Sustainability Book Chat

Whether you're a chicken keeper or someone who simply gets annoyed when reading children's books that are filled with misinformation about animals, Diane Sorenson's, The Tales of Mr. Ken Rooster and the Six Sassy Hens, is a fun little gem that's sure to delight young children, as well as the adults reading the book to them.The book includes short stories about the seven chickens in the author's backyard, and many of the stories, such as the ones about the fox and the raccoon, are based on true events.In today's episode, we are talking to Diane about her chicken-keeping journey and her inspiration for the book.Full show notes here --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/backyard-chickens-in-childrens-book/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

If you want to grow a garden that is in sync with nature, then you need to check out Chris McLaughlin's ninth and newest book, The Good Garden: How to Nurture Pollinators, Soil, Native Wildlife, and Healthy Food — All in Your Own Backyard.In this episode, Chris and I are talking about several of The Good Garden concepts presented in her book, starting with knowing your ecosystem. We talk about how pollinators and wildlife are your partners in the garden, how to control weeds naturally, and how to keep bad bugs at bay. Then we talk about enlisting the help of domestic critters in your garden, and Chris give examples from her own life with rabbits, chickens, and goats.Full show notes here --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/growing-a-good-garden/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

 It only seems natural that after you perfect a homemade delicacy for your family and friends, the next step is to start selling it. Until recently this was financially impossible in many states due to regulations that meant you would have to invest big bucks in infrastructure to start a business. However, now that all 50 states have cottage food laws, you can start selling food directly from your home kitchen.  But before you start baking and selling, be sure to listen to this episode with Lisa Kivirist, co-author of Homemade for Sale: How to Set Up and Market a Food Business from Your Home Kitchen. There are still some things you need to do to stay legal, but it is now so much easier than it was before the cottage food laws were passed. In this episode we are talking about exactly what you can and cannot sell from your kitchen, as well as where you can sell your products. We talk about the difference between hazardous and non-hazardous foods, and we even get into what needs to be included on your product labels. Not sure how to price your products? We talk about that too. Full show notes here --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/how-to-start-food-business-from-home/To see the most recent episodes, visit Sustainability Book Chat Podcast.

When talking about weeds, people use words like enemy, battle, and war. No one wants weeds in their garden, right? Well, it depends!In this episode, author and gardener Tasha Greer talks about why we can't win the "war on weeds," and why we don't really need to. In fact, it's entirely possible to make peace with weeds in our garden.Tasha goes way beyond the usual suggestions for mulching and pulling weeds. In fact, she tells us why pulling weeds is actually a bad idea. And mulching can even cause problems when used with the wrong weeds. Instead, she talks about what we can learn from our weeds and how weeds can actually help us.Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/weed-free-garden/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

One of the reasons we decided to start raising pigs almost 20 years ago was because I thought it was the only way we could produce our own homegrown cooking oil — also known as, lard. I assumed that creating oil from seeds and nuts would simply be too challenging for a non-professional.In this episode, author, gardener, and oil maker Bevin Cohen talks about his book, The Complete Guide to Seed & Nut Oils. He dispels that myth that I fell prey to — that making oils at home is too challenging or even impossible for your average person. He also talks about the modern commercial process for making seed oils, and the difference between chemical processing and cold pressed oils.The book includes instructions on growing and foraging dozens of seeds and nuts for making oil, and in our interview, he talks about walnut oil specifically. Why? Because we have a walnut grove on our farm.But I also learned that black walnuts grow in the wild across the US, so even if you don't have a cultivated grove on your farm, you might be able to forage black walnuts growing in the wild.Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/how-to-make-nut-and-seed-oil/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

You might think that someone who write a book about bugs would have been a bona fide bug lover forever. But author Jessica Walliser admits up front that she used to think nothing of spraying pesticides all over plants to kill bugs, even if the pesticide was blowing back in her face and she could smell it and taste it!Jessica is the author of the second edition of Attracting Beneficial Bugs to Your Garden, which should be arriving in bookstores right about the time that this episode drops.In her interview, we talk about her history with bugs, as well as how she started to appreciate them and their role in the ecosystem. She goes into an amazing explanation of how bugs find their prey, which gave me a whole new appreciation for the wisdom of bugs and how everything fits together.We discussed a couple of specific bugs mentioned in her book that surprised me. I had no idea that there were so many different types of stink bugs and that some of them are actually beneficial. And who knew that fireflies did anything other than light up the fields in summer?We talk a bit about purchasing beneficial insects, but Jessica really sold me on the idea of creating a garden that will naturally attract beneficial insects.Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/attracting-beneficial-bugs-to-your-garden/ To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

If you have ever thought about raising rabbits for meat, either for your own dinner table or as a business, today's episode will get you at least a step or two closer to that goal.Eric and Callene Rapp have raised tens of thousands of rabbits over the years and are sharing their hard-earned knowledge in this episode and in their book, Raising Rabbits for Meat.We are talking about various breeds of meat rabbits, as well as housing, diet (grassfed or not), and breeding. And we also talk about the #1 cause of infertility in female rabbits!Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/raising-rabbits-for-meat/ To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

Whether you can't quite find the exact tools you need for your farm or you think you can improve on what's available or you simply like to build your own, Josh Volk's latest book, Build Your Own Farm Tools provides tons of inspiration and heard-learned lessons.Volk says he was always taking apart toys as a child and worked his way through college as a bicycle mechanic before getting a degree in mechanical engineering. Then when he turned to farming, it was only natural for him to start building his own tools.In today's episode, he talks some of the 15 tools he included in the book, including a seedling bench and drip winder. Not only does he tell you how to make each tool in the book, he also talks about why it's useful and how to use it.Full show notes here --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/build-your-own-farm-tools/To see the most recent episodes, visit thriftyhomesteader.com/bookchat

 During the drought of 2012 when everything in our garden was dying after months without rain, I really started to think about hydroponics and aquaponic growing systems.In today's show, author and farmer Tyler Baras is talking about what hydroponics is, as well as how it is different from aquaponics. He also talks about how some foods can taste different when grown hydroponically and what you can do to compensate.We discuss the best foods for growing hydroponically, as well as whether they can be grown organically and whether you can do it on a really small scale. And in case you've been tempted by some of those super expensive systems advertised online, you'll learn about inexpensive DIY options.Tyler talks about where you can put the hydroponic system with ideas for your living room, kitchen, and bathroom, as well as costs to get started. Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/home-hydroponics-with-tyler-baras/ To see the most recent episodes, visit thriftyhomesteader.com/bookchat 

All gardens and farms were organic prior to World War II, and gardeners realized centuries ago that healthy soil was the key to healthy plants.Building healthy soil is exactly where author and gardener Sally Morgan starts her book, The HEALTHY Vegetable Garden: A natural, chemical-free approach to soil, biodiversity and managing pests and diseases.In today's interview, we talk about pests, diseases, and natural predators, as well as biocontrols, barriers, lures, traps, and sprays, including one that is totally new to me — milk!Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/the-healthy-vegetable-garden/ To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

If you like growing things that are slightly unusual, then pawpaws may be for you. They are a "tropical" fruit tree that grows in colder climates.In this episode, I'm talking with Blake Cothron, the author of "Pawpaws: The Complete Growing and Marketing Guide" and the co-owner of Peaceful Heritage Nursery, a USDA Certified Organic fruit mail-order nursery in Kentucky.Since most people don't know what pawpaws are, that's where we start! Then we discuss their incredible history and talk about the basics of growing them. Like a lot of fruit trees, you will need at least two for proper pollination, and Blake suggests buying three to start in case something happens to one.Finally, we will talk about the best practices for harvesting pawpaws, as well as the best way to preserve that harvest. (Big hint: do NOT make fruit leather with pawpaws!)Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/pawpaws-the-complete-growing-and-marketing-guide/ To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

Today's episode is for anyone who has ever thought about adding cattle to their homestead. I'm talking to Callene Rapp, co-author of Homestead Cows: The Complete Guide to Raising Healthy, Happy Cattle.We are discussing what traits an aspiring owner should look for when choosing a breed, as well as when deciding to buy individual cows. I also share the big mistake we made when purchasing our first cows.We also talk about housing, fencing, and feeding cattle, as well as how many acres you need per head and how that affects your feed bill.Do you need a bull? Callene talks about challenges of owning a bull. For those who are interested in alternatives to having a live bull for breeding, she compares the cost of alternatives.Full show notes here --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/things-to-know-before-raising-cattle/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

If you thought that it was beyond the reach of mere mortals to grow spices like ginger, turmeric, vanilla, cinnamon, and cardamon, you'll be pleasantly surprised by this episode with Tasha Greer, who talks about her book, Grow Your Own Spices.Although many of us may use "herbs" and "spices" almost interchangeably, this book goes way beyond growing a little basal and cilantro. Tasha explains that herbs are generally the leafy green parts of a plant whereas spices are more mature parts, such as the roots.If you are a fan of ginger, we get into that particular spice quite a bit, so you won't want to miss this episode. We talk about how you can grow spices in the garden, in a greenhouse, and in pots on your deck and inside your house. We cover how to get started and how to fertilize, as well as common beginner challenges.Full show notes here --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/grow-your-own-spices/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat

People don't usually think of health when we talk about sustainable living, but if we don't have our health, we are not sustainable. Keeping ourselves healthy is really at the root of a sustainable life.In this episode, I'm talking to Shawna Coronado about her journey from an author of seven gardening books to being debilitated with arthritis to regaining her health by changing what she eats. Her last gardening book, The Wellness Garden, started to pivot towards healthier living. She has added two cookbooks to her resume — Stacked with Flavor: An Anti-Inflammatory Cookbook With Dairy-free, Grain-free & Low-Sugar Recipes and Stacked with Flavor: Healthy Snacks.Shawna talks about her personal health journey, as well as how you can incorporate healthier eating in your everyday life.Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/anti-inflammatory-mealplan/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat 

If you want to learn more about using herbs beyond the kitchen, The Artisan Herbalist is a must read and a must see. It's filled will beautiful photos that clearly exemplify the identifying characteristics of each herb.In this podcast, we are talking to author Bevin Cohen about how he got interested in herbs, as well as how he chose the specific herbs that he included in this book. He explains the differences between infusions, decoctions, tinctures, and infused oils, and when you would use each one.Then he tells us about his favorite herb, and I talk about a big mistake I once made with an herbal tea. In addition to talking about growing herbs, Bevin also talks about finding herbs in the wild and common mistakes that beginners make.Full show notes here --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/the-artisan-herbalist/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat 

If you are looking for ideas on getting started with organic vegetable gardening, we are talking about everything you need to know! Which vegetables are the best for beginners? How do you actually start to plant? What size should your garden be? What can you do with container gardening?Gary Pilarchik, author of The Modern Homestead Garden, is sharing his gardening wisdom with listeners today. In addition to his personal gardening experience, Gary also has a garden shop, so he has plenty of experience helping new gardeners get started and avoid common pitfalls, which we discuss in the show.Whether you live on 50 acres or in a condo, Gary has information that will help you to start growing at least some of your own food. And he even talks about creating beautiful landscaping that just happens to be edible.Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/organic-vegetable-gardening/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat  

It seems like keeping bees should be the easiest thing in the world, but I have learned personally that there is a lot more to it than you might expect. If you have been thinking about getting started with bees, we are talking about some of the unexpected things that every beginner needs to consider before buying their first hive.Author and beekeeper Kim Flottum is sharing some of the wisdom from his latest book, First Time Beekeeping: An Absolute Beginner's Guide to Beekeeping.Did you know that if you don't provide water for your bees they might spend way too much time in your neighbor's swimming pool or the dog's water dish? Kim shares tricks for providing water for bees, as well as things to consider before placing your hive. And who knew that skunks love to eat bees?In this episode, Kim shares tons of wisdom from decades of beekeeping. Don't have a yard? No problem! Kim talks about keeping bees on the roof of your house, as well as things to consider before placing a hive on a high-rise building.In our conversation, Kim also provides tips on buying bees, using a smoker, and keeping bees without using chemicals.I really wish Kim's book would have been available before we tried bees the first time. The book contains lots of photos! In addition to all of the things we talked about in this episode, the book also has sections on diseases and pests, as well as details on harvesting honey.Full show notes here --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/first-time-beekeeping/To see the most recent episodes, visit  ThriftyHomesteader.com/BookChat 

Bugs are an inevitable part of gardening, but we have lots of options for dealing with them. In this episode gardener Susan Mulvihill, author of The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook, talks about organic methods of handling pests in our garden.We discuss the principles behind integrated pest management, and the importance of identifying bugs before taking action. Susan gives us examples of management practices you can employ to reduce the pest burden on plants.We also talk about the fact that not every "natural" pesticide is safe. Susan explains some of the "dangers" of using some natural products such as diatomaceous earth and neem. And she talks about some of her favorite natural control methods, as well as the concept of "bug tolerance."Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/the-vegetable-garden-pest-handbook/

Having backyard chickens, like having your own garden, is a small but significant way to take control of your food and decrease its carbon footprint. While backyard chicken keeping has become more popular in recent years, some people are still intimidated by the idea.In this episode, we are talking to Lisa Steele, fifth generation chicken keeper and author of Fresh Eggs Daily and Duck Eggs Daily. Lisa tells us about the circuitous route she took before becoming a chicken owner and why she loves having hens in her backyard. She also talks about her favorite breed of chicken, as well as what's acceptable when you want to give your chickens a treat (or two). We also talk briefly about the option to keep ducks for eggs. How are ducks and duck eggs different than chickens? And who might prefer one or the other? And I mention the one time I was ready to say good bye to our ducks.Full show notes here -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/fresh-eggs-daily/

Do you love to travel but worry that it's hard on the planet? Today I'm talking to Holly Tuppen, a responsible travel expert who has specialized in sustainable travel since circumnavigating the world without flying in 2010. She talks about bicycling across the US, working as part of the crew on a sailboat, and traveling on a container ship, among other adventures.Holly’s debut book, Sustainable Travel: The Essential Guide to Positive Impact Adventures, was published in June. In the book and in our chat today, she talks about the difference between greenwashing travel and truly sustainable travel options.What does it really means when a hotel or other travel company talks about paying for carbon offsets? What are your options for traveling without leaving a huge carbon footprint? We also talk about the newest challenge in travel — over-tourism in places that really can't handle millions of people visiting annually.Full show notes here --  https://thriftyhomesteader.com/sustainable-travel/ ‎