This month we hear from an inspirational woman who’s long been banging the drum for biodiversity and small-scale farmers around the world. Then on to a field mulching evangelist and finally, loans for enlightened agriculture. And we finish off with some discussion of how no-till on its own is not always rooted in a more ecological approach.

This month we start off by hearing about the power of gardens to provide sanctuary to some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Then we head across the pond to Maine, where we tap into the knowledge of an organic farming legend and hear what has inspired him over his 50 years in farming. We hop over to Oregon to talk large scale biodynamic wine and we end with a few words of farewell from our resident market gardener.

Thanks to Rebel Kitchen for supporting this episode

Woody Tasch is an environmentally responsible financier. He worked for over 30 years in finance, managing other people’s money but ten years ago he took a radical step and started the Slow Money movement.Slow Money walks a fine line between philanthropy and investment - the return on an investment is the regeneration of the soil and, ultimately, the the health of the local community and planet.

This is a full length interview with Woody that we featured in Episode 44

Interview by Abby Rose and Editing by Suzie McCarthy for Farmerama

https://twitter.com/woodytasch?lang=en

https://twitter.com/SlowMoney

https://www.facebook.com/SlowMoney

https://www.instagram.com/slowmoneyinstitute/

https://slowmoney.org

This month we explore radical roots and cider apples with a farming couple in Oregon. We hear about a different type of investment, the Slow Money movement, where healthy soil is a good return for your money. We talk CSAs in Northern Ireland and we end with a call for allyship in the kitchen from a passionate chef.

Thanks to Rebel Kitchen for supporting this episode.

In February, we hear how easy it is to get very young children interested in growing food. From an old friend of the show, we learned a few grazing tips, including how to use animals to remineralise the land. We learn about the benefits and challenges of setting up a silvopasture system, and get to join in on a sustainable wine tasting session in Sicily.

Thanks to Rebel Kitchen for supporting this episode.

Jonny Hansen of Jubilee Farm talks to Conor Macauley, the BBCs Northern Ireland Agriculture & Environment Correspondent about the implications of a No-Deal Brexit

Jubilee Farm is Northern Ireland's first Community-Supported Agriculture scheme.

Regular contributor Joel Rodker is creating a market garden from scratch and recording a diary for Farmerama as he goes. Here's is his report from January 2018

The Savanna Institute are laying the groundwork for widespread agroforestry in the Midwest. Over 100 farmers and researchers gathered to share learnings from different agroforestry and silvopasture operations. Kathy Dice and her partner own Red Fern Farm in Iowa. They were some of the pioneers of the agroforestry movement in the Midwest and their farm is now a successful u-pick perennial polyculture operation, where customers pick their own produce.

This month we are at the 10th annual Oxford Real Farming Conference. First up we hear the inspirational story of 5000+ women who are now practising natural agriculture, or no-cost agriculture, on farms and smallholdings across Southern Zambia. Back in the UK we get the lowdown on biofertilisers that provide food for microbes, and we hear the ups and downs of a regenerative farming journey from a young farmer in Somerset. Thanks to our supporters Rebel Kitchen, for making this episode possible!

Regular contributor Joel Rodker is creating a market garden from scratch and recording a diary for Farmerama as he goes. Here's is his report from December 2018