Why conserving pollinators helps preserve not just our agricultural lands, but our National Parks as well. An interview with Dr. Sarah Whipple.

In this episode, I chat with my friend and colleague, Dr. Sarah Whipple to discuss her pollinator passions! We discuss her plethora of adventures and studies in National Parks across the country and take a deep dive into her approach to assessing pollinator health in the wake of climate change.

We cover some pollinator 101, by discussing what is a pollinator and their ecosystem services? What are the differences between indicator and keystone species? We chat about bees, butterflies, beetles, oh my! (also birds, bats, and even bison as pollinators!)

Dr. Whipple and I weigh the pros and cons of managed bees, colony collapse disorder and the growing threat towards other native pollinators. We'll meander through the distinction of managed vs. protected lands and conclude with her PhD research in Yellowstone assessing the  pros and cons of climate change on protected areas in respect to pollinators. 

You can find and connect with her here:
Twitter: @sarahwhipple15
Tiktok: @NPSbuggirl

How promoting sustainable nutrition can mitigate health, environmental and social issues. An interview with Taylor Mayeda.

In this episode of Environmentality. I sit down with foodie and food security advocate, Taylor Mayeda, to talk about nutrition, food security and plant-based "meats." Taylor was at Impossible Foods cooking burgers for Bill Gates, working in their marketing division, when the company was first starting out. Since then she has worked for several plant based companies, as well as a stint with AmeriCorps, where she served as a nutrition educator.

Taylor is passionate about sustainable nutrition, a positive relationship with your body/diet and improving the access to and education about healthy eating. We chat about farming, plant based alternatives and food security. We address some of the issues surrounding "soy" based vegan foods, as well as the idea of nutrition being a luxury and a privilege.

We also talk about lab grown meats, food banks and the legacy of passing down recipes throughout generations. Taylor likes to keep cooking simple and shares some tips for doing so, while eating a plant based diet.

To connect with Taylor, click here.

How flowers can be grown and curated in an eco-friendly way. An interview with Piper Essick, owner of Petals by Piper, a sustainable floristry company.

In this episode, Brendon interviews flower artist and sustainable florist, Piper Essick, to talk about her generational green thumb and how Piper got into floristry. As an environmentalist, Piper approaches floristry from a unique perspective, combining nature and art, sourcing flowers locally for her clients. Piper discusses her desire to source flowers seasonally and locally, as we discuss the vast carbon footprint the flower industry has.

Piper and I also talk about some of the controversial topics in floristry, such as: pampas grass, dehydrated flowers, use of noxious chemicals and the rampant use of plastic all throughout the floral supply chain. Lastly, we address the need for brides to be open-minded in their selection of flowers for their big day, as this allows florists to be able to source local, more sustainable materials.

To learn more about Petals by Piper, click here. Instagram: @petalsbypiper

How chemistry and soil health play a role in coffee quality. An interview with Sarah Brinkley, Ph.D. candidate and researcher at Texas A & M, working in the Center for Coffee Research and Education.

In this episode, Brendon interviews coffee chemistry guru, Sarah Brinkley, to talk about the role chemistry plays in the perception and evaluation of coffee quality. Sarah discusses her sinuous path of interests leading her through vineyards, coffee farms and chemistry labs. She explains how a singular specialty coffee "score" or rating is not sufficient to describe coffee "quality." She outlines the development of a "living lexicon" to better describe coffee and how chemistry aids in this pursuit. Sarah also discusses her research, evaluating how soil amendments help improve plant health and influence coffee quality, both at the consumer perception and chemical profiling levels.

Sarah also defines biodynamic farming, recounts the history and significance of Norman Borlaug, and discusses the array of applications for various chemistry technologies. Ultimately, Sarah discloses her desire to see coffee become more of a gourmet product, with a higher price point and appreciation for this specialty crop, in order to mitigate price crises and provide equitable compensation for farmers in this industry.

To connect with Sarah Brinkley, click here; Twitter: @scbrinkley
To read Sarah's most recent publication on Coffee Chemistry and Climate Change, click here.
To check out Sarah's side hustle and Coffee education repository, click here.
To learn more about Texas A & M's Center for Coffee Research and Education, click here.

What steps can be done to minimize steps in the supply chain to improve the social responsibility of coffee. An interview with Preston Quillen, owner and head roaster of Bigbee Coffee Roasters in Alabama.

In this episode, Brendon interviews Preston Quillen to talk about coffee roasting and his approach to consumer education and community building. Preston first got excited about coffee on a mission trip to Haiti and began his roasting process with a popcorn machine, a smoky apartment and an upset wife. He has since launched several locations, alongside his father and wife, roasting, brewing and serving coffee all over Alabama, US.

Preston discusses his approach to selling coffee, empowering farmers and reducing the steps in the supply chain to ensure more money in the hands of the producers. Preston pursues "relationship coffee," with a better understanding where their beans come from, by sourcing from single origin farms they have a connection with. 

To learn more about Bigbee Coffee Roasters, click here.
To connect with Preston, click here.

What the postharvest steps are for coffee once its picked from the tree. An interview with Dr. Irwin Donis-González, assistant professor at UC-Davis, working in the Coffee Center.

In this episode, Brendon interviews Dr. Irwin Donis-González to talk about postharvest management, coffee biology and how technology can be used to solve issues in the industry. Irwin shares about his background, growing up in Guatemala and his interests in engineering. He also defines what "postharvest" is and provides a distinction from "preharvest" factors in production.  We talk about the role postharvest management plays in achieving food security goals, and how food waste and spoilage is intensified in impoverished countries where proper technologies are not available.

Dr. Donis-González also talks about the risk of mycotoxins (toxic compounds produced by fungus) in coffee and why proper postharvest management is integral for conserving food safety.  Irwin also takes us on a journey from cherry (or berry) to a final drinkable product, discussing the steps along the way and the pros/cons of each processing style.  A special emphasis is placed on "drying," explaining the significance of this step for the safety and quality of coffee, along with the technologies used to monitor this process.

To learn more about UC Davis' Coffee Center, click here.
To connect with Dr. Donis-González, click here.

What the production challenges and innovative solutions are for the coffee industry in Latin America. An interview with Jan Carlo Handtke, owner of Mapache Coffee in El Salvador.

In this episode, Brendon interviews Jan Carlo, a coffee farmer, processor and exporter from El Salvador. Jan Carlo and his wife, Sofia, operate Mapache, which produces coffee all over El Salvador through sustainable means. Jan Carlo shares about the biggest issues facing coffee production, particularly in El Salvador: plant pathogens, labor issues and climate change. Jan Carlo discusses solutions to these problems, as well as his innovative approach to vertically integrating his business to maximize profitability. We also chat about how coffee growers/processors can add value to their product to maximize quality and mitigate the price crisis.

Jan Carlo also answers questions about: shade grown coffee (as well as other certifications like CAFE practices),  how El Sal's civil war has affected the coffee industry and why cupping your coffee is critical to understanding your quality and obtaining a high farmgate price (i.e., $/lb or $/kg).

To learn more about Mapache Coffee, and their farms and facilities, click here.
To visit their Instagram, click here.

To find Mapache Coffee in the U.S., here is the list of Roasters and Coffee Shops that source their coffee:

• 8th & Roast
• Barista Parlor
• Bitty & Beau's
• Black Rifle Coffee
• Blackbeard Coffee
• Bigbee Coffee Roasters
• Camino Coffee Roasters
• Candyland Distributors
• Cervantes Coffee
• Coastal Coffee Roasters
• Coffee Mob
• Congregation Coffee
• Cool Beanz Espresso
• Custom Cup Coffee
• Honeybee Coffee Roasters
• Indie Coffee Roasters
• Krankies Coffee
• Methodical Coffee
• Moon Enterprises
• Otus Coffee
• Perc Coffee
• Piedmont Petroleum
• Polite Coffee
• Quills Coffee
• Reverie Coffee Roasters
• Rhino Coffee
• Springbok Coffee Roasters
• Steel Oak Coffee
• Thunderkiss Coffee
• Vice & Virtue
• Yaggy Road Roasting
• Zealie Beans

What the research objectives and challenges are for coffee production worldwide. An interview with Evie Smith, M.Sc., M.Sc.

In this episode, Brendon interviews Evie Smith, coffee researcher and instructor at UC Davis, about research she has been conducting in Latin America over the past several years. Evie shares about the biggest issues facing coffee production, particularly in Latin America: coffee leaf rust, a fungal pathogen, and the price crisis. Evie discusses solutions to these problems, as well as her next steps in her research to combat these challenges. She is also involved at the UC Davis Coffee Center, where she helps develop curriculum for students on campus.

Evie also answers questions about: what agricultural extensions is, what a supply chain is and how we can take tangible steps to engage in "relationship," coffee to ensure coffee farmers are getting a fair price for their product.

To connect with Evie, click here.
To learn more about the UC Davis Coffee Center, click here.

How coffee can be managed and bred for sustainability. A lecture from Brendon Anthony.

In this premiere episode of Season 3 of Environmentality., Brendon returns with a lecture on sustainable coffee, which serves as an introduction and primer to a 6-part series on coffee and sustainability.

Brendon shares his background, interest and love of coffee, and why he wanted to create the series about this beverage and sustainability. Brendon explains the distinction between the two primary species of coffee, several innovative new varieties that were bred or identified, which changed production goals over the years and explains the physiological distinction between shade-loving plants and sun-loving plants. 

Brendon also discusses the importance of caffeine in plants, critical coffee pathogens and introduces some of the complexities of certifications. 

Stay tuned for more episodes, as this kicks off an investigation into the supply chain of coffee and where sustainability goals can be met at each step! 

Why tree fruit orchards are being redesigned for improved sustainability. A lecture from Brendon Anthony.

In this final episode of Season 2 of Environmentality., Brendon returns with a lecture on the tree fruit industry and the focus of his PhD research, shifting low density peach orchards towards high density plantings (more trees per land area). 

Brendon provides an overview on the field of horticulture and pomology, while doing some deep dives on some fun botanical facts. He then begins to discuss the differences between the CA and CO peach industries and the importance of quality for economic sustainability. Brendon explains why orchards are shifting towards increased planting densities and smaller trees and how this is facilitated by dwarfing rootstocks. High density orchards can simplify canopy architecture to increase labor and input use efficiency, all in an attempt to increase the sustainability (Three E's) of these orchard systems. This transition has already occurred in apple and cherry, and is beginning now in other fruit crops like peaches. 

Brendon discusses the pros and cons of this orchard design and why we need to be able to produce more on less land with less resources in the future to satisfy the food needs of a growing population.