The Urban Farm Podcast With Greg Peterson

Casey is a director and producer of independent documentary films, highlighting untold stories. She premiered “The Organic Life” to sold-out crowds at the 36th Mill Valley Film Festival in 2013. The film won Best Documentary Feature at the Santa Cruz Film Festival, and national online and broadcast distribution was rolled out in 2014, including on iTunes, FoodMattersTV, and PivotTV among others. Casey is currently directing a feature documentary “This Just In” as well a digital short documentary series telling immigration stories through food, called “Table."  Austin has been farming for seven years. He got his start through the apprentice program at Soil Born Farms in Sacramento, California in 2009. Soon after, he co-founded Lunita Farm in Sonoma Valley, a hand-scale mixed vegetable operation. In 2010, Austin began to work full time at Paul's Produce, a mainstay in the Sonoma farming community for nearly 30 years. At home, he raises chickens and is launching a hot sauce label. 

Kamea is the content curator of Kamea World and the author of Thrive, an evidence-based guide to healthy living. She is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, and she is currently the Marketing Manager of Ethical Writers Co.  Through her multi-disciplinary studies and her multicultural background, Kamea developed a particular interest in the relationship between human health and world sustainability—an interest that eventually led her to write her debut nonfiction book Thrive. By proposing a broadened perspective on health—one that encompasses the health of the mind, body, and our collective environment—Kamea hopes to empower her readers to cultivate meaning and create sustainability in all areas of life.

Diana is a horticulturist, garden columnist and author of 3 books: Water-Smart Gardening; Rocky Mountain Fruit & Vegetable Gardening; and Southwest Gardener’s Guide,  published by Cool Springs Press. She lives and gardens in southern Utah with her husband, Steve. Combining her professional background in education with the continuous learning experiences her gardens provide, she strives to encourage, to teach and inspire others to garden sustainably. 

Candy is self-taught chef, instructor, writer and speaker, who has been inducted into Arizona's Culinary Hall of Fame and hosted and produced Food & Life Television for 3 years. She is now shifting her direction to helping others as a Culinary Wellness Coach; assisting those who have been diagnosed with health issues to transition into a healthier culinary lifestyle and make those changes both enjoyable and sustainable. She believes that growing (and cooking) their own food can be a big part of every "healthier lifestyle" success! For show notes and links visit - https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/06/09/candy-lesher/

Michael was morbidly obese, had severe sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and advanced gum disease. Not only did he lose 105 pounds, but he also reversed all of his lifestyle-related health conditions. This enabled him to transform the dysfunctional relationship he had with food, his lifestyle, and his true self. Michael’s health journey was intensified when he lost five family members in eighteen months. Because of the impact these losses had on his life, Michael was forced to have major breakthroughs with the things that were the most difficult to deal with. After experiencing all of these life transformations, he was highly inspired to become a certified health coach and also wrote an empowering book about healthy and balanced living. For show notes and links visit - https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/06/07/michael-tamez/

Katie Poirier is the project director of PHX Renews. PHX Renews finds temporary uses for vacant lots, an initiative envisioned by Phoenix Mayor Stanton in 2012 and managed by the non-profit, Keep Phoenix Beautiful. PHX Renews currently operates on a 15 acre parcel located in downtown Phoenix with 16 other non-profit partners and an emphasis on community agriculture. Katie graduated with a B.A. from the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University.  For show notes and links visit - https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/06/04/katie-poirier/

Brandi is the Founding Partner of Farm from a Box, an off-grid, modularly designed farm system that provides communities with the tools they need to grow their own food locally and earn an income. Previously, Brandi was the Managing Partner of Human.kind Philanthropic Advisory Company, a consulting firm that created custom giving strategies to foster a greater level of donor engagement, all built around collaboration, transparency, and impact. There she worked to develop cross-sector partnerships with nonprofits, private sector, governments, and philanthropic organizations to help elevate the effectiveness and impact of projects. A collaborator at heart, she specializes in strategic planning, design strategy, and business development.For show notes and links visit - https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/06/02/brandi-decarli/

Ben is a husband and father of two boys and two girls living in the Jerusalem Foothills. He attended the University of Montana where he received a BA in American Literature and a Minor in Wilderness Studies. He received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Barry University in Miami, Florida. Ben learned how to farm by reading lots of books, watching and listening to lots of videos and podcasts, speaking to farmers, and then jumped in headfirst to start a one thousand container EarthBox farm. Now, he manages a small urban farm at a community center that uses raised beds, containers, and no-till gardening techniques using thick layers of straw mulch and a broadfork. Ben advocates for himself and encourages and consults other small-scale farmers, gardeners, and would-be farmers to carve out niches for themselves as municipal and educational farmers within their municipalities and education school boards.For show notes and links visit - https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/31/ben-klempner/

DaNelle is a former health care provider, mother of 2 children, and creator of the blog Weed 'em & Reap. DaNelle started to take an interest in a healthier lifestyle after suffering from two debilitating chronic diseases. On a mission to create a farm of her own, DaNelle forced, or rather 'lovingly persuaded' her husband to purchase a ranch home on an acre of land and transform it into their very own urban farm. DaNelle blogs at Weed 'em & Reap where she writes about sustainable backyard farming, traditional food, & natural remedies.For show notes and links visit - https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/28/danelle-wolford/

This is part 2 of a two-part series with singer-songwriter Jason Mraz. Jason Mraz is a two-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter and urban farming enthusiast. He has been backyard homesteading for the past 5 years and currently owns and operates a 10 acre subtropical fruit orchard where he grows avocado, coffee and 25 other fruit varieties. He believes a connection to farmers and/or the origin of food itself can empower a person to live a happier, healthier, more eco-friendly and more economical life. He also loves driving a tractor. Greg and Jason share a great conversation about what it is like to farm, what motivates him, and how Jason is managing his passions.  The conversation was so great that we had to divide it in two parts!For show notes and links visit - https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/26/jason-mraz-2/

This is Part 1 of a two-part series. In this episode, Jason Mraz shares his urban farming adventures with Urban Farm U. Jason is a two-time Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter and urban farming enthusiast. He has been backyard homesteading for the past 5 years and currently owns and operates a 10-acre subtropical fruit orchard where he grows avocado, coffee and 25 other fruit varieties. He believes a connection to farmers and/or the origin of food itself can empower a person to live a happier, healthier, eco-friendlier and more economical life. For show notes and links visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/24/jason-mraz-1/Greg and Jason share a great conversation about what it is like to farm, what motivates him, and how Jason is managing his passions.  The conversation was so great that we had to divide it in two parts!

Dr. Jay is a doctor focusing on a natural functional medicine approach. He is also a popular speaker, #1 international bestselling author, husband, father, church elder and former radio talk show host. Dr. Jay was the host of the Chronic Lyme Disease Summit with 31 experts that happened April of this year. Dr. Jay is admired for his ability to bridge the gap between the scientific health community and the layperson. For show notes and links visit - https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/21/jay-davidson/

Albert is a long time Pacific Northwest activist. He's worked on urban farming, forestry, quality of life issues and more since moving to the region in 1994. Albert is a huge proponent of helping people find their way to the garden. You can learn more about him at AlbertIdeation.com and FarmMyYard.org.For show notes and links visit -https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/19/albert-kaufman/

Jennifer Johnson was a former sous chef at Chez Panisse under Alice Waters, credited with starting the global sustainable foods movement.  For the last 14 years, Jen has served as the Executive Chef for Ann & Gordon Getty, one of San Francisco’s most prominent families - where she was also tasked with preparing healthy, home-cooked lunches for students at the household's Montessori school. In 2015, Chef Jen and Hip Chick Farms co-founder Serafina Palandech were named Most Innovative Women in Food & Drink by Food & Drink Magazine.  Jennifer attended the California Culinary Academy where she earned an Associate of Arts degree. She will discuss the meal she cooked for Obama and life on the farm.For show notes and links visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/17/jennifer-johnson/

Ed is an award-winning singer/songwriter, performer and multi-instrumentalist from Shelburne, Ontario, Canada. Blurring the lines between pop, rock, folk, and country music genres, Ed’s uniquely crafted songs have received regular rotation on more than 100 terrestrial radio stations across North America and more than 400 stations, worldwide. Ed is a 2014 International Music and Entertainment Association Award Winner, a two-time 2015 IMEA Award nominee, a Josie Show Awards nominee, an Akademia Awards Winner, a 2016 Libera Awards nominee, and a two-time Indie Music Channel Award winner.  Ed is also a farmer, who grows his own food for his family and community.For show notes and links visit - https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/14/ed-roman/

77: Kim Eierman on Native PlantsChoosing plants that are appropriate for your ecosystem.Kim is an environmental horticulturist specializing in ecological landscapes and native plants. She is also the founder of EcoBeneficial!, a horticulture communications and consulting company. Kim teaches at the New York Botanical Garden, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, The Native Plant Center and several other institutions. She is an active speaker on ecological gardening topics, presenting at industry conferences, garden clubs and nature centers. A Certified Horticulturist through the American Society for Horticultural Science, Kim is also a Master Gardener, a Master Naturalist, an Accredited Organic Landcare Professional and a Steering Committee member of The Native Plant Center. She received 2015 and 2014 Silver Awards of Achievement from the Garden Writers Association.In this podcast: What kinds of plants are good for bees? How else can you support pollinators? Did you know that some bees and even ants can be pollinators? Ho

Amanda Midkiff of Locust Light Farm is a medicinal herb farmer and herbalist in New Hope, PA. She had been an organic vegetable farmer for 6 years before making the switch to growing herbs, and she's been happily surrounded by their beauty ever since. When she's not farming, Amanda enjoys teaching yoga, reading and writing poetry, and sipping coffee in diners. For show notes and links visit - https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/10/amanda-midkiff/

Kristin is a native Texan, went to college in Kansas, and ended up in Arizona in 2004. She’s been gardening, raising chickens, planting fruit trees, and constructing buildings ever since! Kristin is an architect and an interior designer, and completed her Permaculture Design Course last fall. She lives on a half-an-acre property with her husband, 2 dogs, 10 chickens, a Jersey Cow, and over 75 fruit trees. She works part time at an architecture firm, and started MODIFY Concepts in 2015 to provide design consultation for architecture, interiors, and permaculture. For show notes and links visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/07/kristin-parsons/

Stella Otto got her first taste for fruit growing during annual family outings to the U-pick orchards of western Massachusetts. After receiving a B.S. in horticulture from Michigan State University, she worked at one of largest fruit tree nurseries in the U.S, a major tart cherry orchard near Traverse City, Michigan, as well as in her own diversified fruit farm in northern Michigan.  Stella has authored two books, the award-winning The Backyard Orchardist: A complete guide to growing fruit trees in the home garden and The Backyard Berry Book: A hands-on guide to growing berries, brambles, and vine fruit in the home garden. She has written freelance articles for numerous magazines, appeared on the Discovery Channel, and been interviewed on National Public Radio and other gardening radio programs. Stella presently cultivates a fruitful family garden and enjoys her horses and cats on a 10-acre homestead in northern Michigan.For show notes and links visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/05/stella-otto

Dr.Z is ascientist who researches the environmental, ecological and economicbenefits of urban agriculture. He recently published a bookentitled "Just One Backyard: One Man's Search for FoodSustainability" that describes his journey from his family's Iowafarm to a major metropolitan area, and how that journey reflectssociety's transition from homegrown to industrialized foodproduction. In the book, he lays out indisputable facts thatdemonstrate just how beneficial urban food growing is to the localcommunity, the nation and the world's future foodsupply. Hisbook has been recognized as a Notable 100 Book for 2015 by ShelfUnbound Magazine and the e-book edition has beenawarded 1st Place in Self-Published Nonfiction by the prestigiousWriter's Digest Magazine. For shownotes and links visit https://www.urbanfarm.org/2016/05/03/john-zahina-ramos/