In this episode, Greg and Bill discuss the dual benefits of growing ancient grains for both gut health and gardening. They explore the nutritional advantages of ancient grains, such as spelt, emmer, and einkorn, and their lesser known intolerance to gluten. They also address modern agricultural issues, including the presence of glyphosate and its impact on gut health. The conversation highlights practical aspects of growing grains, from seed selection to planting and harvesting, and the advantages of using heirloom grains in local economies. Listeners are encouraged to explore local grain varieties, connect with local growers, and consider the age-old method of sourdough bread making to enhance digestive health.

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/847-seed for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

What is the Seed Chat?

At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman, the former 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.

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.

Register anytime for the next event.

Register Here for the Monthly Seed Saving Class with Live Q&A

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

And Hurricane Helene and the her business recovery.

In This Podcast: We chat with Jessie Dean from Asheville Tea Company, about her farm to teacup business approach and the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. This episode was originally recorded in July 2024 prior to the hurricane. The storm led to the complete destruction of their building, resulting in the loss of inventory, equipment, and office space. Despite the shock, the company has been actively rebuilding with immense support from their community, local farmers, and collaborating tea businesses.

Jesse discusses the transition from her career in outdoor education to starting the tea company in 2016, combining her passion for tea with sustainable business practices. She emphasizes connecting consumers with the origins of their tea, supporting local farmers, and promoting regenerative agricultural methods. Jesse also shares insights on overcoming challenges, the importance of networking, and the rewarding journey of entrepreneurship.

Additionally, they have launched a holiday tea trio and initiated a fundraiser to aid their recovery efforts. More details and donation options are available on their website.

Our Guest: Jesse Dean is the founder and CEO of Asheville Tea Company. Where they believe in creating delicious cups of tea by using a farm to teacup approach to ingredient sourcing by having direct involvement with the plants and farmers who grow their herbs.

They support the local food economy and regenerative growing methods along the way, telling the story of each ingredient. So the consumer can experience what's in their cup from seed to sip.

Jessie's Book Recommendation: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Guest Website: AshevilleTeaCompany.com

Visit UrbanFarm.org/AshevilleTeaCompany for the show notes and links on this episode!

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*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is...

A Rosie On The House Radio Show Replay

In This Podcast: In this episode replay of 'Rosie on the House,' the Urban Farming Hour features Don Guerra, founder of Barrio Bread in Tucson, Arizona. Don is an award-winning baker who began his community-supported bakery in his garage in 2009.

Don discusses the importance of using ancient and local grains in bread-making, highlighting the cultural and nutritional benefits of these practices. He explains the history and significance of grains like Sonoran white wheat and the impact of slow fermentation techniques on gluten reduction. Greg and Romey Don's journey from anthropology to baking, his collaborations with local farmers, and his vision of sustainable, community-supported bread production. Lastly, Don offers insights into bread education and invites listeners to explore his methods through his website and online courses.

Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/846-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Designs for Ecological Change

In This Podcast: Greg interviews Keri Evji, founder of Healing Roots Design LLC, a regenerative landscaping company in Asheville, North Carolina. Keri shares her journey of integrating nature's principles into her life and business, emphasizing a holistic approach to social and ecological change. She discusses her personal experiences and the inspiration behind her book, 'Regenerative Life Design Playbook,' which offers a multimedia toolkit for living a more connected and resilient life. Keri explores the concept of permaculture, its applications beyond gardening, and the importance of embracing our inner ecology for personal and cultural growth.

Our Guest: Keri is the founder of Healing Roots Design LLC, a regenerative landscaping company in Asheville, North Carolina. She is a creative entrepreneur, teacher, permaculture designer, author, musician, and community revitalist, committed to the healing of people and planet. Her goal is to empower others to be proactive agents of social and ecological change, building resilience, ecological integrity, and beauty. Keri is the author of the Regenerative Life Design Playbook, a multimedia decision making toolkit that applies nature's principles to lead a more integrated life.

Visit UrbanFarm.org/HealingRoots for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

844 - Greg & Heidi's Hurricane Helene Experience

Greg Peterson and Heidi Lichte share their recent experiences dealing with Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the importance of community resilience and preparedness. They discuss their methods for surviving without power for seven days, such as using a rocket stove for cooking and a composting toilet, and highlight the significance of community support and resource sharing during crises. Additionally, they detail some successes and learnings from their farm, including growing elderberries, raspberries, sweet potatoes, and maintaining a resilient garden amidst climate challenges. Heidi also shares her ongoing passion for teaching online yoga classes, which she has adapted since March 2020.

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/844-garden for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

A Rosie On The House Radio Show Replay

In This Podcast: Rosie on the House features Farmer Greg and special guest Nika Forte discussing urban farming and the importance of fall gardening. Nika details her role as the Urban Farms Director at St. Vincent de Paul's Urban Farm and their efforts in combating food insecurity through sustainable practices. They also emphasize the significance of healthy soil, appropriate garden placement, and choosing crops that are both enjoyable and cost-effective, with insights into seed preservation. Additionally, Nika introduces her children's book series aimed at promoting diversity in agriculture.

Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/840-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Rosie. Rosie on the house. Every Arizona homeowner's best friend.

Come on around. Back Arizona Saturday morning, eight o'clock. The outdoor living hour of Rosie on the house. Your Saturday morning tradition since 1988. Here in eight o'clock hour, our outdoor living hour, So we've got Farmer Greg and the urban farm hour talking about fall garden.

I'm planting if you're following along and you're Rosie on the House Homeowner handbook and Farmer Greg you've brought in a special guest. I have and I'm very excited to have Nika with us. I've known her for quite a few years and she does some really cool work in the world. Nika Forti is a wife. and mother and loves spending time with family, serving others and working in her garden.

She served two years in AmeriCorps program under Public Allies and is currently the Urban Farms Director at St. Vincent de Paul's Urban Farm where she worked for almost nine years. Her mission in life is to advocate for communities that are experiencing food insecurity. And to work every day to educate others on how to grow and give back to the environment in a sustainable and compassionate way.

Welcome, Nika. It's nice to have you. Thank you. Thank you for having me. It's good to be here. Quite an introduction. Great. Couldn't have done it better myself. Put you on the spotlight. So for nine years at St. Vincent de Paul, there's been a lot of growth to the urban farm program. It was probably about that long ago was the last time I visited.

At that time it was just that one little farm right there on the south side of 10,past the Durango...

Join Farmer Greg and Wendi Bergin - Wendi and Greg present an insightful overview of food preservation methods, emphasizing the importance of various techniques in extending the shelf life of different food items. They explore traditional methods like canning and pickling, alongside modern practices such as vacuum sealing and freeze-drying. Wendi details the principles behind these processes and offer practical tips for successful food preservation at home. Their discussion highlights the benefits of preserving food, including reducing waste and ensuring nutritious, long-lasting meals.

Our Guest: Wendy is a regular mom with a husband, a bunch of kids who she homeschools, some dogs, the founder of Joyfully Prepared, and the host of the Joyfully Prepared podcast.

She is dedicated to teaching busy moms skills like gardening, food preservation, natural remedies, and more, so they can take care of themselves and their families through developing talents with confidence while saving money. She's rolled down the mountain of progress so many times that she's skinned her knees, has grass in her teeth, and sticks in her hair.

All of these mistakes have actually allowed her to become more confident in her knowledge and skills. Whether it's canning, gardening, emergency preparedness, or anything else, she teaches others to feel confident in learning..

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/844-garden for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

Join Farmer Greg, Wendi Bergin and Judith Horvath as we chat about the various challenges we face and techniques we use on our farms. In this episode we chat about growing tomatoes, from heirloom varieties to the more consistent cherry and grape tomatoes, and tackle climate issues, pests, and soil amendments. The conversation includes insights into permaculture practices, such as using Billy's Bone Sauce to deter deer and creating food forests with native plants. Sustainable gardening practices are explored with cassava, sweet potatoes, and mulch techniques. We further delve into food preservation, sharing methods and personal experiences with freeze-drying, dehydrating apples, and making apple cider vinegar, while addressing controversies such as 'Apeel.' This episode is filled with practical tips, cool tools like the 'Yuka' app for food labels, and creative hacks for jar sealing, culminating in resource sharing and the promise of future enlightening discussions.

Our Special Guests:

Our Guests: Check out Judith at https://www.fairhillfarm.com/ and Wendi at https://joyfullyprepared.com/

Visit www.urbanfarm.org/DownOnTheFarm2 for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!

Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 850 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click HERE to learn more.

*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.