Food Freedom Radio

Four organizations share ways to volunteer to make this election Too Big To Rig!   To connect:

ACLU’s People Power volunteer Shea Foote Hansen. Find her music here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVwiTg18MjA

Rico Durant  https://copalmn.org/

Jolene Jones https://nacdi.org/programs/civic-engagement/make-voting-a-tradition

Lisa Erbes  https://indivisibletwincities.org

Laura Hedlund sits down with Norbert Nielubowski and Taliesin Nyala to explore the deep connections between woodworking, nature, and human healing. They swap stories about creating heirloom furniture, the therapeutic value of working with your hands, and how the Minnesota Woodworkers Guild builds community through shared craftsmanship. Grab all the details on the upcoming free Woodworkers Expo at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, which features live demonstrations, belt sander drag races, and hands-on project kits for kids.

Laura Hedlund kicks things off with a clip of Chef Sean Sherman, who explores the Ring Diet, an indigenous alternative to the corporate-backed national food pyramid. Later, Food Tank president Danielle Nierenberg joins the show to unpack major agricultural takeaways from Climate Week in New York City. They highlight critical food challenges, ranging from global food waste and urban school lunches to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems.

Laura Hedlund held a heartfelt celebration on this week’s show for the late former State Rep. Karen Clark, reflecting on her trailblazing work for environmental justice and urban farming. You’ll hear archival audio of Karen sharing her own vision, alongside a timely update from guest Dean Dovolis on the East Phillips neighborhood’s ongoing fight for the Roof Depot site.

Laura Hedlund welcomes eco-entrepreneurs Nora Schopper of Hello HiBar and Taylor Hall of Evergreen Collective to tackle the reality of a modern economy that often puts profit over the planet. Their chat breaks down the hidden environmental costs of single-use plastics, the challenges of navigating a disposable supply chain, and the power of becoming an intentional “pro-sumer.” The founders also detail the everyday mechanics of running sustainable businesses, highlighting practical household swaps like solid shampoo bars and local refill stations.

Laura Hedlund visits with Caroline Hallstrom, Laura Steinkopf, and Kate Guiney to explore how communities are teaming up to build resilient local food networks. You will hear the inspiring stories behind grassroots mutual aid projects like the Noko Rebel Gardeners and the We Feed Us program. The conversation wraps up with a preview of the upcoming Twin Cities Maker Fest and practical ways to get involved in supporting these neighborhood initiatives.

Laura Hedlund is joined by the Wild Farm Alliance’s Courtney Tchida to discuss how agricultural practices that embrace nature can benefit both humans and wildlife. They dive into the details of a bird-friendly farming exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair’s Eco Experience building while sharing simple ways backyard gardeners can support local ecosystems. They also cover the negative impacts of pesticide use on insect and bird populations alongside practical resources for tracking and supporting neighborhood pollinators.

Laura Hedlund chats with a lineup of local entrepreneurs who are building resilient businesses that prioritize both the planet and the economy. Windom Shields of GenH3 (https://www.genh3.co) explains a new method for producing green ammonia, and Chad Simons of Three Cricketeers (https://3cricketeers.com(opens in new tab)) shares the nutritional and environmental benefits of eating insects. Patrick Wylie [email protected] details the process of milling local grains and provides information on Bakersfield Flour and Bread’s upcoming 10th-anniversary celebration.