The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained

In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, Emma and Mary welcome back Janna Hockenjos, founder of We Are Earth Friends, an environmental education organization designed for children ages 3-8. Jana discusses the program’s impact on young learners' understanding of the interconnectedness of all of life on our planet and provides an update on the progress and expansion of the program. She also offers insights from the suburban food forest project. that she and her husband have been cultivating over the last few years. In addition, Emma and Mary make the announcement that the podcast will take a sabbatical until next year to allow time for rest and the development of new ideas. In the meantime, they will be continuing with articles, ideas and inspiration in The ALMANAC, the online newsletter and community of Lady Farmer. See the Substack link below! 00:00 Reflecting on Slow Living Amidst Chaos00:30 Embracing the Present Moment01:35 Nature's Simple Joys02:27 Recording Together and Taking a Sabbatical04:10 Podcast Evolution and Future Plans08:13 Introducing Jana and Earth Friends12:25 Jana's Journey and Environmental Education15:19 Earth Friends Curriculum and Impact32:14 Making Environmental Education Accessible36:33 Challenges in Implementing Earth Friends in Schools37:04 Making Earth Friends Accessible to All38:57 Homeschool Groups and Marketing Strategies41:22 The Importance of Patience and Letting Go42:00 Personal Reflections and Yoga Insights51:23 Suburban Food Forest Project54:09 The Healing Power of Growing Your Own Food01:06:03 The Significance of Good Soil01:10:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & CommunityVisit Our WebsiteFollow @weareladyfarmer on InstagramEmail us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:• Wendy GrayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode was originally published on August 18th, 2023In this episode we're talking to Leah Webb, author of The Seven Step Homestead about how to turn any yard into a primary food source with vegetables, fruits, chickens, pollinator plants and medicinal herbs. A mother of two children with unique medical needs, Leah utilizes food grown in her own backyard garden as an important part of her children's integrative care. She sees herself as a solutions-based Family Food and Garden Coach, with a goal of guiding families in making small yet impactful steps towards sourcing their own nutrition and achieving long term dietary, cooking, and gardening goals. She is also the author of The Grain-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Family Cookbook. In this conversation, we delve into the challenges and benefits of growing and preparing nutrient dense food, and the practicalities of creating your own microfarm in the space you already have. If you are one of many with a goal to connect with the land and create more independence from the industrial food system, Leah can guide you through, step-by-step.Topics Discussed• A Stormy Week in the DC Area• Leah's Background in Nutrition Education and Her Path to Creating a Microfarm in her own Backyard.• Being a Mom to Kids with Unique Medical Needs and the Role of Gardening and Home Grown Food in their Integrative Care.• Learning the Basics of Gardening for Food• Eating Home Grown Vegetables• Food Preservation• Convenience Foods• Priorities & Food• Investing in Homesteading• Start Small for the Long Haul• Which Plants to Start With• Planting Charts• Using, Measuring, and Creating Compost• The Difference Between Homesteading and Gardening• Homesteading , Self Sufficiency and Community• Finding an Alternative to the Industrial Food Industry• Consumer Awareness of Food• Regenerative Growing PracticesEpisode Resources:•"The Grain-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Family Cookbook: Simple and Delicious Recipes for Cooking with Whole Foods on a Restrictive Diet" by Leah Webb•"The Seven-Step Homestead: A Guide for Creating the Backyard Microfarm of Your Dreams" by Leah Webb•Listen to The Good Dirt Reclaiming Our Food from Field to Kitchen with CSA Farmer Mo Moutoux of Moutoux OrchardConnect with Leah Webb:• Website: https://www.leahmwebb.com/• Instagram @leah_m_webb https://www.instagram.com/leah_m_webb/• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeahMWebbWellness/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:•Our Website•Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram•Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC•Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Madison Murphy Barney, a two-Spirit Hoopa and Shoshone sister, author, doula, and public health storyteller, discusses the significance of the two-Spirit identity, historical roles, and the importance of maintaining cultural traditions. Madison delves into personal experiences growing up in North Dakota, the impact of indigenous boarding schools, and the generational transmission of pride and cultural knowledge. She also talks about the nature of stewardship, reconnecting with one's ancestry, and practical ways to slow down and embrace a more connected, mindful lifestyle. Highlighting the importance of personal and collective healing, Madison's insights offer deep wisdom and helpful guidance on how to engage with land, personal identity, and community.00:00 Introduction to Madison Murphy Barney04:01 Understanding Two-Spirit Identity05:11 Historical Context and Personal Background07:35 Family Heritage and Cultural Pride11:17 Impact of Residential Schools14:55 Journey to Vermont and Community Building18:22 Stewarding the Land and Personal Growth21:59 The Role of Humans in Healing the Earth23:40 Madison's Upcoming Book and Its Themes25:33 Final Reflections on Connection and Responsibility30:44 Exploring the Concept of 'Away'30:55 Connecting with Our Own Medicine34:42 Practical Steps to Reconnect with Ancestral Wisdom39:36 Astrology and Past Lives43:20 Navigating Challenging Times on Earth47:04 The Importance of Slowing Down50:46 Offerings and Final Thoughts━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & CommunityVisit Our WebsiteFollow @weareladyfarmer on InstagramEmail us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:• Wendy GrayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This is an ENCORE EPISODE, originally published on August 5, 2022In this episode, Mary and Emma are talking to Julia Skinner of Root: Historic Food for the Modern World. Root was born from Julia's deep love for community and a belief in the power of food to tell stories, connect us to place and to each other, and to build a bridge to the past.Julia's work is all about food, history, food stories, where it comes from and the people behind it. She loves fostering connections with other people and with the earth around us. Julia is especially interested in learning and teaching about fermentation, demonstrating to people the ease and accessibility of preparing delicious and healthy food using this ancient and powerful food preservation technique.Topics Covered:Exploring historic cookbooksJulia’s discovery of historical cooking traditionsTypes of fermentation she has exploredHow to start fermentingThe growing popularity of traditional foodsShifting food interests during the pandemicFood AccessMilk KefirFood as medicineResources Mentioned:Julia's website--Root KitchensOur Fermented Lives. by Julia SkinnerThe English Housewife by Gervase MarkhamThe Art of Fermentation by Sandor KatzFree99Fridge, AtlantaUmi FeedsGoodrSowans Celtic PorridgeThe Fermentation SchoolSon-Mat --(Korean) Hand taste, the unique quality and taste food has from an individual's touch, care, and experience; the way food tastes different when made by different people, often used to describe the taste of mom's cooking.Connect with Julia: Root Kitchens Website: https://root-kitchens.com/@rootkitchens on InstagramJulia's Books, Classes and CoursesRoot Kitchens Newsletter on SubstackAbout Lady Farmer:Lady Farmer is a sustainable apparel and lifestyle brand, with education around sustainability and sustainable living at the forefront of our mission. Lady Farmer is proud to produce The Good Dirt podcast.Our Website@weareladyfarmer on InstagramJoin The Lady Farmer ALMANACLeave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or tell us what the good dirt means to you.Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Mary is talking with Eve Schaub, an internationally published author and humorist. Known for her year-long experiments, such as 'Year of No Sugar' and 'Year of No Clutter,' Eve’s latest endeavor is 'The Year of the Dress,' where she attempts to grow, harvest, spin, and weave flax into a wearable linen dress in her backyard. The conversation covers the challenges of growing flax, the environmental impact of fast fashion, and the importance of community and sustainability in textile production. Listen to Eve’s inspiring journey towards slow living and sustainable crafting, and learn about resources such as Fibershed and the Pennsylvania Flax Project that support local textile production.00:00 Introduction to Big Ideas and Projects00:33 Guest Introduction: Eve Shaw01:07 Personal Projects and Sustainable Gardening04:30 Long-Term Planning and Sustainability05:52 Eve Shaw's Year-Long Experiments08:02 The Year of the Dress: Growing a Linen Dress11:42 Challenges and Inspirations in Sustainable Fashion21:32 Community and Resources for Flax Growing29:18 Overcoming Initial Challenges in Sustainable Clothing32:10 The Thrill of Thrift Shopping35:06 The Spirituality of Handmade Items37:02 Starting the Flax Growing Journey41:05 Learning and Experimenting with Flax46:15 Community and Resources for Sustainable LivingRESOURCES:Eve O Schaub Website and BooksCindy Conner, Homegrown Flax and Cotton Website and Book FibershedLandis Valley Village and Farm Museum PA Flax ProjectChesapeake Fibershed ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & CommunityVisit Our WebsiteFollow @weareladyfarmer on InstagramEmail us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:• Wendy GrayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This is an ENCORE EPISODE, originally published on July 7, 2023In this episode, Emma and Mary sit down to talk to Smruti Aravind, who oversees fundraising, donor communications, and grants at the Story of Stuff Project. Smruti brings over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, with an emphasis on digital storytelling and network-building to drive systemic change. Prior to joining the Story of Stuff, she led communications at Faith in Action East Bay, a federation of the largest faith-based organizing network in the U.S. Smruti shares about her work and her perspective on creating meaningful social impact, as well as the campaign work that Story of Stuff is doing in order to create policy change. She introduces the Bottle Bill project as well as the Reuse Revolution, and why burning plastic is not the solution that you may believe it to be. Smruti also touches on what other countries are doing to deal with their waste, the impact on The Global South, and how we can all flex our citizen muscles and advocate for plastic reduction laws to be codified.Topics Discussed•Smruti's Work in the Nonprofit Sector•How the Story of Stuff Came to Be•Using the Power of Media to Influence Policy Change•Content Creation & Advocacy•The Story of Microbeads & The Story of Plastic•Founder Annie Leonard's Inspiration for the Documentary•Increasing BIPOC Voices in the Search of a Solution•Systems Thinking for the General Public•The Break Free From Plastic Movement Treaty•How Millennials and Gender Z Approach Environmental Activism•Shifting From Individual Responsibility to Systemic Change•Real Solutions vs. False Solutions•The Great Pacific Plastic Patch •Why Burning Plastic & Buying Plastic Clothes Doesn't Work•Stopping the Tap with Campaign Work: The Bottle Bill & The Reuse Revolution•What Other Countries Are Doing•The Impact of Waste on the Global South•Flexing Our Citizen Muscles•What Corporations are Able to Change•Moving to Florida & the Way that Different States Handle Plastic Waste•Cloth Diapers•Slow Living in a Big City•The Impact of the IndividualEpisode Resources:•Watch The Story of Stuff Documentary•The California Plastic IncineratorConnect with Smruti Aravind:•Website: https://www.storyofstuff.org/blog/people/smruti-aravind/•YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/storyofstuffproject•Instagram: @storyofstuff https://instagram.com/storyofstuff/•Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/storyofstuff•Links: https://linktr.ee/storyofstuff━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:•Our Website•Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram•Join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC•Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Dr. Bill Schindler discusses the impact of modern diets on health and the importance of ancestral dietary practices. He shares the journey of the Modern Stone Age Kitchen, a restaurant dedicated to using ancestral approaches to make nutritious and sustainable food accessible, and his family's personal evolution in food preparation and consumption. Dr. Schindler also highlights the significance of seasonal eating, shares fascinating stories from his global travels to learn traditional food practices, and provides practical advice for people looking to improve their health and relationship with food. He emphasizes the necessity of flexibility in diets, understanding cultural and emotional connections to food, and making small, manageable shifts towards more nourishing eating habits.00:00 The Best Diet Myth00:27 Seasonal Eating Made Easy04:34 Introducing Dr. Bill Schindler07:19 Understanding Ancestral Foods17:52 The Impact of Technological Revolutions on Diet18:37 The Cold Chain Revolution26:02 Personal Journey and Aha Moments43:31 The Birth of the Sourdough Bread Company49:11 The Reluctant Restaurant Owners50:25 Struggles of Homemade Nourishment52:26 Community and Outreach53:52 The Food Lab and Educational Programs55:31 Documenting Indigenous Food Practices57:56 Traditional Cheese Making in Norway01:01:34 Exploring Manioc Processing in the Amazon01:04:38 Adventures in Kenya: The Ash Yogurt Story01:14:35 Embracing Slow Living and Health Tracking01:17:52 The Philosophy of Good Dirt01:19:15 Advice for the Average Family01:26:33 Celebrating Birthdays with Healthy Desserts01:30:45 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources:Bill Schindler's Website modernstoneage.comEat Like a Human: Nourishing Foods and Ancient Ways of Cooking to Revolutionize Your Health by Dr. Bill SchindlerFire the Spark that Ignited Human Evolution by Francis D BurtonGuns, Germs and Steel by Jared DiamondThe Worst Mistake in the History of the Human Race by Jared DiamondThe Pulse Cure by Dr. Torkil Faero━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & CommunityVisit Our WebsiteFollow @weareladyfarmer on InstagramEmail us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:• Wendy GrayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This is an ENCORE EPISODE, originally published on July 9, 2021In this week’s episode, Mary and Emma dive deep into the world of plastic consumption and waste management with Lauren Olson, a Zero Waste Manager at World Centric, exploring the world of compostables and the use of plastic in our daily lives. The discussion covers several aspects of the topic, including the difficulties of “zero-waste," how plastic sneaks into our homes even when we are consciously trying to avoid it, and all the ways in which existing systems make it difficult to create true sustainability in our homes. Lauren explains the science behind bioplastics, as well as the difference between industrial vs home compostables. She also shares how to determine genuinely compostable products and helps us imagine a cradle to cradle world where waste equals food for the earth, and not the other way around! Mary and Emma ask the vital questions, what can we do to work through this monumentally large plastic problem, and is it really possible to achieve the ultimate goal of a zero-waste economy? Lauren gives practical tips for individual action, while encouraging all of us to use our voices as paying consumers to demand change from the top down.1:30 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk about plastic problem solving! 10:30 - World Centric Let’s get into the episode:11:30 - Introducing Lauren & the world of World Centric 16:30 - Is zero waste really achievable?  22:00 - Bioplastics 30:00 - Landfills as coffins for waste 35:00 - What can we do? 36:00 - Greenwashing 43:00 - Facing this massive issue 50:00 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you? USE CODE: "thegooddirt" for 10% off online at World Centric. Valid for 30 days. Things Mentioned:World Centric The Ecology Center Nature WorksPolystyreneBPI Compost Manufacturers Alliance (CAM)  ASTM 6400 or 6868Findacomposter.comWorld Centric’s Giving ProgramAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Corinna Wood, a visionary teacher of women's wisdom, discusses her thirty year career with herbalism, teaching, and community building--all while embracing an earth-based, woman-centered approach to women's inner growth and healing. Corinna reflects on her early influences in herbal medicine and wise woman ways, her experiences founding the Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference, her contributions to herbal medicine through Red Moon Herbs and her current work supporting women on their own healing journeys. 00:00 Introduction to Radical Self-Care00:30 Catching Up with Emma01:13 The Evolution of Air Conditioning03:08 Reflecting on Hot Summers05:32 The Impact of Climate Change05:57 The History of Freezers and Ice08:20 Appreciating Agricultural Workers08:56 Introducing Corinna Wood10:31 Corinna's Journey into Herbal Medicine17:12 Founding the Southeast Wise Women Herbal Conference23:09 Memorable Moments at the Conference27:15 The Wise Woman Needs Wheel29:14 Teaching Tools for Inner Growth30:04 Introduction to the Wise Woman Needs Wheel31:55 Seasonal Needs and Human Connection38:30 Rituals and Herbal Practices42:59 The Journey of Red Moon Herbs47:29 Current Programs and Teachings51:13 Addressing the 'Not Enough' Belief55:18 Healing Through Earth-Based Practices01:00:57 Embracing Slow Living and Cycles01:06:17 Final Thoughts and Resources━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & CommunityVisit Our WebsiteFollow @weareladyfarmer on InstagramEmail us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:• Wendy GrayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode was originally published on June 23, 2023Meet Maria Rodale, an author and advocate for organic regenerative farming. An explorer in search of the mysteries of the universe, Maria is the author of "Love Nature Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden", "Organic Manifesto", "Scratch", and is the author of a children's book series called written by the under the pen name "Mrs. Peanuckle". Her book "Love Nature Magic" was featured as a part of the a recent selection for the Lady Farmer book club, so it was truly an honor to get to talk with her on The Good Dirt. Together, Mary, Emma, and Maria discuss her new book, her family legacy in the world of regenerative agriculture, as well as her evolution from a CEO to (in her own words) a “crazy gardener.” Maria is truly a voice for the power and magic of nature and a guide for all of us seeking to rekindle a meaningful connection to the earth.Maria is the former CEO and Chairman of Rodale Inc, and has served on multiple nonprofit boards including the Rodale Institute, Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project, and the Pennsylvania Federal Reserve Advisory council. She has received awards for her lifetime of service and activism, including the National Audubon Rachel Carson Award and the United Nations Population Fund’s Award for the Health and Dignity of Woman Everywhere.Topics Discussed• Growing up on as 3rd Generation Farmer at the Rodale Institute• The Farming Systems Trial• Moving Out at 18 to Becoming CEO: Family Loss & Legacy• The Implosion of the Publishing Industry• Following Her Nose: How Maria Found Writing• The Making of "Love Nature Magic"• What is a Shamanic Journey? • Dealing with Mugwort in Gardens• Decolonizing Our Relationship with Nature• A Garden's Desire to be Wild• Why the Biggest Changes Come from a Change in Behavior• Being Open to Hearing Nature's Message• Changing the Future by Modeling What Could Be Over What Is• Recovering from a Stroke•"Regenerative" over "Sustainability"Episode Resources:•The Rodale Institute: 75 Years of Organic Agriculture Leadership•"Love, Nature, Magic: Shamanic Journeys into the Heart of My Garden"•"Organic Manifesto: How Organic Food Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe"•"Scratch: Home Cooking for Everyone Made Simple, Fun, and Totally Delicious: A Cookbook"•Mrs. Peanuckle's Books•Mindful Bear•The Good Dirt: "The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardens with Mary Reynolds"•Fried Dandelion TikTokConnect with Maria Rodale:• Website: https://www.mariarodale.com/• Mrs. Peanuckle Website: https://www.mrspeanuckle.com/• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariarodale/ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:•Our Website•Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram•JSign up to join The Lady Farmer ALMANAC•Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.Read lessAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This bonus episode originally aired on June 19th, 2021We have a special bonus episode for you this week in celebration of our newest national holiday-- Juneteenth! Mary and Emma reunite with author, historian and farmer Tony Cohen for an exploration into the history of Juneteenth and the holiday’s complex folklore and origins. Tony takes us back in time to examine how this monumental declaration of freedom spread in a variety of ways depending on the geographic, economic and social landscape of the time.Mary, Emma and Tony pause to reflect upon what freedom means and looks like in the modern era and why society continues to resist a hard look at injustice. Tony points to how altering behavior can feel like giving up our own freedoms and comforts and reminds us that the fair trade movement has deeply historic roots. He also reflects upon the transition from enslavement to the tenant farming system and points to how that system affects us still today. The trio grapples with some hard truths about freedom itself and acknowledges the work still left to be done. Tony shares how he celebrates Juneteenth at Button Farm and rejoices in community as he reflects upon the precious ability to gather and take new found enthusiasm into the world.  Let’s get into the episode:1:30 - Emma introduces this week’s special episode3:00 - Tony Cohen on the history of Juneteenth15:00 - The transition into freedom20:00 - The shift to “waged” labor and the evolution of slavery28:00 - Fair trade31:00 - Local emancipation41:00 - Celebrating Juneteenth42:30 - The happenings at Button Farm48:00 - Creating Community Things Mentioned: Button FarmOprah’s visit The Menare FoundationHipCamp - Camp at Button Farm Anthony CohenThe Good Dirt - Episode 31 The AG Reserve - Montgomery County The Underground railroad in Montgomery County, Maryland: A history and driving guideJuneteenth becomes a federal holiday Lift Every Voice and SingDC Emancipation Day Montgomery County Historical Society 13th Amendment 14th Amendment15th Amendment🌻 About Lady Farmer:· Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community· Visit Our WebsiteThe Lady Farmer Guide to Slow Living· Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram· Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail!Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production.🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:· Wendy GrayRead lessAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode was originally published on June 25th, 2021This week, Mary and Emma have a wonderful conversation with photographer, chef, cookbook author, educator and entrepreneur turned homesteader, Eva Kosmas Flores. Eva shares her journey to the slow living lifestyle, led by an ancestral pull and deep familial ties that have guided her back to a connection with home, the garden, food, family and community. Always leading with curiosity, Eva talks about her new adventures as a homesteader and what she’s learning from the land. Throughout the episode, Mary, Emma and Eva talk about the pursuit of the creative life and how to make it work, native species, permaculture gardening and the complexity of our forest ecosystems. They also discuss their sustainable home projects, creating beautiful and enduring interiors, and the complicated decisions involved in the process. Eva reminds us that real life is an intersection of all the things we love, and we have permission to pursue all the parts of ourselves. 1:25 - Mary and Emma catch up and talk berries! 5:00 - Eva Kosmas Flores Let’s get into the episode:  6:20 - Eva introduces herself 15:50 - Finding and creating a homestead 21:00 - Forestry and restoring the soil 22:30 - The importance of native species 29:00 - Breaking ground 33:00 - A sustainable home  39:30 - Timeless, natural interiors  52:00 - Loving lots of things57:30 - What does the Good Dirt mean to you?   Things Mentioned:Eva Kosmas Flores Adventures In CookingFirst We Eat https://www.firstweeat.coAdventures in ChickenThe Hidden Life of Trees The National Scenic Area Simplicity by Nancy Braithwaite The Nature of Home by Jeffery Dungan Braiding Sweetgrass Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, we delve into the profound connections between spirituality, ecology, and our natural world with Leah Rampy and Beth Norcross, co-authors of 'Discovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees.' The discussion explores how trees can teach us about relationships, gratitude, reciprocity, and resilience. The authors share personal experiences and practices for deepening our connection to nature and discuss the importance of understanding and preserving our natural ecosystems. They also touch on the environmental and emotional impacts of deforestation, the significance of native versus invasive species, and how small personal actions can contribute to ecological and spiritual wellbeing. The episode invites listeners to slow down, observe, and embrace a deeper harmony with the natural world.00:00 Introduction to the Hidden World Beneath Our Feet00:31 Welcoming June and Embracing Slow Living02:49 Introducing Leah Rampy and Beth Norcross04:17 Beth Norcross: From Politics to Spiritual Ecology06:10 Leah Rampy: A Journey of Ecology and Spirituality07:04 The Spiritual Wisdom of Trees Course and Book11:58 The Importance of Connection and Kinship with Nature19:20 Language and Reciprocity in Our Relationship with Nature38:53 Introduction to Personal Reflections39:52 Shifting Perspectives on Invasive Species47:31 The Complexity of Tree Replacement51:20 Understanding Tree Sentience54:48 The Concept of Teacher Trees58:50 Reflections on Slow Living01:03:45 The Importance of Good Dirt01:09:07 Final Thoughts and Hope for the Future━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & CommunityVisit Our WebsiteFollow @weareladyfarmer on InstagramEmail us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:• Wendy GrayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode was originally published on June 2, 2022Despite her life being as busy as ever, Bex Partridge tells us about the ways it feels full of better, more fulfilling things since she made the shift from a corporate job to working as a full-time flower farmer and floral designer. Bex is the founder of Botanical Tales, a dried flower installation business based in Devon, England, where she provides beautiful, low-waste floral designs to her community from her own garden. Since moving to Devon, her family has enjoyed being part of a close-knit community which supports local makers and growers. She encourages listeners to trust the process as they seek to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle, and to remember that we are not separate from nature - we all come from the good dirt.Topics Covered:Planting by the MoonThe Winding Road of the Lady Farmer LifestyleFloral Artistry and Dried FlowersThe Benefits of Local FlowersFloral Design and the Wedding IndustryWorld Events as Catalysts for Paradigm ShiftsRethinking Slow Living as “Full Living”Our Interconnectedness with NatureResources Mentioned: Bex’s First Book: EverlastingsBex’s Upcoming Book (Available for Pre-Order): Flowers ForeverWilding by Isabella TreeGuest Info:Bex's Instagram: @botanical_talesBotanicaltales.comPatreonFollow Us:Our Website@weareladyfarmer on InstagramThe Lady Farmer ALMANACOriginal music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.Read lessAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode delves into the journey of Paula Whyman, author of Bad Naturalist: One Woman's Ecological Education on a Wild Virginia Mountaintop. Paula discusses her transformation from a nature enthusiast to a dedicated ecological restorer. The conversation touches on the diverse challenges and rewarding experiences of managing invasive species, the necessity of well-considered ecological interventions, and the intricate balance required to support native plants and wildlife. Through her personal anecdotes and expert insights, Paula illustrates the importance of connecting with nature right where you are and the impact of slow, deliberate efforts in ecological restoration.00:00 Discovering Nature Close to Home01:30 Traveling with a Baby: Tips and Experiences04:19 Gardening Adventures and Native Landscaping05:29 The Irony of Mowing Less07:54 Introducing Paula Wyman and Her Book09:35 Paula Whyman's Journey to Becoming a 'Bad Naturalist'10:34 Challenges and Rewards of Land Restoration24:46 The Importance of Native Plants and Ecological Balance33:55 Invasive Species Statistics35:09 Tree of Heaven: A Persistent Problem39:10 Spotted Lantern Fly Invasion40:15 The Origin and Spread of Tree of Heaven42:49 Autumn Olive: A Regrettable Introduction45:45 Challenges with Multiflora Rose48:20 The Importance of Native Plants50:13 Creating Habitats for Declining Bird Species52:07 The Concept of Slow Living01:00:08 The Good Dirt: Restoring Soil Health01:01:04 Ongoing Projects and Future Plans01:03:06 Final Thoughts and ResourcesResources:Paula Whyman's Website Bad NaturalistWilding by Isabella TreeNature's Best Hope by Doug Tallamy━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & CommunityVisit Our WebsiteFollow @weareladyfarmer on InstagramEmail us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:• Wendy GrayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode was originally published on May 6, 2022Learn about individual actions you can take to mitigate climate change and make sustainability attainable for everyone, with Stephanie Miller, author of Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way and founder of Zero Waste in DC. Stephanie left her job as a climate change specialist for the World Bank in order to simplify her own life, confront the disconnect she felt between her life and her work, and to take personal steps toward sustainability. She now empowers others in her community to examine their waste practices and connect with local resources for low-waste living.Stephanie recognizes how paralyzing it can be to think about climate change, and encourages listeners to focus on what she calls the “magic three”: focus on food, ditching plastic, and recycling right, growing more confident and conscious with each choice. The joy and connection that result from low-waste living are paradigm shifting in themselves.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform.Topics Covered:The 80/20 Way - Perfection is not the answerSustainability in Food ChoicesThe greenwashing of “plant-based.” Sustainable meat production vs standard industrial CAFO operationsThe problem of food wastePurge Plastic / Easy AlternativesRecycle Right/ the problem of “Wish-Cycling”The community-building aspect of cultivating a more sustainable lifestyleFinding joy in sustainable living Resources Mentioned: Stephanie’s Book: Zero Waste Living the 80/20 Way Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also RisesConnect with Stephanie Miller:Zero Waste in DCInstagram @zerowasteindcFollow Lady Farmer:Our Website@weareladyfarmer on InstagramThe Lady Farmer ALMANACOriginal music by John Kingsley, @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well-being.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode delves into the evolving art of ecological gardening and landscaping with Edwina von Gal, founder of the Perfect Earth Project. Edwina shares her journey from traditional landscape design to championing nature-based solutions, recounting her 'aha' moment with chemical-free gardening. The conversation broadens to discuss the cultural shifts in gardening aesthetics and the move towards living lands. Key topics include challenges and strategies for managing meadows and various invasive plants without chemicals, and the importance of community and professional education in ecological landscaping. Edwina also highlights upcoming events and resources offered by the Perfect Earth Project to support ecological land care.00:00 Introduction to Gardening Philosophy01:36 Exciting Symposium on Invasive Plants at Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture02:36 Understanding Restorative Landscaping06:14 Meet Edwina von Gal: Landscape Designer09:07 The Evolution of Gardening Practices13:05 Challenges and Realizations in Eco-Friendly Gardening16:39 Rewilding and Partnering with Nature29:25 Closing the Loop: Sustainable Gardening Practices34:48 Sustainable Seaweed Harvesting35:15 The Importance of Natural Leaf Decomposition36:23 Understanding Land Succession37:11 Maintaining Open Spaces39:10 Managing Invasive Species39:42 Effective Mugwort Control Techniques42:39 Event Announcement: Managing Meadows Symposium46:17 Perfect Earth Project Initiatives50:58 The Therapeutic Value of Gardening53:07 Embracing Slow Gardening55:28 Cultural Expectations and Natural Gardens59:01 The Future of Sustainable LandscapingThe Perfect Earth ProjectDoug Tallamy Nature’s Best Hope by Doug TallamyDiscovering the Spiritual Wisdom of Trees by Beth Norcross and Leah RampyWilding: Returning Nature to our Farm by Isabella TreeWe Are the Ark by Mary ReynoldsBad Naturalist by Paula WhymanCarbon: The Book of LIfe by Paul Hawken━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & CommunityVisit Our WebsiteFollow @weareladyfarmer on InstagramEmail us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Lady Farmer. The Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:• Wendy GrayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode was originally aired on May 13th, 2022. Visit A Fiber Life for shop and updates!Fiber farmer Lisa Mitchell encourages listeners to embrace a beginner’s mindset and connect to the earth through handwork and making as she tells us the story of her major life shift, from striving for success as an art therapist in the suburbs, to slow living on a guanaco farm in the Pacific Northwest. Guanacos, the undomesticated ancestors of the alpaca, produce a unique and high-quality wool, but are often challenging to work with, and are not commonly farmed in the United States. In the absence of mentors and educational resources, Lisa and her husband set about spending significant time learning how to care for these special animals through experience, trial, and error, resulting in a fiber farm producing the highest quality wool on the market. Lisa seeks to “live with her hands” as she creates, and to practice making as an act of love - for the animals she lives alongside, for other people, and for the earth.Topics Covered:Seeking a different lifeGuanacos and Guanaco WoolLearning to Work with Natural FibersWorking with Natural DyeEmbracing Beginner’s MindCreating as an Act of LoveConnecting with Reality Through Hand WorkGuest Info:Lisa Mitchell's Website and Online Store/ A Fiber LifeInstagram: @afiberlifePodcastFollow Us:Our Website: ladyfarmer.com @weareladyfarmer on InstagramThe Lady Farmer ALMANAC on SubstackOriginal music by John Kingsley @jkingsley1026Statements in this podcast have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not to be considered as medical or nutritional advice. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be considered above the advice of your physician. Consult a medical professional when making dietary or lifestyle decisions that could affect your health and well being.Read lessAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of The Good Dirt Podcast, Mary & Emma discuss Fashion Revolution Week and its significance, referencing the Rana Plaza disaster as a catalyst for the movement.The episode features Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, who discusses the impact of fast fashion on the environment, her advocacy for slow fashion, and the creation of the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus. Chellie delves into her personal journey from local government to Congress, highlighting her efforts in sustainable and organic farming. The conversation explores bipartisan efforts to address environmental issues, the importance of soil health, and Pingree’s ongoing initiatives to promote sustainable practices in fashion and agriculture.00:00 Introduction to Fashion Waste01:30 Welcome to the Good Dirt Podcast01:35 Fashion Revolution Week02:33 Lady Farmer's Journey03:49 Introducing Shelly Pingree06:40 Shelly Pingree’s Background15:08 The Slow Fashion Movement22:03 The Role of Congressional Caucuses28:30 Bipartisanship in Sustainable Policies34:05 Shelly Pingree’s Farm and Regenerative Practices37:46 Closing Remarks and Contact InformationFoxfireThe Good Life by Helen and Scott NearingDC Climate Week-April 28th-May 2nd, 2025━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🌻 About Lady Farmer:Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & CommunityVisit Our WebsiteFollow @weareladyfarmer on InstagramEmail us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you!Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Mary & Emma KingsleyThe Good Dirt podcast is proudly part of the Connectd Podcasts network. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers:• Wendy GrayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode was originally published on April 23, 2021 For updates on Elizabeth Cline's advocacy and policy work since this episode was recorded, go to her website at www.elizabethclinebooks.com Our guest this week is Elizabeth Cline, a New York-based author, journalist, and expert on consumer culture, fast fashion, sustainability and labor rights in the apparel industry. She is the author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, which was published in 2012, and which laid the foundation for the modern global ethical and sustainable fashion movement. Her most recent book, The Conscious Closet, published in 2019, describes how consumers can transform the apparel industry and change the world for the better by making more informed decisions about what they wear every day. In this episode, Elizabeth inspires slow fashion enthusiasts to move beyond the response of merely modifying their purchasing decisions, to come together with other individuals in the wider community to impact policy change through social activism. Elizabeth discusses campaigns such as Pay Up Fashion for direct relief for garment workers that have not been paid by American companies during the pandemic, and the Garment Workers Protection Act that will provide minimum wage for garment workers in California. Elizabeth encourages consumers to embrace their civic right in bringing the malpractices and inequities of the fashion industry to light, holding brands accountable for their unethical practices and therefore affecting real change in this broken system. 1:30 - It’s Fashion Revolution week! 10:00 - Elizabeth introduces herself 11:00 - Has there been much change in the last two decades in the fashion industry? 20:00 - Why are corporations not paying their factories? 28:00 - The problems in your own closet 38:00 - The PayUp Campaign  42:00 - What does The Good Dirt mean to you? 50:00 - How Farmers in West Texas inspired Elizabeth Things Mentioned: Fashion Revolution  Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline The Conscious Closet by Elizabeth Cline Lady Farmer Essential Collection Line and Tow Line at Lady Farmer Grace Brian The Twilight of the Ethical Consumer article PayUp Fashion SB 62 - The Garment Worker Protection Act Elizabeth Cline Instagram PayUp Fashion Instagram Greenwashing article for Patagonia Another Tomorrow The ALMANAC 🌻 About Lady Farmer: Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community Visit Our Website Follow @weareladyfarmer on Instagram Email us at thegooddirtpodcast@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail! Call 443-459-1950 and ask a question or share what the good dirt means to you! Original music by John Kingsley. Editing and podcast production by Fast Forward Production. 🌿 The Good Dirt Producers: • Wendy Gray Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy