The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained

This week we spoke with historian, nonprofit founder, and author Tony Cohen, who operates Button Farm, Maryland’s only living history center depicting 19th-century slave plantation life and the heroic story of the Underground Railroad. Tony has dedicated his studies and work to preserving the Underground Railroad’s history, historic sites and environments. In this episode, he shares with us stories of his own travels along the Underground Railroad on foot, in an effort to recreate some of the original travelers' sensory experience of the landscape and the monumental physical challenges they endured in the pursuit of freedom. Tony also shares the story of meeting Oprah Winfrey and working with her in preparation for her starring role in the film, BELOVED, based on the book by Toni Morrison. Tony is founder and director of the Menare Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the creation of cutting edge educational programs, including an Underground Railroad immersion experience based on the work he did with Oprah Winfrey.  1:20 - Mary and Emma check in with the Slow Living Challenge7:10 - The Spring Grow Your Own Food IntensiveLet’s get into the interview!8:40 - Tony introduces himself and The Menare Foundation12:50 - Why start a nonprofit?17:00 - Tony’s experience walking the route of The Underground Railroad20:00 - Mary’s land and its connection to The Underground Railroad27:00 - Tracking down your roots along The Underground Railroad36:00 - Tony’s connection to the Harriet Tubman Museum38:00 - How Tony got involved with Oprah Winfrey49:00 - What is Button Farm?57:00 - Tony’s work in relationship to Good Dirt Mentions:  Slow Living Challenge Grow Your Own Food Intensive Workshop The ALMANAC Button Farm Living History Center The Menare Foundation The Underground railroad in Montgomery County, Maryland: A history and driving guide Chesapeake Tours The Chesapeake Fibershed Beloved by Toni Morrison Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mary and Emma chat with Farai Harreld, an herbalist and writer known as the Hillbilly African, who takes inspiration from both her African and rural American roots. Farai grew up in Botswana and came to America to go to college, where she encountered the challenges of an entirely different culture. Her journey into herbalism began as a struggle with her hair, and led her into a deeper knowledge of plants as a source of healing and support. Now as a mother, a writer, a doula and a folk herbalist, she inspires others as a champion of slow living, local engagement and community building. 3:00 - Grow Your Own Food Intensive WorkshopLet’s get into the interview!6:00 - Farai explains her origin story11:30 - Farai’s garden16:00 - Farai’s love of the folklore of plants25:40 - What does sustainability mean to you?30:00 - What will you bring from 2020 into 2021?35:00 - The importance of rest39:00 - Good Dirt means good conversation45:00 - The origin of Hillbilly African Things Mentioned:- Episode 11 with Nicky and Dave- Grow Your Own Food Intensive Workshop- The ALMANAC- Farai’s Instagram- Farai’s Patreon- Farai’s Website- Slow Living Challenge 2021 Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mary and Emma chat with Alissa Hessler, creator of Urban Exodus, a project highlighting people from a variety of backgrounds who have made the switch from urban to rural living. Alissa tells the story of her own life transformation, from chasing the career and paycheck to creating a more intentional life and more meaningful work in a rural setting. The message is not that you have to move to the country to have the life you desire, but about making choices in the direction of what you want, regardless of where you live or what you think is holding you back. Alissa encourages everyone to pay attention to those dreams. It's never too late to make a shift in your own life story! 1:40 - Use #ladyfarmerinthecity and share with us your posts!5:40 - Let’s get into the interview!9:00 - Alissa talks about her backstory18:00 - Raising a child in the country23:00 - Your worth is not based on your paycheck26:00 - Things that hold people back from moving to a rural area30:00 - Getting the benefits of rural living without making the move34:00 - Learning from 2020  Things Mentioned: Urban Exodus Ditch the City and Go Country Book Blueberries for Sal Sherri Powell Urban Haven Photography Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this special live episode, Mary and Emma talk with Ellen Polishuk, an organic vegetable farmer for 25 years and now a teacher and consultant for those in the farming business. Ellen speaks from years of experience as both a grower and a consumer on food sustainability, including topics such as organic certification, composting, GMO's, soil basics, eating locally, community supported agriculture and the potential for a world in which everyone is well fed and farmers can earn a living. This episode is full of great information for anyone who grows or eats food!  Let’s get into the interview!8:40 - Ellen introduces herself13:50 - Changes in the organic agricultural industry 18:40 - What is organic certification?29:00 - What is non GMO, what is GMO?33:00 - Importance of healthy soil42:00 - Local or Organic?45:30 - Growing your own food and Composting51:50 - Are animals worth the cost for labor on your farm?01:02:00 - Advice for aspiring farmersThings Mentioned: The Almanac Potomac Vegetable Farms Correction @ 25:45 - Glyphosate was patented as an antibiotic in 2010, not 2014 Start Your Farm by Ellen Polishuk Plant To Profit website Ellen’s Instagram Growing for Market magazine Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today's episode is about Brigid, saint and legend, known for her skills at the hearth, the loom, midwifery, healing, poetry and animal husbandry. Kathy Spaar, spiritual director, pilgrimage leader and nature educator shares many of the folklore and stories of this legendary figure from Celtic tradition. As a figure of feminine wisdom and power who presides over the land and the homestead, we consider Brigid the quintessential Lady Farmer, our guide, protector and inspiration for slow living through the seasons.1:20 - January is here!1:50 - Mary and Emma introduce Kathy and BrigidLet's get into the interview!7:15 - Kathy introduces herself10:00 - Brigid's Feast Day12:30 - Kathy's favorite stories of Brigid20:00 - Brigid - the quintessential Lady Farmer27:00 - How does Brigid relate to the times we are in now31:00 - The most important thing Brigid has taught KathyThings mentioned: The Almanac Brigidine Sisters Children's Book “Brigid’s Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story” by Bruce Milligan. "Symbols of Plenty" by Ruth Bidgood "Rekindling the Flame " by Rita Minehan Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mary and Emma talk with Militza Maury, the creator of Little Green Dot, an educational space dedicated to natural skincare. In a world where the beauty industry is so often urging us to consume, Militza urges us to take a step back and consider not only what it is we are putting on our skin, but the messages we're getting about why we need all of these products. Combining her love of herbalism and cooking with her fascination with the skin, Militza shares with us her wealth of information and guidance on this topic so relevant to the sustainability conversation. Militza has just released a book on how to make your own skincare from whole food ingredients, and teaches Skincare Herbalism classes. 1:15 - Mary and Emma discuss their own experiences with skincareLet’s get into the interview!9:00 - Militzia introduces herself20:00 - Our skin connects us with the rest of the world25:00 - A pivotal time when skincare shifted to include more chemicals30:00 - The parasympathetic system and skincare38:00 - Sourcing ingredients41:00 - Trial and error when creating recipes45:00 - How the pandemic has affected the natural skincare world*Things Mentioned: *-Little Green Dot-Natural Homemade Skin Care, by Militzia Maury Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mary and Emma sit down with Kip and Angelique, the founders of Smarter by Nature - an urban and rural farming business serving the community in Tallahassee, Florida. Their goal is to provide fresh produce and opportunities for economic sustainability through education as well as to take care of the soil and protect the natural environment. Kip and Angelique share their challenges, methods and aspirations for the future. 1:30 - Catch- up with Mary and Emma6:20 - Introducing Kip and AngeliqueNow let’s get into the interview!9:36 - K&A introduce their business14:56 - K&A’s role as regenerative farmers20:00 - Guiding principles of Smarter by Nature25:00 - The magic of mycelium 30:00 - How to check the minerals in your soil38:25 - Smarter by Nature’s business model44:00 - Permaculture and microclimates48:00 - Transitioning a food desert into an oasis52:00 - Applying sustainability in every aspect of lifeThings Mentioned: Microgreens Blog The Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living Book The Hands-On Home book by Erica Strauss The ALMANAC  Mycelium Running book IFAS Extension Office Etsy Smarter By Nature Youtube Smarter By Nature Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mary and Emma sit down with Eric Henry from TS Designs who has been navigating sustainability through the fashion industry for the past 40 years. Henry discusses the effects of NAFTA on TS Designs and the process of rebuilding his business with the triple bottom line - People, Planet, Profit - in the forefront of operations. Eric pushes you to think about the impact of the goods you consume and the places you spend your money while considering that sustainability is a journey not a destination.1:55 - Mary and Emma talk about the New Year in pandemic timesLet’s get into the interview!7:10 - Eric introduces himself and TS Designs13:30 - What is NAFTA and how did it affect business?16:00 - How TS Designs facilitates their production26:40 - The 10,000 pounds project40:00 - The value of connecting to local food41:00 - Hope for the future of the clothing industry with the impact of Covid48:20 - The production of T-shirts and soil healthThings Mentioned: TS Designs NAFTA Eric Henry Ted Talk WTO agreement Rehance technique 10,000 Pounds project Solid State clothing Gaslighting article Amy Dufault Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mary welcomes in the New Year by sharing the story of Old Befana, a tale for Epiphany. However you're celebrating this year, we hope that this story brings you joy and light!  The Almanac  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mary and Emma sit down with Bridget Jones from Wildberry Farm. Bridget discusses how she and her husband Matt are keeping the family farm going by combining their marketing and graphic design backgrounds with traditional farming and agritourism. Agritourism provides innovative and creative experiences that bring visitors to the farm, and offers opportunities for the the community to come together. In this digital age, Bridget and Matt prove that growing crops and raising livestock aren't the only ways to have a successful farm enterprise. 4:20 - The launch of The ALMANACLet’s get into the interview!13:56 - Bridget introduces herself and Wildberry Farm23:00 - Keeping the family farm alive30:10 - The history of the farm37:30 - No-till farming43:00 - How has the pandemic affected such a young business?48:40 - Advice for starting your own businessThings Mentioned:The ALMANACWildberry Farm Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy