Talk Farm to Me: Recent Episodes
Farm Girl
Talk Farm to Me brings you headlines from the world of agriculture that impact you, your food, your environment, your wallet, your community and your family through personal stories directly with serious farmers.
Talk Farm to Me pinches urban and rural communities closer together by building a deeper understanding of what farmers do and how that influences the world we live in. From new farmers to generational farmers. From veggies to meat and all the products that come from the farm. From equity and social justice to breeding and harvesting. Talk Farm to Me dives into it all. So, stay tuned and Talk Farm to Me will bring a farmer and maybe a cow or two right into your living room, your car or your kitchen (wherever you listen to the podcast).
Hosted by Farm Girl. Find her on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl. Find the show & recent releases on Instagram @talkfarmtome. Find detailed show notes, swag and more at talkfarmtome.com
What if the answers to our most urgent food challenges aren’t found in high-tech labs—but in the hands of farmers themselves?
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, host Dana DiPrima speaks with Peter Kelly, founder of Grow Further, an organization working to fill the critical funding gap in agricultural research by supporting innovations designed with and for smallholder farmers.
Peter shares how projects like early-maturing beans in Ghana, iron-rich millet in Zimbabwe, and irrigated wheat in Ethiopia are redefining food security—not just abroad, but here at home.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Why agricultural research is severely underfunded—and why that matters
- How farmer-led innovation is transforming food systems from the ground up
- What U.S. farmers can learn from global agricultural breakthroughs
- How climate-smart farming starts with listening, not lecturing
- Why supporting local and global research is critical to feeding a growing planet
Guests
Peter Kelly – Agricultural economist and founder of Grow Further
Support the Show
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🏷️ Tag @xoxofarmgirl + #OneBiteIsEverything
📱 Connect on Socials
Instagram @xoxofarmgirl Dana DiPrima, For Farmers Movement & OBIE
Facebook For Farmers Movement & OBIE
🎙️ The OBIE Team
Dana DiPrima, host and producer
Sonia Dhillon, co-producer & editor
Russell Chapa, sound engineer, original music
⭐️ One Bite is Everything is a proud part of Heritage Radio Network, home to the most influential voices in food.
Most of us think of coffee as a comforting ritual or a morning jumpstart. But behind your daily cup of Joe may be a very different reality—one that includes deforestation, toxic pesticides, child labor, and even slavery.
In this powerful episode, Dana DiPrima sits down with Etelle Higonnet, founder of Coffee Watch and longtime human rights and environmental investigator, to unpack what’s really going on behind the scenes in the global coffee industry.
Together, they explore why coffee—despite its friendly image—is one of the most destructive commodities on Earth, how certification labels often fail to protect workers and ecosystems, and what you can do (without giving up your coffee) to demand better.
What you'll learn in this episode:
- Why coffee is the #6 driver of deforestation worldwide
- How monoculture and pesticide use threaten ecosystems and worker health
- What’s really behind “fair trade” and other certifications—and why they fall short
- How Coffee Watch is using investigations and strategic litigation to fight back
- What simple actions you can take to drink more ethically
Whether you’re a casual sipper or a serious brewhead, this episode will make you see your coffee differently—and might even change how you drink it.
🌐 Learn more about Coffee Watch: https://coffeewatch.org/
Support the Show
📩 Become an OBIE Insider: Stay connected, get behind-the-scenes updates, and explore more ways to eat and drink like it matters. Here's the link to sign up.
🎧 Liked the show? Leave a 5-star rating and review to help us bring you more incredible guests and conversations. Top reviews on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or you can leave your review here.
📱 Screenshot this episode and share it on your socials!
🏷️ Tag @xoxofarmgirl + #OneBiteIsEverything
📱 Connect on Socials
Instagram @xoxofarmgirl Dana DiPrima, For Farmers Movement & OBIE
Facebook For Farmers Movement & OBIE
🎙️ The OBIE Team
Dana DiPrima, host and producer
Sonia Dhillon, co-producer & editor
Russell Chapa, sound engineer, original music
One Bite is Everything is a proud part of Heritage Radio Network, home to the most influential voices in food.
⏱️ Timestamps to Key Content
00:00 – Cold open: What’s really behind your coffee
02:10 – Meet Etelle Higonnet: from Greenpeace to Coffee Watch
07:12 – The surprising link between coffee and deforestation
12:30 – Shade-grown vs. monoculture: what’s the difference?
16:00 – Why coffee is soaked in highly hazardous pesticides
21:45 – What decaf drinkers really need to know
25:10 – Certifications decoded: what the labels don’t tell you
33:20 – The ghost farms, human trafficking, and loopholes behind "ethical" coffee
38:50 – What Coffee Watch is doing differently
45:15 – Laws, petitions, and pressure: what’s actually working
49:30 – One action you can take with your coffee tomorrow
52:10 – Becoming an OBIE Insider and why it matters
53:00 – Final thoughts: hope, action, and eating like it matters
Episode Summary:
University of Pennsylvania adjunct professor and unexpected Instagram garden influencer Toni Farmer joins Dana DiPrima to break down what’s really going on in our food system. From skyrocketing food prices to climate-driven crop failures, the conversation digs deep into the fragile systems behind our meals—and the steps we can take to reclaim control, one garden (or grocery trip) at a time.
Whether you're a grower, a shopper, or just someone trying to feed your family on a budget, this episode offers grounded, urgent, and practical insight into the future of food.
What We Cover:
- Why food prices are rising—and it’s not just inflation
- How regenerative agriculture could help reverse climate and supply chain damage
- What the farm bill, immigration policy, and corporate consolidation have to do with your dinner plate
- Shrinkflation, food deserts, and why some cows get culled while others get saved
- What you can actually do to make a difference: from growing herbs to supporting local farms
Guest:
Toni Farmer is an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania with a self-designed degree in regenerative agriculture. She’s also a gardening educator and public voice for food access, soil health, and climate action—follow her work on Instagram @tonifarmersgarden
Connect with the For Farmers Movement and Nominate a Farmer
Support the Show:
If this episode helped you see your plate in a new light, please rate and review One Bite is Everything on Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show.
Kiss the Ground has helped bring regenerative agriculture and soil health into the mainstream conversation, with films like Kiss the Ground (2020), narrated by Woody Harrelson with appearances from Gisele Bündchen, Tom Brady, Jason Mraz, and Ian Somerhalder, and its follow-up Common Ground (2023), starring Laura Dern, Jason Momoa, Donald Glover, Rosario Dawson, and more. But what comes after the films and the headlines?
In this episode, Dana DiPrima talks with Evan Harrison, CEO of Kiss the Ground. Evan’s career began in music and media—transforming iHeartRadio into a multi-platform company, launching AOL’s groundbreaking music programs, and producing festivals—before turning his focus to environmental issues and soil.
Together, we explore the promise and complexity of regenerative agriculture: how awareness is growing even without a single definition, why Kiss the Ground chooses hopeful storytelling over crisis messaging, and how farmer grants and training are being used to support practices in the field.
This conversation looks at the role of media, money, and momentum in shaping the future of regeneration—and asks what it really takes to move beyond a “kiss” on the ground toward lasting change.
Find out more about Kiss the Ground here.
Connect with your host and the For Farmers Movement here.
Regenerative agriculture is everywhere — in headlines, on packaging, in corporate sustainability campaigns. It’s inspiring, but it’s also dangerously vague. In this solo episode of One Bite is Everything, Dana DiPrima pulls back the curtain on what regenerative is supposed to mean, how it lacks clear standards, and how Big Ag is hijacking the idea to polish its image while sidelining small farmers.
You’ll learn:
- Why regenerative agriculture has no universal standard — and why that matters.
- How corporations like PepsiCo and General Mills are using the term to greenwash conventional farming.
- What’s at stake for small farmers and conscious eaters if regenerative remains undefined.
- How this fits into the bigger picture of a looming food crisis.
This episode also sets the stage for upcoming conversations with Evan Harrison of Kiss the Ground and Toni Farmer, an adjunct professor at UPenn with a master’s in regenerative agriculture.
Resources & Links
- 10 Signs We’re Headed for a Food Crisis
- For Farmers Movement: forfarmersmovement.com
- Follow Dana on Instagram: @xoxofarmgirl
What does it take to turn four acres of grass into a thriving goat dairy, a popsicle business with 40+ flavors, and a model for resilient small farming?
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, Dana sits down with Stacey Roussel of All We Need Farm in Texas. Stacey shares her unlikely path from accountant to farmer, beginning with Houston’s Urban Harvest community gardens and leading to a bustling farm where goats, popsicles, caramel, and community all come together.
You’ll hear:
- How a family moment sparked the idea for goat milk popsicles 🍦
- The role of holistic management, mentorship, and business planning in her growth
- Why goat genetics and herd improvement programs matter more than you think
- The challenges of farmers’ markets—and why wholesale has become a better fit
- How a For Farmers grant helped her invest in new technology for breeding
Stacey’s story is a powerful reminder that small farmers aren’t just producing food—they’re innovating, adapting, and strengthening the communities around them.
If you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to rate and review the podcast. It helps others find these conversations that matter.
Farmer Mac or Mara of Ad Astra Farms—returns to One Bite is Everything with an inspiring update. Since receiving a For Farmers grant in 2023, Farmer Mac has expanded from a third of an acre to nearly three acres, doubled the number of her growing beds, increased her CSA membership fivefold, and put up her first high tunnel.
In this episode, she shares the realities of scaling up as a one-woman farm, the joy of partnering with other small farmers, and the hard truths about federal grant delays, immigrant labor, and the mental health toll of farming. We’re also joined by For Farmers interns Liana Kolenovic and Shahid Islam, who bring fresh, thoughtful questions to the conversation.
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to keep a small farm thriving—and why supporting these farmers matters—this episode will open your eyes and inspire you to take action.
🔗 Learn more and support: www.forfarmersmovement.com
Most of us have never heard of “biosolids”—but it’s time we do. Also known as sewage sludge, this is the concentrated waste from treatment plants that contains not just human waste, but pharmaceuticals, microplastics, PFAS “forever chemicals,” and industrial byproducts. And in many states, it’s being spread on farmland as fertilizer.
In this short episode, Wes Gillingham explains:
- What sewage sludge actually is and how it’s classified.
- Why PFAS and other contaminants make sludge far more dangerous than it sounds.
- How sludge moves from treatment plants onto hay fields, into milk, and back into our food chain.
- What states like New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut are doing to ban or restrict its use.
- Why banning sludge on farmland is one of the simplest, most urgent wins for protecting farmers, consumers, and the environment.
This isn’t a pretty topic, but it’s a vital one. What we flush doesn’t just disappear—it can end up right back on our plates.
Our oceans, rivers, and lakes cover 71% of the planet — yet we rarely think of them as the key to our food future. In this episode, blue food advocate Jennifer Bushman reveals how kelp farms, oysters, and sustainable aquaculture could fight climate change, restore ecosystems, and nourish billions. You’ll learn what “blue food” really means, why it matters, and the simple choices you can make to support healthier waters and a more sustainable plate.
What You’ll Hear:
- Why the “blue food” movement could redefine sustainability
- How seaweed can outproduce corn and help the climate
- The most ocean-friendly foods you can buy today
- Questions to ask your fishmonger for better, more sustainable seafood
- The surprising role of aquaculture in protecting wild fish stocks
Links Mentioned in This Episode:
- Fed by Blue
- Hope in the Water on PBS
- Seafood Scout
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
- The Blue Food Cookbook
Seed detective Adam Alexander has spent decades collecting rare and nearly lost vegetable seeds from around the world. But what he’s really collecting are stories—of resilience, culture, flavor, and forgotten wisdom. In this episode, we explore why seeds matter so much more than we think, how small farms still feed most of the world, and what gets lost when we trade diversity for uniformity. If you’ve ever wondered what’s missing from your plate, this conversation will show you where to look.
Leave a review of One Bite is Everything here.
About our guest: Adam Alexander is a consummate storyteller thanks to forty years as an award-winning film and television producer, but his true passion is collecting rare, endangered, delicious vegetables from around the world. He lectures widely on his work, discovering and conserving rare, endangered garden crops. His knowledge and expertise on growing vegetables for seed are highly valued by the Heritage Seed Library, for which he is a seed guardian. Adam shares seeds with other growers and gene banks in the USA, Canada, and the EU, and he is currently growing out seeds of heritage Syrian vegetables to be returned to the Middle East as part of a program to revive traditional horticulture.
Find out more: TheSeedDetective.co.uk / Insta @theseeddetective
Check out Adam Alexander's new book here. And his first book here.
Connect with your OBIE host, Dana DiPrima:
For Farmers Movement
Let's take a look at 10 pretty serious warning signs that, when added together, could lead us into a food crisis — one that has implications for what's available to you and what it costs.
From USDA funding cuts to ICE raids, rural hospital closures to climate shocks, these systemic cracks are adding up.
📉 USDA program cuts
🚨 ICE raids triggering farm labor shortages
🏥 Rural hospitals on the brink
📈 Tariffs and stubborn grocery inflation
📻 The unexpected loss of public broadcasting
🔥 Climate extremes hitting harvests
Don't ignore the warning signs. Get closer to a small farmer near you. Support them so they are there to support you.
Get involved in the For Farmers Movement. Take small actions that have a big impact.
This episode is short—but powerful. Dana DiPrima, host of One Bite is Everything and founder of the For Farmers Movement, introduces the One For Farmers campaign: a bold national effort to raise $1 million for small American farmers, one dollar at a time.
Dana shares the hard truth about the state of small farms in the U.S., the story behind this people-powered campaign, and why a single dollar might be more impactful than you think. She walks you through the origin, the mission, and the plan—and shares what happens when we hit that million-dollar mark.
You’ll hear:
- The story behind the One For Farmers campaign
- Why $1 is enough to make a real difference
- How grant recipients use the funds
- What’s been cut by the USDA—and how we can fill the gap
- How to join, fundraise, and spread the word
💵 Donate your dollar: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/one-for-farmers
🧑🌾 Be one in a million. Stand with the people who feed you.
Guests: Mary Sue Milliken & Liz Murray
Description:
Restaurants aren’t just places to eat—they’re where over 55% of U.S. food dollars are spent. They shape what gets grown, what’s cooked, who gets paid, and how our communities gather. But the middle of the industry—the locally loved, mission-driven, community-based restaurants—is disappearing fast.
In this episode, I sit down with powerhouse advocates Mary Sue Milliken and Liz Murray—founders of MORE (Movement to Organize for Restaurant Equity)—to unpack the crisis restaurants are facing and why it matters to everyone who eats.
We talk about:
- The disappearing middle ground between fast food and fine dining
- Why immigrant labor, economic mobility, and parenting are all restaurant issues
- What diners don’t see behind their favorite neighborhood spot
- And how advocacy, policy change, and collaboration are reshaping the future of food from the back of house out
If you’ve ever eaten out (which of course you have), supported a local farmer (here's hoping), or wondered what’s really driving our food system—this episode is for you.
Find out more about MORE here.
Find out more about Mary Sue Milliken and Liz Murray here.
Find out more about your host and the For Farmers Movement here.
What if flavor isn’t just about enjoyment, but about truth? About health? About justice?
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, host Dana DiPrima is joined by Franco Fubini, founder of Natoora, a global produce company working with over 600 small farms to radically rethink how we source and value food.
Franco shares his journey from flavor-seeker to food systems changemaker—revealing how taste can guide us toward nutrition, sustainability, and deeper ecological connection. They talk industrial agriculture, the rise of supermarkets, the role of chefs as gatekeepers, and why we need to stop thinking about sustainability as a marketing term—and start seeing it as a mindset.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why flavor is the clearest signal of nutrition
- How post-WWII food policy reshaped consumer habits and farming
- What supermarkets and supply chains have to do with climate resilience
- The real opportunity—and responsibility—chefs have in shaping the future
- Why small farms matter and what makes a Natoora-sourced carrot different
Whether you’re a foodie, a farmer, or just trying to make better choices, this episode offers a roadmap for reimagining our food system—one bite at a time.
Links & Mentions:
- Natoora
- In Search of the Perfect Peach – Franco Fubini’s book
- @natoora on Instagram
- Learn more about the For Farmers Movement
🎧 Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts
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📢 Share this episode with a friend and help spark a food awakening!
What happens when climate data disappears and federal funding for farmers dries up overnight? Wes Gillingham, farmer and president of NOFA-NY, joins One Bite is Everything to unpack what’s really happening in our food system right now. From the USDA’s removal of key climate tools to the veto of New York’s Good Food Purchasing Bill, Wes reveals how policy, advocacy, and farmer action intersect—and why this matters to every eater in the country.
If you’ve ever wondered why your hospital serves bad food or how farmers are supposed to plan for extreme weather without support, this episode is for you.
Key Topics:
- Why the USDA was sued—and lost—for deleting climate data
- The crisis farmers face when grants are frozen mid-contract
- How New York’s Good Food Purchasing Bill could change institutional meals
- Why local food isn’t just about flavor—it’s about public health, climate, and community resilience
Resources & Mentions:
- NOFA-NY (Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York): https://nofany.org
- One For Farmers Campaign: https://forfarmersmovement.com
This is a quick episode that connects the dots between your local farmer and everything that's important. It's another reason to shop local. Why would you not?
Join The Local Food Challenge for an easy monthly prompt to help you be just a little more local. It's fun, easy, and really packs a punch.
Download the free Farmer's Market Field Guide for 36 pages of how to get the most out of your farmer's market.
Support small farmers as part of ONE FOR FARMER$, where we raise one million dollars, $1 at a time, from one million people. Show you care about small farmers and donate $1 today! 100% goes to farmer grants.
Find out more about the For Farmers Movement here.
Connect with your host on IG here.
Who is hungry in America? It’s not just who you might think.
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, host Dana DiPrima talks with Rachel Sabella, Director of No Kid Hungry New York, about the hidden face of hunger in our communities. With one in five children at risk of food insecurity and grocery prices soaring, Rachel explains how bipartisan solutions—like no-cost school meals and Summer EBT—can have a powerful impact on families, local economies, and the nation at large.
They discuss:
- Why rising prices are pushing even middle-income families into food insecurity
- The importance of dignity in food assistance programs
- How proposed federal cuts to SNAP could reverberate through farms, schools, and stores
- What everyday people can do to make a difference
If you’ve ever wondered how hunger could exist in a country of abundance—or what to do about it—this conversation is for you.
Resources Mentioned:
- No Kid Hungry: nokidhungry.org and https://state.nokidhungry.org/new-york/
- State SNAP Agency Directory: fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory
What happens when a chef goes beyond the kitchen and into the policy rooms, fishing boats, and oyster beds? In this episode of One Bite is Everything, Dana DiPrima sits down with Chef Kerry Heffernan of Grand Banks to explore the deep connections between what we eat and the health of our oceans.
Chef Heffernan shares his personal journey from growing up near the Connecticut shoreline to leading one of New York's most unique seafood restaurants, all while championing sustainable fishing practices and responsible aquaculture. From the overlooked porgy to the surprising truth about fish freshness, this conversation offers both practical takeaways and big-picture insights for anyone who cares about the food on their plate.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How Kerry's upbringing near the water shaped his culinary philosophy.
- Why lesser-known fish like porgy deserve a place on more menus.
- The real story behind striped bass populations—and why appearances can be deceiving.
- How chefs can drive awareness and policy changes around sustainable seafood.
- Why aquaculture may be the key to feeding future generations.
Resources & Links:
- Grand Banks: https://www.grandbanks.nyc/
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch: https://www.seafoodwatch.org/
- For Farmers Movement www.forfarmersmovement.com
- Connect with host Dana DiPrima on IG @xoxofarmgirl
Credits:
Produced by Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon.
Sound editing and original music by Russell Chapa.
Subscribe, share, rate, and review One Bite is Everything — connecting the food on your plate to the rest of the world.
This month, the Local Food Challenge takes us to the vibrant, delicious, occasionally chaotic world of the farmer’s market. If you're not in the know, you might end up missing out on strawberries (by hours) like the host did. The episode connects you with smart shopping tips from the brand-new Farmer’s Market Field Guide, and explains why a simple market trip is actually a radical act of community care.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a lifelong shopper, you’ll walk away with fresh ideas, seasonal inspiration, and a renewed sense of connection to the people who grow your food.
✨ Highlights include:
- Why your dollars go further (and do more) at the market
- How to talk to a farmer without feeling awkward
- What to do when you can’t find what you came for
- Kid-friendly tips to make the market more fun
- How to shop smart—even on a budget
📥 Download the free Farmer’s Market Field Guide here.
Farm-to-table might sound good on a menu—but what does it actually mean in practice? And who’s paying the real cost of “good food”?
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, host Dana DiPrima talks with Chef Molly Levine of Westerly Canteen about the complex, often invisible challenges of sourcing locally, paying workers fairly, and keeping a restaurant alive. From the legacy of Chez Panisse to her Airstream kitchen in the Hudson Valley, Molly shares why walking the talk on food values is far harder—and more important—than most diners realize.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why "farm-to-table" has become more marketing than movement—and how to tell the difference
- The impossible balancing act between paying farmers, supporting workers, and staying in business
- How chefs can (and do) quietly compromise their sourcing—and what it takes not to
- What it really looks like to write a menu based on what farms can produce, not what’s convenient
- Why small changes by consumers can ripple across the food system
Resources & Mentions:
- Westerly Canteen – Molly’s project focused on seasonal, farm-connected dining.
- Molly Levine on socials and Westerly Canteen too
- For Farmers Movement – national initiative supporting small American farms
- Dana DiPrima on socials
Loved the episode?
Please rate us five stars and leave a review on Apple podcasts. It helps new listeners find the show and join the conversation.
One Bite is Everything is co-produced by Sonia Dhillon, with original music and sound design by Russel Chapa.
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, host Dana DiPrima sits down with James Beard Award-winning chef Chris Shepherd, whose groundbreaking Houston restaurant Underbelly wasn’t just about food – it was a movement. From his roots as a reluctant student turned kitchen prodigy, to becoming a champion of local farmers and global flavors, Chris has redefined what it means to eat – and live – like a local.
You’ll hear how a Mickey Mouse cookbook sparked his culinary journey, why he once bought out an entire farmer’s market table, and how he used his platform to uplift cultures, communities, and unsung culinary heroes throughout Houston.
What you'll learn:
- Why embracing local ingredients means more than just freshness – it’s about trust, impact, and resilience.
- The value of building relationships with farmers – and the power of showing up for your community.
- How Chris's new show Eat Like a Local is taking his ethos from restaurant to screen – and changing lives along the way.
Featured Topics:
- The origin and evolution of Underbelly
- Building culinary trust with a community
- The quiet power of local food systems
- Fish sauce, wine pairings, and making vegetables irresistible
- How a chef becomes a storyteller
Don’t forget to rate and review the show on Apple or Spotify. It helps others find these stories and supports the mission of local food everywhere.
In this episode, your host, Dana DiPrima, dives into the surprising connection between your breakfast omelet and the U.S. Postal Service.
Learn about the century-old tradition of shipping live chicks by mail, the challenges facing this practice today, and the potential consequences for small farmers, backyard chicken keepers, and our broader food system.
From historical quirks to modern logistical nightmares, this episode explores how a few changes to the mail system could ripple across rural economies and hit our dinner plates.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
- The origins of shipping live chicks by mail in the U.S.
- How major hatcheries like Ideal Poultry, Murray McMurray, and Hoover's Hatchery keep this tradition alive
- The impact of recent USPS policy changes on small farms and hatcheries
- The challenges facing large-scale poultry producers like Tyson and Pilgrim’s Pride
- What the future might hold for this critical, but often overlooked, part of our food supply chain
Additional Resources:
- Find out how to support your chicken farmers and local egg producers at For Farmers Movement
If you have any stories that you would like to share about shipping challenges, please reach out here.
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, host Dana DiPrima sits down with Dr. Marion Nestle, a legendary figure in the world of food policy and nutrition. They dive deep into the power dynamics of the food industry, what's going on in MAHA, the evolving role of supermarkets, the future of regenerative agriculture, and the challenges of making healthy food choices in an increasingly corporatized system. Nestle, author of the upcoming What to Eat Now and the provocative cereal-focused Boxed In, shares sharp insights on the erosion of public trust in food oversight, the fight against ultra-processed foods, and why small, local actions can still make a massive impact in an uncertain political landscape.
In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- How supermarkets subtly influence our food choices and why that matters for public health.
- Why the definition of 'regenerative agriculture' is so contentious and why it needs tighter regulation.
- What’s behind the rise of ultra-processed foods and why they’re a growing health risk.
- Why we need a radical overhaul of U.S. food policy to prioritize public health over corporate profits.
- The power of local action in changing the food system and why your local school or community garden might be the best place to start.
Resources Mentioned:
- Marion Nestle’s blog: Food Politics
- What to Eat Now (November 2025 release)
- Boxed In (coming in 2026)
Please share your thoughts on the podcast. If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It’s a small step that helps us reach more curious minds like yours.
Tariffs aren’t just political strategy—they’re shaping what you eat, how much it costs, and whether the farms that feed you can survive. In this episode, we walk through the on-again, off-again tariff rollercoaster of March and April 2025—from Liberation Day declarations to global retaliation to quiet backpedaling—and explore how it’s impacting food prices, trade relationships, farm viability, and campaign promises.
You’ll hear directly from New Hampshire farmer Jeremiah Vernon on how grain tariffs from Canada are putting pressure on livestock farms, and why small farmers are bracing for higher input costs and tighter margins. Plus, a breakdown of the biggest U.S. agricultural imports and exports, how tariffs work, and what to watch for next.
Key Topics:
- What the U.S. exports and imports in food and agriculture
- Why China’s retaliatory tariffs hit U.S. soy, pork, and dairy
- How uncertainty is paralyzing farm planning and investment
- Why grocery prices are expected to rise—again
- The contradiction between tariff policy and campaign promises to lower food costs
- What you can do right now to support a resilient food system
Sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
- USDA Economic Research Service (ers.usda.gov)
- Reuters, AP News, New York Times, Financial Times
- The New York Times: [Tariff Chart Snapshot]
- OBIE original interview with Jeremiah Vernon, Vernon Family Farm
This month’s Local Food Challenge is simple, satisfying, and sneakily powerful: choose just one ingredient and commit to sourcing it locally for the next 30 days. Eggs, flour, yogurt, honey—just pick one thing, learn where it comes from, and use it often.
In this solo episode, host Dana DiPrima shares why this challenge matters, how it connects us more deeply to our regional food system, and what happened when she swapped out her go-to yogurt for a farm-fresh version from Tonjes Farm Dairy. (Spoiler: store-bought didn’t stand a chance.)
You’ll walk away inspired to:
- Take a doable step toward eating more locally
- Learn the story behind the ingredient you pick
- Use your food dollars to support the farmers who feed your region
💡 Ready to start? Join the challenge at www.thelocalfoodchallenge.com
What does it take to make local food more accessible, more transparent—and more delicious? In this episode, OBIE host Dana DiPrima sits down with Michael Robinov, co-founder of Farm to People, a New York-based company delivering local produce, meats, and pantry staples to thousands of city households each week.
Michael grew up steeped in natural foods thanks to his dad, a pioneer in the organic movement, but it wasn’t until a college gap year that the pieces clicked. What started as a scrappy farm box operation out of a Brooklyn apartment has grown into one of the country’s most compelling examples of how to support the development of a modern, regional food system.
We talk about:
- What “regional food” actually means—and why it’s not just another buzzword
- The inconvenient truth about grocery store supply chains
- Why local and transparent food systems matter now more than ever
- Building a food business without venture capital
- The role of technology in building a regional food network
Whether you're a New Yorker or not, this episode is for you if you love food, wish you had someone to bring the farm to you, or if you're curious about how a model like Farm to People could benefit your community. This episode is packed with insights on how it's possible to build a better food system—one delivery at a time.
Leave a Rating & a Review
www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/
Connect on socials
Host, Dana DiPrima on IG @xoxofarmgirl
Guest, Michael Robinov on IG @farmtopeople
Websites
www.forfarmersmovement.com
www.farmtopeople.com
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, host Dana DiPrima sits down with Jamie Pritchard of WIT Farm—that stands for Whatever It Takes—in rural Ohio. Jamie shares a raw and honest look at what happens when government support dries up and the impact of policy decisions reaches the fields.
We hear a lot about budget cuts and shifting priorities in Washington—but what does that actually look like for small farms and rural communities trying to hang on? Jamie’s story offers a deeply personal view of survival, resilience, and the true cost of systemic change.
This episode is a powerful reminder that food policy is not abstract. It’s real. It’s local. And it affects all of us.
🔗 Links & Resources: Learn more about WIT Farm: https://www.witfarm.com/ * Support small farmers through For Farmers: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com * Follow us on Instagram: @XOXOFarmGirl * Subscribe to the One Bite is Everything* newsletter: [Insert newsletter link]
✊ Take Action:If this episode inspired you, share it with a friend. Start a conversation. And visit forfarmersmovement.com to support the movement that’s building a better food future—one farm, one bite, one story at a time.
Guest: Dana Cowin — Former Editor-in-Chief of Food & Wine, host of The Progressive Hedonist podcast, and food media trailblazer.
Summary: To kick off One Bite is Everything's partnership with Heritage Radio Network, host Dana DiPrima sits down with the iconic Dana Cowin to talk about the transformation of food media, the chefs and farmers changing the world, and what it means to be a "progressive hedonist." From her years at Food & Wine to her latest gatherings around potluck tables, Dana Cowin shares wisdom, wit, and powerful stories that remind us how food can be both joyful and world-changing.
Topics Covered:
- Evolution of food media from 1995 to now
- Behind-the-scenes of Food & Wine's most iconic moments
- Noma, new cuisines, and redefining fine dining
- Chefs as change-makers and food equity
- Supporting farmers, community, and culinary culture
- The meaning behind "Progressive Hedonism"
- Independent media, joy-forward activism, and the future of food storytelling
Takeaways:
- Food is never just food—it carries culture, memory, power, and potential.
- Media shapes how we see food, and now more than ever, independent voices matter.
- Change doesn’t have to be sacrifice—it can come through joy.
Links:
Your host: Instagram For Farmers Movement
Heritage Radio Network Progressive Hedonist
This week’s episode of One Bite is Everything takes you on a revealing journey—right into your own kitchen. Having done this herself to some astonishing revelations, host Dana DiPrima walks you through a simple but eye-opening Kitchen Audit to find out just how far your food is traveling before it hits your plate.
You’ll explore three key spots:
- The Refrigerator (fresh foods & drinks)
- The Pantry (dry goods & snacks)
- The Spice Cabinet (sneakiest miles of all)
This isn’t about guilt or throwing anything out—it’s about awareness. Discover a few surprising food facts, audit your kitchen, and start shifting your habits one bite at a time.
🎧 Listen now, and don’t forget to share your audit results with @XOXOFarmGirl on Instagram or just email us at hello@onebiteiseverything.com.
Links & Resources:
- Download the Kitchen Audit Worksheets
- Join The Local Food Challenge
- Connect with Dana on Instagram
- Learn more about the For Farmers Movement
Egg shortages, skyrocketing prices, and farms in crisis—avian flu has made its way back into the headlines, but what’s really happening behind the scenes? In this episode, we sit down with Michael Rhys, CEO & Co-Founder of Barnwell Bio, to explore how biosecurity technology is transforming the way we detect and prevent disease outbreaks in agriculture.
Michael shares insights on why avian flu isn’t just a poultry problem, how farmers are navigating the crisis, and what changes—like vaccines and new regulations—could reshape the industry. Plus, we discuss the bigger picture: What happens when this crisis passes? Will we actually invest in long-term solutions, or just wait for the next disaster?
If you’re curious about food security, farming innovation, or just wondering why your grocery bill keeps climbing, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✅ How avian flu spreads—and why it’s so hard to contain
✅ The hidden challenges farmers face in protecting their livestock
✅ How Barnwell Bio is using waste monitoring to catch outbreaks early
✅ What role vaccines and government policy play in the fight against disease
✅ The real risks (and media myths) about avian flu in humans
Guest Bio:Michael Rhys is the CEO & Co-Founder of Barnwell Bio, a company pioneering new ways to track and prevent disease in livestock. Previously, Michael and his team helped build the COVID-19 wastewater monitoring infrastructure, providing critical data for public health during the pandemic. Now, he’s applying that expertise to agriculture, helping farmers stay ahead of disease threats before they turn into full-blown crises.
Resources & Links:🔗 Learn more about Barnwell Bio: www.barnwellbio.com or reach out to them here hello@barnwellbio.com
🔗 Read the latest TIME Magazine feature on Barnwell Bio
Continue the Conversation:💬 What are your thoughts on the avian flu crisis?
📩 Got questions or feedback? Reach out at hello@onebiteiseverything.com
🎧 Subscribe & Review
Enjoying the podcast? Make sure to subscribe in your favorite podcast player and leave a review on Apple Podcasts —your support helps us keep bringing you important conversations like this one.
February 2025 Food Policy Recap: What You Need to KnowYour food is changing, and the policies behind it could be making things worse.
From rising grocery prices to a sudden freeze in farm aid, February brought major shifts that impact what you eat, how much you pay, and where your food comes from. In this episode, we break down the most critical policy changes and what they mean for you as a consumer.
What We Cover in This Episode:🚜 USDA Spending Freeze – Billions in farm grants and loans were suddenly put on hold, leaving small farmers in crisis.
🥚 Egg Prices Are Soaring—And It’s Not Just the Bird Flu – The government is investigating potential price manipulation by major egg producers.
🌍 Trade Wars Are Making Food More Expensive – New U.S. tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China have led to retaliatory tariffs, driving up costs for farmers—and your grocery bill.
🧪 The Fight Over Pesticides – Big chemical companies are lobbying for legal immunity over controversial herbicides like glyphosate. If they win, pesticide regulations could weaken even further.
Listen to More on Farm Policies & Subsidies🎧 Listen now: What You Need to Know About the Farm Bill (and the history of subsidies and how this expert thinks they need to be changed)
Take Action✅ Support local farmers – Shop at farmers markets & buy directly when possible.
✅ Stay informed – Policies impact your plate more than you think.
✅ Push for transparency – Demand clear food labeling & responsible policy changes.
🔎 Want the full breakdown? Listen now! 🎙️
And don't forget to give the show a 5-star ⭐️ rating and a quick review to entice new listeners. Thanks!
Farmers are the backbone of America, but are they being left behind in Washington? In this re-released conversation with Sharon McMahon, better known as America’s Government Teacher, we explore how farm policy is shaped, why farmers feel invisible in the political process, and how shifting power structures impact our food system.
Since this episode first aired, we’ve seen budget cuts, trade disputes, and major agricultural policy shifts unfold—making this conversation even more relevant today.
In This Episode, We Cover:✅ Why the Farm Bill is stuck in political gridlock (and what’s at stake)
✅ How farmers have been erased from government and political influence
✅ The rise of corporate agriculture and its impact on family farms
✅ Why politicians prioritize viral moments over real policy solutions
✅ What needs to change to give farmers more power in Washington
Why This Matters Now:With new USDA leadership, budget freezes, and controversial farm policies rolling out, we’re at a turning point for American agriculture. Understanding these forces is critical—not just for farmers, but for everyone who eats.
Next Episode:Next week, we’ll break down the biggest political moves from February that are actively reshaping food and farming—from USDA budget cuts to farmworker deportation fears, climate policy rollbacks, and new trade tariffs.
How You Can Help:📣 Share this episode with a friend who cares about where their food comes from.
💬 Join the conversation on Instagram @XOXOFarmGirl
🎧 Subscribe & leave a review to keep these important conversations going.
What happens when a farm does everything right—gets permits, follows regulations, and builds a thriving local food community—only to be hit with lawsuits from its own neighbors? That’s the reality for Vernon Family Farm in New Hampshire, where a battle over agritourism, zoning laws, and NIMBY opposition is threatening their ability to survive.
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, we dig into:
✅ The rise of NIMBYism against small farms and why it’s happening
✅ The blurred lines between agritourism and “commercial activity”
✅ The staggering financial and emotional toll of legal battles on farmers
✅ How zoning laws and local opposition are shaping the future of local food
✅ What you can do to support farmers facing similar challenges
This story is bigger than one farm—it’s about the future of local food. As more small farms fight to survive, we all need to ask: Do we truly support local food, or just the idea of it?
🎧 Listen now and join the conversation!
🔗 Support Vernon Family Farm: Go Fund Me
Post-Release Note: A neighbor of Vernon Family Farm, who prefers to remain nameless at this time, reached out to dispute some of the information shared in this episode and to share some information that was not mentioned. I invited them to be a guest on the podcast to tell their own story, but for now, they would prefer not to. They may in the future. They did ask that I share this article that portrays at least a part of the story they shared with me. Remember, every story has at least two sides.
📢 Tell us what you think: Email us here or tag us at @xoxofarmgirl on Instagram with a shout-out.
💬 Leave a review if this episode made you think differently about local farms—it helps others find the show!
Welcome to the 100th episode of One Bite is Everything! 🎉 I’m so grateful to have you here as we hit this milestone together.
Over the last 100 episodes, we’ve uncovered the deeper stories behind our food system, and today, we’re tackling a big one: Does your supermarket have too much power? What does that mean? And what do we do about it?
In this episode, we break down:
✅ How supermarkets took control of our food choices
✅ The five biggest grocery chains—and how they shape what’s on your shelves
✅ Why local food struggles to compete in mainstream grocery stores
✅ The hidden costs of convenience and consolidation in our food system
✅ What we can do to push back and create more access to real, local food
Plus, we’re celebrating 100 episodes of connecting food to the bigger picture! 🎉 Thank you for being here, asking questions, and sharing in this journey. This podcast wouldn’t exist without you!
🔗 Take Action: This week, challenge yourself to find one local product at your grocery store. Share what you discover and tag me @XOXO Farm Girl!
🎧 Listen now and let’s keep pushing for a better food system—one bite at a time.
Think you’re eating local? Think again! In this episode of One Bite is Everything, host Dana DiPrima walks you through a simple but eye-opening exercise: making a meal and counting the miles each ingredient traveled to get to your plate.
Dana shares her own humbling experience of making a beef stew with local meat—only to rack up over 17,000 milesfrom imported spices, oils, and other ingredients. This challenge isn’t about perfection; it’s about awareness. And once you see the bigger picture, you might be inspired to make small, meaningful shifts toward truly local eating.
In This Episode:
✅ How to audit your ingredients and track their miles
✅ Why this exercise is a game changer for understanding your food sources
✅ Simple swaps to bring your meals closer to home
✅ How to join the Local Food Challenge and start making an impact
📌 Join the Challenge! Sign up at The Local Food Challenge for tips, resources, and encouragement.
📲 Follow Along & Share Your Results: Instagram: @xoxofarmgirl
🎧 Subscribe to One Bite is Everything and leave a review to support the show!
A lot has been going on and even since recording this episode, things have changed. If you are interested in your food, food prices, the future of your food, and have your fingers crossed that our farmers survive, it's a good idea to take in 10 minutes a month (starting here) to get on top of the ripple effect that rocks the world of food from Washington and from other corners (this month from Point Reyes National Seashore in California). Tune in.
I hear it all the time. Why is local food, AKA food from your local farmer, more expensive than the food in the grocery store. How can you justify shopping local and with small producers if it stings your wallet more?
Here's the why and the how. Have a listen.
With egg prices soaring, consumers wonder what's happening, how it all started, and what's next. What we really want to know is how to prevent or mitigate this kind of situation, but are we ready for that reality? Take a quick 10 minutes to get a handle on the scope of this issue and some food for thought as you make your own egg choices.
Join "The Local Food Challenge" and start with "WHY?" Some reasons are obvious and some others you may not see yet are even more powerful. This is the start of a monthly episode where we dig into a fun, insightful 12-month local food challenge.
It starts today, and you can sign up for a quickie guide to take you and your family through all the parts. You can join any time and we will catch you up!
Get a preview and sign up here: www.thelocalfoodchallenge.com
Let's take a look at some food predictions -- some absurd, some interesting -- and then I share some of my own that maybe we should all be prioritizing (or manifesting, as the case may be). Tell me what your predictions are. And maybe what you'd hope to see in addition to what you think you'll find.
As promised, here's the link to the regional food episode with Kathleen Finlay of Glynwood Center.
Idaho rancher Glenn Elzinga and his wife and seven daughters have reinvented ranching cattle by listening to nature and working with her. This episode is part of a celebration of 5 years of the podcast where we’re bringing back some of the best episodes. This one is not to be missed and definitely worth listening to again if you heard it the first time!
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, host Dana DiPrima speaks with Kathleen Finlay, president of the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming. Kathleen shares her insights into the importance of revitalizing regional food systems, connecting farmers with land, and training the next generation of agricultural leaders. Together, they explore how sustainable, locally grown food benefits communities, the environment, and hardworking farmers.
Key topics discussed:
- What makes regional food systems healthier for people and the planet.
- Innovative programs that connect farmers with land and support sustainable agriculture.
- The challenges of equitable food access and what’s being done to address them.
- How policies and consumer choices can shape the future of farming and food equity.
Mentioned in the episode:
- Learn more about the Glynwood Center: www.glynwood.org
- Explore ways to support regional food systems and local farmers.
Call to Action:
Share your thoughts on today’s discussion! What steps can you take to support local food systems? Send your reflections or questions to the show, and don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with friends who care about the future of food.
Stay curious, and remember: One bite really is everything.
in this episode, we take a look back at the factors facing Tenderly Rooted farm in California. As of last week, the Farm shut it gates for good.
In celebration of five years of the podcast, we are looking back at some of the most pivotal episodes. And in light of the new status of Tenderly Rooted farm, I thought it was important for you to see inside the commodity market and how that hamstrings many of our farmers.
In celebration of 5 years of the podcast, I am bringing back some greatest hits that no one should miss. Rick Clark is one of those farmers who, through hard work and data mining from his own land, shows us all that what everyone says “can’t be done” on a large scale, actually can. Take a bite.
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, we sit down with Trish Preston, a farmer and co-founder of the Winchester Farm Exchange, a groundbreaking initiative that’s redefining how communities connect with their food. Trish shares her incredible journey of overcoming personal health struggles and creating a thriving local food hub that supports over 60 farmers and artisans.
Key highlights include:
- Trish’s story of resilience after a life-changing injury in 2020.
- How the Winchester Farm Exchange empowers small farmers
- The ripple effect of community-based food systems on health, the economy, and relationships.
- Inspiring stories of farmers who have grown their businesses and transformed their lives.
- The importance of preserving farmland and educating communities about food equity and sustainability.
Trish’s passion for building a sustainable future, one bite at a time, will inspire you to rethink your connection to food and the farmers who grow it.
Join us as we explore the nomination of Brooke Rollins as the next Secretary of Agriculture under the next Trump administration. In this episode, we break down:
- Rollins' background and her potential priorities as USDA head.
- Key policy areas to watch, including deregulation, food security, and agricultural innovation.
- The ripple effects of these policies on hardworking farmers, food security programs, and consumers.
- Insights from Joel Salatin and how his influence may shape the future of food systems.
This episode is packed with analysis and thought-provoking questions about the future of American food policy. Don’t miss it!
Key Links Referenced:
- Jonathan Copess, Professor of Agricultural Policy, On the Farm Bill
- The Prime Act
- Previous episode with Joel Salatin
Topics Covered:
- Why Joel Salatin believes the USDA is unnecessary
- How a transparent, consumer-driven food system might work
- The role of small-scale farmers in reshaping the agricultural industry
- The challenges and opportunities in eliminating government oversight
Key Takeaways:
- Joel Salatin envisions a future where consumers, not bureaucrats, vet and regulate food producers.
- Eliminating the USDA could create space for innovation and local entrepreneurship but raises serious questions about trust and access.
- Small farms could thrive if regulatory hurdles were minimized, but only if consumers increase their food-sourcing engagement.
Links & Resources:
- Learn more about Joel Salatin’s work at Polyface Farms.
- Connect with OBIE weekly by subscribing to the show
- Follow the host by subscribing here
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, we explore how Trump’s campaign promises and proposed policies—from immigration and labor to trade tariffs and deregulation—could reshape American agriculture. We also compare proposals shared by the Harris campaign and how they differ.
We are interested in hearing from you about your thoughts on these potential changes and impacts and in hearing what else you'd like to hear about.
Email us at farmgirl@talkfarmtome.com
In this episode of One Bite is Everything, we’re joined by Lee Klancher, an author and photographer whose work sheds light on the vital role tractors have played in shaping modern agriculture—and even the world beyond it. Lee takes us through the fascinating history of tractor innovations, the industrial espionage that fueled fierce competition, and the stories of self-taught engineers who redefined farming from their barns and garages.
Lee’s tales reveal not just machines but the human spirit and resilience that keeps agriculture moving forward, even in the face of adversity. Join us as we explore these mighty engines of change and uncover the stories behind the machinery that feeds us all.
Lee's new book Snoopy & the Spy offers us an insider's view of the high-stakes world of tractors and the history of how we got where we are today.
Links:
- Lee Klancher’s Books: OctanePress.com – Get Lee’s latest work and explore more about the world of tractors and farming history.
- One Bite is Everything Podcast: Subscribe here – Don’t miss upcoming episodes that dig into the stories behind your food and the people who make it possible.
In this quick episode, four small farmers from across the country talk about their perennial but deepening challenges with Mother Nature. From extreme heat to excess rainfall, the path of your food to the table is increasingly complicated. Take a little bite of this big issue.
This is a re-release of an interview I conducted in 2021 with 4th generation maverick farmer Will Harris of White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, Georgia. If you have only 5 minutes, the first five should be the foundation of how you think about our food and food systems.
I reached out to Will to talk initially because he had written an open letter to Bill Gates in response to his investment in American farmland without directly stating his intentions.
While we refer to that, the most inspiring part is how Will looks at the opportunity to regenerate his land and convert his farm from a factory farm after generations of that tradition.
Find White Oak Pastures here. And here.
Don't forget to support your small, local farmers by nominating them for a grant here.
Mentioned in this episode:
Nominate a Farmer
Please support your local farm by nominating them for a For Farmers grant at forfarmersmovement.com/nominate.
I have always wondered about the apple business. The pesticides, the shelf life. Small farmer Julie Akins tells all. Including what it takes to make a small apple farm thrive, like strawberries, fire and some asparagus. Take one bite of this apple to get all the info.
Glad to Know Ya Farm
Nominate a Farmer for a Grant
Mentioned in this episode:
Nominate a Farmer
Please support your local farm by nominating them for a For Farmers grant at forfarmersmovement.com/nominate.
One small action that takes you 2 minutes or less can change the trajectory for a small farm or help them out of a tight spot. Here's the how, the why, and a little bit about what kind of punch it packs.
https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/nominate-a-farmer
Desiree Carlson and her husband Forrest are reviving a family farm that started under the Homestead Act around 1900. The story of its namesake -- Esther, now emblazoned on Esther's Acres -- reflects the heartiness that is required for a farm to survive.
Why does this matter to YOU? With less than 30% of farms making it from generation to generation, we all need to understand what it takes to make it. We need farms. We need farmland. We need hearty people like Esther and now Desiree to persevere. And they can, if we help.
Don't forget to shop local and if you'd really like to help a farmer -- locally or otherwise -- make sure you nominate one for a grant. Find out more here: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/farmer-grants
Find out more about Esther's Acres and Desiree's journey h ere.
Don't forget to give One Bite is Everything a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and a review that invites others to listen. Or, if you don't have Apple, you can leave one here.
Mentioned in this episode:
Nominate a Farmer
Please support your local farm by nominating them for a For Farmers grant at forfarmersmovement.com/nominate.
All across the country, small farms connect the critical elements of our health and communities and uplift the environment and our economy. What impact do you think a small farm has that hosts a 1000-person community farm festival?
Travel with me to just outside of Boise, Idaho to Vista Farms where all this is happening PLUS its farmer, Valerie Timm, sees beyond her own farm to advocate for bigger issues facing farms all over and is doing her part to speak up about what we should all care about -- our farmland.
Find Vista Farms here: https://www.instagram.com/vistafarmsidaho/
Mentioned in this episode:
Nominate a Farmer
Please support your local farm by nominating them for a For Farmers grant at forfarmersmovement.com/nominate.
Small farms have an extended impact beyond their own communities. Did you know that? We get into it -- the land, meat animal genetics, certifications, and standards that set a higher bar for industrial ag. When you shop with a small farmer in your own community, you are helping the whole dot-to-dot of small farmers across the country. Meet Crystal Criswell of Melwood Farm in Ohio, just off the West Virginia border.
Remember to give One Bite is Everything a 5-star rating on Apple podcasts and add a written review to compel others to listen, too. If you don't have Apple, you can always leave an easy review here, too.
Farmer Rachel Opio of Little Lighthouse Farm exists to fight for the people who don't have access to fresh food. To do that, she focuses on the health of her soil in the heat of central Phoenix. It's a labor of love that started under her mother's wing in her own backyard experiment. Find out how Farmer Rachel addresses food deserts through education, accepting SNAP benefits, and more.
Other urban farmers have also been featured on this podcast. Food deserts are a common thread that they address. Check out the other episodes: Giving One Tenth in Newark and Ad Astra Farms in Maryland.
I am pretty sure you don't eat caviar every day, but when you do, you will want to know HOW you know it's raised sustainably and that it IS actually what they say it is! This episode is your guide.
Beyond that, the caviar business and the prehistoric fish that delivers the most prized shiny little eggs are fascinating. Dive in!
Many thanks to Chef David DiSalvo of Bowery Meats for the introduction to Matteo Pozzi of Adamas Caviar, as well as Jordan Beeman of HeartBrand Beef featured in this episode about Akaushi wagyu.
You can find Adamas Caviar here: https://www.adamasusa.com/
And you can indulge in this caviar at Bowery Meat Co: https://www.bowerymeatcompany.com/ If you go make sure you tell Chef David that you heard this episode! ;)
Small farms are super close to the margins. So, if you want the most delicious food that is tended personally to ensure excellent quality, a strong environmental ethos, community connection, and economic viability, you need to know the challenges that lurk behind those farmstand smiles.
Five farmers from five states -- WV, ND, WI, AL and IL -- tell the truth about the all-powerful dollar. Take note here: every dollar you spend with a small farm can make (or if you don't spend it there) or break a small farm.
Have a listen. 11 minutes.
Chef Paul Hargrove of the highly-anticipated Seahorse restaurant found farmer Diane Saleh of Halal Pastures Farm at the Union Square Greenmarket in New York City. The tomatillos lured him in. And he's not the only chef connected to Diane and her farm. Some of the most elite kitchens feature Diane's diverse organic vegetables on their menus. She's become a muse, a role she relishes because she uses her creativity to develop crops that inspire chefs and home cooks alike.
Join us in this episode to dive into:
- Halal farming.
- Why did Diane go beyond halal when growing her food?
- What inspired her to become a farmer?
- Food as medicine.
- A look into the farmer's market culture and community.
- The plans for her legacy.
- The cost of real food.
- Food labeling.
Here is the fascinating GrowNYC episode that I mentioned. Gotta listen.
This episode of One Bite is Everything explores the complexities of agribusiness with Professor Peter Coclanis from UNC-Chapel Hill. Come on, a deep dive into the role of big agriculture in the U.S., its efficiency, the historical context that shaped it, and the ongoing challenges it presents. The conversation highlights the balance between the benefits of scientific advancements in agriculture and the environmental and ethical issues that arise from large-scale farming practices. Coclanis offers insights into how agribusiness has evolved and the importance of maintaining an open mind when considering its future. The episode encourages listeners to think critically about their food choices and the broader system that produces them.One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me(2019 to 2024) One Bite is Everything ResourcesWrite a ReviewWebsiteYouTubeConnect with Host, Dana DiPrimaEmailInstagram Learn more about the For Farmers MovementWebsiteBlog Other ResourcesPinterestGlossary of Useful Ag TermsOne Bite is Everything Production CreditsProduction: Dana DiPrima and Sonia DhillonSound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Find Avery on Instagram here.
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Write a Review
Website
YouTube
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Learn more about the For Farmers Movement
Website
Blog
Other Resources
Glossary of Useful Ag Terms
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Subscribe and follow the show. Share it with your friends and family. Rate it and review it. Then give yourself 5 stars!!
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Write a Review
Website
YouTube
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Learn more about the For Farmers Movement
Website
Blog
Other Resources
Glossary of Useful Ag Terms
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
You can find professor, historian and author Megan Birk at the University of Texas, Rio Grande.
And you can find the episode about Farm Aid that we referenced in this episode here.
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Write a Review
Website
YouTube
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Learn more about the For Farmers Movement
Website
Blog
Other Resources
Glossary of Useful Ag Terms
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
A legal loophole let some Japanese Akaushi Wagyu cattle into the US and kicked off a wild ride for what is now HeartBrand Beef in Texas. Rancher Jordan Beeman dishes on the business, the bigger business of beef in the US, the mentality of small vs large ranchers, the Big Four meat processors, and the bottom line. Jordan is full of HOT TAKES that you will not find anywhere other than the ranch and OBIE. So tune in and get yourself up to speed on your beef.
To find Jordan and to order some HeartBrand Beef, look here.
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Write a Review
Website
YouTube
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Learn more about the For Farmers Movement
Website
Blog
Other Resources
Glossary of Useful Ag Terms
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Find more on Jonathan Coppess here
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Write a Review
Website
YouTube
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Learn more about the For Farmers Movement
Website
Blog
Other Resources
Glossary of Useful Ag Terms
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Here are some related episodes:
On beef: The Yellowstone Effect
How Humane Handling Affects Your Meat
On pork: How Your Health is Tied to Animal Welfare
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Write a Review
Website
YouTube
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Learn more about the For Farmers Movement
Website
Blog
Other Resources
Glossary of Useful Ag Terms
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Find Sarah at https://pintlermountainbeef.com and at https://www.instagram.com/pintlermntbeef/
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Write a Review
Website
YouTube
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Learn more about the For Farmers Movement
Website
Blog
Other Resources
Glossary of Useful Ag Terms
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Find Meredith and Barnswallow Flowers here:
Farm Profile, Grant and Website
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Write a Review
Website
YouTube
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Learn more about the For Farmers Movement
Website
Blog
Other Resources
Glossary of Useful Ag Terms
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Every episode delivers an AH-HA that you never knew you needed. And those AH-HAs can lead you to rethink how you eat, shop, think, and live. It's amazing how one bite -- of a carrot or of a big befuddling concept -- can lead to a deeper understanding, a new perspective, and a course correction in how we make sense of the modern world we live in. One Bite is Everything. You will be surprised -- episode after episode -- by how connected it all is. I am. And I am glad to have you along for the ride.One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me(2019 to 2024) One Bite is Everything ResourcesWrite a ReviewWebsiteYouTubeConnect with Host, Dana DiPrimaEmailInstagram Learn more about the For Farmers MovementWebsiteBlog Other ResourcesPinterestGlossary of Useful Ag TermsOne Bite is Everything Production CreditsProduction: Dana DiPrima and Sonia DhillonSound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Find out more about Alleluia Acres here:
https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/team/alleluia-acres-heritage-farm
https://www.instagram.com/alleluia.acres/
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Find Sarah Matheson Harris and Matheson Oyster Company here: https://www.mathesonoyster.com
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Julie Friend of Wildom Farm was a recipient of a grant from the For Farmers Movement. Find out more about her, her farm, and her grant here. https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/team/wildom-farm
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Meet the farmers and learn more abut Organic Valley here.
https://www.organicvalley.coop
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Do the CARROT CHALLENGE with me. I am dying to see what you think. Join it HERE.
Connect with Betsey Zarko and Arrowleaf Prairie Farm:
Website: https://arrowleafprairiefarm.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arrowleafprairiefarm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arrowleafprairiefarm
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
The Dahlia wars are alive and thriving! With a combination of grit, passion, and a sprinkle of serendipity, Merrie Avalone of Dreamland Flower Farm quite literally dreamt up and created her farm against all odds, and is now at the center of the Dahlia craze!
Merrie’s chance encounter with a generous landlord spearheaded her passion for flowers that just didn’t seem to let up, and still hasn’t. After bartering for patches of land to grow and sell flowers, then being told by every agronomist that her flowers were doomed, Merrie persevered and is now successfully growing and selling a variety of flowers and Dahlia tubers to enthusiasts all over the country.
This story highlights how far you can go as long as you believe in yourself and your dream, work really hard, and don’t take no for an answer, anything is possible.
Tune in to hear this inspirational story, and if you haven’t already, to join the Dahlia craze.
Also, listen to the end of the episode to get exclusive insight into Merrie’s favorite new Dahlia on the market!
You don’t want to miss this one!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- How Merrie began her flower harvesting journey
- Merrie’s evolution of farming flowers
- How Merrie persevered despite naysayers
- Serendipity and moments of grit that birthed Dreamland Flower Farm
- What is the deal with the Dahlia obsession?
- How Merrie sells her Dahlias
- What are unicorn tubers?
- Where to buy the most exclusive Dahlias
- How the For Farmers grant impacted Merrie and her farm
Connect with Merrie Avalone:
Website: https://www.dreamlandflowerfarm.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreamlandflowerfarm/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/people/Dreamland-Flower-Farm/
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Topics discussed in this episode:
- How Olivia got her start in farming
- Where the name Pileated Farms came from
- Who are “universe people” and are you one?
- Creating a community around farmers markets
- The importance of slowing down and cultivating joy daily
- The woes of growing spinach and lettuce
- Figuring out how to eat seasonally and what is available
- What is community supported agriculture and why you should be part of one
Connect with Olivia Kingery at Pileated Farms:
Website: https://www.pileatedfarms.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pileatedfarms/
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Key episode topics and links:
-
The broader implications of the production of the 4 Fs (food, fuel, fiber and flowers) on health, environment, community, and economy.
-
Started as "Talk Farm to Me" in 2019, highlighting farmers' work and lives.
-
Transition to understanding broader societal impact of farming and rebranding to "One Bite is Everything."
For Farmers Movement Initiative
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Aim to bridge gap between farmers (2% of the population) and the non-farming public (98%).
-
Key accomplishments:
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Awarding of 78 farmer grants across 39 states.
-
National acknowledgment programs such as thank you emails and care packages to farmers.
-
Daily engagement through social media and a weekly blog to dispel myths and share farmers' stories.
Activities and Resources Offered
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Publication of a weekly personal letter to subscribers discussing ongoing projects and campaigns. SUBSCRIBE HERE
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Resources like the Ultimate Farmers Market Guide, featuring tips, activities for kids, and detailed guides to enhance farmers market visits. GET THE ULTIMATE FARMER'S MARKET GUIDE HERE
-
Engagement with chefs and hosting in-person dinners to support the initiative.
Impact and Fundraising Efforts
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Discussion of the direct impact of small grants.
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Small actions like dollar donations that cumulatively have a significant impact. 8 SMALL ACTIONS
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Specific campaigns, starting on Valentine's Day and continuing through National Ag Day. KEY PROGRAMS
Community Engagement and Recognition Programs
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National Farmers Day grant nominations to highlight and appreciate farmers.
-
Public voting for farmers in the People’s Choice Awards during March.
Personal Invitation and Call to Action
-
Invites listeners to embrace the interconnectedness of their food choices with global issues.
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Encouragement to support local farmers to enhance community economic viability.
-
Reminder to engage with the podcast by subscribing, rating, reviewing, and joining the Four Farmers Movement online. RATE THE PODCAST HERE
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Ad Astra Farms is making BIG waves in food deserts in the US with their urban farming initiatives, making sure people who need fresh, healthy food, have access to it, no matter what their economic background. Maura “Mac” Russell is the owner and operator of Ad Astra Farms, where she moved from the business consulting world to urban farming, while juggling major life transitions through it all.
Mac has created a community around her farms and has dreams to expand as far as she can while staying true to her vision. Not to mention how she is grinding to push the urban farming agenda by speaking at events and consulting on gardens so more people can start growing their own food to be self-sufficient and not rely on big ag farms to keep them fed.
Growing your own food not only improves the health of the environment, it improves the health of your community and everyone living in it. There is beauty in understanding what is in each bite we take at every meal. The humbling experience of knowing what it takes to grow a carrot or a head of lettuce makes those bites that much more satisfying.
Stay tuned to hear all about how Mac is moving the needle toward urban agriculture, and how you can get involved!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Are people questioning the health of their food?
- How Mac is juggling multiple life transitions at once
- The Black community’s collective trauma around farming
- How urban farms are productive and are able to feed multiple families
- Why farmers need to be sensitive to each others circumstances
- What is a food desert?
- How Mac built in a food donation component into her business model
- How Mac managed to both farm and continue her consulting career
- What is Ad Astra?
Links to content mentioned in this episode:
https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/a-front-row-seat-at-black-farmer-inequity-with-pj-haynie-black-row-crop-farmer-from-virginia/
Connect with Maura Russell:
Website: https://adastrafarmsmd.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adastrafarms.md/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Ad-Astra-Farms-of-Maryland
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
On today’s episode of Talk Farm To Me, we hear from first generation farmer Kelley Babbin, owner and operator of Howling Flats Farms in Canaan, Connecticut. Kelley has made it her mission to create an environment of sustainable agriculture, while nurturing the land she grows on. Using sustainable practices to give her animals the utmost love and care, making for happy animals that live harmoniously with the land, Kelley has created an online marketplace to sell her meat to consumers that are looking for healthier, environmentally friendly, options.
In this episode, you will hear how Kelley became a farmer and started growing animals on pasture, the work and dedication it takes to run a farm with little help, the challenges for farmers to market their products to the masses, how Kelley created an online market for Howling Flat Farms, and why the need for convenience is hurting family farms.
This story is all about strength and determination, you don’t want to miss it!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- How Kelley started raising animals on pasture
- How Kelley runs her farm on her own
- The types of certifications Kelley’s farm has
- What Kelley’s customer base looks like
- Why it is difficult to market meat on social media
- How Kelley is expanding her customer base in creative ways
- The need for convenience is hurting small family farms
- How Kelley is improving the health of her soil
Connect with Kelley Babbin:
Website: https://f2e176-3.myshopify.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howlingflatsfarmer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howlingflatsfarmllc
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Sharon McMahon | America’s Government Teacher
We believe in farmers being taken seriously. They are the backbone of our society after all, right? Then why are more and more farmers becoming silenced and marginalized? To answer this question and spread awareness about this topic, we have invited podcast host, author, and law and government teacher, Sharon McMahon, to shed light on how America is failing its farmers, and what we can do to change that.
Sharon has a deep knowledge of the monster farmers are up against when it comes to legislation, farm bills, and the oligopoly of big ag phasing out small family farms. She brings the conversation back to the American government and law makers to enforce checks and balances so the farmers get the respect they deserve, with the health of the consumers in mind.
This is an important conversation with tons of information about the way the government and laws are structured that will put the farming industry and the direction it is going into perspective. Something we all need to pay attention to, because after all, we all need to eat!
This episode will surely empower you to stand up for your rights as a consumer and for the rights of farmers. Every time you make a purchase, you are voting with your dollar, and if keeping small family farms in business is a cause you believe in, make that dollar count!
Make sure you tune in to this crucial discussion!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Why farm bills shouldn’t be messed with
- Leaving farmers out of the culture war
- How farmers are systematically left out of the political space
- When and how the power shifted away from farmers
- Why monopolies have never benefited the consumer
- Is labeled USA raised beef really from the USA?
- How the average consumer is disconnected from the farms they come from
- Why thanking your farmers can go a long way
Connect with Sharon McMahon
Website: https://www.sharonmcmahon.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonsaysso
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharonsaysso
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharon_says_so
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Sal Gilbertie has had some luck -- good luck and bad luck -- that catapulted him into a career in growing organic herbs. Sal’s love for healthy soil and organic farming shines through in this episode, where he details his experience of deciding to grow organically when it wasn’t as common or popular as it is now. Sal has a deep knowledge of what it takes to be 100% organic, in a world where pesticides are still very much being used as the easier, cheaper option, yet making people very sick.
- This is a story of persistence and passion you don’t want to miss! Tune in to hear how Sal took the twists and turns of each decade’s challenges and pivoted his business to be able to serve his customers better and created a successful organic business because of it. In fact, this year, Gilbertie Organics is celebrating its 100th year in business!
Topics discussed in this episode: * How Sal took over the family flower business * The serendipitous meeting with an herbal pioneer * How the ecology boom created a market for herbs * Why Sal decided to grow organically * Sal’s passion for soil and why Sal believes hydroponics should be avoided * How a disaster in 1969 turned into a marketing opportunity * Why buying organic could save your life * Some sage advice from a seasoned grower
Connect with Sal Gilbertie:
Website: https://www.gilbertiesorganics.com/celebrating-100-years
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
When you think of farming, Alaska isn’t the first place that comes to mind. However our guest on today’s episode is an Alaskan dairy farmer on Kodiak island, who is an advocate for small farms staying small, especially in Alaska where most of the food that is consumed is grown elsewhere and shipped in.
Kelli Foreman grew up on a small farm in Nebraska, so she has always been familiar with the benefits of small family farms, but it wasn’t until she started a small farm herself, on a remote island in Alaska, where she realized the immediate importance of small farms feeding the local community. Kelli also emphasizes the lost art of character building when children are involved in family farming through the daily grunt work, as well as helping to make tough decisions about life or death of an animal.
In this episode, you will hear why small family farms are the backbone of a thriving society, how small farming is the answer to a lot of the world's questions like that of climate change, how Kelli ended up in Alaska as a micro dairy farmer, how her children are involved in the farming process, and how she serves her community through farming.
This episode is eye-opening and inspirational as it sheds light on the fragility of our food supply system and how we can overcome that on a micro, local level.
Make sure to tune in!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Why small family farms are important
- Why small family farms are disappearing and the problems associated with it
- Why small farms are important to the health of our soil and the health of our food
- Kelli’s children’s involvement on the farm and the benefits of that
- Food scarcity in the small community on Kodiak Island
- How Kelli became a small dairy farmer in Alaska
- How Kelli juggles a full time job along with farming
- How the For Farmers grant helped Kelli feed 50 low income families
- How to vote with your dollar and make a difference in your community
- The types of animals Kelli has on her farm
Connect with Kelli Foreman
Website: https://www.thelastsmallfarm.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kodiakgoatdairy
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/p/Kodiak-Baptist-Missions-Heritage-House-100057517836538/
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
It’s not uncommon that farmers are hit with financial issues constantly. Farming isn’t cheap and requires a lot of grit to push through the uncertainty that comes with farming. What non-farmers might not realize is that something as seemingly arbitrary as improper fencing can make or break a farm. This was the case for our guest on today’s episode, and she is here to tell her story!
Rancher Charity Epperson from Wild Things Ranch in Sonoma County, California, raises specialty sheep, lamb, and pigs, where the health and wellness of her animals are of the highest priority, as well as maintaining the land by using regenerative processes. Charity, being involved in her farming community, as well as being known as a conscientious rancher, was anonymously nominated for the For Farmers grant when she was facing fencing issues and needed an extra financial boost.
Charity lets us in on her story of her experience starting a ranch, essentially from scratch. This is no easy feat, and despite numerous inevitable obstacles, Charity has remained optimistic, emerging as a successful rancher.
So tune in to hear the ups and downs of ranching and how Charity pushed through every obstacle in her way, to provide high quality products to her customers while keeping her animals happy and healthy.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- What Charity grows on her Wild Things Ranch
- Charity’s day to day working on the ranch
- Why the type of fencing is is so important
- How Charity processes her meat and how she sells it
- How Charity keeps her land and animals healthy
- Some of the other challenges WTR experiences
- Financial hurdles involved in ranching
- How the For Farmers grant helped WTR
Connect with Charity at Wild Things Ranch
Website: https://wildthingsranch.shop/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildthings_ranch/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wilddthingsranch/
Talk Farm to Me Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.talkfarmtome.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.talkfarmtome.com
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
Talk Farm to Me Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Scott & Delissa Mainord | Mainord Family Farms
Finances has and continues to be a great challenge for farmers, where most farmers in the US have jobs outside of farming, calling farming their “part-time job”. Well, farming is anything but part-time, it takes a lot of time and energy, especially after working a day job. This is the reality for our guests on today’s episode, Scott and Delissa Mainord.
On this episode, we speak to one of our For Farmers Grant winners, Scott and Delissa Mainord of Mainord Family Farms, located in East Prairie, Missouri. Mainord Family Farms is a produce farm, where they mainly grow watermelon and pumpkins, after working their day jobs.
Scott and Delissa were looking to expand their pumpkin varieties and needed an extra financial boost to grow specialty pumpkins, which they received through our For Farmers Grant after being nominated by a family member, and they are here to talk about it!
It’s the love of growing food for others that keeps farmers like the Mainords going, and we love that we had the opportunity to support their cause.
Tune in to hear Scott and Delissa’s story, and how they manage to run a farm in their busy lives!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- What Scott and Delissa’s daily routine looks like
- The crops they’re currently growing
- Different types of pumpkin varieties
- How Scott and Delissa sell their pumpkins
- How the changing weather conditions are affecting their crops
- Who nominated Scott and Delissa for the grant and the process
- Scott and Delissa’s passion for growing
Connect with Mainord Family Farms
Website: https://mainordfamilyfarms.business.site/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mainordfamilyfarms/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mainordff?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Talk Farm to Me Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.talkfarmtome.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.talkfarmtome.com
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
Talk Farm to Me Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Rachael Stewart | Stewart Pastures
On today’s episode of Talk Farm To Me, we are joined by an incredibly strong and brave, first generation farmer, who took a chance on herself, no matter the hurdles, to own and operate an off grid livestock farm in Arizona.
Rachael Stewart went from a life in fitness to life on the farm, taking her passion for good nutrition and living a healthy lifestyle, and putting it into action by growing and processing her own livestock. Rachael’s story is nothing short of resilient as she’s been navigating divorce and the financial and political hurdles that come with owning a farm in Arizona. She kept her faith strong through it all, where she has become an inspiration to any woman of color wanting to take a chance at farming.
In this episode, you will hear about Rachael’s background, how she started her farm with little to no experience, how she sought out knowledge and support from the farming community, the many hats she wears other than farmer from board member to nonprofit organizer, as well as the cultural and financial struggles she has faced along the way and how she overcame them.
Rachael has an abundance of knowledge and shares a ton of information on this episode that you may not hear elsewhere, so be sure to tune in for this and more!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Why Rachael transitioned from the fitness world to starting a farm
- How Rachael gained the knowledge and skills to become a farmer
- The process of buying and growing a livestock farm
- The support Rachael received from women in the farming community
- How Rachael is navigating domestic issues while running a farm on her own
- The issues with the food industry in Arizona
- Racial disparities in farming
- Advice for those starting out in farming as first-generation farmers
Connect with Rachael Stewart
Instagram: @ranchfest2024 @stewartpastures
Website: www.stewartpastures.com
Talk Farm to Me Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.talkfarmtome.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.talkfarmtome.com
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
Talk Farm to Me Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Did you know that 99% of poultry farmers don’t own their own birds? When we learned this statistic from our guest on today’s show, it completely shocked us.
Unfortunately, many family farmers across the US have their arms tied due to financial constraints where large corporations have swooped in to take advantage of their situation and hire family farms on contract, leaving farmers with little to no control over their compensation, how they farm, and the longevity of their farms.
Our guest on today’s episode saw this issue and wanted to create a system where farmers could have full control over their birds and essentially their farms. So after taking a few chances on himself to start his own organic poultry farm, with the mission to own his own birds, he persevered and was successful. That's when he decided to spearhead a unique business plan that would allow him to help other poultry farmers gain ownership over their birds, called Farmer Focus.
Farmer Focus puts the control back into farmers’ hands where they own their own birds, are paid fairly for their hard work, are able to afford to use sustainable and humane poultry farming methods, and helps to connect the farmers to the consumers purchasing their products in supermarkets.
Corwin’s story is inspirational to say the least, where he saw a problem and made it his mission to solve it in the most creative and ethical way he knew how, and was successful in doing so. This episode shows how perseverance and following your heart can make a huge difference in the world.
Tune in for this and more!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Why Corwin started his own poultry farm
- The financial squeeze farmers face
- What made Corwin decide to switch to organic poultry farming
- How Corwin started Farmer Focus
- How high standards are maintained with Farmer Focus
- Sustainable and humane methods Farmer Focus farmers use
- How Farmer Focus is bringing more people back to farming
- Corwin’s plans for Farmer Focus in the future
- How farmers are compensated in a Farmer Focus partnership
- How to find Farmer Focus products in the supermarket
Farmer Focus resources
Website: https://www.farmerfocus.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farmerfocus/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farmerfocusbrand/
Resources mentioned in this episode
Talk Farm to Me episode with Paul Grieve from Pasturebird: https://www.talkfarmtome.com/can-a-small-farm-work-with-big-ag-paul-grieve-pasturebird/
Talk Farm to Me Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.talkfarmtome.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.talkfarmtome.com
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
Talk Farm to Me Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
What you need to know about your meat and the Prime Act with Liz Reitzig
How often do we, as food consumers, think about how and who is cultivating, harvesting, and distributing our food? Or, on a deeper level, do we ever think about how our food choices and consumption is affecting the health of our soils? The answers to these questions are probably similar across the board, no or very little, but that’s what our guest on today’s episode wants to change, and she has been incredibly successful in doing so!
Liz Reitzig, owner and operator of Nourishing Liberty and host of Nourishing Liberty Podcast, joins us today to talk about how she is advocating to bridge the awareness gap, between what happens to our food before it gets to our homes, to the food on our dinner tables that we serve as nourishing meals. She emphasizes the negative impact of the monopoly of large companies on our food systems, and how our awareness of where our food comes from is crucial for not only the health of our families, but the longevity of family farms, as well as the health of our soils to continue growing nutrition rich food.
In this episode, you will hear about what the PRIME Act is and how it’s helping local family farms get to slaughterhouses quicker, how there are still major blocks when it comes to the PRIME Act, the big four meat processors in the US and how they’ve priced out smaller farms through lobbying efforts, how to fight back against the monopoly of the big four, as well as what you can do as a consumer to support smaller, locally owned family farms.
This episode is packed with a ton of insightful information that you won’t hear via traditional media outlets, so make sure to tune in for all of this and more!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Liz’s community food delivery company Nourishing Liberty
- The Nourishing Liberty Podcast and why Liz started it
- The PRIME Act and how it helps smaller local farms
- How the big four meat companies control the slaughter industry
- Exemptions within the PRIME Act
- How to contact your local representatives to support the PRIME Act
- The spread of misinformation from food labeling to fake grassroots movements
- The difference between a true family farm and what is labeled as a family farm
Connect with Liz Reitzig
https://www.nourishingliberty.com/grassfedonthehill
https://www.nourishingliberty.com/podcast
Resources Mentioned in the Show
Temple Grandin on the Humane Treatment of Animals in Big Slaughterhouses
Steve Roach and Farm Animals Concerns Trust (FACT) on Issues Relating to the Humane Treatment of Animals and the Implications on Human Health
Farmer Carrie Edsall and Black Willow Pond Farm on the Struggles of a Small Farm with Animal Processing and the USDA v Custom Slaughter Facilities
Talk Farm To Me Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.talkfarmtome.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.talkfarmtome.com
Glossary of useful Ag terms; https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Website https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
Talk Farm to Me Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
On this episode of Talk Farm To Me, we invite farmers Laura & Mike Ellis from Mt. Hope Farms to talk to us about their fifth-generation farm in Oregon and how they have created a successful business by bridging the gap between the old ways and new ways of farming.
Known for their award-winning Oregon fruit spreads, table grapes, and specialty crops, Mt. Hope Farms has gone through a substantial amount of evolution during their five generations of being on this farm, which historically isn't the easiest task to accomplish in multigenerational farming families. However, Laura and Mike approached this issue with respect, understanding, and grace, which is what they want to share with all of you today!
Also, in this episode, you will hear how Laura and Mike make decisions with their family on what to grow, how gender roles play a part in farming duties, how their farm has evolved over the years, and how they set themselves apart from other locally grown farmers in the market.
In addition to this, we discuss the importance of creating relationships between farmers and consumers. Understanding where your food comes from and having a say on how it's grown, and conversely for the farmers, knowing who is buying and eating your food, is a lost connection that we hope to shed some light on in this episode.
Be sure to tune in to hear this and more!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- The Ellis family’s rich history in Oregon
- The benefits and challenges of multigenerational farming
- Gender roles in farming families
- Diversity and innovation in farming
- The importance of farmer-customer relationships
- What it means for Laura and Mike to grow local organic food
Connect with Laura and Mike Ellis on Mt. Hope Farms in Oregon:
https://mthopefarmsoregon.com
https://www.instagram.com/mthopefarms
Talk Farm To Me Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.talkfarmtome.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.talkfarmtome.com
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Website https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
Talk Farm to Me Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
In this episode, Charmaine La Fortune, a passionate urban farmer transformed two vacant city lots into a small garden that’s now a thriving center for community, education, and wellness. The Giving One Tenth Garden is not only reducing food insecurity in this Newark community, but addressing the needs of the community with a diverse selection of crops, health screenings, and more.
Charmaine was the recipient of a For Farmers 2022 Grant, which allowed the garden to expand its impact and provide more fresh produce to the community. However, she’s facing challenges in increasing Giving One Tenth’s funding, programs, and efforts to become more sustainable.
Tune in to learn more about Giving One Tenth Garden, and how to offer your support!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Giving One Tenth Garden’s mission and growth
- The impact of the garden on Charmaine’s community
- How she utilized her For Farmers Grant
- Charmaine’s future goals and current challenges
Follow Giving One Tenth on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/givingonetenthgarden/
Donate to Giving One Tenth Community Garden through For Farmers here: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/donate-to-for-farmers
*Please note your donation is for Charmaine & Giving One Tenth, and I will provide a matching gift!
Connect with Dana DiPrima:
https://www.forfarmersmovement.com
https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl/
Original music and sound design by Russell Chapa,
www.chapamusic.com
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
In this episode, PJ Haynie, Virginia row crop farmer and founding member of the National Black Growers Council, escorts host Dana DiPrima on a journey through his agriculture industry experience to shed light on the unique challenges and triumphs of minority farming.
The number of American farmers has been in decline for a long time but the number of Black farmers has dwindled at a much higher rate than white farmers. Why is that? PJ offers his insights on the factors hindering the Black farming community as he shares his own experiences of discrimination within the industry.
PJ’s passion for farming and advocating for black farmer equity, challenging discriminatory systems, and inspiring a new generation of farmers is exemplary.
Topics discussed in this episode:
- PJ's journey from the carpet of his living room to Virginia row crops, to a fateful day in a conference room at Monsanto
- Challenges PJ faced as a Black farmer including at the USDA
- How he founded the National Black Growers Council
- PJ's concerns for Black farmers and his plans for the future
Other resources:
Learn how a shift in mindset can help save small farms:
https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/how-to-save-small-farms-by-making-five-important-but-easy-mindset-shifts
Read the Washington Post article with PJ Haynie’s father, Ricky Haynie:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/magazine/2004/10/03/the-promised-land/5269d006-f4ac-44e0-ba9e-25d9c50c93c4/
Find out how you can support the National Black Growers Council: https://nationalblackgrowerscouncil.com/
Connect with Dana DiPrima:
https://www.forfarmersmovement.com
https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl/
Original music and sound design by Russell Chapa,
www.chapamusic.com
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
In this episode, Christmas tree farmer Ashley Latta of Tuckaway Tree Farms joins host Dana DiPrima with a look behind the scenes of the farm, including their selection of species and strategic pruning for health and aesthetics. Plus, she shares tips on how to keep Christmas trees fresh and options for recycling them after the holidays. Also, find out what the farm does when it’s not selling Christmas trees.
At Tuckaway Tree Farms, it’s not just about growing crops but providing an experience people will remember forever. Their mission is to bring real Christmas trees into more homes, and now have 15,000 trees planted to get closer to the goal. The farm operates with a focus on sustainability and waste reduction, but it’s their dedication during the long cycle of planting, maintaining, and harvesting their Christmas trees that has allowed their farm to grow into what it is today.
Tune in now for all this and more!
Topics discussed in this episode:
- Planting and maintenance of Christmas trees
- The benefits of real Christmas trees
- Sustainable practices and the cycle of tree recycling
- Tuckaway Tree Farm’s plans for the future
- Misconceptions about Christmas tree farms
Learn more about Tuckaway Tree Farm and its year-round offerings!
https://www.tuckawaytreefarm.com
Connect with your host, Dana DiPrima:
https://www.forfarmersmovement.com
https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl/
Original music and sound design by Russell Chapa,
www.chapamusic.com
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
If you care about preventing superbugs, like influenza or an epidemic where medicine is ineffective on humans, you are going to want to hear what Steve Roach of FACT, the Food Animal Concerns Trust, has to say. How your animals are raised and confined affects your health whether you eat meat or not!
Have a listen and share the episode with everyone you know! The way we raise animals -- in CAFOS (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) and with systemic antibiotics -- has a bigger impact on you than the food you eat. And, yes, there is something you can do about it! Speak UP!
Be informed and know that your voice makes a difference!
Food Animal Concerns Trust & Steve Roach
Website: https://www.foodanimalconcernstrust.org/
Blog: https://www.foodanimalconcernstrust.org/blog
For Farmers Movement & Your Host, Dana DiPrima
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
Host: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl/
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Episode Summary
In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of a woman who has made groundbreaking contributions in animal welfare and autism advocacy. Discover Dr. Grandin's unique insights into farming, animal welfare, and breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry.
Key Takeaways
-
Temple Grandin's pioneering work in animal behavior and welfare has revolutionized the livestock industry.
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The importance of understanding and accommodating neurodiversity in the workplace and society.
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Temple's inspiring journey as a woman in a field dominated by men.
About the Guest
Temple Grandin is a renowned professor of animal science, an advocate for individuals with autism, and a prolific author. Her work in animal behavior and welfare has earned her numerous accolades and awards, including being named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People.
Website: Temple Grandin's Website https://www.templegrandin.com You can find a full list of her publications and research here.
Social Media:
Twitter https://twitter.com/DrTempleGrandin
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drtemplegrandin
Mentioned in the Show
Visit the For Farmers Movement website to find resources, support farmers, and learn more about their mission to share farmer stories.
Related Episodes, Articles & Other Resources
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Check out Talk Farm to Me's Greatest Hits for more compelling episodes.
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Explore the For Farmers blog for insightful articles about supporting farmers.
Talk Farm to Me is the number one place where you can get to know a farmer, understand their stories, learn some shocking facts about farming and the world of agriculture, and see how all of it intersects with your life, your food, your health, the health of your land, soil, local communities, economies and so much more.
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1) Subscribe to Talk Farm to Me in the podcast app of your choice.
2) Share Talk Farm to Me with a friend and let them pick an episode that interests them, or share a specific episode that really got you thinking. You can share Talk Farm to Me right from the app you listen to it in.
3) Write a review of Talk Farm to Me on Apple or Spotify to help more people find it. That is how the podcast has grown since it started in 2019.
Production & Music Credits
-
Dana DiPrima, host & producer
-
Emma Balint, production assistant
-
Original music and sound design by Russell Chapa, http://www.chapamusic.com
Transcript & Cite Credits
Talk Farm to Me publishes a transcript of each episode to aid in its distribution to those who are hearing impaired and to those who prefer to read the episode.
If you would like to cite any part of the episode, please credit Talk Farm to Me® and host Dana DiPrima.
The transcript of this episode will be available on www.talkfarmtome.com
Talk Farm to Me Links & Guest Requests
-
Find Talk Farm to Me on Instagram @talkfarmtome and via the website at www.talkfarmtome.com
-
To provide feedback on this episode or the podcast in general, email farmgirl@talkfarmtome.com
-
If you would like to be a guest on the podcast, email your information including a summary of your story to farmgirl@talkfarmtome.com.
Connect With The Host & Related Content
Find Talk Farm to Me host, Dana DiPrima on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl
Subscribe to the weekly Letter
Sponsors and Partners
O’Keeffe’s Hardworking Skin Care and Sutherland’s Home Improvement Stores support grants to farmers as part of the For Farmers Movement, which shares farmer stories on Talk Farm to Me as a key part of its mission.
Thank You
Thank you for being such an important part of Talk Farm to Me. Through your participation as a listener Talk Farm to Me has always ranked in the top 25 agricultural podcasts each year. It is in the top 5% of all podcasts globally.
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
In this episode, you meet Caitlin Arnold Stephano, Farm Aid's Hotline manager. She fields over 800 calls a year -- often 70 a month -- from farmers who want to talk about their struggles and find resources that can help.
In this episode, we explore the current day edition of Farm Aid, a still annual concert initiative founded by Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, and Dave Matthews in 1985, which continues to raise funds and awareness for family farmers facing economic difficulties.
The episode features Caitlin Arnold Stephano, the manager of the Farm Aid hotline, where they discuss the types of calls received, the challenges faced by farmers, and the limited resources available for those in need. They also touch on mental health support, the Farm Aid concert, and the recent addition of a Spanish language hotline to make resources more accessible.
Talk Farm to Me is a part of the For Farmers Movement which provides grants annually to farmers facing challenges.
For more information, go to www.forfarmersmovement.com
And for more information on Farm Aid, go to www.farmaid.com or call the hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243).
Connect with your host on Instagram at www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
In this episode of “Talk Farm to Me,” host Dana DiPrima sits down with Michaela Mann, a Nebraska rancher and co-owner of D&D Beef. Together, they explore the diverse practices of raising and feeding cattle, debunk common myths surrounding cattle farming, and discuss the challenges faced by ranchers in the agricultural industry.
Michaela highlights that ranchers have different approaches to raising and feeding their cattle, which are influenced by location, climate, and available resources. Listeners better understand terms like "grass-fed," and "conventional," and how they relate to various ranching practices.
The episode also dives into the confusion surrounding industry buzzwords and certifications, emphasizing the need for consumers to dig deeper and separate fact from fiction. Michaela sheds light on the challenges she faces as a rancher, including the impact of climate and the long tail of the COVID pandemic on her business.
Episode Links:
The first link is to an article by nutritionist Diana Rodgers titled "Protein vs. Better Protein." In the article, Rodgers discusses sustainable farming practices and the nutritional benefits of high-quality protein sources, offering valuable insights for those interested in the connection between sustainable farming and human nutrition[^2].
https://sustainabledish.com/protein-better-protein/
The second link leads to information from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about greenhouse gas emissions[^1]. It highlights that agriculture accounts for only 10% of total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021 and clarifies the various sources of emissions within the industry, including livestock.
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#:~:text=Agriculture%20(10%25%20of%202021%20greenhouse,agricultural%20soils%2C%20and%20rice%20production)
To stay connected with Michaela and learn more about her ranching practices, listeners are encouraged to follow her on Instagram @danddbeef.
Related Episodes, Articles & Other Resources
Check out Talk Farm to Me’s Greatest Hits for other episodes that you don’t want to miss.
Check out the For Farmers blog with related articles about supporting farmers.
Talk Farm to Me is the number one place where you can get to know a farmer, understand their stories, learn some shocking facts about farming and the world of agriculture, and see how all of it intersects with your life, your food, your health, the health of your land, soil, local communities, economies and so much more.
You can support Talk Farm to Me in three easy ways:
1) Subscribe to Talk Farm to Me in the podcast app of your choice.
2) Share Talk Farm to Me with a friend and let them pick an episode that interests them, or share a specific episode that really got you thinking. You can share Talk Farm to Me right from the app you listen to it in.
3) Write a review of Talk Farm to Me on Apple or Spotify to help more people find it. That is how the podcast has grown since it started in 2019.
Production & Music Credits
Dana DiPrima, host & producer
Emma Balint, production assistant
Original music and sound design by Russell Chapa, www.chapamusic.com
Transcript & Cite Credits
Talk Farm to Me publishes a transcript of each episode to aid in its distribution to those who are hearing impaired and to those who prefer to read the episode.
If you would like to cite any part of the episode, please credit Talk Farm to Me ® and host Dana DiPrima.
The transcript of this episode is linked here.
Talk Farm to Me Links & Guest Requests
- Find Talk Farm to Me on Instagram @talkfarmtome and via the website at www.talkfarmtome.com.
- To provide feedback on this episode or the podcast in general, email farmgirl@talkfarmtome.com
- If you would like to be a guest on the podcast, email your information including a summary of your story to farmgirl@talkfarmtome.com.
Connect With The Host & Related Content
Find Talk Farm to Me host, Dana DiPrima on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl.
Subscribe to her weekly Letter from The Accidental Farm here.
Listen to The Accidental Farm Podcast here.
Sponsors and Partners
O’Keeffe’s Hardworking Skin Care and Sutherland’s Home Improvement Stores support grants to farmers as part of the For Farmers Movement, which shares farmer stories on Talk Farm to Me as a key part of its mission.
Thank You
Thank you for being such an important part of Talk Farm to Me. Through your participation as a listener Talk Farm to Me has always ranked in the top 25 agricultural podcasts each year. It is in the top 5% of all podcasts globally.
One Bite is Everything is the podcast formerly known as Talk Farm to Me (2019 to 2024)
One Bite is Everything Resources
Rate the Show: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com/reviews/new/
Website: https://www.onebiteiseverything.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onebiteiseverything
Glossary of useful Ag terms: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/post/glossary-of-farm-terms
Connect with Host, Dana DiPrima
Email: dana@forfarmersmovement.com
Website: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl
On Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/forfarmersmovement
Blog: https://www.forfarmersmovement.com/blog
One Bite is Everything Production Credits
Production: Dana DiPrima and Sonia Dhillon
Sound Design & Original Music: Russell Chapa www.chapamusic.com
Walnuts. The most delicious walnuts. They can lead you down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole on your darkest days, but can also make you scratch your head about why things are the way they are. Do we accept them as "the way we do things?" Or do we try something new?
Fourth-generation walnut farmer Kaben Kramer and his wife Jenn are trying new things and making a go of it. But a look at the history of the farm since 1980 and the industry numbers are really head-scratching.
Here are the links I promised in the show:
If you have a question you want me to ask a farmer or an issue you want me to address, just say so. Email me at farmgirl@talkfarmtome.com.
Listen to the episode with Aubrey Bettencourt about almonds. Similar but different.
Listen to the episode about dairy farming. Eerily similar conundrum.
Meet Rick Clark, a soybean and corn farmer in Indiana. Rick is a leader in regenerative farming. In this episode, we'll hear about Rick's journey from conventional farming and over-tilling to increasing cover crops and decreasing chemical inputs. Rick Clark is digging in and putting things right on his 7000-acre farm. Back to the way his ancestors did it.
Rick's vision, studiousness, and data collecting have driven him to step further and further from conventional farming practices. His work is so successful that it is rewriting the farming playbook.
Join me and Rick as we go row by row between the soybeans and cover crops, measuring along the way, to gain a deeper understanding of what's real and what's not in two disparate worlds of farming.
www.talkfarmtome.comfarmgreen.land
For more information about the For Farmers movement, a part of which includes sharing farmers' stories like this one on Talk Farm to Me, please check out www.forfarmersmovement.com
Morgan and Jake couldn't convince their friends to farm seaweed, so they did it themselves. Now others are getting in the game too.
From pinchy lobsters to sultry seaweed, Morgan and Jake have pioneered a sustainable new business that yields slimy green harvests for bath products, fertilizer, and delicious condiments and snacks. Not only is seaweed delicious and skin-softening, but it cleans the ocean, and sequesters that elusive carbon, too.
Can you imagine how it's done? Does it sound romantic to you? Before you quit your day job, find out what farming seaweed entails.
xo Farm Girl
IG @xoxofarmgirl
forfarmersmovement.com
Ever had a family joke that went too far? Paul has. And now he's knee-deep in chicken feathers.
From the US Marine Corps to first-generation farmer, Paul is more innovator than farmer in some ways. I'm thinking he could probably do anything as long as it's really challenging.
This is the story of Pasturebird and the journey from 50 to 1 million chickens, a week.
Two other Talk Farm to Me episodes are referenced in this episode. 1) Joel Salatin, Polyface Farms and 2) Will Harris, White Oak Pastures
Talk Farm to Me is part of the nationwide For Farmers Movement to support farmers, to understand what they do, to replace myths with facts, and to provide financial support through mini-grants twice a year. For more information, check out www.forfarmersmovement.com.
Follow me on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl and reach out to me there with any ideas or questions.
When you're done listening to this episode, show your love by sharing it and leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts.
xoxo, Farm Girl -- Dana ;)
Take what you're doing right now and turn it on its head. I mean completely change the way you do it. Now add 1,000 external factors that Mother Nature throws at you and do it all on a horse, in the mountains. Well, that's what Glenn did. With seven daughters. And big ideas like possibility, and how to listen to the land, and observe everything. He challenged all the paradigms. And he's here to tell all about it. He's so inspiring and a total whirlwind of an innovator. Meet Glenn. You're going to love him.
xo Farm Girl
From 5,000 Sugar Maple trees deep in the heart of Vermont's northeast kingdom to the Greenmarket in New York City's Union Square, sugar makers Stephan and Howie Cantor have dedicated the past 36 years to the ebb and flow of sap and market-shopping New Yorkers to bring a little more sweetness to the world. Through 9/11 and constant 6 1/2 hour commutes, the Cantors have persisted. Hear all about the sugarbush and what it yields. You will want to rush to the kitchen to make pancakes. xo Farm Girl
Last episode we dove into deep water with Aubrey Bettencourt -- the president and CEO of California's Almond Alliance -- about nuts. That's what you think we would talk about, but we covered water policy (ok, relevant) and endangered species management (is that relevant? yes... listen to see how) and ended up with a better understanding of the complex systems we are a part of as consumers, farmers and environmentalists. This week, lucky you, we get a second go with Aubrey on those ships that were stuck in port or in transit with YOUR stuff and what the impact has been on the farming world. AND we go down the Farm Bill path too. Because you should know. We all should know. And we will use this primer to get more information on it soon. Yay! xoxo, Farm Girl To listen to the first TF2M episode featuring Aubrey, click https://player.captivate.fm/episode/c321729d-982d-40db-b6ba-8492184c670b (here).
Meet Aubrey Bettencourt. She's nuts. For almonds and almond farmers, shellers and hullers. She's not blind to water shortages, politics, pollinators or problems with endangered species. She makes short work of the complexities that swirl around the 3.2 billion pounds of almonds produced each year in the California almond groves. Dive in, but fasten your seatbelt and see if you can keep up. Aubrey Bettencourt is a 4th generation farmer, a water expert with very unique experience, a political operative, and a savvy analyst. She's a unicorn of sorts. For a bonus segment to this episode on shipping and the Farm Bill in just 15 minutes, drop me a note at farmgirl@talkfarmtome.com and I'll send it. It's so good. Episode mentions: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7ad2474f-d3c7-4065-9af3-9b35a85691d4 (Farmer Will Harris of White Oak Pastures in Bluffton, GA) -- we talk about farmland and Bill Gates as the largest owner of US farmland. This episode relates to our conversation with Aubrey on the need for farmland, working it as efficiently as possible and Will Harris also breaks down the idea of complex and complicated systems in a way that relates to everything that Aubrey does. Join Aubrey and more than 65 farmer and non-farmer founders from across the country to move the needle on how much we know, understand and support our farmers in For Farmers, a community and movement. When you sign up here, you'll get more information and can take action as you see fit. ;) xo Dana, Farm Girl
In three short decades between 1987 and 2007, the US lost nearly 100,000 small commercial dairy farms. The trend continues. In New Jersey, where the Lynesses now farm dairy, only 37 dairies remain. But there they are -- Dan and Sarah -- forging ahead with a love for Holsteins and Jerseys, and a passion for the dairy industry plus a new on-farm creamery to drive local sales. Find out how this dairy princess met her prince and hear her powerful insights on what is clearly at the heart of Talk Farm to Me and your thinking (whether you admit it or not). xo Farm Girl You can find Spring Run Dairy and Sarah & Dan on Instagram @springrun.dairy and you can find me, my little farm and more about farms and farmers @xoxofarmgirl Interview: Dana DiPrima, Farm Girl / Make Hay Productions Sound Design: Asher Griffith / Cicada Radio So many references to other Talk Farm to Me episodes in this one. Here they are: Pandemic Insights: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2771537f-37c2-406f-9c5d-1fe47605324c (6 Farms Pivot) (6) and https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6bcc9692-3bc7-4944-a16d-e4efd912aed5 (Joel Salatin) (9) Dairy Episodes: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/02b2e67d-eab7-4456-b163-51fea553e27f (Clark Dairy) (11 Live on IG) and https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3725b412-0f06-4e5a-8486-625ea2047499 (Is Dairy Dying?) (17) Regenerative Farming Episodes: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/55fea377-f2a7-4517-b32c-f6085d552b7d (Evans & Evans) (4) and https://player.captivate.fm/episode/7ad2474f-d3c7-4065-9af3-9b35a85691d4 (White Oak Pastures) (23)
From "hocus pocus," to focus, herbalist and farmer Shannon Mayernik and I discuss farming herbs, the most sought-after remedies and the important role of the kitchen in the farm to table movement. Don't miss this holistic conversation about your own wellbeing. xo, Farm Girl www.mayernikkitchen.com and on IG @mayernikkitchen Interview: Dana DiPrima, Farm Girl / Make Hay Productions @xoxofarmgirl Sound Design: Asher Griffith / Cicada Radio
What if a flower farm is more than just that? Flower farms grow flowers and the ones in the US -- big and small -- are making a resurgence in an industry that is mostly imports. How does that change things? Flowers that don't ship well are yours for the picking -- hyper locally -- for instance. And what if a flower farm breeds connection? In a community that needs it. A de-stressor. What about teachers reeling from a school shooting? Can flowers help? Come and meet big-pharma turned little farmer Eliess Forney from her Bloom Barn in Howell, Michigan where Brightside Blooms shines a light on dark moments, transforming them as best she can. xo, Farm Girl
Want some beer with your burger? 🍺 🍔 Meet Rob. He puts a little beer IN your burger. For real. But with Barley Beef in Bend, OR and rancher Rob Rastovich, the beef in the beer is only a small part of the story. Are you interested in technology? Business acumen? What it really takes to put a burger on your table? This episode is rich with the intersection of all of that. Plus beer. And conservation. This is Talk Farm to Me, where farmers take center stage. xoxo, Farm Girl Find out more about the #forfarmers community to support farmers at www.xoxofarmgirl.com/forfarmers
All farms have day to day problems. But then other serious problems crop up and throw a wrench in everything. No matter your current understanding of farms, this is an episode that sheds a light on what can happen to big or small farms if there's an interruption in the processing chain. Follow along with Carrie and her farm https://www.instagram.com/blackwillowpondfarm/ (@blackwillowpondfarm) on Instagram. To listen to the episode featuring sustainable farming pioneer Joel Salatin referenced by Carrie https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6bcc9692-3bc7-4944-a16d-e4efd912aed5 (you can find the episode here). For more about your host, Farm Girl or Dana (rhymes with banana), find her and her Accidental Farm on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl/ (@xoxofarmgirl) Similarly, find the latest community initiative -- #forfarmers -- to https://www.xoxofarmgirl.com/forfarmers (support farmers here.) If you're here, I am pretty sure you want to tune in and become a part of it. xoxo Farm Girl PS A transcript and other information will be available shortly at https://www.talkfarmtome.com/listen (www.talkfarmtome.com )xo
Sharon Burns-Leader is the co-owner of Bread Alone, a pioneering organic bakery that sells its baked goods at the Union Square Greenmarket in New York City. She serves on GrowNYC’s (the organization that oversees the market) Farmer and Community Advisory Committee. That’s where we start, but quickly you will see Sharon leads us through her evolution as a person, the evolution of the market and the evolution of grain in the region. Even though this story is centered on this NYC marketplace, it reaches well beyond. Grain development impacts you, whether you eat it or not. It impacts the environment — carbon farming, regenerative agriculture, soil health… so much. The extraordinary progress that’s happened via markets like the Union Square Greenmarket in New York City impact regional food systems everywhere. We’re just getting started on the Union Square Green Market series. Let’s talk farm. Let me know your questions, thoughts, comments. Find me on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl. You can find show notes and more about this episode on http://talkfarmtome.com (talkfarmtome.com). Stay tuned. xoxo
A new series of episodes will feature the Union Square Greenmarket in New York City and the farmers and other producers who sell there. What an interesting combination — one of the biggest and most famous cities in the world and farmers and producers from within 250 miles. Here Talk Farm to Me dives in to how it operates, how it’s governed. Meet Grow NYC's Director of Greenmarkets, Michael Hurwitz and the Union Square Greenmarket manager, Aquilino Cabral. They know so much and share it all. Coming soon, you'll get to know the farmers, the farms, the 12,000 products, all the stories and lives and regional food systems that are influenced here. Stay tuned to Talk Farm to Me — wherever you get your podcasts and on Instagram @talkfarmtome — and connect with its host, Farm Girl, on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl.
Over the next few months Talk Farm to Me is connecting with the farmers who sell at Union Square Greenmarket in New York City. This series will give you an idea of the multi layered logistics that go into making the farmers market happen, who’s involved and the impact the marketplace has on farmers, the regional food system and the layers of connections and learning between urban and rural communities. Episode One will feature some of the leaders and managers of the market — from GrowNYC — to give you a behind-the-scenes peek at little-known thinking and intense operations. All of the following episodes will feature farmers who sell at the market, their experiences, what they grow, how that may have changed over time and more. Got questions? Shoot them to me on a DM via Instagram @xoxofarmgirl and follow along there for bonus content. Talk Farm to Me is also @talkfarmtome on Instagram and all the show notes, transcripts and more are on http://talkfarmtome.com (talkfarmtome.com) xoxo
Farmer Will Harris transformed his third generation family farm from a monoculture factory farm to a regenerative multi-species farm that is no longer dependent on commodity structures or industrial fertilizer. He learned a thing or two along the way that he's willing to share. Farmer Will Harris wrote an open letter to billionaire Bill Gates whose status as the largest owner of US farmland recently came to light. We discuss what many are calling a "land grab" by Gates and what the technology magnate might learn from what Will Harris has done on his farm, White Oak Pastures in rural Bluffton, Georgia. For more farmers and farming content of all kinds, follow your host, Farm Girl, on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl. You can find Talk Farm to Me there too @talkfarmtome and you can find show notes and more, including Will Harris's open letter to Bill Gates at talkfarmtome.com/listen.
Farmer Franchesca Duval of Alchemist Farm in Northern California is pioneering humane practices for poultry hatcheries. She is working with her community to make sure the rooster chicks are going to good use for food. She thinks about the whole ecological and humane spectrum of raising birds. Alchemist Farm raises 13 different breeds of chickens that are bred for temperament and egg color. You can order chicks from farmer Franchesca Duval to give you the most beautiful egg rainbow. This episode puts to the test my mantra "Ask a Farmer, not Google!" and puts Google to shame. Find the answers to all your chicken and egg questions here. Except which came first... we are going to leave that one a mystery! xoxo
Hold on to your mushroom caps, folks. We are going straight into the mushroom world today. Mushroom farmer Matt Hall really wears a scientist hat in his work growing Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms for restaurants and retail outlets. But he's got a lot more going on in the laboratory that just might break the mold on mushroom cultivation -- especially with morels. But there's more. Just wait until you hear about what he's got planned with mycelium. I had no idea the world of mushrooming could be so exciting! I hope you agree! If you love it, please write a review on Apple Podcasts! You can find me, your host, on Instagram at xoxofarmgirl. Stay tuned there for announcements about new episodes and some "Live from the Farm" bonus content where we visit some of our favorite farmers to see what's up. To learn more about mushroom farmer Matt Hall of Midnight Harvest, follow him on Instagram too at midnightharvest. xoxo
Meet farmer Nicole Vernon of Vernon Family Farm in Newfields, New Hampshire where she and her husband, Jeremiah, are raising pastured meats and three young daughters. The Vernons produce 20,000 pastured hens a year and that is not even enough to keep up with demand. Join me -- your host, Farm Girl -- to meet Nicole, to find out what personality traits are necessary to be a farmer, the pros and cons of raising kids on a farm and how they have envisioned and implemented a farm store right on the farm. I know you will find a lot in common with Nicole -- she's funny, hard working (she has an off farm job too), innovative, and straightforward. This interview took place on Instagram Live in the presence of a live audience who were encouraged to chime in with questions or comments. You can join Five LIVE too (every other Thursday, mostly at noon). Just follow your host on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl (Five LIVE announcements run through IG Stories). And please connect with Nicole and her family and her farm on Instagram as well @vernonfamilyfarm
Maria Stewart is a dairy goat farmer. At Gorgeous Goat Creamery she processes her goats' milk, makes cheese and soap. She sells her products off the farm and at seasonal farmers markets. She welcomes visitors for farm tours. Maria is a 24-7, 365-day a year farmer AND also a scientist with a full-time off farm job. More than 80% of farm families rely on income and insurance from off farm jobs, but a far smaller percentage actually talk about it. What does this mean? It is hard to make a living at farming. Learn more, including what you can do to help (ahem, buy local!). Connect with Maria and her Gorgeous Goat Creamery on Instagram @gorgeous_goat You can also meet her goats and hear more from her and a fellow goat farmer from Wisconsin on your host's Instagram @xoxofarmgirl. And of course you can find more about this podcast on Instagram @talkfarmtome or at talkfarmtome.com. xoxo
Farmer Kamal Bell and your host, Farm Girl, go back in history to Kamal's farming roots and look forward into what could be. Instead of food deserts and discrimination, a more sustainable world where young people lead the charge. Sankofa Farms in Efland, NC is supremely conscious of the depth of the issues the community faces and is making strides in connecting them to healthy foods by "going back to get it" from African traditions. Farmer Kamal has some sage advice for legislators too. You can find Kamal and Sankofa Farms on Instagram @sankofafarms Make sure to follow @talkfarmtome as well, and your host @xoxofarmgirl for fun and connected content on farming, food and finding common ground.
This episode is the first in a series of several about the dairy industry, dairy farmers and their bovine producers. It's a 101 of sorts. In this episode you'll meet a lifelong dairy farmer from New York state, Rich Dirie of Dirie's Dairy Farm. Rich speaks frankly about his farm, how it started and how it got to where it is today. His commentary on his own farm is insightful to what's happening in the industry. You'll also meet dairy industry expert Mark Stephenson from the University of Wisconsin, Madison's School of Agriculture and Life Sciences. There he serves as the Director of Dairy Policy Analysis, which is to say that he knows about the dairy industry and we get into it. Deep. By the end of this episode you will have a pretty good foundation to take on bigger and deeper issues as we go forward. I am sure you will have questions and ideas on what you'd like to hear about, so when you do, reach out and let me know. You can find me at talkfarmtome.com or on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl or @talkfarmtome. Follow along for news and updates. And stay tuned for Episode 2 in this Deep Dive series on Dairy in a few weeks! xoxo
Meet Sam Lustig, a jack of all trades on the business side of Swanton Berry Farm in Santa Cruz, California. Sam talks drippy, sweet, red-in-the-middle strawberries, why it's important that they are organic and why it's just as important as the fact that Swanton Berry Farm's Latino farmworkers are treated with respect and honored with fair labor practices. Swanton Berry Farm is a pioneering farm -- it was the first commercial berry farm to go Organic in 1988 and the first to join the United Farm Workers Union in 1998 to make sure it's employees were afforded fair labor practices. Swanton Very Farm is unusual and it's leading the charge for other farms to follow. Have a listen. It's a multifaceted story and Sam is a gem! xoxo This episode first aired on Instagram on @xoxofarmgirl. Follow along there or watch the live recording on IGTV. Follow your host, Farm Girl, there and follow @swantonberryfarm for more on the best berries and farm practices.
Meet vegetable and cannabis farmer Ashton Zubal of Farmstock Farm in Kingston, NY. Ashton dishes on working with friends (the not so good side!), growing 365 days a year, the challenges of finding a consistent marketplace (and what he's doing to fix that), new products, the dream of autonomy and what CBD is really good for. Five LIVE is recorded from a live interview on Instagram Live. It's 5 questions for one farmer! To participate live or to watch this interview, follow Farm Girl, your host, @xoxofarmgirl and tune in live on Thursdays at noon! xoxo
It's a deeply American story. Two veterans raising American Bison. Join your host, Farm Girl, in a spirited conversation with Liz about her majestic herd, how her service prepared her for farming, her seriously straight talk on harvesting animals and how to be an honest carnivore. You will fall in love with Liz, her fierce spirit and her one-ton compatriots.
Meet Kune Kune pig farmer Jessica Kirksey of Little D's Farm in Grand Saline, Texas. Jessica dishes on pig breeds, breeding, harvesting, pig personalities and more. She really knows her stuff and shares her passion for pork! I’m pretty sure she could convince pretty much anyone of the benefits of taking on two pigs of their own! Watch the full interview on the Five LIVE host’s IGTV https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl/ (@xoxofarmgirl) or listen to the interview here. Stay tuned for Five LIVE, Thursdays at noon with https://www.instagram.com/xoxofarmgirl/ (@xoxofarmgirl) on Instagram Live 🎙 Also, find Jessica's favorite recipe and her favorite cut of pork on xoxofarmgirl.com/talkfarmtome.
Meet Welsh sheep farmer Joe Evans who, together with his wife, raises sheep and lamb in the hills of Andes, NY. Joe tells us about the best and worst of farming, how to sequester carbon through rotational grazing, what misconceptions about farmers he'd like to change, what government can do for farmers (or not do) and, guess what, he sings! Plus after a long day of tending sheep and fattening lambs, Joe prefers... a cookie or a cocktail?? Find out here! You can watch the live interview on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl under the IGTV tab just above the pictures. You can follow Talk Farm to Me episodes by subscribing here and also on Instagram @talkfarmtome. And don't forget to follow Joe and Jackie (aka Mrs. Sheepfarmer) @evansandevansfarms. Stay tuned for more Five LIVE episodes here or join one LIVE -- Thursdays at noon -- with your host Farm Girl @xoxofarmgirl on Instagram Live! xo
Meet 5th generation dairy farmer Kyle Clark who farms dairy in Delhi, New York with his father and with wisdom from his grandfather. Kyle dishes on working with family, feeding cows, taking care of the land, starting a creamery and what he'd do differently if he could. And after a tough day, what do you think he'd choose: cookies or cocktails? Listen and find out. You can watch the interview on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl under the IGTV tab just above the pictures. You can follow all Talk Farm to Me episodes by subscribing here and also on Instagram @talkfarmtome. And don't forget to follow Kyle on Instagram @clarkdairyfarms. Stay tuned for more Five Live episodes here or join one LIVE -- Thursdays at noon -- with your host Farm Girl @xoxofarmgirl on Instagram LIVE. xo
Straight Talk is a series that features a first cut, one take conversation between Talk Farm to Me's host, Farm Girl, and a farmer. It's unscripted, unedited and unplugged! Get the truth straight from the farmer's mouth about their farm, farming themes that impact all farmers and some common areas where you will certainly relate to a farmer no matter how you spend your time!
To submit questions, suggest a farmer or to volunteer to be on the show (if you are a farmer), just subscribe to my website at talkfarmtome.com or reach out to me on Instagram at xoxofarmgirl or talkfarmtome.
xoxo
Five LIVE is a new series of the Talk Farm to Me podcast that takes place on Instagram LIVE every Thursday at noon (EST). It's five questions for one farmer. Listeners are an important part of the story too. Follow Farm Girl, your host, @xoxofarmgirl on Instagram and join in the conversation. You, dear listeners, are a key part. Send in a question beforehand or ask one live while we talk farm! Find more Five LIVE on Instagram @xoxofarmgirl and @talkfarmtome Find the live audio of Five Live here to listen to while you drive or do your dishes!
What is Talk Farm to Me all about? Get to know some farmers -- from the world's most famous farmer to some who are just starting out -- and find out what they do, how they do it, the issues they face and the impact they have on our lives and our world and society. This NEW trailer gives you a sense for where we have been and where we are going. It's a journey that will connect you closer and more personally with the folks who grow your food, care for your land and are essential to your life. xoxo
Dairy farmers are dumping milk. Do you know why? In this episode we meet two dairy farmers -- from Wisconsin and Florida -- to explore the root causes of the dairy crisis and to find out what we can do about it. Along the way we do milk math, have a few laughs (actually!) and learn that headlines sometimes distract us from the real issue.
Get ready for next week's episode -- about milk dumping during COVID -- with Tim Moffet, a dairy farmer and stand up comic. It's just a snack. Two jokes and a sneak peek at what's to come. xo
Farmer Joel Salatin of Polyface Farm -- the gold standard in sustainable agriculture -- dishes on what's wrong with big business farms, supermarket supply chains and what's right with small entrepreneurial farms. Find out what you can do to get in on the food security action and reap the benefits of thinking ahead. xoxo
Farmers are working overtime to connect with new markets. They are altering business practices. They are also heading into their busiest growing and harvesting season. On top of all that, they need help. They are struggling and have unexpected expenditures to cover. Who's there to help? Join Talk Farm to Me to talk about a new Farmer Relief Fund from American Farmland Trust and to find out how farmers can get help navigating the complicated world of federal loans and grants. You can help too. Listen to find out how. xo Farm Girl
Food insecurity as a result of COVID has spurred folks to hoard supplies and food. But it's also had another effect. Consumers are scrambling to get into a local farm share. They are planting gardens of their own, raising chickens and even homesteading. The result is a closer connection to farmers and fortified communities. Find a little inspiration for yourself here, on how to do your part to support farmers and your own back yard.
Six farmers from across the US discuss how they are responding to the global COVID-19 pandemic in their local communities. Their work has been deemed essential and their observations on what's needed going forward are insightful. Thank you, farmers. xo
You will barely believe what happens on this fish farm -- from fish breeding to how far all the fish go. The Beaverkill Trout Hatchery is a mecca of trout and a holy place for fly fisherpersons the world over. Five generations have proudly guided this farm. Meet Sherry Shaver and her nephew Tyler to find out what goes down in Trout Town. xoxo Farm Girl
Meet Mr. & Mrs. Sheepfarmer, aka Joe and Jackie Evans, their border collies and their Farm Manager Sam Scott. Running a sheep farm means you are part shepherd, part grass farmer, part OBGYN, part veterinarian, part salesperson and part defender of sheep farming. Somehow it's easier with good partners, like restauranteur Andrew Tarlow of Diner and Marlow & Sons in Brooklyn. Have a listen. You are going to love them all. xoxo Farm Girl
Dirty Girl Farm is a small goat dairy and creamery that is unusual in that it is located IN TOWN. Funny things happen if you have goats and farmers Cyndi Wright and Lester Bourke tell all! 20 minutes
Meet farmers Vincent Cuneo and Luke Snobeck of Agrarian Feast and join them on their journey to create a USDA Organic farm that currently features delicious micro greens. Meet some of the characters responsible for their success and learn from their experience. Farmers get information from a lot of sources, just like you do. Vincent and Luke are no exception. 20 minutes. Enjoy the visit to their farm. xoxo Farm Girl
Meet farmers Jennifer Grossman and Peter Mauer and learn how they worked together to save a fourth generation dairy farm with some heart and creative thinking. 20 minutes
Welcome to Talk Farm to Me! Where farmers take center stage and we find out what they do and how they do it. No matter how you spend your time, I'm pretty sure you have more in common with farmers than you think! Stay tuned every two weeks and I'll bring a farmer and maybe a cow or two right into your living room for a chat.