t attract insects and diseases, has the vital compounds that readily transfer to the consumer and produces higher-functioning humans or animals. Many of Bryan’s customers have been with him for 3 decades…over that time, the impacts of consuming highly vital, nutrient dense food have had profound effects on their health, vitality, and even their medical conditions. How operating within the community with the goal of “love for the other” creates a culture of cooperation, goodwill, and success Growing 4 acres’ worth of produce in one acre…the efficiencies of crop intensification Layering composting materials with living plant cover and other no-till techniques How to identify nutrient-dense food without equipment Some think that humans are fundamentally bad for the Earth…but working this way with natural forces, creating this kind of vibrancy, gives human life tremendous meaning…once you see the potential, the heights of health and vitality and increase of life and abundance for not only you, but all of nature around you. The Earth is actually overjoyed to have humans work with her, and are in fact the Earth’s best allies in bringing out more vibrancy and life.   Resources No-Till Intensive Vegetable Culture by Bryan O’Hara      

My guest today on Digging in the Dirt is Dina Brewster. Dina is the Executive Director of The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA), she owns The Hickories a one acre vegetable garden and has overseen the development of new products and new acreage as the family business has grown. Committed to connecting people with working land, Dina chose to return to her family's farm in Ridgefield and start the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program, one that still exists as the backbone of the farm's business plan.

Today's Special Report was produced from the recent Northeast Organic Farming Association's 2020 OrganiConn conference at Weslyan University in Middletown. We caught up with NOFA's director, the event's keynote speaker, as well as a number of other guests promoting organic practices and programs that can help enhance our state's environment and public health - while engaging 'back to the land' entrepreneurs and our youngest citizens to dig in and enjoy everything they can raise and eat from their own farm, personal, school, or community garden.

My guest this afternoon is Suzanne Duesing. Suzanne lived and worked with her partner Bill Duesing on the Old Solar Farm for three decades. Together they raised animals, fruits and vegetables for their family and community ...Her husband Bill is the founder of the CT chapter of NOFA, the Northeast Organic Farming Association, part of the larger network of chapters throughout New England, New York and New Jersey. He dedicated his entire adult life to the perpetuation of a sustainable,local and organic food system.

Thank you so much for checking out the Eat Local CNY podcast. It would mean the world to us if you could subscribe to the podcast and leave a review on what you think of the podcast. We'd love to connect more with you online. Find us at the following platforms. Facebook: http://ow.ly/gEZY30pxWvm Twitter: http://ow.ly/T0EJ30pxWwT Instagram: http://ow.ly/QvTq30pxWxa YouTube: http://ow.ly/cBZl30pxWxq Snapchat: http://ow.ly/A19Y30pxWxP LinkedIn: http://ow.ly/WCro30pxWyU Check out EatLocalCNY.com to find the Eat Local CNY card and to find a complete list of participating restaurants on the Eat Local CNY card. Special thanks to our sponsor, Syracha'Cuse for partnering with the Eat Local CNY podcast. Make sure you go over to syrachabox.com and get your hands on their new subscription box. You can use code “EATLOCALCNY10” to save $10 on your first order. NOFA-NY is an organization of farmers, gardeners, and consumers working together to create a sustainable regional food system that's ecologically sound and economically viable. Through demonstration and education, we promote land stewardship, organic food production, and local marketing. We bring consumer and farmer together to make high quality food available to all people. Northeast Organic Farming Association of NY (our website) NOFA-NY Winter Conference January 17-19, 2020 (our full conference website with more details will be available in a couple of weeks) NOFA-NY – Become a Member Join or make a donation. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/eatlocalcny/support

Fred and Karen Lee of Sang Lee Farms in Peconic were recently named the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York's Farmers of the Year. Grant Parpan sat down with them to speak about their farm's philosophy, its offerings and its history dating back to the 1940s. This episode of the Northforker Podcast was sponsored by California Closets, opening a new showroom at 70 North Main Street in Sayville. https://www.californiaclosets.com

"Podcasts from the Farm" is a series of audio stories created by Williams College students in a Winter Study course taught by Mike Evans, the assistant director at the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives. Students attended the Northeast Organic Farming Association's 2018 Winter Conference, interviewed farmers and other food and farming movers & shakers, and created their own podcast episodes. We hope you enjoy! Feel free to share any and all audio stories that you find compelling.

For many of the 35 Years the Northeast Organic Farming Association has been hosting their Winter Conference, John Voket and the Award-Winning For the People have been there - and 2017 is no different. So sit down and check out a number of interviews we captured from Western CT State University last weekend with guests and exhibitors at the NOFA Conference. We'll talk about bees, and worms, and Alpacas - (oh my!) - as well as programs to help establish new and young Connecticut farmers, and a program that connects them with a growing network of school and institutional food service providers. We'll even tell you about an effort to establish a family farm trail in central Litchfield County.

On this episode of the Sustainable Dish podcast I speak with Jack Kittredge of the Northeast Organic Farming Association. Jack and I discuss the process of returning carbon to the soil, known as carbon soil restoration, photosynthesis, and holistic management.

In this episode, we are very pleased to have, as guests on this show, General Manager of Wild Oats Market in Williamstown, Mass David Durfee. and Dan Bensonoff, Policy Director at the Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts (NOFA/Mass). We'll be discussion legislation at the federal level that will determine how, and even if, consumers will be able to know whether or not their food purchases contain genetically engineered ingredients or if this is just leftover DARK Act servings from 2015.… The post Plenty #6: Shining Some Light into the DARK Act with David Durfee and Dan Bensonoff appeared first on The Greylock Glass.

In this episode, we are very pleased to have, as guests on this show, General Manager of Wild Oats Market in Williamstown, Mass David Durfee. and Dan Bensonoff, Policy Director at the Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts (NOFA/Mass). We’ll be discussion legislation at the federal level that will determine how, and even if, consumers will be able to know whether or not their food purchases contain genetically engineered ingredients or if this is just leftover DARK Act servings from 2015.… The post Plenty #6: Shining Some Light into the DARK Act with David Durfee and Dan Bensonoff appeared first on The Greylock Glass.

This morning on the award-winning 'For the People,' host John Voket wraps up a two-part report from the Northeast Organic Farming Association's recent Conference at WestConn. We'll visit with Connecticut's Agriculture Commissioner, and talk to exhibitors to find the best seeds to get your first or latest garden started, generating your own electricity from solar power, we'll dig into composting with UConn's School of Agriculture and have a leisurely chat about slow foods.

This morning on the award-winning 'For the People,' host John Voket wraps up a two-part report from the Northeast Organic Farming Association's recent Conference at WestConn. We'll visit with Connecticut's Agriculture Commissioner, and talk to exhibitors to find the best seeds to get your first or latest garden started, generating your own electricity from solar power, we'll dig into composting with UConn's School of Agriculture and have a leisurely chat about slow foods.

CLASSES & RESOURCES IN NYC GrowNYC’s Farm Beginnings — a comprehensive agricultural training program developed for new farmers by the people who run the Greenmarket. Designed for a people looking to start farm enterprises, including urban farmers looking to scale-up and second career farm entrepreneurs.   Brooklyn Grange hosts a whole range of workshops and classes for rooftop farmers. If a full roof installation process is more than you want to take on, their Design and Installation arm will build you your very own backyard or terrace garden, rooftop farm, or green wall.  Just Food’s Farm School NYC  — urban agriculture training through a certificate program and a wide range of individual courses from social justice to urban farming to grassroots community organizing. Mission: to build self-reliant communities and inspire positive local action around food access and social, economic, and racial justice issues.  Green Roofs for Healthy Cities  — training towards certification in green roof and wall installation. Eagle Street Farm — Greenpoint. This rooftop farm welcomes visitors from second graders to graduate students to learn about sky-high agriculture.  Cornell Cooperative Extension  — free gardening and farming support run by NYS with offices in every single county – including Manhattan. Offering everything from soil testing to 20c processing licenses.  HUDSON VALLEY INTERNSHIPS AND INCUBATORS Stone Barns’ Growing Farmers Initiative  — Westchester. Comprehensive program to help beginning farmers get the training, resources and guidance to create economically and ecologically resilient farm enterprises. Offers apprenticeships, a virtual grange, workshops on everything from beekeeping to seed saving, and an annual Young Farmers Conference which draws hundreds of beginning farmers from across the country and beyond.  Glynwood’s Farm Incubator  — Cold Spring. Provides the tools and resources aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs need to develop and manage viable farm enterprises in the Hudson Valley. Provides access to land, housing, shared equipment, infrastructure, low-interest capital, business mentoring and training in sustainable farming practices. RESOURCES & NON-PROFITS SUPPORTING NEW FARMERS Cornell’s Beginning Farmers Program  — a comprehensive clearing house of resources, internships, job postings and land opportunities. Northeast Organic Farming Association  — This seven-state non-profit teaches, certifies and supports organic farms. Their semi-annual conferences offer sessions on everything from raw milk to fermentation to homesteading, complete with contra dancing and camping.  The Greenhorns  — A unique resource helping young people make the transition into a career of farming. Provides information about everything from where to find an apprenticeship to how to repair a tractor. Complete with mentor matchmaker.   National Young Farmers Coalition  — represents, mobilizes, and engages young farmers. Supports practices and policies to sustain young, independent and prosperous farmers now and in the future. Co-founded by an ex-Manhattanite who now grows organic vegetables in the Hudson.  Richard Wiswall’s The Organic Farmer’s Business Handbook  — widely-prized bible on the business end of running a farm. Expert advice on how to make your vegetable production more efficient and how to better manage your employees and finances. The USDA’s (great) new website for new farmers  — Yes, even the USDA is focusing on new farmers. This site offers in-depth information on how to increase access to land and capital, build new market opportunities, participate in conservation opportunities, select and use risk management tools, and access USDA education and technical-support  American Farmland Trust: Transitioning Farmland to a New Generation  — This longtime, stalwart non-profit is bringing its forces to bear for new farmers, offering everything from training to land links as well as targeted offerings for women landowners and conservation.