In this special episode, Emma and Mary are catching up with their first guest ever featured on the podcast, Amy DuFault. A writer on sustainable textiles for 15 years, Amy has dedicated her next chapter to reconnecting with the roots of her home on Cape Cod. Amy brings us along from her career in various aspects of sustainability in fashion and textiles to her current focus on water quality. She has dedicated her next chapter to reconnecting with the roots of her home on Cape Cod and is now working as communications director at the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center.  You will hear about Amy's work with growing natural dye plants in wastewater and innovative solutions for water sustainability. Finding her “why” was key to Amy’s journey as her drive to heal the earth is directly tied to her late father's environmental awareness, and a deep longing for the return of the environment she remembers as a child.

Topics Discussed

· Fibershed

· The “Why” Behind Your Sustainability

· Your Personal Toolkit & How to Use it to Change

· Sustainable Fabrics and Clothing Practices

· Determining Your Value System

· Working with the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Tech Center

· The Fear Around Eco-conscious Businesses

· The Umbrella of Sustainability

· Where Our Clothing’s Color Comes From

· Natural Dye Farmers

· The Priceless Value of Waters

· Sanitation Practices

· Experiments for Optimal Flower Growing

· NOFA: Northeast Organic Farming Association

· Septic Tank Issues

· Saltwater Intrusion

· Exploring Wastewater Fertilization

· Revitalizing Septic Systems and Destroyed Bodies of Water

· The Cape Cod AquiFund

· Pasteurized Urine

· Restoring Your Home

· Eco-grief for the Way the Environment Was

· Government Support and Funding

· Water Quality

· Preserving Our Ground Water

Episode Resources:

· Listen to The Good Dirt’s 1st Episode with Amy DuFault

· PROJECT: Wastewater’s Impacts On Natural Dye Plant Growth & Color

· Botanical Colors

· Feedback Friday Videos

· Read “The Three Ages of Water: Prehistoric Past, Imperiled Present, and a Hope for the Future” by Peter Gleick

· The Rich Earth Institute

· Read "Everybody Poops!" by Justine Avery

· Read "Everybody Pees!" by Justine Avery

Connect with Amy DuFault:

· Website: amydufault.com

· Instagram: @amytropolis

· Links: https://linktr.ee/amytropolis

· Southeastern New England Fibershed

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· Subscribe to The ALMANAC, a Lady Farmer Newsletter & Community

· Visit Our Website

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· 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