Taking an everyday vegetable to the table
in delicious new ways.
In This Podcast:
After Amy Lacey’s health took a downturn and she wanted to bring some normalcy back to her family’s routine, she tried a recipe for a vegetable she did not really like. Little did she know how a bland vegetable could make such a difference for so many people. Combine that with her passion for doing good things and paying it forward, and she is truly making a delicious impact in the world.
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Amy is the author of Cali’flour Kitchen: 125 Cauliflower-Based Recipes for the Carbs You Crave. She is the co-founder and CEO of Cali’flour Foods, and her Cali’flour products have been featured in Food & Beverage Magazine, GQ, and OK! Magazine. They were also named one of “Whoopi’s Favorite Things” on The View; and won Clean Eating magazine’s Clean Choice Award two years in a row.
Go to www.urbanfarm.org/califlour for more information and links on this podcast, and to find our other great guests.
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474: Amy Lacey on The very versatile cauliflower.
Expanded growing options through hydroponics.
In This Podcast: When Kevin Espiritu started gardening he quickly became interested in hydroponics, and as he tried to learn how, he found that most articles and books were focused on only one well-known plant and he wanted to grow food. He started documenting his experiences to help others, and now Kevin has several platforms to share information for new and beginning gardeners. Today he shares several tips about small space gardening, and how there is a way for anyone with a will. www.urbanfarm.org/epicgardening
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Living in a condo in 2011, Kevin didn’t have the space for a big backyard soil-based garden, so he got creative. Learning about urban gardening was eye opening for Kevin and as a self-admitted geek and someone with an obsessive personality, he got hooked. Living in a condo in 2011, Kevin didn’t have the space for a big backyard soil-based garden, so he got creative. Learning about urban gardening was eye opening for Kevin and as a self-admitted geek and someone with an obsessive personality, he got hooked.
He started building his own “bizarre” hydroponic systems with amazing results, and when his friends and family wanted to learn how to do the same – Kevin was in business. Epic Gardening began as a way to present gardening information in a more modern, updated way. First, the website, next YouTube, a daily podcast, and then his Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest presence. Kevin is the author of Field Guide to Urban Gardening from our friends at Quarto Publishing.
Go to www.urbanfarm.org/epicgardening for more information and links on this podcast, and to find our other great guests.
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473: Kevin Espiritu on Small-Space Urban Gardens
Focusing on sustainable growing practices on 20-acres down under.
In This Podcast: We meet Angela Neyland as she tells us why an old TV comedy series influenced her and how she found permaculture. With this foundation, she shares the journey that led her and her husband to start a permaculture based homestead. She describes her property and some of the challenges they have overcome so far as well as her future plans for the property.
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Angela is an Australian 34-year-old mother and part-time university research officer who holds a PhD in Australian Aboriginal archaeology. She and her husband Danial own Loganberry Forest, a permaculture homestead in rural Victoria Australia where she recently started a small heirloom seed business for her homegrown seeds online.
Go to www.urbanfarm.org/loganberry for more information and links on this podcast, and to find our other great guests.
472: Angela Neyland on Permaculture Homesteading in Australia.
Bonus Episode 29: Seed Saving Class July 2019.
A chat with an expert on Seeds.
In This Bonus Podcast: Once again we join a conversation with Bill McDorman and Greg Peterson to learn about growing from seed, growing for seed, and why our seeds are so important in these changing times.
This is the replay of the July 2019 Seed Saving Class
In this class he covers Extreme Seed Saving, and of course a few more things as well.
Join the class! Register anytime for the next event.
Register Here for the Seed Saving Class with Live Q&A
Go to www.urbanfarm.org/bonus29 for more information and links on this bonus podcast, and to find our other great guests.
Digging into the reasons plants flourish.
In This Podcast: We delve deeper into the relationship between plant roots and healthy soil with Jake Mowrer. He explains why the soil changes when plant roots extend through it's layers, and lessons learned from the dustbowl times regarding soil degradation. Through his simple explanations, it is easier to understand the nature of soil make-up. And, he shares simple tips on how to improve soil quality.
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Jake was raised on a farm in north Georgia where his family produced broiler chickens and beef cattle. Growing up, the work was often hard, but the food was always good. Life on the farm is a good way to gain an appreciation for the connectivity of food production in our daily lives.
Jake now works with farmers in Texas as a Texas A&M faculty member in the Soil and Crop Science Department, and as an Extension Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension to communicate the importance of managing soil as a natural resource.
Go to www.urbanfarm.org/deeproots for more information and links on this podcast, and to find our other great guests.
471: Jake Mowrer on Deep Roots in Soil
Getting serious about the microscopic life in soil.
In This Podcast: Retired after years of leadership in Monsanto, David Stark was asked to mentor a young company making what was essentially compost tea. Reluctantly and with some concerns over the science, he agreed and now is excited to share what he has learned about soil science and plant health. Grateful for not turning down the request, he now can help teach about soil and plant health and explain about the various microbes in the soil and the essential roles they play.
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Dr. Stark is President of Holganix LLC where he leads the company’s efforts to expand its business into agriculture. Dr. Stark spent over 25 years with Monsanto Company where he held various senior leadership roles in technology, corporate affairs and business operations.
In 2015 he went to work for Holganix, sells a line of 100% natural bionutritional products for turf, ornamental and agriculture use. The product starts with a proprietary process for making and concentrating a diverse mix of over 800 species of beneficial bacteria, fungi and protozoa. The end result is the most complete mix of Organic beneficial microbes on the market.
Go to www.urbanfarm.org/holganix for more information and links on this podcast, and to find our other great guests.
470: David Stark on Soil Microbes.
Creating resilience in an urban community.
In This Podcast: It was after spending some time out of the country that Francey Slater woke to the poor American relationship with food. This motivated her towards food justice and making a difference in her community. With a belief that healthy food is a right for everyone, she co-founded a non-profit that is creating community and school gardens, and building a stronger, resilient community as a result.
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Francey is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Mill City Grows in Lowell, MA. Her experience creating garden-based educational programming spans two decades, several continents, and youth through adult learners.
Mill City Grows is an organization that fosters food justice by improving physical health, economic independence and environmental sustainability in Lowell through increased access to land, locally-grown food and education.
Prior to founding Mill City Grows, she was the Education Director for CitySprouts, worked as a member of the Urban Nutrition Initiative in Philadelphia, PA, helped to restore agricultural efforts in a village school in Bangalore, India; and provided education for farmers, gardeners, and youth in Hocotepec, Mexico.
Go to www.urbanfarm.org/millcitygrows for more information and links on this podcast, and to find our other great guests.
469: Francey Slater on Urban Ag and Food Justice.
Fascination with an underappreciated vegetable.
In This Podcast:
His first introduction to okra did not go over well, but years later Chris Smith was given okra seeds as a gift and he felt responsible to do his best with them. This prompted him to research, learn, and experiment with many varieties and recipes. He learned a lot and he shares part of his journey becoming fascinated with this often discounted vegetable. There is a lot more to this plant than just a simple pod. Check out the recipe for pickled okra he shared with us and included on our shownotes page.
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Chris is a garden writer and homesteading consultant who serves on the board of The People’s Seed. When he is not okra-ing he can sometimes be found at Sow True Seed, an Asheville-based open-pollinated seed company. The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration by our friends at Chelsea Green Publishing, has just been released and is available!
Go to www.urbanfarm.org/okra for more information and links on this podcast, and to find our other great guests.
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468: Chris Smith on Okra
Having WAY too much fun with worms!
In This Podcast: Watching his coworker through her lunch scraps into a large bin under her desk was just too exciting for Bentley Christie and soon he was on his way to becoming the Compost Guy with a popular blog and website about worm composting. He shares his excitement and admiration for the legless wonders that produce a valued garden soil amendment. Not stopping there, he explains a new method of composting that transformed his garden into a bountiful wonder.
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Bentley, also known as "Compost Guy", earned an Honors Bachelor of Science in Biology with undergrad and grad studies in: plant pathology, microbiology, soil and compost science. He has been working with worms for over 20 years, is the author of the blog Red Worm Composting and is currently teaching about trench vermicomposting.
Go to www.urbanfarm.org/compostguy for more information and links on this podcast, and to find our other great guests.
467: Bentley Christie on Worm Composting