The Urban Farm Podcast With Greg Peterson

845: Keri Evji's Regenerative JourneyDesigns for Ecological ChangeIn This Podcast: Greg interviews Keri Evji, founder of Healing Roots Design LLC, a regenerative landscaping company in Asheville, North Carolina. Keri shares her journey of integrating nature's principles into her life and business, emphasizing a holistic approach to social and ecological change. She discusses her personal experiences and the inspiration behind her book, 'Regenerative Life Design Playbook,' which offers a multimedia toolkit for living a more connected and resilient life. Keri explores the concept of permaculture, its applications beyond gardening, and the importance of embracing our inner ecology for personal and cultural growth.Our Guest: Keri is the founder of Healing Roots Design LLC, a regenerative landscaping company in Asheville, North Carolina. She is a creative entrepreneur, teacher, permaculture designer, author, musician, and community revitalist, committed to the healing of people and planet. Her goal is to empower

844 - Greg & Heidi's Hurricane Helene ExperienceGreg Peterson and Heidi Lichte share their recent experiences dealing with Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the importance of community resilience and preparedness. They discuss their methods for surviving without power for seven days, such as using a rocket stove for cooking and a composting toilet, and highlight the significance of community support and resource sharing during crises. Additionally, they detail some successes and learnings from their farm, including growing elderberries, raspberries, sweet potatoes, and maintaining a resilient garden amidst climate challenges. Heidi also shares her ongoing passion for teaching online yoga classes, which she has adapted since March 2020.Visit www.urbanfarm.org/844-garden for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits

843: Planting in the Fall Garden - A Rosie ReplayA Rosie On The House Radio Show ReplayIn This Podcast: Rosie on the House features Farmer Greg and special guest Nika Forte discussing urban farming and the importance of fall gardening. Nika details her role as the Urban Farms Director at St. Vincent de Paul's Urban Farm and their efforts in combating food insecurity through sustainable practices. They also emphasize the significance of healthy soil, appropriate garden placement, and choosing crops that are both enjoyable and cost-effective, with insights into seed preservation. Additionally, Nika introduces her children's book series aimed at promoting diversity in agriculture.Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/840-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. Yo

842: Preserving food with Wendi BerginIn This Garden Chat:Join Farmer Greg and Wendi Bergin - Wendi and Greg present an insightful overview of food preservation methods, emphasizing the importance of various techniques in extending the shelf life of different food items. They explore traditional methods like canning and pickling, alongside modern practices such as vacuum sealing and freeze-drying. Wendi details the principles behind these processes and offer practical tips for successful food preservation at home. Their discussion highlights the benefits of preserving food, including reducing waste and ensuring nutritious, long-lasting meals.Our Guest: Wendy is a regular mom with a husband, a bunch of kids who she homeschools, some dogs, the founder of Joyfully Prepared, and the host of the Joyfully Prepared podcast.She is dedicated to teaching busy moms skills like gardening, food preservation, natural remedies, and more, so they can take care of themselves and their families through developing talents wit

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

841: Wendi Bergin on on Being Joyfully PreparedIn This Podcast: Wendy Bergen, founder of Joyfully Prepared, shares her expertise and journey in gardening, homesteading, and preparedness, inspired by her family's sustainable living heritage. In her podcast, she offers practical advice on food storage, emergency readiness, and the importance of gratitude. The script underscores the value of practical skills, community service, and continual learning through storytelling and personal anecdotes. Wendy also provides resources for skill-building and emphasizes the joy and growth that comes from embracing intentional living and moving past perfectionism..Our Guest: Wendy is a regular mom with a husband, a bunch of kids who she homeschools, some dogs, the founder of Joyfully Prepared, and the host of the Joyfully Prepared podcast.She is dedicated to teaching busy moms skills like gardening, food preservation, natural remedies, and more, so they can take care of themselves and their families through developing tal

841: Harvesting and StoringA Seed Chat with Bill McDormanIn this episode, Greg Peterson from Urban Farm U and Bill McDorman host a monthly seed chat focused on harvesting and storing seeds. They discuss methods of dry and wet harvesting, particularly for tomatoes and squashes, and emphasize the importance of understanding plant families in seed collection. Various methods to ensure seed viability, such as proper drying and cool storage, are explored, along with the significance of seed diversity and the role of local seed libraries. The conversation also highlights the need for more individuals to start saving seeds to adapt to changing climates and revitalize local agriculture. .Visit www.urbanfarm.org/841-seed for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!What is the Seed Chat?At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman, the former Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed move

839: Jeremy Chevalier on Food Forest InnovationsBuilding food in our everyday landscapes.In This Podcast: The podcast features Jeremy Chevalier, a Phoenix native and serial entrepreneur, who is pioneering urban food forest initiatives with his charity, Homegrown, aiming to combat food shortages by promoting regenerative agriculture and self-sufficient communities. Jeremy discusses his journey from a conventional career to founding Homegrown, influenced by his community experiences and discoveries in soil health and permaculture. His initiatives include permaculture-based landscape services, a soil-focused real estate project, and a local food system in Phoenix that encompasses gleaning and urban farming. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement in transforming urban landscapes into food-producing areas while addressing the logistical challenges of distributing harvested produce.Our Guest: Jérémy is a Phoenix native and serial entrepreneur with a newfound passion for heali

Greg Peterson is currently in an area of North Carolina that is without power, water, cell or internet. They are okay for now because he has the permaculture and prepping skills he has honed over the last 40 decades. We do ask that you consider donating to local groups that are assisting in the recovery and assistance. We are donating to The Cajun Navy and encourage you to check out their website.Greg Peterson - 250th Episode Special Interviewing Farmer Greg himself - about his life mission and creating The Urban Farm.In this podcast: This is the 250th episode of The Urban Farm Podcast with Greg Peterson and the tables are turned as our guest host Jake Mace gets to take control of the interview.  Greg tells us his story, how writing a mission statement for a college assignment affected him, and why naming your farm is so important to him.  And, he shares more about the origin of The Urban Farm Nursery and of Urban Farm U.   Greg has lived at the Urban Farm for almost 30 years.  His

838: Austin Frerick on The Food Barons of our Time.Challenging the way our food is grown.In This Podcast: In this podcast episode, we interview Austin Frerick an expert in agricultural and antitrust policy, discussing his book 'Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of the American Food Industry.' Austin shares his personal and professional journey that shaped his insights on the food system, highlighting the consolidation and exploitation in the industry through the profiles of various 'food barons.' The conversation explores the systemic issues related to the industrialization of agriculture, including environmental impacts and labor exploitation, and emphasizes the importance of returning to more sustainable, local food systems. Austin's narratives provide a critique of current policies and suggest actionable steps to challenge the status quo in favor of a more equitable and regenerative food future.Our Guest: Austin Frerick is an expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. He has worked at the open

837: BioDynamics 101 with Mike BiltonenIn This Garden Chat:Join Farmer Greg and Mike Biltonen, Exploring Biodynamics. Biodynamics is an advanced farming method that views the farm as a single, self-sustaining organism. It incorporates cosmic and lunar influences, along with organic farming practices, to enhance plant, animal, and soil health. Special preparations made from herbs, minerals, and manure are used to stimulate soil fertility and plant growth. Biodynamics also emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living systems and seeks to create harmony between them..Our Special Guest:Mike Biltonen has a rich background in sustainable agriculture with decades of experience in orchards, vineyards and specialty crops. His work focuses on the integration of biodynamic principles into farming, which aligns with the with his commitment to ecological sustainability and farming practices. His involvement with the Josephine Porter Institute for Biodynamics and Know Your Roots LLC showcases his dedication to advancin

836: Seed Saving SecretsA Seed Chat with Bill McDormanIn this episode, Greg Peterson from Urban Farm U and Bill McDorman discuss the fundamentals of seed saving, techniques for collecting and preparing seeds from various plants, and the benefits of maintaining genetic diversity. They also address specific audience questions about harvesting and storing seeds, and the effects of cross-pollination. The conversation emphasizes the importance of home-based seed saving for adapting plants to local conditions and mitigating the impacts of climate change..Visit www.urbanfarm.org/836-seed for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!What is the Seed Chat?At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman, the former Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed movement while in college in 1979 when he helped start Garden City Seeds. In 1984, Bill started Seeds Trust/High Altitude Gardens, a mail

835: Growing Wild Food in Your YardA Rosie On The House Radio Show ReplayIn This Podcast: In this episode of Rosie on the House, hosts Romey Romero and Farmer Greg discuss growing wild food in in your yard. They emphasize the benefits of planting food-producing plants and using permaculture principles like composting, chickens and layering plants. Greg also highlights the importance of observing microclimates, proper water management, utilizing open-pollinated seeds and having chicken workers in your yard. Additionally, he touches on community involvement, local ordinances, and the Permaculture Design Course for creating sustainable, food-producing landscapes......Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/835-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges. You can chat wi

834: Kirsten Simmons on Streamlining Farmers' Busy WorkShe is all about helping farmers in the back office.In This Podcast: We follow the journey of Kirsten Simmons. After experiencing farm failures, she co-founded Good Agriculture in 2022, a company that manages administrative tasks and provides financial, marketing, and grant-writing support for farmers. Kirstin shares how the company has grown, helped farmers become more profitable, and developed manual and automated tools to support farm operations. Good Agriculture aims to streamline back-office tasks, enabling farmers to focus on farming, with services tailored to small and large farms..Our Guest: Kirsten began growing mixed vegetables in 2016 in Atlanta, and currently focuses her growing efforts on Yupik strawberries.In 2022, she co founded Good Agriculture, where she and her team create products that manage the back offices for farmers..Book - First Generation Farming by Chris Newman - Available Digitally OnlyVisit UrbanFarm.org/GoodAgriculture fo

833: Jaron Lukas on Healthy Nutrition for Dogs.Why we need to stay away from highly processed pet kibble!In This Podcast: Jaron Lukas, CEO and founder of Yum Woof, a brand specializing in air-dried dog food, discusses his journey from tech to pet nutrition, driven by personal experiences with food allergies. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding dry kibble, highlighting the benefits of more natural dog food options for canine health and longevity. Jaron also delves into insights from his book The Canine Cocomega Effect, which explores the synergistic benefits of combining coconut oil and omega-3s in dog diets.Our Guest: Jaron Lukas is the CEO and founder of Yum Woof, the air dried dog food brand. He is also the author of the canine cocoa mega effect that explores 162 studies on which fats are linked to a longer lifespan in dogs.Previously, Jaron founded the VC backed fintech startup Coin Center, which he sold in 2016. He also started his career in investment banking at J. P. Morgan and graduated from Ric

832: Cindy Gentry on food co ops How they can change the food landscape.In This Podcast: Cindy discusses her extensive work in food co-ops, hunger prevention, and healthy food systems development. She shares her experiences in establishing the Phoenix Public Market and various farmers market programs to support local farmers and improve food accessibility. Cindy outlines the origins and goals of the Sun Produce Cooperative and its impact on local food distribution. Additionally, Gentry delves into her personal journey, reflecting on past challenges and successes in her mission to promote local agriculture and fair food systems.Our Guest: Cindy Gentry is a founding member and the current manager for Sun Produce Cooperative in Phoenix, Arizona, which was established in 2017.She brings more than 35 years experience with non profit hunger prevention and healthy food systems development. Cindy has worked statewide in Arizona to nurture local food production and distribution and to support local farmers markets,

831: Growing Gourmet Mushrooms with Michael JuddThe three easiest mushrooms to grow outdoors.In This Garden Chat:Join Farmer Greg and Michael Judd, an expert in edible and ecological landscape design, for a discussion on growing gourmet mushrooms outdoors. They discuss the three easiest mushrooms to grow: shiitake, oyster, and wine cap mushrooms, along with their preferred growing conditions and necessary preparations. Michael shares practical advice on sourcing the right wood, maintaining moisture, and utilizing permaculture principles for effective mushroom cultivation. He also offers insights into his mini course and other resources available for those interested in further learning.Our Special Guest:Michael has worked with agro-ecological and whole-system designs throughout the Americas for over two decades, focusing on applying permaculture and ecological design. His projects increase local food security and community health in both tropical and temperate growing regions. He is also the author of Edibl

830: Seed Starting Essentials ExplainedA Seed Chat with Bill McDormanThis is the July 2024 Seed Chat Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman discuss key aspects of nurturing seed starts for a thriving garden. They emphasize the importance of proper seed starting mediums, suggesting lightweight, aerated materials like perlite and cocoa peat over regular garden soil. They also highlight the need for adequate light, recommending artificial light setups if natural light is insufficient. Proper watering techniques are crucial, ensuring the soil remains moist without overwatering. They advocate for hands-on gardening and learning through observation and experimentation to achieve the best results.Visit www.urbanfarm.org/830-seed for the show notes on this episode, and access to our full podcast library!What is the Seed Chat?At least ten times a year we have a live Seed Saving Class with Bill McDorman, the former Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, Ketchum, Idaho. He got his start in the bio-regional seed m

829: Extreme Tree Care for our Extreme WeatherA Rosie On The House Radio Show ReplayIn This Podcast: In this episode of Rosie on the House, hosts Farmer Greg and guests Derek Zellers and Anthony Dominguez from HyKreations discuss extreme weather tree care. They introduce their all-natural Wisdom product line, which enhances tree care during extreme heat periods by using ingredients like fish, kelp, and mined minerals. Their products, designed to support microbial life in the soil, help trees reach their genetic potential and produce larger yields. Various application methods, such as foliar and drench feeding, are detailed, alongside the benefits of feeding trees continuously. Visit HyKreations.com for more information.Visit www.UrbanFarm.org/829-Rosie for the show notes and links on this episode!Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analys

828: Scott Murray on Nurturing Future FarmersThe MESA program and Agricultural StewardshipIn This Podcast: Returning guest Scott Murray, with 50 years of organic agriculture experience, discusses his involvement with the MESA program on a podcast. The MESA program, approved by the U.S. State Department, hosts international agricultural interns to promote sustainable agriculture. Scott shares his experiences with interns from France and Kenya and highlights the value of global knowledge exchange. He also talks about his current projects, including a successful coffee farm in Southern California. The program provides a valuable opportunity for hosts in the U.S. to learn from agricultural practices around the world.Our Guest: Scott has 50 years of organic agriculture production experience in the United States and Mexico. He has served in a wide variety of roles within conservation, Food production and environmental leadership, including as an elected California conservation official for the last 31 years. Sco