Podcasts about organic agriculture

Introduction: The Problem We Can't Ignore We live in a world where the food we eat is supposed to nourish us, but what if it's actually making us sick? Pesticides, soil degradation, and nutrient-depleted crops are all part of our modern food system, contributing to rising cases of neurological disorders, metabolic diseases, and immune dysfunction. The research is clear: exposure to certain pesticides has been linked to cognitive decline, Parkinson's disease, and an increased cancer risk. At the same time, the way we farm today is stripping our food of the vital nutrients our ancestors took for granted. So, the question isn't just about avoiding chemicals—it's about finding food that truly fuels life. The solution? Organic, regenerative, and locally grown produce. Let's break down the science and give you real reasons why it's never been more important to care about where your food comes from.     The Science Behind Pesticides and Health Risks  The Hidden Dangers of Conventional Farming Pesticide residues in conventional food contribute to long-term health risks, including cognitive decline and neurodevelopmental disorders in children. According to Holzman (2012) in Organic Food Conclusions Don't Tell the Whole Story, "Pesticide dietary risk is a function of many factors, including the number of residues, their levels, and pesticide toxicity." (Holzman, 2012).  Organophosphate pesticides, commonly used in industrial agriculture, have been directly linked to Parkinson's disease. As Mie et al. (2017) state in Human Health Implications of Organic Food and Organic Agriculture, "Epidemiological studies have reported adverse effects of certain pesticides on children's cognitive development at current levels of exposure." (Mie et al., 2017).  Pregnant women consuming conventional produce showed higher levels of pyrethroid insecticides in their bodies compared to those eating organic. Curl et al. (2019) in Effect of a 24-week Randomized Trial of an Organic Produce Intervention found that "3-Phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA, a biomarker for pyrethroids) concentrations were significantly higher in conventional produce consumers compared to organic consumers." (Curl et al., 2019).      The Cancer Connection The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified several pesticides used in conventional farming—such as glyphosate and malathion—as likely carcinogens. Hemler et al. (2018) in Organic Foods for Cancer Prevention—Worth the Investment? found that "Participants with the highest frequency of organic food consumption had a 25% lower risk of being diagnosed with cancer during follow-up compared with those with the lowest frequency." (Hemler et al., 2018).     The Nutrient Density Solution: More Than Just Pesticide-Free  Higher Nutrients in Organic & Regenerative Foods  Organic fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of vitamin C, essential minerals like magnesium and iron, and more powerful antioxidants. Maloney (2014) in Comparative Study on Nutritional Quality and Detection of Pesticide Residues states, "Organic foods are better in taste, appearance, firmness, and nutrient content when compared to conventional foods." (Maloney, 2014). Organically grown produce has 20-40% higher levels of antioxidants than conventionally grown produce, which help protect against inflammation and chronic diseases. According to Mie et al. (2017), "Differences in the composition between organic and conventional crops include a modestly higher content of phenolic compounds in organic fruit and vegetables." (Mie et al., 2017).     The Simple Steps to Better Food Go Organic Whenever Possible – Reduce your pesticide exposure and increase the nutrient density of your food.  Support Local & Regenerative Farms – Look for farmers using soil-restoring practices that make food healthier.  Grow Your Own – Even a small backyard garden or balcony pot can produce pesticide-free, nutrient-rich food.  Buy Seasonal Produce – Seasonal food is fresher, richer in nutrients, and often grown closer to home. Prioritize the Dirty Dozen – If you can't go 100% organic, at least choose organic versions of the most pesticide-laden produce, like strawberries, spinach, and apples.     Conclusion: Take Back Control of Your Health  Our food choices today impact our health for decades to come. Science shows that organic, regenerative, and locally grown food isn't just a trendy choice—it's a necessity. From reducing pesticides to boosting essential nutrients, switching to better food sources is one of the most powerful steps you can take to live a longer, healthier life.  So, are you ready to make the change?     Bibliography: Holzman, D. (2012). Organic Food Conclusions Don't Tell the Whole Story. Environmental Health Perspectives.  Curl, C., et al. (2019). Effect of a 24-week Randomized Trial of an Organic Produce Intervention. Environment International.  3. Mie, A., et al. (2017). Human Health Implications of Organic Food and Organic Agriculture. Environmental Health.      What You'll Learn in This Episode: (00:00:00) Introduction – Why this episode could change the way you eat forever. (00:03:07) Does Buying Organic Really Matter? – The truth about pesticides and chemicals in food. (00:05:08) The Rise of Ultra-Processed & Chemical-Laden Foods – What's actually making us sick? (00:07:00) How Conventional Farming Stripped Our Food of Nutrients – The hidden crisis in modern agriculture. (00:09:18) The Pesticide Problem – How chemicals in food are linked to neurological disorders, metabolic disease, and immune dysfunction. (00:12:10) The Research on Pesticides & Disease – Shocking studies on cognitive decline, Parkinson's, and cancer risk. (00:14:30) Why Organic & Regenerative Farming Is the Future – It's about more than just avoiding chemicals. (00:17:50) Nutrient Density vs. Food Volume – Why eating more food doesn't mean you're getting enough nutrition. (00:20:21) Final Thoughts & How to Make the Shift Today – Small changes that make a big difference.     Thank You to Our Sponsors: Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Fatal Conveniences Book: Everything you think is safe—your food, home, and daily habits—could be slowly killing you. Fatal Conveniences exposes the hidden dangers in everyday life and shows you how to reclaim your health. Pick up a copy by visiting the link for Fatal Conveniences.     Find More From Darin: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway: "The food system is broken, but you don't have to be a victim of it. Choosing organic, nutrient-rich, and regenerative food is the best investment in your long-term health."

#209: Nora Taleb witnessed the birth and naming of the Real Organic Project during her time at our joint venture partner Naturland, the EU's oldest add-on food label based in Germany. She shared her thoughts about our next steps on the stage at Churchtown Dairy during our 2024 event, Real Organic: A World Movement.Nora Taleb is a food systems consultant focusing on regenerative organic agriculture and sustainable systems. She joining Naturland Association for Organic Agriculture in 2015, to manage the team Naturland Fair with its full-supply-chain certification program combining organic standards that go beyond the NOP/EU regulation, animal welfare and social fairness under one label. Naturland has developed organic and fair trade standards since 1982 and is today with around 65.000 farmers one of the largest organic associations, 100% owned by farmers. Nora Together with US partners, she works on organic integrity and farmer advocacy in North America.https://realorganicproject.org/team/nora-taleb/To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://realorganicproject.org/nora-taleb-at-churchtown-farmer-led-revolution-209The Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

Welcome to episode 55 of Growers Daily! We cover: Can organic ag feed the world and tomato grafting     Links from this episode:  Biochar video: https://youtu.be/yqfExLFPixY   Nitten Paperpot video: https://youtu.be/R53jNXK2-qw   Grafting Video: https://youtu.be/5o4ZXWqh2Qk   Grafting study with root-knot nematodes:https://hos.ifas.ufl.edu/media/hosifasufledu/documents/pdf/in-service-training/ist30614/IST30614---23.pdf   Grafting tomatoes economics study: https://journals.ashs.org/horttech/view/journals/horttech/23/5/article-p613.xml   Organic feed the world study in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-01410-w   A good balanced summary of the research on “Can organic feed the world” https://hilo.hawaii.edu/campuscenter/hohonu/volumes/documents/Vol08x07CanOrganicFarmingFeedTheWorld.pdf       Support our work (

Bonus: Co-director Linley Dixon was the final speaker at "Real Organic: A World Movement" held in the Round Barn at Abby Rockefeller's Churchtown Dairy outside of Hudson, NY on Sept 28, 2024, where she focused on the people who make this movement so meaningful: https://realorganicproject.org/events/churchtown/Dr. Linley Dixon is the co-director of the Real Organic Project and the owner-operator of Adobe House Farm in Durango, Colorado. She has a Master's Degree in Plant and Soil Science, specializing in Organic Agriculture,  and also earned a PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of West Virginia, specializing in tomato diseases. Linley has worked as a scientist for both The Cornucopia Institute and at the USDA.https://www.adobehousefarm.com/To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://realorganicproject.org/linley-dixon-churchtown-2024-farmer-uprisingThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

Did you know that organic farming is both regenerative and climate smart? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn for her conversation with Thelma Velez, PhD, Research and Education Program Director at the Organic Farming Research Foundation. Velez explains USDA's organic label, and how organic farming practices benefit planet and people. She shares challenges faced by organic farmers, confusion over the “regenerative” label, and describes OFRF's new tool kit explaining how organic farming is truly “regenerative.”Related Websites: Organic Farming Research Foundation: www.ofrf.org Organic is Regenerative Toolkit: https://ofrf.org/organic-is-regenerative/ National Organic Research Agenda (2022): https://eorganic.org/node/35366

#188: Good Earth Natural Foods founder Mark Squire sits down with Dave to relate how his California food co-op has been able to remain steadfast in their commitment to organic, regardless of the immense pressure and rampant greenwashing througout the food system.Mark Squire is the founder, manager and co-owner of Good Earth Natural Foods, an institution in Marin County, California since 1969. He is a longtime supporter of organic food and farming practices, and has worked hard to educate his local community about the issues in our food system that should influence their buying choices. He was integral in the formation of CCOF, California's first organic certification program, as well as in the organizational work that led to the banning of GMOs.https://www.genatural.com/To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/mark-squire-early-food-coop-true-to-course-episode-one-hundred-eighty-eightThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

#185: Mark Schatzker, author of the international best -sellers The Dorito Effect and the End of Craving, visits Dave's Vermont tomato farm and talks about the intersection of food, flavor, nutrition and the law, and the effects that junction has had on citizen eaters across the globe.Mark Schatzker is a journalist and author who writes deeply-researched page turners about food and flavor. In addition to his books Steak and The Dorito Effect,  he released The End of Craving: Recovering the Lost Wisdom of Eating Well, in November, 2021. You can learn more about Mark and his work here:https://www.markschatzker.com/To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/mark-schatzker-blocked-cravings-failures-food-enrichment-episode-one-hundred-eighty-fiveThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

******Support the channel****** Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thedissenter PayPal: paypal.me/thedissenter PayPal Subscription 1 Dollar: https://tinyurl.com/yb3acuuy PayPal Subscription 3 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ybn6bg9l PayPal Subscription 5 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/ycmr9gpz PayPal Subscription 10 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y9r3fc9m PayPal Subscription 20 Dollars: https://tinyurl.com/y95uvkao   ******Follow me on****** Website: https://www.thedissenter.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedissenteryt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheDissenterYT   This show is sponsored by Enlites, Learning & Development done differently. Check the website here: http://enlites.com/   Dr. Channa Prakash is Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Tuskegee University (USA). His research expertise is on genetic improvement of food crops of importance to developing countries and training of scientists and students in plant biotechnology. Dr. Prakash has also been actively involved in enhancing the societal awareness of food biotechnology issues around the world. He has earlier served on the USDA's Agricultural Biotechnology Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee for the Department of Biotechnology for the government of India. He is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition (FACN).   In this episode, we start by talking about gene editing techniques in plants, how they compare to GMOs, the goals of gene editing in plants, and its challenges. We discuss misconceptions surrounding GMOs, how the European Union deals with GMOs, the failed promises of organic agriculture, and the negative consequences of its adoption in Sri Lanka. Finally, we talk about environmental activism. -- A HUGE THANK YOU TO MY PATRONS/SUPPORTERS: PER HELGE LARSEN, JERRY MULLER, BERNARDO SEIXAS, ADAM KESSEL, MATTHEW WHITINGBIRD, ARNAUD WOLFF, TIM HOLLOSY, HENRIK AHLENIUS, FILIP FORS CONNOLLY, DAN DEMETRIOU, ROBERT WINDHAGER, RUI INACIO, ZOOP, MARCO NEVES, COLIN HOLBROOK, PHIL KAVANAGH, SAMUEL ANDREEFF, FRANCIS FORDE, TIAGO NUNES, FERGAL CUSSEN, HAL HERZOG, NUNO MACHADO, JONATHAN LEIBRANT, JOÃO LINHARES, STANTON T, SAMUEL CORREA, ERIK HAINES, MARK SMITH, JOÃO EIRA, TOM HUMMEL, SARDUS FRANCE, DAVID SLOAN WILSON, YACILA DEZA-ARAUJO, ROMAIN ROCH, DIEGO LONDOÑO CORREA, YANICK PUNTER, CHARLOTTE BLEASE, NICOLE BARBARO, ADAM HUNT, PAWEL OSTASZEWSKI, NELLEKE BAK, GUY MADISON, GARY G HELLMANN, SAIMA AFZAL, ADRIAN JAEGGI, PAULO TOLENTINO, JOÃO BARBOSA, JULIAN PRICE, EDWARD HALL, HEDIN BRØNNER, DOUGLAS FRY, FRANCA BORTOLOTTI, GABRIEL PONS CORTÈS, URSULA LITZCKE, SCOTT, ZACHARY FISH, TIM DUFFY, SUNNY SMITH, JON WISMAN, WILLIAM BUCKNER, PAUL-GEORGE ARNAUD, LUKE GLOWACKI, GEORGIOS THEOPHANOUS, CHRIS WILLIAMSON, PETER WOLOSZYN, DAVID WILLIAMS, DIOGO COSTA, ANTON ERIKSSON, ALEX CHAU, AMAURI MARTÍNEZ, CORALIE CHEVALLIER, BANGALORE ATHEISTS, LARRY D. LEE JR., OLD HERRINGBONE, MICHAEL BAILEY, DAN SPERBER, ROBERT GRESSIS, IGOR N, JEFF MCMAHAN, JAKE ZUEHL, BARNABAS RADICS, MARK CAMPBELL, TOMAS DAUBNER, LUKE NISSEN, KIMBERLY JOHNSON, JESSICA NOWICKI, LINDA BRANDIN, NIKLAS CARLSSON, GEORGE CHORIATIS, VALENTIN STEINMANN, PER KRAULIS, KATE VON GOELER, ALEXANDER HUBBARD, BR, MASOUD ALIMOHAMMADI, JONAS HERTNER, URSULA GOODENOUGH, DAVID PINSOF, SEAN NELSON, MIKE LAVIGNE, JOS KNECHT, ERIK ENGMAN, LUCY, YHONATAN SHEMESH, MANVIR SINGH, PETRA WEIMANN, PEDRO BONILLA, CAROLA FEEST, STARRY, MAURO JÚNIOR, 航 豊川, AND TONY BARRETT! A SPECIAL THANKS TO MY PRODUCERS, YZAR WEHBE, JIM FRANK, ŁUKASZ STAFINIAK, TOM VANEGDOM, BERNARD HUGUENEY, CURTIS DIXON, BENEDIKT MUELLER, THOMAS TRUMBLE, KATHRINE AND PATRICK TOBIN, JONCARLO MONTENEGRO, AL NICK ORTIZ, NICK GOLDEN, AND CHRISTINE GLASS! AND TO MY EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS, MATTHEW LAVENDER, SERGIU CODREANU, BOGDAN KANIVETS, ROSEY, AND GREGORY HASTINGS!

Taylor Chalstrom sits down with Shriya Rangarajan, postdoctoral researcher with the Organic Agriculture Institute, to discuss pressing concerns within the growing California organic ag industry and how these will be addressed in the future.

The hazards of grants, letting vegetable plants go to seed and lessons in water rights with Robert Frew and Juan Carlos Arango  Robert and Juan Carlos practice permaculture and a culture of sharing at Sobremesa Farm, just outside Bloomington, Indiana. In this episode, Robert talks about taking the time to observe the land before jumping into farming and waiting one more year before putting any pressure on selling anything from the land. Juan Carlos points out that neither of them knew much about farming but came into this work through their interest in nature and wildlife and, eventually, the relationships they built at a Bioneers Conference. That permaculture mimics nature made it a natural fit for their land-management philosophy.  Hear about the steps they took to bring municipal water to a property that isn't suited for a well but didn't have a municipal-water meter. (Listeners: Most of us would have walked away from this property. You have to hear about their journey!) Robert also talks about how they collect and keep rainwater on the land, plus two springs that have come to the surface since they purchased the property.  Juan Carlos talks about the concept of “volunteers”--particularly plant volunteers as a means to reduce dependence on off-farm seed resources. He also talks about the various animals they keep and the rolls each fills on the farm, plus some of the more untypical tropical crops they grow in greenhouses and the fields. You won't find soursop, bananas or pittaya growing too many other places in the Midwest!  Hear, too, about their fellowship with Midwest Grains, the milpas they're experimenting with, and their interest in finding and learning from other small-scale grain growers in the region.  From CSA to an on-farm market, Sobremesa Farm attempts to connect their customers with how their food is grown. Robert talks about getting grant money to expand production via mini production contracts for a local food pantry in 2023. He gets real about the growing pains for farms as small as theirs when engaging with grants.  Finally, Juan Carlos talks about their approach to educating their customers and school groups, as well as multicultural farming workshops they host on the farm. Hear, too, about the fertility methods they've used to supercharge the soil organic matter on their farm.   If you're curious about the name Sobremesa Farm, listen to the very end to hear Juan Carlos's explanation of the Latin American concept of sobremesa.  Note from the host:  One thing we did not get to talk about in this episode was Sobremesa Farm's feature during the 2023 Farm Aid benefit concert. Be sure to watch the video, linked below.   Links from this episode  Sobremesa Farm website  Sobremesa Farm Instagram  The ABC of Organic Agriculture, Chromatography and Sustainable Livestock Management workshop with Jairo Restrepo, September 3-6, 2024  Farm Aid video 

In 2022, U.S. organic sales reached $9.6 billion. California accounted for nearly 40% of those sales.

TakeawaysCanyon Coffee started in 2016 as a roaster in Casey's and his girlfriend's apartment and has grown into a wholesale business with hundreds of accounts.They are committed to organic and regenerative agriculture and believe in supporting farmers who have taken the leap to get organic certification.Regenerative agriculture has the potential to draw down carbon and mitigate the effects of climate change.The market reception of regenerative organic coffee has been positive, especially in LA where people are willing to spend money on products that have a positive impact.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Podcast Fame02:21 The Early Years of Canyon Coffee06:29 The Bonding Power of Coffee10:19 The Significance of Organic and Regenerative Agriculture20:24 The Market Reception of Regenerative Organic Coffee27:07 The Environmental Impact of Regenerative Coffee28:29 Conclusion and Contact Information

#176:  Food systems consultant and former team leader for the Naturland Fair & Social Responsibility program Nora Taleb visits Real Organic Project co-director Linley Dixon at her farm in Durango, Colorado for a conversation about the role of organic agriculture, farmers, and corporate actors across the globe. Nora Taleb is a food systems consultant focusing on regenerative organic agriculture and sustainable systems. She joining Naturland Association for Organic Agriculture in 2015, to manage the team Naturland Fair with its full-supply-chain certification program combining organic standards that go beyond the NOP/EU regulation, animal welfare and social fairness under one label. Naturland has developed organic and fair trade standards since 1982 and is today with around 65.000 farmers one of the largest organic associations, 100% owned by farmers. Nora Together with US partners, she works on organic integrity and farmer advocacy in North America.https://realorganicproject.org/team/nora-taleb/ To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/nora-taleb-global-players-rule-our-food-system-episode-one-hundred-seventy-sixThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Gabriella Soto-Velez talks with Nate Olive, the owner of Ridge to Reef Farm on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Nate talks about the innovative market- diversification strategies that have contributed to his farming success and the challenges and opportunities of the St. Croix market. Related ATTRA Resources: ·        ATTRA Internship Hub ·        Subtropical Soil Health Initiative ·        Cover Crops for Hot and Humid Areas Other Resources: ·        Ridge to Reef Farm Contact Gabriella Soto-Velez at gabriellas@ncat.org.  Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.  You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted,practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and otherresources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.  

In this episode of Voices from the Field, Audrey Kolde, an NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist, talks with Iriel Edwards, the farmer and owner of The Dancing Radicle Farm in Alexandria, Louisiana. Iriel is also a Certifier and Regional Organizer with the Real Organic Project. Prior to starting her own farm, Iriel managed Jubilee Justice's 5-acre organic farm in Alexandria and worked with Black farming communities in the Southeast. Iriel and Audrey discuss the challenges and potential of farming small-scale grains, particularly Louisiana rice. They delve into the necessary components for small-scale success, including community involvement and cooperative models, inspiring us to embrace innovation and collaboration toward a brighter future. Related ATTRA Resources:·         Disease and Insect Management in Organic Small Grains·         Nutrient Management in Organic Small Grains·         Weed Management in Organic Small Grains·         The Real Story Behind the Real Organic MovementOther Resources:·         Real Organic Project·         Jubilee Justice·         Iriel Edwards: USDA Discrimination, Land Access, and Collective LiberationContact Iriel Edwards at iriel@realorganicproject.orgContact Audrey Kolde at audreyk@ncat.org.Please complete a brief survey to let us know your thoughts about the content of this podcast.You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find access to our trusted, practical sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at ATTRA.NCAT.ORG.

New clinical trials for treatments of an always fatal brain disease, and what happens with pests when a conventional and organic farm are neighbors   First up on this week's show, a new treatment to stave off prion disease goes into clinical trials. Prions are misfolded proteins that clump together and chew holes in the brain. The misfolding can be switched on in a number of ways—including infection with a misfolded prion protein from an animal or person. Staff Writer Meredith Wadman talks with host Sarah Crespi about new potential treatments—from antisense nucleotides to small molecules that interfere with protein production—for these fatal neurodegenerative diseases.   Next on the show: Freelance producer Katherine Irving talks with Ashley Larsen, associate professor of agricultural and landscape ecology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, about the effects of organic farms on their neighbors. If there are lots of organic growers together, pesticide use goes down but conventional farms tend to use more pesticides when side by side with organic farms.   This week's episode was produced with help from Podigy.   About the Science Podcast   Authors: Sarah Crespi; Katherine Irving; Meredith Wadman LINKS FOR MP3 META   Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.z91m76v

New clinical trials for treatments of an always fatal brain disease, and what happens with pests when a conventional and organic farm are neighbors   First up on this week's show, a new treatment to stave off prion disease goes into clinical trials. Prions are misfolded proteins that clump together and chew holes in the brain. The misfolding can be switched on in a number of ways—including infection with a misfolded prion protein from an animal or person. Staff Writer Meredith Wadman talks with host Sarah Crespi about new potential treatments—from antisense nucleotides to small molecules that interfere with protein production—for these fatal neurodegenerative diseases.   Next on the show: Freelance producer Katherine Irving talks with Ashley Larsen, associate professor of agricultural and landscape ecology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, about the effects of organic farms on their neighbors. If there are lots of organic growers together, pesticide use goes down but conventional farms tend to use more pesticides when side by side with organic farms.   This week's episode was produced with help from Podigy.   About the Science Podcast   Authors: Sarah Crespi; Katherine Irving; Meredith Wadman LINKS FOR MP3 META   Episode page: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.z91m76v

A conversation with Sebastiaan Huisman, large-scale organic farmer and advisor, about consulting on many large farm transitions, including the British royal family and working with Wildfarmed. Why is he so optimistic about biodynamic, holistic, and regenerative farming, and why does it all start with children?Picking apples on an biodynamic farm at age 12 led to setting up one of the largest biodynamic farms in Europe, almost 2000 hectares in Poland, on very very poor soil, Sebastian had an incredible journey from that Dutch farm to the creation of one of Europe's largest biodynamic farms. As he shares his story, we'll uncover the transformative impact of regenerative agriculture, not just on the soil but also on the very heart of the community. ---------------------------------------------------Join our Gumroad community, discover the tiers and benefits on www.gumroad.com/investinginregenag. Support our work:Share itGive a 5-star ratingBuy us a coffee… or a meal! www.Ko-fi.com/regenerativeagriculture----------------------------------------------------More about this episode on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/sebastiaan-huisman.Find our video course on https://investinginregenerativeagriculture.com/course.----------------------------------------------------The above references an opinion and is for information and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a duly licensed professional for investment advice.https://foodhub.nl/en/opleidingen/your-path-forward-in-regenerative-food-and-agriculture/Support the showFeedback, ideas, suggestions? - Twitter @KoenvanSeijen - Get in touch www.investinginregenerativeagriculture.comJoin our newsletter on www.eepurl.com/cxU33P! Support the showThanks for listening and sharing!

Are organic vegetables actually more expensive than non-organic? And what's the real health cost of trying to save a few dollars on your grocery bill?    The exposure to chemicals in agriculture goes way beyond just us - it's a vicious cycle of damage to the environment that we CAN stop with some at-home practices.    Join me in this latest solo episode as I explore the debate between organic vs non-organic vegetables, including the health benefits and economic considerations of choosing organically grown produce. I address the common misconception that organic food, which often adheres to practices like permaculture and regenerative agriculture, is more expensive by highlighting the nutritional advantages and the absence of harmful chemicals.    I also address the growing concern over the use of harmful chemicals like glyphosate in conventional farming and how you can reduce your exposure to these chemicals and make healthier more sustainable choices in your own kitchen.    In this episode, I dive into…   (00:00) Organic vs non-organic food debate  (14:47) The truth about chemical exposure in organic agriculture Chemical Exposure in Organic Agriculture  (17:05) The wide reaching benefits of regenerative agriculture  (24:26) At home practices to reduce chemical exposure and grow your own food   …and more!   Don't forget…   You can order now by heading to https://darinolien.com/fatal-conveniences-book or order now on Amazon.   Thank you to our sponsors:   Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off   Find more from Darin:   Website: https://darinolien.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Darinolien/ Book: https://darinolien.com/fatal-conveniences-book/ Down to Earth: https://darinolien.com/down-to-earth/  

#160: Organic farmer and Real Organic Project champion Eliot Coleman returns to discuss the role corporations, trade associations, and government policy has had on limiting the amount of real organic food found in the marketplace today. In the second half of the interview, the conversation focuses on growing on-farm fertility and stifling pest pressure by building up organic matter and biodiversity.Eliot Coleman is an author, market gardener, and educator. His work on the USDA study in the late 1970's, "Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming" helped lead to the formation of the National Organic Program, setting the very standards that are being ignored by corporate interests today. He lives and farms in Harborside, Maine with his wife, gardening and cookbook author Barbara Damrosch, while he transitions Four Season Farm to his daughter Clara Coleman. https://www.fourseasonfarm.com/To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://realorganicproject.org/eliot-coleman-they-rob-world-understanding-of-real-organic-practices-episode-one-hundred-sixtyThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/The Real Organic Project Certification deadline for 2024 is 04/15/2024. Please visit RealOrganicProject.com/Apply to guarantee a 2024 visit and inspection!

Work In The Field Of Organic Agriculture #vermicompost #vermicomposting #wormcomposting #goodfortune The Soil Matters Troy Hinke @livingrootscomposttea #composttea #organic #biology #itsallabouthebiology Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHSM8yB0Qvs Today's Guest: Troy Hinke Your Host: Leighton Morrison Executive Producer: Ken Somerville #flowers,#plants,#nature,#gardening,#garden,#growing,#koreannaturalfarming,#naturalfarming,#jadam,#naturalfertilizer,#naturalfarminginputs,#permaculture,#regenerative,#foodforest,#biodynamic,#bioactive,#organic,#notill,#knf,#organicgardening,#urbangardening,#containergardening,#homegardening, Full disclaimer available on our website.

Jim Gerritsen of Wood Prairie farm is a legend not only for his over four decades of organic farming, but for his activism. As the founder and president of The Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA), a national non-profit membership organization committed to protecting, promoting, and developing the organic seed trade and its growers, he was part of the group that sued Monsanto in 2011 challenging the validity of Monsanto's transgenic/GMO patents and seeking court protection for innocent family farmers who may become contaminated by Monsanto seed.He's also been involved in defending the integrity of organic standards by opposing the certification of hydroponics as organic here in the USA, along with the Real Organic Project. We talk about all that, in addition to organic seed potato farming, best practices for potato growing, and how Wood Prairie Farm and farming have changed over the years since starting the farm in the 1970s.Here's a link to a free article on greensprouting potatoes from Growing for Market Magazine that was mentioned during the article:https://growingformarket.com/articles/planting-and-greensprouting-potatoesConnect With Guest:Email: orders@woodprairie.comWebsite: www.woodprairie.comBlog: https://www.woodprairie.com/blog/Newsletter: https://www.woodprairie.com/wood-prairie-farm-newsletter-archive/Facebook: Wood Prairie Family Farm Podcast Sponsors:Huge thanks to our podcast sponsors as they make this podcast FREE to everyone with their generous support:Rimol Greenhouse Systems designs and manufactures greenhouses that are built to be intensely rugged, reliably durable, and uniquely attractive – to meet all your growing needs. Rimol Greenhouses are guaranteed to hold up through any weather conditions, while providing exceptional value and an easy installation for vegetable growers of all sizes. Learn more about the Rimol difference and why growers love Rimol high tunnels at Rimol.com.Bootstrap Farmer offers a complete range of growing supplies including heat mats, ground cover, frost blankets, silage tarps, irrigation, and trellising. They also make all-metal, all-inclusive greenhouse frames, constructed of steel made in the USA and fabricated in Texas. Their heavy-duty, Midwest-made propagation and microgreens trays will last for years and are available in a full range of colors, great for keeping farm seedlings separate from retail, or just for fun. For all that and more, check out Bootstrap Farmer at bootstrapfarmer.com.BCS two-wheel tractors are designed and built in Italy where small-scale farming has been a way of life for generations. Discover the beauty of BCS on your farm with PTO-driven implements for soil-working, shredding cover crops, spreading compost, mowing under fences, clearing snow, and more – all powered by a single, gear-driven machine that's tailored to the size and scale of your operation. To learn more, view sale pricing, or locate your nearest dealer, visit BCS America.Local Line is the all-in-one sales platform for direct-market farms and food hubs of all sizes. Increase your sales and streamline your processes with features including e-commerce, inventory management, subscriptions, online payments, and more! Get 15% off marketing services and one premium feature for a year with the code Growing4market at https://hubs.la/Q02bpWQV0Vermont Compost Company - Since 1992, Vermont Compost Company has supplied premium living soils and compost-based amendments to thousands of successful growers all over the country. All ingredients used in Vermont Compost products are approved for certified organic production. In addition to product consistency, growers can depend on Vermont Compost as an invaluable resource for a breadth of soil and plant knowledge and the technical expertise it takes to grow organically in an ever-changing environment. Why Grow Alone? Visit vermontcompost.com/gfm for details or mention this podcast when you place your order. Subscribe To Our Magazine - FREE 28-Day Trial:Our Website: www.GrowingForMarket.com

Did you know that biodiversity is key to resilience? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her interview with Doug Crabtree, owner and operator of Vilicus Farms and Institute, in Havre, MT. From the heart of wheat country in the northern plains, Crabtree discusses the challenges he faces from climate change, U.S. agricultural policies, and the benefits of organic agriculture, biodiversity, ecosystem services. Importantly, he shares his philosophy on farming, as a necessary part of society based on community.   Related website:  https://vilicusfarms.com/ 

Did you know that USDA's new Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards will help promote animal welfare? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her interview with Harriet Behar, organic farmer, inspector, educator and Farmer Services Consultant for the Organic Farming Association. Behar describes the multiple benefits of organic agriculture and explains how USDA's new organic livestock and poultry standards benefit farmers, inspectors, and consumers.  Related website:  https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic-livestock-and-poultry-standards https://organicfarmersassociation.org/ 

The brand Patagonia is renowned for its purpose-driven mission of finding solutions to problems, collectively working to battle climate change and help save our home planet. One of the solutions they're focusing on is regenerative organic agriculture and food sourcing because, after all, everything we consume and eat has a profound impact on our planet. Today's guest is part of that team working to create systems that foster healthier and “better-for-the-world” food practices. We are excited to introduce, Paul Lightfoot. Paul is the General Manager of Patagonia Provisions, the food business of Patagonia, and the Board Chair of Regenerative Organic Alliance, the non-profit that administers Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™). In our conversation today, we dive into the why behind Patagonia's journey into the food industry, what inspired their collaborative craft beer program and delve into the Regenerative Organic Movement. To hear about Patagonia's only acquisition and explore its initiatives to solving the environmental crisis, be sure to start listening now. Enjoy!Key Points From This Episode:Patagonia Provisions: why a clothing company decided to start a food company.How Kernza® Grain happened and the why behind the collaborative craft beer program.Patagonia's journey from the apparel business to the food business. Patagonia Provision's pursuits and ambitions in the food industry.Patagonia's first and only acquisition and why crackers were the next space to invest in.What fires Paul up about the Regenerative Organic Movement (and what irks him). What ‘Regenerate, Rejoice, Restore' means to Paul.Links Mentioned in Today's Episode:Paul Lightfoot on LinkedInPaul Lightfoot on XPatagonia Provisions1% for the PlanetRegenerative Organic AllianceThe Land InstituteKernza® GrainYvon ChouinardPatagonia Provisions: Unbroken Ground (Film)Modern Species Gage Mitchell on LinkedInGage Mitchell on TwitterBrands for a Better World WebsiteBrands for a Better World on YouTubeBrands for a Better World emailImpact Driven Community

Hey nerds, Farmer Jesse here, and we're going to break from our regularly scheduled podcasting to bring you a special bonus episode--a roundtable with three living legends: Helen Atthowe, David Blanchard, & Lou Johns. These have been three huge inspirations of my own and I wanted to get them together to discuss living pathways and how they manage them on different acreage and in different systems. This is a very long and in-depth conversation and we cover: how to manage living pathways, strip tillage, mowing walkways, establishing paths, best tillers for strip tillage, and a whole lot more. We hope you enjoy this roundtable as much as we did and we hope to do more of them soon!  Mentioned in the show... The Ecological Farm: A Minimalist, No-Till, No-Spray, Selective-Weeding, Grow-Your-Own Fertilizer, System for Organic Agriculture by Helen Atthowe If you want to see photos of their respective farms during the conversation, check out the YouTube version of the roundatble on The No-Till Growers channel Folks who have supported our work for many years, please support them... Johnny's Selected Seeds for vegetable, flower, and cover crop seeds. Visit the Growers Library for a wealth of growing resources. RIMOL Greenhouses for high-quality greenhouses and high-tunnels. BCS America for two wheel tractors + implements, on sale through the end of the year! ... and, as always, our work is powered by the individual growers who support us every month over at patreon.com/notillgrowers. You can pick up a copy of The Living Soil Handbook if you don't have one already, as well as a No-Till Growers hat or other merch, check out our YouTube channel, and you can ask you questions or share your insights into ecological market gardening on our free growers forum at notillgrowers.community.chat Find Farmer Jesse at these upcoming conferences... Organic Association of Kentucky Utah Food and Farm Conference Dallas Innercity Growers Summit Organic Growers School

In this episode, we have a special guest: Sarah Geurkink, Organic Production Specialist at the Organic Association of Kentucky. She will share with us her new role and how she helps organic farmers in the state. Tune in to hear more!Organic Association of KentuckyCenter For Crop Diversification Organic ResourcesQuestions/Comments/Feedback/Suggestions for Topics: hortculturepodcast@l.uky.eduCheck us out on Instagram!

#146: Linley Dixon, co-director of the Real Organic Project, speaks to the progress of our movement and the challenges we face, including new and misleading terms like "climate smart agriculture" and a misunderstood villainization of tillage. Linley was the lead-off speaker at our recent in-person event at Abby Rockefeller's Churchtown Dairy in Hudson NY, in mid-October.Dr. Linley Dixon is the co-director of the Real Organic Project and the owner-operator of Adobe House Farm in Durango, Colorado. She has a Master's Degree in Plant and Soil Science, specializing in Organic Agriculture,  and also earned a PhD in Plant Pathology from the University of West Virginia, specializing in tomato diseases. Linley has worked as a scientist for both The Cornucopia Institute and at the USDA. To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/linley-dixon-saving-real-organic-first-five-years-episode-one-hundred-forty-sixThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

Serenbe had been on Frank and Christine Egan's radar for years before they eventually uprooted their busy lives on Long Island and moved all the way down to rural Georgia. However, when you hear their full story, it's not all that surprising that this is where they landed. In addition to running a successful orthodontics practice, Frank and Christine have been longtime advocates for local food, sustainable living, and a balanced approach to wellness that includes lots of time spent outdoors. In this episode, we chat about Dr. Frank's new orthodontics practice in Mado, Christine's inspiring approach to health and wellness, and the way that they've embraced all things Serenbe. Show NotesOrthodontics at SerenbeThe Healthy Girl's Guide to Breast CancerRedefining HealthySerenbe Real Estate Community Supported Agriculture (Life at Serenbe blog)She's Training for a Giant Climb Whether It Happens or Not (Wall Street Journal)Key Words: Health, Wellness, Local Food, Organic Agriculture, Local Farm, Eat Local, Breast Cancer, Cancer Survivor, Sustainable Living, Sustainability, Solar Energy, Geothermal, Biophilia, Biophilic Design, Nature Based, Hiking, Trails, Orthodontist, Orthodontics 

Organic agriculture has a rich history in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is currently ranked #2 in the nation for organic farms with 1,455 which is 8% of the nation's total. Because of organic agriculture's widespread presence in our state, our elected officials are paying attention to what those farmers need to be successful. Senator Tammy Baldwin has introduced two legislative packages to support organic agriculture. She dives into what each of these pieces of legislation are designed to do for our organic farmers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of our special series My Expat Life in Rural China, host Tu Yun sits down with Morgan Jones and Daniel Willers from the United States for a chat about the challenges and opportunities they've met while pursuing development of organic agriculture in the country's plateau area. They believe “if you can do it here, then you can do it anywhere.”

A lot of my work these days revolves around communicating with farmers around Europe who are at various stages of a transition towards regenerative management. For many different reasons farmers are looking for solutions outside of the conventional industry of chemical and technological manipulations and are rediscovering the potential of partnering with natural cycles and processes. Though there are a handful of examples of growers who've been pioneering these practices around the continent, the vast majority are fairly early in their journeys. It's still rare to find an experienced commercial grower who has found success through organic, no-till, low input systems.  Luckily there are a few who have shown that this is possible and are sharing their knowledge and experience and I'm thrilled to feature one of them in this session. Helen Atthowe has worked for 35 years to connect farming, food systems, land stewardship, and conservation. She currently farms and does soil- and natural enemies' habitat- building research on her new 5-acre farm in Western Montana. Helen has an M.S. in Horticulture from Rutgers University and even studied with renowned Japanese farmer Masanobu Fukuoka. She has worked in education and research at Rutgers, the University of Arkansas, and Oregon State University and was a Horticulture Extension Agent in Montana for 17 years. Helen was a board member for the Organic Farming Research Foundation 2000-2005 and advisor for Wild Farm Alliance in 2018 & 2019.  She first owned and operated a 30 acre certified organic vegetable/fruit farm in Montana and later co-owned with her late husband a 26 acre certified organic orchard in California. Together they then moved to a 211 acre organic farm in Eastern Oregon doing mainly orchard and vegetable production. The two of them also created educational videos on their YouTube channel called Agrarian Dreams, and did video presentations about their ecological farming methods. She is the author of “The Ecological Farm: A Minimalist No-Till, No-Spray, Selective-Weeding, Grow-Your-Own-Fertilizer System for Organic Agriculture”. And that is exactly what we'll be focusing on in our interview today. As a reflection of many of the discussions happening within the Climate Farmer's community at the moment, Helen and I really dug into the unique goals she and her husband had during their farming careers and how they gauged their success. We talk about the way they measured progress on their journey towards a healthy yet low input system for both their orchard and vegetable crops as well the routines and practices that brought them the best results. Much more than just the knowledge and practices of her farming experience, Helen brings a remarkable mindset of constant learning and experimentation to this conversation that is now informing her new 5 acre project in Montana. We also cover the most important learnings that she has gained through her career and how it informs the establishment of all her new research.

Kestrel Burcham is the Policy Director for the Cornucopia Institute. The Cornucopia Institute acts as a watchdog for the organic industry and advocates for an organic label that can be trusted. In this fascinating conversation, Dianne and Kestrel talk about the benefits of organic agriculture, how the Cornucopia Institute advocates for the industry, how consumers can help shift conventional agriculture to organic, and more! Kestrel lives in northwest Oregon, in the lush Willamette Valley. Kestrel has a background in Animal Science and English from the University of California, Davis. They have worked as an animal technician in both research and industry settings and have experience with different types of livestock. Organic and environmentally conscious food production is part of their background, having grown up on familial farms and assisted in all aspects of farm management. Their favorite part of living with the land has always been getting their hands dirty caring for and nurturing crops that would end up on the dinner table. Kestrel Burcham holds a J.D. with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource Law from Lewis and Clark Law School. After completing law school and passing the Oregon Bar exam, they practiced in animal and agricultural law for a few years before joining Cornucopia as a policy analyst. Kestrel is particularly passionate about sustainable agricultural, environmental protection, and animal welfare. As a policy director, Kestrel champions authentic organic agriculture in their research, writing, education, and direct advocacy. Kestrel enjoys exploring the outdoors through hiking, photography, gardening, and horseback riding. **Timestamps for the topics discussed can be found on this episode's NTI PodTalk page. Are you ready to start your journey as a Nutrition Therapist Master or Natural Food Chef? To learn more about NTI's Nutrition Therapist Master Certification, visit ntischool.com for more information, or call 303-284-8361 to speak with our admissions team. This discussion is not intended to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy, nor in any way imply that Nutrition Therapists who graduate from NTI are qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy.  The scope of practice for graduates of NTI is to deliver therapeutic nutrition guidance to our clients which helps support their natural biology to achieve optimal function in whatever wellness path they are on.

Order The Ecological Farm: A Minimalist No-Till, No-Spray, Selective-Weeding, Grow-Your-Own-Fertilizer System for Organic Agriculture by Helen Atthowe Hey, Farmer Jesse here, and we've got a special treat for you today. We are re-releasing the interview I did with Helen Atthowe from back in 2020, some of you may have heard it, some may have not. There are a couple reasons for the re-release: First, this was one of those early episodes we got a ton of positive feedback on because it's just a great episode all the way through, but second and more importantly, she just released a new book through Chelsea Green called The Ecological Farm: A Minimalist No-Till, No-Spray, Selective-Weeding, Grow-Your-Own-Fertilizer System for Organic Agriculture It is super excellent and extremely nerdy and, as the reader, you get to dive even deeper into the details of the systems Helen describes in this conversation we're posting today. Honestly, I think every serious ecologically-minded grower should own a copy of this new book. Mentioned in the show... Studies:  https://eorganic.org/node/14129 https://eorganic.org/node/15582 

In today's episode, the second of two talking with Growing for Market Magazine editor and podcast co-host Andrew Mefferd, we discuss what he learned from his own farm, and the “green greenhouse” project he was preparing for before taking over GFM. We talk about mistakes made while trying to do too much as a young farmer, why he decided to take over Growing for Market from founder Lynn Byczynski, and why we have to be deliberate as we steward our farms into the future. In Shop Talk with Neversink Farm we chat about new tools, old tools, how they can benefit your farm and tips to use them successfully with Conor Crickmore of Neversink Tools, which manufactures tools for farmers. In this episode of Shop Talk, we discuss how to ensure good germination when starting seeds in flats. Even though the factors for good germination are simple- heat and moisture- just one day with the wrong conditions can throw off the whole process. We talk about how a germinator can ensure good germination every time.Thanks to our collaborator on this podcast Neversink Farm. They make this podcast free to everyone with their generous support. For tools designed and made by farmers, check out www.NeversinkTools.com Connect With Guest:Instagram: @growingformarketmagazineFacebook: @growingformarketmagazine Download A FREE Magazine Issue:Go To Growing For Market Magazine: www.GrowingForMarket.com

Join us today as Kabir Parker discusses everything you need to know about seaweed and its contribution to sustainable agriculture. Learn what makes seaweed, “The Secret Sauce”.  Kabir Parker is a passionate ocean entrepreneur. Born in Greenwich, Connecticut and raised in New Delhi, India, he developed a vast knowledge of global oceanic issues. Kabir studied marine science and microbiology at the University of Miami and went on to pursue a career in ocean entrepreneurship.  In this episode, learn about:  - Kabir's background and current work with his foundation Ocean's Bounty  - The role that seaweed plays from the sea to the soil  -  Process and benefits of seaweed farming  - How seaweed might impact the future of agriculture    We hope you enjoyed the episode! Please help us continue to produce more valuable content by subscribing to our Fresh Take Podcast Series! Subscribe here    SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY- Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a Sponsor of Florida Organic Growers! Your contribution will not only help to advance an organic and sustainable future but gain brand awareness through our growing audience. If you are interested, click here  Support the showWe hope you enjoyed the episode! Please help us continue to produce more valuable content by subscribing to our Fresh Take Podcast Series! Subscribe here SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY- Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a Sponsor of Florida Organic Growers! Your contribution will not only help to advance an organic and sustainable future but gain brand awareness through our growing audience. If you are interested, click here

Joining us today is Andrew Hammermeister, the Director of the Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) and Associate Professor in the Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada. He sits down to discuss his history in the field, and the lesser-known intricacies of organic farming. Dr. Hammermeister has worked with the OACC since 2002 and has been involved in the research of grain and vegetable cropping rotations/systems, soil amendments, low-till organic production, and more. What has he uncovered in his years of work as an expert in organic farming? Tune in now to find out… Offer: We all know we should be eating less sugar. But we're constantly bombarded with drinks and snacks loaded with refined sugar might not be as harmless as we thought. Enter Oobli, who JUST launched the world's first beverages to satisfy your sweet tooth with protein! Oobli gives brand new sweet iced teas with sugar-like sweetness without the impact to your health. Get 20% off your Oobli order with promo code GENIUS at oobli.com and try all three delicious, craft-brewed sweet iced teas: lemon, peach, and mango yuzu. In this conversation, we cover: What led Dr. Hammermeister's interest in organic agriculture research.  Common misconceptions connected with organic farming. What organic farmers are often criticized for. The key ecological approaches associated with organic gardening. To learn more about Dr. Hammermeister and his work, click here now! Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

#119:  Longtime farmer, gardener, and researcher Helen Atthowe joins Dave to discuss the findings that led to her new book: "The Ecological Farm: A Minimalist No-Till, So-Spray, Selective-Weeding, Grow-Your-Own-Fertilizer System for Organic Agriculture." By focusing on creating habitat plantings for beneficial insects, Helen learned how to implement living mulches, re-seeding cover crops, and organic no till practices.  Helen Atthowe now farms in Western Montana where she focuses on  building beneficial insect habitat. For many years she farmed organiclly on 211 acres in Eastern Oregon with her late husband and created eductaional videos that can be seen here:https://www.youtube.com/user/AgrarianDreams/videosHer book “The Ecological Farm: A Minimalist No-Till, No-Spray, Selective-Weeding, Grow-Your-Own-Fertilizer System for Organic Agriculture” is set to be released on June 22, 2023:https://www.amazon.com/Ecological-Farm-Selective-Weeding-Grow-Your-Own-Fertilizer-Agriculture/dp/1645021815To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/helen-atthowe-no-till-no-spray-ecological-farming-episode-one-hundred-nineteenThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

Can you imagine growing a beyond-organic garden?  On today's episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, our guest is Helen Atthowe, who is a farmer, researcher, and celebrated pioneer in eco-organic methods. She is an advocate for minimizing and, yes, even stopping the use of certified-organic pest control materials and is encouraging farmers to rely on natural nutrient cycling for natural biological control.  Helen has a Masters in Horticulture and currently farms and does soil-building research on her new 5-acre farm in Western Montana. Her new book The Ecological Farm releases in June. Tune in to hear all about these eco-organic methods, her new book, and more! In this episode, you'll hear:  How Helen got into farming 2:10 What kind of fruits Helen grew on the Oregon farm 5:13 How Helen successfully farms without pesticides 7:58 About how she handles the Plum Curculio Beetle 13:41 How Helen's thinking on pest management has changed over the years 21:53 The downsides of even organic pest control methods and materials 23:07 Why Helen decided to write a book 27:28 About Helen's experiences with Cucumber Beetles 33:18 More about the different topics of her new book 37:08 What type of habitat Helen recommends people start with 40:52 About the Guest: Helen Atthowe is a farmer, researcher, and celebrated pioneer in eco-organic methods. Helen has a M.S. in Horticulture from Rutgers University and has worked in education and research at Rutgers, the University of Arkansas, and Oregon State University.  Helen and her late husband farmed a 211-acre organic farm in Eastern Oregon doing mainly orchard and vegetable production while also creating educational videos about their ecological farming methods. In 2012, Woodleaf Farm was recognized with a Steward of Sustainable Agriculture Award at the 32nd Annual EcoFarm Conference.  Since then, Helen has developed an almost closed loop farming system using chopped hay from some fields to fertilize vegetable and fruit fields. Helen is passionate about minimizing or stopping use of even certified-organic pest control materials, relying on natural nutrient cycling and on natural biological control.  Her new book on these eco-organic methods entitled The Ecological Farm releases on June 22nd.  Resources: Website: http://woodleaffarm.org/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AgrarianDreams/videos Helen's new book:  The Ecological Farm: A Minimalist No-Till, No-Spray, Selective-Weeding, Grow-Your-Own-Fertilizer System for Organic Agriculture       This podcast is sponsored by Small Farm University, THE go-to resource for gardeners, homesteaders, and farmers around the world. Small Farm University delivers classes online and on demand, with training on how to grow crops AND how to grow a profitable farm business that serves you, your family, and your community well.   Applying what you learn in SFU could save you countless hours and thousands of dollars. And, it can save you the agony of costly mistakes some make, just because they “don't know what they don't know.”  Delivered by real farmers with hands-on experience and expertise, it is unique in its approach, using the RIPEN method for growing and building a farm or farm business.  To learn more, visit:  GrowingFarmers.com today!  

#118:  A look back with celebrated Vermont farmer Jake Guest to the beginnings of the organic movement. Jake, an early mentor of our host Dave Chapman,  speaks of his beginnings as a student protester at Dartmouth and as a US Army enlistee - and how that all influenced his decision to grow food.  Jake Guest is a (now-retired) farmer and founder of Killdeer Farm in Vermont's Upper Valley, which borders New Hampshire along the Connecticut River. Growing vegetable crops on over 50 acres of land, including four greenhouses of in-ground tomatoes, Jake was an early voice speaking out against the appearance of hydroponic imports into organic produce sections.To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/jake-guest-antiwar-influence-on-early-days-of-organic-episode-one-hundred-eighteenThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

We're bringing you a very special episode with guest host Dr. Kathleen Delate. Tune in as she interviews 4 organic farmers and an organic researcher engaged in organic technologies that may offer some value in organic operations. As with all technology, the benefits of technological innovations must be evaluated along with any trade-offs, which are explored in this podcast.   Seth Harbecke is a student at Iowa State University who farms organically with his family in western Illinois. Seth speaks with Dr. Delate on the advantages of utilizing data tracking technologies like FieldView in organic systems and provides guidelines on deciding if you should use them on your farm.   Levi Lyle farms organically in Washington, Iowa, and chats with Dr. Delate on all things organic weed management. From weed zapping to organic no-till, Levi highlights the latest tools and production practices he utilizes to help manage weeds in his organic system.   Scott Shriver, who farms 2,000 organic acres in Jefferson, Iowa, shares with Dr. Delate how he uses tractor steering guidance systems, like RTK, and provides a detailed explanation of how the technology works and how it can benefit larger organic operations.   Michael O'Donnell is a Crop Specialist with Grain Millers in Indiana, and the Farm Certification Manager for the 4,000-acre organic Living Prairie Family Farm in northwest Indiana, where he has been helping perfect organic strip tillage and other innovations. He takes Dr. Delate through the process and provides details on how to integrate this system on your farm.   Brad Heins is a professor of organic animal science at the University of Minnesota. He walks Dr. Delate through dairy management technologies from robotic milkers to sensors which improve breeding success and herd management for organic producers. He concludes with CowVacs for natural fly management and their research on automated calf feeders.

We talk with Conor Crickmore in the second of this two-part interview about the origins of Neversink Farm. In this episode, we talk about how the Neversink Farm Course and Neversink Tools developed out of the farm. We discuss how early efforts to document the methods on Neversink Farm led to two years of filming to create the Neversink Farm Course. Hear how member feedback is used to continue adding to the course to this day, with lots of tips and market farming ideas along the way. Then we discuss how Neversink Tools developed out of Conor's need for tool designs that weren't readily available elsewhere. When those designs were offered to Neversink Farm Course members they took off, and Neversink Tools was born. Shop Talk with Neversink Farm - we chat about new tools, old tools, how they can benefit your farm and tips to use them successfully with Conor Crickmore of Neversink Tools, which manufactures tools for farmers. In this episode of Shop Talk, we discuss we discuss precise vs. aggressive cultivation, and the situations that demand one over the other. We also discuss which tools to use for precise vs. aggressive cultivation. Link to full podcast episode in profile.  Thanks to our collaborator on this podcast Neversink Farm. They make this podcast free to everyone with their generous support. For tools designed and made by farmers, check out www.NeversinkTools.com Connect With Guest:Instagram: @neversinkfarm@neversinkfarmtools@neversinkfarmcourseWebsite: https://www.neversinktools.comhttps://www.neversinkfarm.comhttp://www.neversinkcourses.com Download A FREE Magazine Issue:Go To Growing For Market Magazine: https://growingformarket.com/  

Today Gregory is joined on the podcast by Aneel Kumar and Sanne van den Dungen from Grameena Vikas Kendram Society (GVK Society), as well as by Rebecca Harman, Land Steward Project Manager at Regen Network. A Regen Network Community Fund grantee, GVK Society is a nonprofit organization working in the Andhra Pradesh region of South India. They work directly with small marginal and tribal women farmers on the ground to grow regenerative organic cotton: regenerating the environment around vulnerable farming communities, improving and strengthening livelihoods while regenerating, and working to develop ecocredits with Regen Registry. Aneel is a serial social entrepreneur and has more than 20 years of experience in working with small and marginal farming communities. He has an MSc degree in Organic Agriculture from Wageningen University, The Netherlands, and is a Master Trainer certificate holder (FAO of the UN) in conducting Farmer Field Schools. Sanne is the Senior Manager of Circular Supply Chains and Agriculture at YasasreeViroha Impex Pvt Ltd, the marketing arm of GVK Society. She has spent many years working as a consultant in India on a diverse range of topics all related to circular economies. Find out more about their work on Twitter @gvksociety.

Bill Tracy is a Professor in the Department of Agronomy and Chair of the Masters program in Agroecology as well as Clif Bar and Organic Valley Endowed Chair in Plant Breeding for Organic Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tune in to learn more about: - Sweet corn breeding; - Breeding for climate; - Why diversity of crops and perennials are important; - The experiments with perennializing of sweet corn; - Nixtamalized corn. To learn more about Professor Bill Tracy go to https://agronomy.wisc.edu/bill-tracy/.

Do you want to learn how to properly grow potatoes and increase your yields with this superfood? In this week's episode of the Thriving Farmer Podcast, we're hosting Jeff Bragg, owner and sole proprietor of Superfood Consulting, operating out of New Mexico. Superfood Consulting is dedicated to taking the soils of Mother Earth to broaden the role of health worldwide, through food production.  It is about soil health to gut health.  Jeff enjoys perfecting processes and educating regarding agriculture needs as they relate to soils and plant development. The complete chain includes production to the consumer's palate. Organic production and systems are the main focus as well.  Join us to hear the tricks of the trade from this experienced veteran in regenerative agriculture! You'll hear: What got Jeff started in farming 3:05 How the furrow irrigation system is set up 6:02 How the farm changed as Jeff was growing up 9:20 The moment Jeff realized he needed to make a change to regenerative agriculture 16:33 What kind of work Jeff is doing with potatoes now 24:52 Why potatoes have the superfood status 29:50 Why there could be a potato shortage 45:43 Potato varieties Jeff recommends 49:17 Key factors you should look at to maximize potential when growing potatoes 51:02 Fertility levels Jeff recommends for soils, and how one could accurately gauge that 1.01:23 About the Guest: Jeff is a life-long agriculturist, from hand artist (furrow irrigation expert) to Consulting Agronomist to Product Development in Chemical Inputs to VP of a large multinational corporation; as a product developer of potatoes and alliums. A change in health led Jeff and his wife to leave corporate agriculture and get into regenerative, organic-only product development. He works with the Lords method of photosynthesis, and rotational, regenerative agriculture. ----------- The Thriving Farmer Podcast Team would like to thank our amazing sponsor! Steward is transforming agriculture by equipping regenerative farms and food systems with the capital they need to grow. As a mission-driven financial partner, Steward works closely with agricultural businesses to scale their operations, improve the health of their lands and waters, and bolster local-to-regional food systems. To date, Steward has provided over $15M in business loans to fund 75 unique projects, backed by more than 1,500 participating lenders. Steward is proud to be a Certified B Corp. Seek financing or support a loan campaign at gosteward.com

One of our most effective tools for improving planetary health is the food we choose to eat. In environmental terms, a vegetarian diet is great and a vegan diet is even better. However, imagining that the bulk of the population will willingly shift to a vegan diet over the next few years seems pretty unlikely (to put it mildly). So, where does that leave us? In today's episode, we're joined by Eat the Change co-founder Seth Goldman to advocate for a plant-based approach to food and diet. In a plant-based model, vegetables, fruits, fungi, and legumes are the key players - but there's not a single food group that's entirely off-limits. In this episode, we chat about Seth's line of delicious and healthy snacks made from back-to-basics ingredients like carrots and mushrooms, his background as an entrepreneur in the health food space, and why you can't sacrifice taste if you want to change peoples' eating habits. Show NotesEat the ChangeAbout Seth GoldmanPLNT BurgerBeyond BurgerHonest TeaETC ImpactInnovator's Agenda: How We Approach Innovation at Eat the ChangeEat the Change on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

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On the second half of this thought provoking episode of the Positvely Green Podcast, meet Chris Walker, who describes himself as an “old white guy who questions everything”.  Raised in the Santa Clara Valley before it was Silicon Valley–Chris grew up in an agricultural context, working summers drying grapes with his grandfather in Coachella Valley.    You will hear Chris' thoughts about: - How narratives shape our reality and how we might challenge them - Questioning standards for products and food - Resources and recommendations for additional learning   As a young man, he traveled to Jamaica and volunteered supporting small farmer cooperatives, working for the Social Action Centre in Halfway Tree compiling all of the sugar cane records of the sugar cane cooperative movement of 1970s and 80s Jamaica. Returning to the US, he studied agronomy and pomology at UC Davis, and was involved in the Organic Agriculture movement of 1980's California.   He has lived and worked in Mexico, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, where he has resided for the past ten years.

On the first half of this thought provoking episode of the Positvely Green Podcast, meet Chris Walker, who describes himself as an “old white guy who questions everything”.  Raised in the Santa Clara Valley before it was Silicon Valley–Chris grew up in an agricultural context, working summers drying grapes with his grandfather in Coachella Valley.    You will hear Chris' thoughts about: - How narratives shape our reality and how we might challenge them - Questioning standards for products and food - Resources and recommendations for additional learning   As a young man, he traveled to Jamaica and volunteered supporting small farmer cooperatives, working for the Social Action Centre in Halfway Tree compiling all of the sugar cane records of the sugar cane cooperative movement of 1970s and 80s Jamaica. Returning to the US, he studied agronomy and pomology at UC Davis, and was involved in the Organic Agriculture movement of 1980's California.   He has lived and worked in Mexico, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates, where he has resided for the past ten years.

Jeff Tkach is the Chief Impact Officer at the Rodale Institute — the global leader in regenerative organic agriculture for over 70 years. Jeff also served on the Rodale Institute's Board of Directors in 2016, where he was instrumental in fostering relationships between the organization and business leaders in the organic food industry. In this episode, we wit down with Jeff Tkach to discuss soil health, regenerative organic agriculture, and its direct impact on our health and the planet.