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Frank is joined by Simon Huntley of smallfarmcentral.com. Simon shares his motivations for creating a CSA member management software platform, and the features of that platform. He then discusses the newly emerging business model of venture capital funded local food … Continue reading →

In Part II of this two-part series, Frank Aragona concludes his interview with Tom Giessel, who is the honorary historian of the National Farmer’s Union. Tom begins with a brief foray into the history and status of farmer cooperatives, and … Continue reading →

Tom Giessel, honorary historian of the National Farmer’s Union, joins host Frank Aragona for a discussion of the history of the Farmer’s Union. Tom begins with the origins of the Union in the early 20th century amongst cotton farmer’s in … Continue reading →

Frank interviews Narendra Varma, founder of Our Table Cooperative located in Oregon. Narendra explains the genesis of the cooperative, and the cultural norms that prevent more cooperative development in the United States. He also describes a food system that is … Continue reading →

Frank welcomes appropriate technology enthusiast and humanitarian Robert Fairchild, also known as Solar Bob. Bob shares his decades-long journey in the realm of appropriate technology, including the genesis of the movement during the oil crunch of the 1970’s and the … Continue reading →

Frank welcomes back regrarian and permaculture designer Darren Doherty. Darren shares his experiences from his current Regrarians world tour, and then describes the precarious economic situation of the commodity farmer and the often degraded state of the world’s agricultural landscapes. … Continue reading →

Frank concludes his interview with permaculture co-originator David Holmgren. David begins by sharing some strategies people can employ to develop permaculture in their own lives without having to purchase land or go deeply into debt. He then discusses his realization … Continue reading →

Frank welcomes permaculture co-originator David Holmgren for a wide ranging discussion on his writings and ideas, including Future Scenarios, Oil vs. Money, and Crash on Demand. In light of the failure of social and political activism to address climate change, … Continue reading →

Frank concludes his interview with Luis Sierra of the California Center for Cooperative Development. Luis begins by explaining the difference between a worker cooperative and a service cooperative, and then provides some historical examples of agricultural worker cooperatives in the … Continue reading →

Frank welcomes Luis Sierra of the California Center for Cooperative Development.  Luis introduces the concept of a cooperative, and the rationale for their creation.  He also delves into existing cooperative models and their history in the state of California.  He … Continue reading →