The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained

Today’s guests are Heidi Barr of Kitchen Garden Textiles and Emma de Long of Knee High Farm, who have joined forces in the Pennsylvania Flax Project, aiming to revitalize the flax for linen industry in their region for the benefit of both urban and rural communities. Their goals are to create an industry built on the principles of radical inclusion, environmental stewardship and social justice, and to create clean jobs across the industries of farming, milling, weaving, cut and sew manufacturing.Their story as a team begins on March 12, 2020 when the two met to have a conversation about a natural dye project. Their chat quickly turned into an enthusiastic musing about the possibilities of Pennsylvania grown linen and the Pa. Flax Project began. In this episode we chat about the history of linen in this country and the challenges of reinstating it as a viable domestic industry, creating connection in a globalized economy, and issues with product transparency and consumer awareness. Heidi and Emma are excited to expand their commitment to the local economy and textile supply chain, recognizing that local self reliance and choosing to produce natural fibers on regenerative farms is an important step towards a healthy future. Topics Covered: The history of textile production in the US Heidi and Emma's journey to growing flax domestically The process of turning flax in to linen fiber How linen compares to other natural fibers, particularly hemp, and the impacts on our soils PA Flax Project's process to regionalize flax seed varieties Rethinking the wedding industry, and the desire for domestically-grown and sewn gowns Consumption culture and the influence of social media The next steps for PA Flax, and their crowdfunding goals Resources Mentioned: Magic Fashion Trade Show Chico Flax Episode Amy DuFault Episode Crowdfunding Campaign Connect with the PA Flax Project: Their Website: https://paflaxproject.com/ Square Yard Project Heidi's Company, Kitchen Garden Textiles Emma's Farm, Kneehigh Farm @paflaxproject on Instagram PA Flax Project on Go Fund Me About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Mary and Emma are talking to Julia Skinner of Root: Historic Food for the Modern World. Root was born from Julia's deep love for community and a belief in the power of food to tell stories, connect us to place and to each other, and to build a bridge to the past.Julia's work is all about food, history, food stories, where it comes from and the people behind it. She loves fostering connections with other people and with the earth around us. Julia is especially interested in learning and teaching about fermentation, demonstrating to people the ease and accessibility of preparing delicious and healthy food using this ancient and powerful food preservation technique.Topics Covered: Exploring historic cookbooks Julia’s discovery of historical cooking traditions Types of fermentation she has explored How to start fermenting The growing popularity of traditional foods Shifting food interests during the pandemic Food Access Milk Kefir Food as medicine Resources Mentioned: Julia's website--Root Kitchens Our Fermented Lives. by Julia Skinner The English Housewife by Gervase Markham The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Katz Free99Fridge, Atlanta Umi Feeds Goodr Sowans Celtic Porridge The Fermentation School Son-Mat --(Korean) Hand taste, the unique quality and taste food has from an individual's touch, care, and experience; the way food tastes different when made by different people, often used to describe the taste of mom's cooking. Connect with Julia:  Root Kitchens Website: https://root-kitchens.com/ @rootkitchens on Instagram Julia's Books, Classes and Courses Root Kitchens Newsletter on Substack About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Edzard van der Wyck is the co-founder of Sheep Inc., a sustainable apparel company that creates carbon negative knitwear made from merino wool. Sheep Inc's revolutionary approach starts at the source - the farm! Their partnership with regenerative farms in New Zealand and innovative manufacturing processes allow them to maintain a carbon negative status from sheep to sweater.In this episode, we talk about the impact of the fashion industry on our climate, how Sheep Inc was born, why they chose to start at the raw materials, regenerative sheep wool farms and how they work, and why carbon neutral goals are not enough. We also discuss how we can collectively shift to a more sustainable economy as a whole, and Edzard's hope for what the future of purchasing looks like.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, Youtube, or on your favorite podcast platform.Topics Covered: The impact of the fashion industry on our climate Sheep Inc's innovative manufacturing process Regenerative sheep farming in New Zealand Why carbon neutral goals are not enough How Sheep Inc maintains its carbon negative status Sustainably dyeing their garments How Sheep Inc avoids waste or deadstock in their manufaturing The future of transparency and shopping sustainably How social pressure may have a role in a more sustainable future The true cost of fashion, and our perceived value of apparel The durability of natural fibers Why transparency is important, but may not be enough in the future Resources Mentioned:  Lady Farmer ALMANAC Membership ZQ Merino Connected Dot Sheep Inc’s Website: https://sheepinc.com/ On Instagram @sheepinc About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a shoutout. Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What does it mean for humans to live sustainably on the earth? Andrew Schwartz, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of The Institute for Ecological Civilization, a non-profit promoting long-term solutions for the wellbeing of people and the planet, helps us pull apart that question. Andrew is also the Executive Director of the Center for Process Studies and Assistant Professor of Process and Comparative Theology at Claremont School of Theology. In this conversation, we’re talking about fundamental shifts in many of our most basic assumptions about our relationship with each other and the environment, and the role each of us plays in the way forward towards a worldwide, life-supporting community.  Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, Youtube, or on your favorite podcast platform.Topics Covered: How Andrew came to his interest in ecology through religion How The Institute for Ecological Civilization came into being Explanation of The Institute for Ecological Civilization and its mission The Centrality of the Human Experience Genesis as a directive for the human role in the web of creation Deep Ecology Are we fighting for human survival or earth's survival? EcoCiv partners and programs Where are the solutions? Does change happen from within the system, outside the system or from the top down? Who is getting it right? Who do we support? Resources Mentioned:  Rose of Sharon Sacred Harp Hymn 254 Don Shiva David Corton Jeremy Lent Ishmael by Daniel Quinn Aspen Institute Philip Clayton John Cobb What is Ecological Civilization by Andrew Schwartz and Philip Clayton Claremont School of Theology Willamette University Water for South Sudan Wellbeing Economy Alliance Connect with Andrew and the Institute for Ecological Civilization: EcoCiv website: https://ecociv.org/ On Instagram @ecociv_ Listen to the EcoCiv Podcast About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

"What does the good dirt mean to you?" Join Mary and Emma as they celebrate this 100th episode milestone by reflecting on the two and a half years of their podcasting journey and by highlighting several of their past guests answering this question.Things Mentioned: Our Episode with Sherri Powell “4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” by Oliver Burkeman Mary Oliver Poem - The Summer Day Featured Guests 27:11 - Amy DuFault, Episode 1 27:28 - Liz Kimball, Episode 40 28:43 - Rebecca Burgess, Episode 38 29:28 - Lynn Cassells, Episode 79 30:54 - Justin West, Episode 72 31:28 - Julia Watkins, Episode 12 & 83 33:10 - Jason Fowler, Episode 84 35:01 - Eliza Greenman, Episode 86 35:33 - Amanda Agricola, Episode 87 36:14 - Ryan Mitchell, Episode 77 35:35 - Lisa Mitchell, Episode 91 36:54 - Bex Partridge, Episode 94 38:45 - Doug Phillips of Conscious Clothing, Episode 90 39:10 - Melissa K. Norris, Episode 99 39:40 - Jesse Golden, Episode 81 40:20 - Megan Borukhovsky of Sister Nettle, Episode 83 41:13 - Tony Cohen, Juneteenth Bonus Episode (June 19, 2021) About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Want small, attainable steps you can take to begin your homesteading journey?Melissa K. Norris is a fifth-generation homesteader who believes in keeping the old ways alive and that food shouldn't come from a box. She lives on a 15-acre farm in Washington state with her husband and two children, and together they raise 100% of their own meat and a majority of the fruits and vegetables they consume in a year. Melissa doubled-down on her homesteading journey after a chronic health issue caused her to look at the foods she was eating every day. She decided she could save money and be healthier if she grew and preserved her own food rather than purchasing pre-packaged food items. From this, she’s built a homesteading empire, with a podcast, multiple books, and an online education platform with over a thousand members. Melissa's passion is to teach others the skills of the homesteading and simple life movement, no matter where you live. In this conversation, we talk about the concept of convenience and how it is used against us - especially in the food industry - as well as small, attainable steps you can take to begin your homesteading journey. Join us for this inspiring conversation! Topics Covered: How Melissa healed her chronic health issues with food Food fads of the nineties Reframing what "convenience" means to you  Small steps to start homesteading How Melissa created the Pioneering Today Academy Herbalism and Natural Medicines Resources Mentioned: Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe | Melissa K Norris Blog Michael Pollan Books Pioneer Today Academy Sourdough Starter Tutorial  Homesteaders of America Conference Connect with Melissa: On Instagram @melissaknorris On Facebook @melissaknorris Melissa’s Youtube Channel Melissa’s Website: https://melissaknorris.com/ Pioneering Today Podcast Pioneer Today Academy About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After observing the waste and unsustainable practices while working in the fashion industry, Sarah Arch and Allie Feldman decided to do something about it by starting Rooted Botanics, a fashion brand that gives ethically sourced vintage pieces new life through natural dyes. Both Sarah and Allie are dedicated to thoughtful sourcing, purposeful education about the history of natural dye, and creating beautiful garments while developing a business model designed to remain at a human scale. The relationships they have forged with plant dyes continue to advance a paradigm shift in the fashion industry - a shift that ultimately downplays harm and amplifies joy.Topics Covered: Discovering Natural Dyes Waste in the Fashion Industry Greenwashing and Microplastics Health Benefits of Natural Dyes and Fibers Embracing the Beauty and Unpredictability of Natural Dye Learning and Growing Into Slow Living Resources Mentioned:  Christie Dawn Podcast Episode Textiles 101: Fiber Content Maiwa natural dyes Connect with Rooted Botanics: https://rootedbotanics.com/  Instagram: @rootedbotanics About Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast. Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you. Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Support your Good Dirt at home with BIOS Nutrients! Listeners of The Good Dirt podcast can enjoy 15% off BIOS Nutrients organic, natural fertilizers using the code LADYFARMER15 at checkout.Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Herbalist, artist, and cookbook author Spencre McGowan tells us about her herbal allies and the ways that living in relationship with plants has shaped her slow living journey. After receiving informal training in cooking with herbs in Sweden and attending herb school in California, Spencre began exploring her own personal relationships to herbs through writing and creating zines, one of which became her first book (Blotto Botany, a guide to herbal infusions and cordials).Spencre is passionate about the accessibility of herbal medicine, and encourages listeners to get to know a few herbs personally, whether or not they have access to their own garden. She also advocates for the use of herbs within their cultural context. Her honesty about her slow living journey has gained her a large following on TikTok, where she works to share openly about the difficulties and joys of living closely with herbs and plants.Topics Covered: Self-Expression Through Zines Herbal Cordials and Infusions The Beauty of Tulsi, or Holy Basil Our Healing Relationships with Herbs Getting to Know Our Herbal Allies Cultural Responsibility In Herbalism TikTok and Slow Living Diverse Uses for Nettles Resources Mentioned:  Blotto Botany Forest + Home: Cultivating an Herbal Kitchen (Available for Pre-Order) Verdant Feasts Workshop Connect with Spencre McGowan: https://www.gingertooth.com/ Instagram: @gingertooth TikTok: @spencrelinnea About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a shoutout. Submissions throughout the month of June will be entered to win a Slow Living Consult with Mary and Emma!  Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Marti Buckley captivates us as she portrays the rich culinary traditions of the Basque country of Spain, where slow living and seasonal eating are key ingredients to community life. Marti fell in love with Basque culture when she studied abroad in college, and has now lived in San Sebastian, Spain, for over ten years, where she has written two cookbooks about Basque cuisine. She hopes to give visibility to the little-known food, history, and culture of Basque country.Marti takes us on a journey through the way to eat in Basque country - from pintxos (similar to tapas) to dining societies, Basque traditions around eating provide inspiration and creativity to those of us looking for ways to slow down, eat closer to home, and delve deeply into community life.Topics Covered: Basque Culture and Cuisine The American Food Industry and the Myth of Convenience Slow Living and Long Lunches in Basque Country The Art of the Pintxo Connecting With Friends Through Traditional Basque DIning Societies Relearning Seasonal Eating Slow Living To Boost Nutrition and Well-Being Resources Mentioned:  Basque Country (Marti’s First Book)  Auxiliares Program Bottega Restaurant (Birmingham, AL) Connect with Marti Buckley:  https://www.travelcookeat.com/ Email: geauxmarti@msn.com Instagram:@martibuckley About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a shoutout. Submissions throughout the month of June will be entered to win a Slow Living Consult with Mary and Emma!  Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Lizzie Horvitz explores the subtleties and nuances of sustainability as she introduces us to Finch, a browser extension that rates products on their environmental and social impact as you shop online. Lizzie started Finch in order to empower customers to make informed, conscious choices as they consider the impact of what they buy. She is hopeful about the ways data and technology can address greenwashing and begin to shift our paradigm of unconscious over consumption.Influenced by the data she works with at Finch, Lizzie takes a pragmatic approach to sustainability, recognizing that there are no perfect solutions or simple answers when it comes to mitigating climate change, improving welfare for manufacturing workers, or shifting the standards to which we hold our products. She advocates for small, simple steps towards improved buying choices by providing the information that customers need to choose a sustainable life.Topics Covered: Decoding Sustainability with Data Choosing Progress Over Perfection The Nuances of What Makes A Product Sustainable Regenerative Agriculture and Alternatives to the Meat Industry Resources Mentioned:  Environmental Working Group Done Good Connect with Lizzie Horvitz: Finch Website Instagram @choosefinch Twitter @choosefinch or @lizzieh188 About Lady Farmer: Our Website @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC Leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share a shoutout. Submissions throughout the month of June will be entered to win a Slow Living Consult with Mary and Emma! The winner will be announced in our 100th episode. Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com Original music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy