This episode, two rural sociologists dig into why they feel passionately about building connections among farming communities.  Kim Niewolny is an Associate Professor of Agricultural Leadership and Community Education at Virginia Tech. Spencer Wood is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Kansas State University. They were both drawn to the field's emphasis on rural leadership and community-based education outside of the classroom and the research lab.

007 - Building Community in Rural America - Spencer Wood and Kim Niewolny

Our Farms, Our Future brings together the sustainable agriculture community for thought-provoking conversations about the state of agriculture, how we got here, and where we're headed. The series is produced by the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Learn more at www.sare.org.

Natural Sciences

Science & Medicine

Social Sciences

Medicine

Science

For this episode, our guests discuss the importance of on-farm research. Dean Baas works for Michigan State University Extension, serves as SARE Coordinator for the state of Michigan, and is on the Midwest Cover Crops Council. He’ll be speaking with Allen Sundermeier from Ohio State Extension. Allen also has a history with SARE as a former co-coordinator for the Ohio program.

027 - Why On Farm Research Matters - Dean Baas and Alan Sundermeier

For this episode, two aquaponic experts discuss growing food indoors while saving water and minimizing waste. JP Knobloch and Tim Hydar are co-owners of Straw Hat Aquaponics in Ferguson, Missouri. They talk about the trials and tribulations of starting their business, and explain exciting innovations in the aquaponics industry today. 

026 - Aquaponics - JP Knobloch and Tim Hydar

For this episode, our guests discuss implementing shifts in our food system to value the family farmer. Don Teske is a 5th-generation farmer in Northeastern Kansas, and he has seen the livelihood of the average family farmer steadily decrease throughout his career. He's not immune to those industry-wide losses, and has had to reimagine his land-based enterprise throughout the years. Don will be speaking with Laura Lengnick, a soil scientist by trade and the founder of a consulting firm that offers ecosystem-based climate risk management and planning services. Don and Laura both offer creative ideas for farmers to claim their rights to making a living off their land.  

025 - Building Resilience - Laura Lengnick and Don Teske

For this episode, our guests discuss the role of native pollinators in agriculture. Eric Lee-Mäder is the Pollinator Conservation Co-Director at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation in Seattle, WA. He’ll be speaking with Rachel Coventry, beekeeper at Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch in Champagne, IL.

024 - Protecting Our Pollinators - Eric Lee-Mäder and Rachel Coventry

For this episode, two women in agriculture discuss their projects to create more access and support for women-identified farmers in the U.S. Jen Filipiak is Midwest Director of the American Farmland Trust, a national organization that seeks to protect farmland and promote sound farming practices. She’ll be speaking with Maud Powell, veggie farmer, Oregon State University extension agent, and coordinator of a Southern-Oregon based growing cooperative. 

007 - Building Community in Rural America - Spencer Wood and Kim Niewolny

Download our free app to listen on your phone