The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson

Casey Cox on the Story of our Farm.Being a young farmer with a long family history of farming.In This Podcast: There are many people that grow up on a farm that choose to leave to find their calling in the city. However, Casey Cox left her family farm to find her calling only to realize that her destiny was calling from her back yard all along. Listen in to learn about how she found her passion in conservation, her role as a farmer and land stewardship advocate, as well as the various life changing opportunities she has been involved in.Casey is the sixth generation of her family to farm on the Flint River in South Georgia. Her family farm, Longleaf Ridge, produces sweet corn, peanuts, field corn, soybeans, and timber.  Prior to returning to the farm full-time, Casey managed the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District, serving as Executive Director for over 5 years. In this role, she developed and directed multiple projects with Federal, state, and private partners and was responsible for procuring and managing over $13.5 million of funding for conservation programs. She was appointed by Secretary Sonny Perdue in 2019 to serve as Georgia’s Alternate Board Member on the National Peanut Board. Casey holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Conservation from the University of Florida. Her most significant professional contribution to date was teaching Cookie Monster and Gonger where peanut butter comes from on Season 49 of Sesame Street.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/01/19/576-casey-cox/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Josh Krenz on Farming Sensors and Data.Examining the science of farming.In This Podcast: Imagine if farmers could predict annual weather patterns to determine water use, soil moisture, and avoid crop failures, yet this seems far from possible. However, Josh Krenz works with a company that creates devices to collect farming data and essentially facilitates farmers’ ability to “predict the future”. Listen in to learn about what types of data is collected, how EarthScout sensors maximize efficiency for farmers, and the differences in results of crops that used farming sensors. Josh is the Chief Commercial Officer at EarthScout, a global company based in Minnesota offering technology to support science-minded growers. Josh’s agriculture business and marketing knowledge extends to both domestic and international markets in the areas of precision agriculture, nutrients, agricultural inputs, plant growth regulators, seed, and animal health. In addition to his responsibilities at EarthScout, he is the Founder/CEO of Vivid Life Sciences, a sustainable plant physiology company, as well as the Co-founder/President of Windland Flats, a grass-fed beef brand and farm.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/01/12/575-josh-krenz/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Jennifer Caraway on The Joy Bus Meal Program.Delivering heart and hope to cancer survivors through tasty meals.In This Podcast: COVID caused a shift towards a new normal way of life with social distancing protocols and at-home confinement, yet, for cancer patients this is their everyday life. However, Jennifer Caraway became inspired to lead a movement that supports cancer patients in need after the loss of a close friend to cancer. Listen in to learn about the heartfelt story behind The Joy Bus Meal Program, what kind of meals are patients receiving, and how the program is supported by the wider community.Jennifer loves serving good food. Starting out as a dishwasher at the age of 14 and working absolutely every position within the front and back of the house, she opened her first restaurant at the age of 26 and later several more both in the US and in Mexico. Among her many awards she is the 2018 recipient of the Organization for Nonprofits Executives ‘Organizational Accomplishment and Innovation Award’ and a Food Network Chopped Champion. Jennifer has leveraged her deep knowledge of the food industry to establish The Joy Bus Diner, a breakfast and lunch hotspot that funds her established non-profit The Joy Bus program, which delivers gourmet meals, friendly conversation and education programs free of charge to homebound cancer patients.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/01/05/574-jennifer-caraway/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Dorie Morales on the Fresh Food Collab.Working to reshape the narrative surrounding food scarcity.2020 is the year that the world experienced two pandemics: The COVID virus and exponential unemployment. Many have turned to food banks but are not receiving the necessary nutrition. However, Dorie Morales is collaborating with the local community to educate, inspire, and ensure access to healthy fresh foods for those in need. Listen in to learn about Dorie’s role in the Fresh Food Collab, their unique local partnerships, and the various community members being supported.Dorie is the Publisher and CEO of Green Living magazine, Arizona’s premiere eco-conscious lifestyle publication. The monthly publication aims to educate, inspire and empower readers to make eco-conscious choices for a healthy life and planet. Their Vision is a world where we leave the earth a better place today and for future generations. Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2021/01/05/573-dorie-morales/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Neil Boyd on Life on a Grain Farm. Farming in Northern Alberta.Farming in Northern Canada can be challenging due to short growing seasons and soil so thick that only resilient plants survive. However, Neil Boyd understands the land better than most and he also knows the secrets to successful farming while being a sustainable land steward. Listen in to learn about cool season crop rotation, the importance of no till seeding, and the type of “trash” that is good for the environment. Neil was born and raised on a fourth-generation farm which was originally homesteaded by his grandfather in 1913. Through the years he has attended a college of agriculture and been involved with plant and animal research organizations. Along with his wife Ruby, plus family and friends, the land now produces cool season grain crops in a way that preserves the soil.  Besides farming, he is currently the vice-president of the Feathered Pipe Foundation, a Yoga retreat center in Montana, and has done volunteer work in Africa with water filter systems and youth leadership training.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/12/22/572-neil-boyd/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

571: Seed Saving Class November 2020. A chat with an expert on Seeds. At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman. This is the November 2020 class discussing seed health and your health, resurrecting ancient grains, and so much more on how saving seeds creates a healthy community.Come join us for the next live class, or catch up on our previous classes through our podcast episodes. Either way you will expand your seed knowledge and gain new perspectives on your food system.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/2020/12/15/571-seedchat/ for the show notes on this bonus episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Matt Arthur on Bokashi Composting. Composting food anaerobically.In This Podcast: Composting provides many benefits to the garden, yet, people hesitate to compost for various reasons, mainly the aggressive odors that come with the process. However, Matt Arthur is utilizing a composting system on his farm not common to the U.S. that builds healthy soil with less effort and less smell. Listen in to learn about the bokashi composting system, how Matt is reducing food waste, and the types of inputs that will transform the health of the garden.Matt is a second-generation regenerative farmer growing specialty cut flowers, expanding an apiary, and collecting residential food waste in Missouri with a focus on soil health, native plants, and integrated pest management. He applies lessons learned from working in a major agribusiness to small-scale intensive farming. His family-owned row-crop farm since 1974 grows corn, soy, and wheat using no-till and cover crops for dryland agriculture. Matt also sells bokashi kits & organic MO-kashi bran for indoor anaerobic composting as well as composting worms & worm towers.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/12/08/570-matt-arthur/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Angeline Young about Starting from Scratch. Creating a garden with little money, space, or experience.In This Podcast: Many people believe gardening requires money, experience, and a yard with ample space. However, Angeline Young has been an urban apartment dweller most her life and recently, she put herself to the challenge while adding creativity to her limited space. Listen in to learn about Angeline’s trials and errors through her recent gardening quest, her upcycled watering and planting systems, as well as how to naturally eliminate pests and build healthy soil.Angeline is a dancer and scholar from San Francisco, California. She is currently completing her PhD in Comparative Cultures and Languages at Arizona State University. Her research focuses on the Chinese community in Rome, Italy. In her spare time, Angeline has started a small container garden. Her “garden” is an 8x6-foot balcony in a large apartment complex. Using grow pots, milk cartons, and recycled plastic containers, she is cultivating her green thumb.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/12/01/569-angeline-young/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Michael McMahon on the Fresh Food Collab.Improving access to adequate food for the Working Poor.In This Podcast: The rise of COVID-19 sent the world into a panic as we saw grocery store shelves emptied across the nation. All of the sudden there was not enough food, distributors were tossing food, and food banks were constrained. However, Michael McMahon saw the problem and wanted to become a part of the solution. Listen in to learn about how he is supporting food banks, eliminating food waste, and what he is doing to create a local food system for the urban environment. Michael graduated from State University of New York at Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design, and Arizona State University with a master’s degree in Urban Planning. For 30 years, he has been the owner of AEC a commercial landscape company, specializing in native plant salvage and revegetation. Michael is the founder of the community garden Agave Farms, in Phoenix and a non-profit, Urban Farming Education. His non-profit partnered with other organizations  to initiate the Fresh Food Collab as a response to economic impacts of Covid 19 and fill the growing need of adequate food in the community.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/11/24/568-michael-mcmahon/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Liane Hasner on Creating her Urban Farm.Expanding the functionality of her property.In This Podcast:Lately, spending time outdoors has become the new way to keep sane during COVID. This has sparked a rising trend in urban farming. However, Liane Hasner has become inspired to be an urban farmer, not just as a hobby, but as a way to support herself, the community, and the planet. Listen in to learn about her regenerative practices on the farm, what permaculture means to her, and where to find resources to be a mindful environmental steward.Liane learned gardening from her parents by helping to plant flowers as well as pick string beans, tomatoes, and peaches in Northeast Philadelphia. She attended Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences initially wanting to become a veterinarian before realizing blood and guts were not her thing. She received a Bachelors in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Penn State University and worked a few different management positions, including at a farm to table restaurant which reignited her gardening spark. Liane and her husband David purchased their dream home two years ago in New Jersey and have started creating their urban farm. Inspired by The Urban Farm Podcast, Liane decided it was necessary to come up with a name. After a few days, and countless suggestions from friends and loved ones, David finally blurted out “Something! Anything!” and that was it. They are now in the process of transforming their already beautiful property into a complete oasis and mostly edible landscape.Visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2020/11/17/567-liane-hasner/ for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!