The Farmers Beet: Recent Episodes
Community Alliance with Family Farmers
In this episode we continue the conversation on the impact of Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) in Linden, California. You’ll hear from the father and son duos of Colombini Ranch and Chinchiolo Farming Company about the impact BIOS had on the different generations of their farm, and why they continue to follow BIOS practices like cover cropping and integrated pest management.
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The Biologically Integrated Orchard Systems (BIOS) project has brought together growers, scientists, farm advisors, and pest control advisors with the goal of implementing farm practices to reduce dependence on chemical inputs. In this episode we head down to the Northern San Joaquin region to interview early BIOS collaborating growers, Chris and Christy Locke, and PCA, Jeannine Lowrimore…
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Emma Centeno and Johnny Wilson at The Ecology Center.In this episode we travel to Southern California to meet with Samuel Guitron of Gospel Swamp Farm in Santa Ana and Johnny Wilson from The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano to talk all about Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, in urban farms. You’ll also hear about how soil health is monitored using potatoes at Gospel Swamp Farm, how wheat and rice bran are being used to manage soil-borne pathogens at The Ecology Center, and so much more.
Episode Resources:
- Gospel Swamp Farm website: https://heritagemuseumoc.org/gospel-swamp-farm/
- Gospel Swamp Farm Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gospelswampfarm/?hl=en
- The Heritage Museum of Orange County: https://heritagemuseumoc.org/
- CAFF Cover Crop Decision Guide for Annual Cropping Systems: https://caff.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CAFF-Cover-Crop-Guide-for-Annual-Systems-112222.pdf
- The Ecology Center website: https://theecologycenter.org/
- The Ecology Center instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theecologycenter/?hl=en
- Regenerative Organic Alliance: https://regenorganic.org/
- Joji Muramoto’s UCCE page: https://ucanr.edu/?facultyid=42875
- Master Gardeners Handbook – 2nd Ed.: https://anrcatalog.ucanr.edu/Details.aspx?itemNo=3382
- CAFF webpage: https://caff.org/
- CAFF instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caff_famfarms/?hl=en
- CAFF Ecological Pest Management website: https://caff.org/epm/
Production Team:
- Podcast hosted by Emma Centeno – Ecological Pest Management Field Technician at CAFF
- Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald
- Music by Blue Dot Sessions
Funding:
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Grant: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/opca/bifs.html
The post Urban Agriculture in Orange County: Gospel Swamp Farm and The Ecology Center appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we connect with Beth Reynolds of The Goat Girls, a woman owned and operated contract grazing operation located on California’s Central Coast to learn about her successes and challenges with long term viability of the targeted grazing industry, especially as it relates to fire preparedness and fuels management.
Over the last decade, California has experienced the most dangerous, destructive, and environmentally hazardous wildfires in the history of the state. Prescribed grazing is a versatile and ecologically-based wildfire mitigation strategy with scientifically proven benefits to our environment, soil, and greenhouse gas reduction goals. Prescribed grazing complements other vegetation management practices through the reduction of fuel loads and implementation in areas where controlled burns are considered too risky or not appropriate for the ecosystem.
Later in the episode, we join Senator Monique Limón on a tour of a grazing operation in Ojai Valley, who represents District 19 in Santa Barbara County. She authored Senate Bill 675 and introduced it in February of this year in order to enhance wildfire mitigation efforts by expanding statewide prescribed grazing efforts.
SHOW NOTES:* The Goat Girls * Cal Poly Sheep Unit * SB 675 * AB 297 * Paso Robles- Salinas River Vegetation Management Project * CEQA and grazing resources * Prescribed Herbivory White paper from the Rangeland Management Advisory Committee * Regional Water Quality Control Board and Grazing tips * Upper Salinas- Las Tablas Resources Conservation District
- CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Program
- California Climate and Action Network: Wildfire Policy Resources
- Resources Legacy Fund- Wildfire Strategies PRODUCTION TEAM:* Podcast hosted by Amber Schat and supported by Grizzly Corps Fellow, Joshua Harjes
- Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald
- Music by Blue Dot Sessions
- Release Date: 12/08/202 The post EPISODE 3, SEASON 4: FUELS MANAGEMENT AND POLICY CONCERNS IN CA- A CONVERSATION WITH BETH REYNOLDS OF THE GOAT GIRLS, COLE BUSH OF GRAZING SCHOOL OF THE WEST, AND SENATOR MONIQUE LIMÓN appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we delve into all things on-farm composting, from its production to its use and relevant agricultural policies. We hear from Abel Ruiz at CRECE Farming Collective in […]
The post CRECE Urban Farm Collective, Spreadwing Farm, and CAFF’s Dave Runsten podcast episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode, we learn about integrated crop livestock management from two Northern California Farms. First, we hear from Lorraine Walker of Eatwell Farm in Dixon, CA, where they incorporate laying hens into their diversified vegetable production, and also touch on soil health and fertility management. Ken Walker of Pasture 42 in Guinda, CA then walks us through how they incorporate sheep and poultry into their orchards, which were designed with animal integration in mind. Both expand on the benefits and challenges of integrating livestock, as well as considerations for pasture, rotational grazing, and food safety.
Show Notes:* Eatwell Farms website: https://www.eatwell.com/ * Eatwell Farms Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatwellfarm/ * Pasture 42 website: https://pasture42.com/ * Pasture 42 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pasture_42/ * Match.Graze California Grazing Exchange https://matchgraze.com/ * California Wool Growers’ Association Targeted Grazing Directory: https://californiawoolgrowers.org/targeted-grazing/directory/ * More about Integrated Crop Livestock Systems from CAFF: https://caff.org/ecologicalfarming/integrated-crop-livestock-systems/ * CAFF’s Ecological Farming Program: https://caff.org/ecologicalfarming
Production Team:* Podcast hosted by Emily Ayala * Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald * Music by Blue Dot Sessions
The post Episode 1: Eatwell Farm – Dixon and Pasture42 – Guinda appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode, we travel to First Rain Farm in Nevada County, where Tim Van Wagner is integrating a number of effective wildfire preparation methods on his property, as well as those of his neighbors and surrounding community. By combining targeted ecological grazing and prescribed burns, Tim is able to rehabilitate overgrown forests in the foothills to productive foraging systems that support greater biodiversity, sequester more carbon, and improve soil health and water quality in the region- all while also reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires.
Show Notes:
- First Rain Farm Website: https://www.firstrainfarm.com/
- John Jeavons: https://johnjeavons.org/
- Nourishing Traditions: https://nourishingtraditions.com/
- California Prescribed Burn Association: https://calpba.org/
- UC ANR Fire Resources and Information: https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/
- Brittleness Scale: https://savoryinstitute.teachable.com/courses/896826/lectures/16507356
- Land Management Regimes of Nevada County: https://www.ncrcd.org/resources-and-links/knowledge-base/agriculture-resources/
- Ruminant Digestive System: https://extension.umn.edu/dairy-nutrition/ruminant-digestive-system
- Fuel Moisture: http://stream1.cmatc.cn/pub/comet/FireWeather/S290Unit10FuelMoisture/comet/fire/s290/unit10/print.htm#page_1.0.0
- Smoke Exposure and Safety: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/wildfire/worker-protection-from-wildfire-smoke.html
- SB 926- Rx Burn Liability Fund: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200SB926
- CAFF’s Wildfire Resilience Program: https://caff.org/wildfire-resilience-program/
Production Team:
- Podcast hosted by Amber Schat- Wildfire Resilience Specialist at CAFF
- Audio engineering and editing by Coby McDonald
- Music by Blue Dot Sessions
- Release Date: 12/14/2022 The post Episode 3: First Rain Farm- Nevada City appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode, Sarah Keiser of Wild Oat Hollow in Penngrove, CA describes her entry into ranching and how her love of the land positioned her to become a leader in developing and supporting community grazing cooperatives. Join us as Sarah shares her experience with wildfires in Sonoma County and how grazing is making a […]
The post Episode 2: Wild Oat Hollow Penngrove, CA appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Cheetah Tchudi at his diversified operation in Yankee Hill, Butte County, CA. Cheetah shares his experience surviving the 2018 Paradise wildfire, and some methods for recovery; addressing toxic ash using fungi to capture and and treat persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals. Show Notes: Turkey Tail Farm Website: https://turkeytailfarm.net/v2/ Butte […]
The post Episode 1: Turkey Tail Farm – Yankee Hill appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
Queridas oyentes, este es nuestro último episodio de la temporada. Esperamos que disfrute de este episodio especial en español presentado por el productor de nuestro podcast, Jaime Roque. En este episodio, visitamos Luna’s Farm, una granja familiar Latinx multigeneracional que cultiva vegetales orgánicos en Hollister, California. Antonio Luna comparte sobre la granja de su familia […]
The post Luna’s Farm Podcast Episode (en Español) appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Stone’s Throw Farm, an organic vegetable and flower farm located in Colfax, California. We sat down with Bryanna Eisenhut, co-owner and operator of Stone’s Throw, to learn about her path to farming full-time and what it’s like to farm in the foothills of the Sierra’s. Bryanna also shares about the […]
The post Stone’s Throw Farm Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Vitis and Ovis Farm, a multi-generational Swiss-American-Ethiopian family farm located in the Capay Valley and specializing in pastured duck eggs, fruit and medicinal herbs. We talk to Hans, Barbara and Giselle Herren about the 30+ years of stewarding their land, including the recent shift from producing only wine grapes to […]
The post Vitis and Ovis Farm Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Donald Sherman at his farm in Kerman, California. Donald owns and operates Sherman Produce, a year-round diversified vegetable farm and produce market distributing throughout Fresno County. Donald has been involved in agriculture his entire life and knows about managing on-farm food safety risks. We talk to Donald about his family […]
The post Sherman Produce Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Urban Tilth, a community-based organization in Richmond, California. We learn about the organization’s mission and programs to cultivate agriculture and build a more sustainable, healthy and just food system in West Contra Costa County. One of the farm managers, Debora Supinski, describes their year-long journey to formalize food safety practices […]
The post Urban Tilth Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Sysourath Farms in Fresno, California. Veomany Sysourath, a second generation farmer, shares about her family’s history emigrating to the United States, working in agriculture and eventually starting their farm. Sysourath Farms grows a variety of Southeast Asian specialty crops on leased land, which presents infrastructure challenges. We learn about the […]
The post Sysourath Farms Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Steve Fukagawa Farms in Kingsburg, California. Steve Fukagawa is a third generation Japanese farmer, growing organically in the San Joaquin Valley. We learn about Steve’s family history farming in California, his production of organic tree fruit and raisin grapes, and use of compost tea. We also discuss how the federal […]
The post Steve Fukagawa Farms Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we interview Daniel Karp, Ph.D., Associate Professor at UC Davis studying conservation in working landscapes. Danny describes his research related to wildlife habitat conservation and bird activity on farms, and implications for food safety on produce farms. He also provides risk management considerations for farms with bird activity and resources for farms […]
The post Interview with Daniel Karp, Associate Professor at UC Davis Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Jacobs Farm / del Cabo in Watsonville, California. Larry Jacobs, one of the co-founders, tells us about the company history and relationship with growers in Mexico. We learn how food safety regulations for imported produce helped identify contamination from an unexpected source, the importance of keeping wells covered and maintained, […]
The post Jacobs Farm / del Cabo Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas, California. We learn about the farm’s mission to connect agriculture, education and ancient Jewish wisdom. The farmers give us a tour of the food forest, production fields, laying hens and compost production, and describe how food safety plays a role in their day-to-day operations. Listeners […]
The post Coastal Roots Farm Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we hear from Dr. Floyd D. Harris Jr. of Fresno Freedom School in Fresno, California. We learn about the organization’s history and mission to connect Fresno’s youth with agriculture, how they implement food safety practices as an urban-based education farm and tips for communicating their food and human safety guidelines to youth, […]
The post Fresno Freedom School Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we interview Tyler Stowers, the farm manager at Soil Born Farms in Rancho Cordova, California. We learn about the organization’s history and growth, how they integrate food safety practices into their day-to-day operations as an urban-based education farm and address the food safety saying “never let produce touch the ground”. SHOW NOTES: […]
The post Soil Born Farms Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Ken Kimes at New Natives Farm in Santa Cruz County. We learn how New Natives pivoted during the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic and their food safety practices, including tips for passing a third party food safety audit. Ken also walks us through the farm’s post harvest process and identifies […]
The post New Natives Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Shanon and Michael Whamond at their farm in Placer County, CA. We learn about Shanon and Michael’s farming journey, recent challenges and their farm’s food safety practices, including how they maintain produce quality during hot summer days and prevent risk of cross-contamination throughout busy days. SHOW NOTES: Hillview Farms website: […]
The post Hillview Farms Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In this episode we visit Bai Thao at her farm in Sanger, CA. We learn about Bai’s family history in agriculture and her farming and food safety practices, including water testing and an inventive method for ensuring her tools stay sanitized. SHOW NOTES: Hmong history in California: http://www.hmongstory40.org/about-hmongstory-40/ History of Hmong Farming in Fresno: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0EEVlhvEH8 […]
The post Bai Thao Farms Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
SHOW NOTES: Full Belly Farm website: http://fullbellyfarm.com/ Full Belly Farm instagram: @full_belly_farm https://www.instagram.com/full_belly_farm/ FDA FSMA pdf of law: https://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/fsma/ucm334114.htm Hotsy Hot Water Pressure Washer: http://www.hotsy.com/Hot_Water_Pressure_Washers See page 133 of Martin’s Produce Supply’s online catalogue and call them to discuss further: https://www.martinsproducesupplies.com/sites/default/files/Catalog-2018.pdf CAFF Food Safety Training Templates and many others: https://caff.org/food-safety/food-safety-plan-templates/ CAFF’s 2018 Hedgerow Manual: https://caff.org/hedgerows-farmscaping-for-california-agriculture-guide/ Wild Farm Alliance: https://www.wildfarmalliance.org/biodiversity
The post Full Belly Farm Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
En el episodio final de nuestro ciclo piloto, la Fundación CCOF charlará con Bertha Magaña de Magaña Farm y Tania Zuñiga de Kitchen Table Advisors para descubrir cómo vender directamente a los consumidores fortaleció el negocio y la comunidad de Magaña Farm. ¿Tiene ideas para futuros podcasts? Envíenos sus ideas a través de este enlace […]
The post Fortalecimiento de granjas y comunidades a través de ventas directas al consumidor – Episodio 4 con orador invitado de “Radio Organic” appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In the final episode of our pilot series, the CCOF Foundation will chat with Bertha Magaña of Magaña Farm and Tania Zuñiga of Kitchen Table Advisors to discover how selling directly to consumers strengthened Magaña Farm’s business and community. Send us your ideas via this feedback link (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X5DVKKN). Many thanks to “The Farmers Beet” for […]
The post Strengthening Farms and Communities Through Direct-to-Consumer Sales – “Radio Organic” Guest Episode 4 appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
En nuestro tercer episodio, acompañe a la Fundación CCOF en su charla con Patricia Rodriguez de Rodriguez Farms sobre cómo los clientes del mercado de agricultores los instaron a que se volvieran orgánicos y los apoyaron mientras su granja descubría por sí misma cómo cultivar fresas orgánicas súper sabrosas. ¿Tiene ideas para futuros podcasts? Envíenos […]
The post Transición a orgánico debido a la demanda del cliente – Episodio 3 con orador invitado de “Radio Organic” appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
For our third episode, join the CCOF Foundation for a conversation with Patricia Rodriguez of Rodriguez Farms on how their farmers’ market customers urged them to go organic and stuck by then as their farm figured out on their own how to grow super-tasty organic strawberries. Have ideas for future podcasts? Send us your ideas […]
The post Transitioning to Organic Due to Customer Demand – “Radio Organic” Guest Episode 3 appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
En nuestro segundo episodio, la Fundación CCOF charlará con John y Kyle Garrone de Far West Fungi. Escuche cómo aprovechan sus puntos de venta directos al consumidor para conocer las tendencias del mercado, probar nuevos productos y educar a los consumidores sobre todo lo relacionado con los hongos. ¿Tiene ideas para futuros podcasts? Envíenos sus […]
The post Conocer las tendencias del mercado a través de las ventas directas al consumidor – Episodio 2 con orador invitado de “Radio Organic” appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In our second episode the CCOF Foundation will chat with John and Kyle Garrone of Far West Fungi. Hear how they leverage their direct-to-consumer sales outlets to keep tabs on market trends, test out new products, and educate consumers about all things mushroom. Send us your ideas via this feedback link (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/X5DVKKN). Many thanks to […]
The post Keeping Tabs on Market Trends via Direct-to-Consumer Sales – “Radio Organic” Guest Episode 2 appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
En nuestro primer episodio, acompañe a la Fundación CCOF en su charla con Joe Schirmer de Dirty Girl Produce donde analizaremos el nuevo enfoque de Schirmer en cuanto a la venta de productos y los sistemas de facturación. Obtenga consejos sobre cómo hacer que sus clientes paguen por adelantado, ideas innovadoras para vender el exceso […]
The post Repensar los sistemas de facturación y ventas agrícolas –Episodio 1 con orador invitado de “Radio Organic” appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
In our premier episode, join the CCOF Foundation for a conversation with Joe Schirmer of Dirty Girl Produce where we’ll discuss Schirmer’s new approach to produce sales and invoicing systems. Get tips on how to have your customers pay up front, innovative ideas for selling excess produce, and sound advice on how to choose an […]
The post Rethinking Farm Sales and Invoicing Systems – Guest Episode 1 English appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
During this episode we travel to Super Tuber Farm near Grass Valley, CA. We learn from Jeremy about their farm focused on tuber crops and partnership they had with CAFF to complete an on-farm research trial during the 2019 growing season on a practice called occultation. Occultation is the use of tarps to minimize weeds […]
The post Super Tuber Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
During this episode we travel to First Rain Farm outside of Nevada City, CA. We learn from Tim about their diverse farm and partnership with CAFF to complete an on-farm research trial during the 2019 growing season on a practice called occultation. Occultation is the use of tarps to minimize weeds in an organic system. […]
The post First Rain Farm Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
Photo from Red Shed Farm SHOW NOTES: Red Shed Farm website: http://www.redshedfarming.com/ Red Shed Farm instagram: @redshedfarm https://www.instagram.com/redshedfarm/ FDA FSMA pdf of law: https://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/fsma/ucm334114.htm SARE “Farmer’s Guide to Business Structures” – book is a great resource for farmers to read when starting a business and determining business structure, there’s also a chapter specifically on value added farm business entities: https://www.sare.org/Newsroom/Press-Releases/New-Improve-Resilience-and-Stability-With-Farmers-Guide-to-Business-Structures CAFF’s […]
The post Redshed Farm Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
Episode 3: Foothill Roots Farm – Meadow Vista Photo from Foothill Roots Farm SHOW NOTES: Foothill Roots Farm website: https://foothillrootsfarm.com/ Foothill Roots Farm instagram: @foothillrootsfarm https://www.instagram.com/foothillrootsfarm/ FDA FSMA pdf of law: https://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/fsma/ucm334114.htm University of Vermont Extension Greens Spinner resource: http://blog.uvm.edu/cwcallah/2018/07/20/greens-spinners-for-farm-use/ Search for Joy Fish Baskets or H&H baskets to find plastic baskets for spinning greens. Make sure to find […]
The post Foothill Roots Farm Podcast Episode appeared first on Community Alliance with Family Farmers.
SHOW NOTES: FDA FSMA pdf of law: https://www.fda.gov/food/guidanceregulation/fsma/ucm334114.htm Live Oak Farm’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/liveoakfarmpetaluma/ Instagram: @liveoakfarmpetaluma https://www.instagram.com/liveoakfarmpetaluma/ Compost thermometer: https://reotemp.com/compost/heavy-duty-compost-thermometer/ Compost turner – Sittler machine: http://www.globalrepair.ca/compost%20testimonies.htm Find PSA’s free sanitizer excel tool “PSA Labeled Sanitizers For Produce” on this webpage: https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu/resources/general-resource-listing/ FSMA 101 Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWKf-yKMlkA Release date: 2/27/19
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