The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson

Bringing gardening methods full circle.In This Podcast:We learn from Crystal Stevens about the many inexpensive ways to build a regenerative and edible landscape using natural resources. Crystal describes the different possibilities that can be incorporated into any size space that can lead one down the path towards self-sufficiency. One of her specialties is herbs and she shares with us some of the medicinal properties of herbs and their health benefits. Don’t miss an episode!visit UrbanFarm.Org/podcastCrystal lives along the bluffs of the Mighty Mississippi River in Godfrey, Illinois with her husband, and 2 children. She is an Author, an Artist/Art Teacher, a Folk Herbalist, a Regenerative Farmer, and a Permaculturist. She has written 3 books published by New Society Publishers: Grow Create Inspire, Worms at Work, and Your Edible Yard. Crystal speaks at conferences and Mother Earth News Fairs across the United States and has been teaching a Resilient Living workshop series for over a decade.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/08/606-crystal-stevens/ for shownotes and links.Crystal Stevens on regenerative urban farming.

Gardening tips, tricks, and advice, in short, bite-size episodes.In This Farmer Friday Podcast:Greg is joined by Andrew Faust, host of Permaculture Perspectives podcast, who gives us an in-depth look at a holistic approach to growing plants called biodynamic farming. A term coined by a chemist and he tells us this is a practice that aligns permaculture principles with astrological patterns. Andrew shares the mystical perspectives of this approach that have been scientifically proven to work as ‘beyond organic’ methodologies for gardening and farming.Don’t miss an episode! Visit UrbanFarm.Org/podcastDo you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/04/605-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Using Biodynamic Approaches to Farming and Gardening.

Connecting farmers with farm workers looking for jobs.In This Podcast:We learn about the Farm Post App created and designed by Michael Schaeffer, an entrepreneurial idea stemming from need to connect farmers with workers. While traditional ways of finding farm work have become obsolete, Michael has successfully implemented an easy-to-use app for farmers to post jobs and workers are able to apply directly through this app. Michael’s app was initially designed to support Iowa farmers, however due to its success the app is gaining momentum nationwide.  Michael is an Iowa entrepreneur on a mission to close the technology gap in the farm employee market. With roots in farming and precision agriculture, Michael understands the challenges farmers face in connecting with the agricultural and urban farm workforce. After interviewing hundreds of farmers and ranch owners across the country, he developed the Farm Post App (Previously the farm hand app) to make it easy for farmers to connect with experienced help in their local areas. In less than two years, the Farm Post App has helped farmers fill thousands of positions in their farm operations.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/06/01/604-michael-schaeffer/ for shownotes and links.Michael Shaffer on Finding Farmhands.

Gardening tips, tricks, and advice in short, bite-size episodes.Marlene Simon from Flower Power Garden Hour podcast returns for an eye-opening chat on understanding all stages of the bug life cycle. Marlene tells us what signs to look for when certain eggs or insects appear in your garden, as our first instinct is to kill them however these could be indicators of nature working in your favor. Bugs also have the added benefit of helping us identify whether plants are healthy or not as Marlene says “Bad bugs are attracted to stressed plants”.  Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/05/28/603-farmer-friday/ for shownotes and links.Spotting beneficial predators in your garden.

602: Partnering with NatureA chat with Jessica WalliserJessica Walliser returns for a riveting discussion about unique ways we can partner with nature that will enable a thriving garden. Many perceive bugs or mushrooms as a pest problem, however, Jessica points out that fungi and insects can actually be an indicator of other things happening in your garden. Jessica guides us through different ways that we can utilize nature to create a symbiotic ecosystem and identifying the difference between pests versus beneficial bugs.On the last Tuesday every month we host The Urban Farm Garden Chats where Greg Peterson has a relaxed conversation in a Zoom room with a special guest to cover useful gardening topics, and they answer questions from the live listening audience. To register for the live classes go to www.GardenChat.orgJessica co-hosted The Organic Gardeners, an award-winning program on KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for 15 years, is a former contributing editor for Organic Gardening magazine as well as being a co-founder of the popular gardening website SavvyGardening.com. Jessica is the author of seven gardening books, including the Amazon best-seller Good Bug, Bad Bug: Who’s Who, What They Do, and her newest book Plant Partners: Science-based Companion Planting Strategies for the Vegetable Garden.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/05/25/602-garden-chat/ for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Gardening tips, tricks, and advice in short, bite-size episodes.Returning guest Brian Wells, host of The Homestead Journey podcast, shares the most common yet avoidable mistakes that everyone should know when beginning a homestead. Brian points out that homesteading is a journey of trial and tribulation with emphasis on not a 'one size fits all' approach. The tips he shares focus importance on being realistic, accepting failure, and knowing what works best for you and your space.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/05/21/601-farmer-friday/ under the Farmer Fridays section for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!Avoiding three common mistakes when starting a homestead.

600: Saving Seeds of Grasses and Grains.In This Podcast: At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman. This is the April 2021 class discussing the importance of growing our own grains, ancient grain sources, and so much more on which grains are best for specific regions.Bill McDorman is Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed movement while in college in 1979 when he helped start Garden City Seeds. In 1984, Bill started Seeds Trust/High Altitude Gardens, a mail order seed company he ran successfully until it sold in 2013.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/05/18/600-seed-chat/ for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Building Healthy Soil with Five Essential Components.Gardening tips, tricks, and advice in short, bite-size episodes.Greg kicks off this episode with answering two questions from our listeners that focus on aspects of looking at pest management from a different angle. Tying into our main focus, Greg shares with us the concept of understanding natural pest management and what will bring the healthy life you want in your space. In order to have healthy life, Greg guides us through the five necessary components that we should be adding to our soil that will produce healthy plants.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/05/14/599-farmer-friday/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Tommie Hockett on sharing seeds with friends.Splitting a Seed Up In a Box with six others and building community resilience.We hear first-hand experience from one of our avid podcast listeners, Tommie Hockett, on how he hosted a community seed sharing event. Living in rural Texas, Tommie does not have many close neighbors and he shares with us how he devised a plan to build community resilience that expanded across county lines. Tommie notes how his expectations were exceeded throughout the process from the number of seeds he received to the unexpected guests that showed up out of curiosity.Tommie runs Sissy & Bubba's Farmstead alongside his beautiful wife Chellie. Through their strong faith, they are striving to be good stewards while living a self-sufficient life full of abundance! Tommy recently convinced a few friends to go in on a purchase of a Seed Up In a Box and had their own seed sharing event.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/05/11/598-tommie-hockett/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Uncovering the Root Causes of Blossom End Rot.Gardening tips, tricks, and advice in short, bite-size episodes.Marlene Simon, host of the Flower Power Garden Hour Podcast, joins us this week as she uncovers the truths and busts the myths about blossom end rot. Marlene explains how many people believe the issue stems from a lack of calcium in the soil. Lacking substance in the soil is not usually the case, however, the main causes can be prevented at the roots. She reveals her top tips that will help naturally correct the issue and advises not to waste money on special sprays.Do you ever wish you could catch those tidbits of wisdom that some people throw out without warning? Well, in our new Farmer Friday episodes - Farmer Greg shares quick thoughts, revelations, tips, and general farming advice in bite-sized and fun episodes. Sometimes it might be Greg just sharing a thought that hit him while working in the yard, or a really cool inspiration from the garden, and occasionally he’ll answer some listener questions. Other times he will catch a moment with a farming friend or podcast guest to share educational farming tidbits.  This quick podcast episode is designed to be brief and not take up your day. So… listen in and enjoy this Garden snack… Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/05/07/597-farmer-friday/ under the Farmer Fridays section for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!