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FOG Board Vice President Logan Petrey joins us to discuss the benefits of organic farming practices and The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).  

Logan Petrey is the Ranch Manager for Grimmway Farms’ organic farm in North Florida, as well as serving as the National Organic Standard Board member. Join us to learn about SE-TOPP, a USDA program that will provide transitioning and existing organic farmers mentoring services, technical assistance, community building, and organic workforce development.  
  
In this episode, learn about:  

- The Southeast Transition to Organic Partnership Program (SE TOPP)
-Opportunities at the Organic Food and Farming Summit
- Organics’ role in US agriculture 
- How farmers can benefit from adopting organic farming practices 

Learn more about SE TOPP at: https://foginfo.org/our-programs/southeast-center-for-organic-transition/

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Behind every episode is a community of supporters who believe in a healthier, more resilient food future. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue connecting farmers, food, and communities through education, resources, and conversations that inspire positive change. 🌱

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

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Join us for a conversation with FOG’s own Andi Emrich about the Organic Certification Cost Share Program and how it helps current and future organic farmers. 

In this episode, we are spreading the word about the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Discover how OCCSP offers financial support to organic farmers, assisting them in obtaining or renewing their organic certification.  

In this episode, learn about: 

- Who is eligible for the Cost Share program and what can and cannot be reimbursed 

- How to apply for reimbursements and how you will receive them 

- Further resources to help you navigate the program 

Learn more about --- on the website: https://foginfo.org/our-programs/cost-share/ 

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/occsp/index 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Behind every episode is a community of supporters who believe in a healthier, more resilient food future. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue connecting farmers, food, and communities through education, resources, and conversations that inspire positive change. 🌱

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

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Patrick Ferguson, Senior Organizing Representative for Sierra Club’s Stop Sugar Field Burning Campaign, joins us to discuss the environmental impact of pre-harvest sugar burning.  

Beginning in 2015, the Stop the Burn campaign focuses on the environmental and public health consequences of pre-harvest sugar field burning. We will explore the success of green harvesting alternatives, highlighting countries that have embraced this approach. We will also examine the advocacy initiatives undertaken by local leaders, farmers, consumers, and sustainable food advocates.  
  

In this episode, learn about:  

- The Stop the Burn campaign  

- The environmental and health impacts of pre-harvest sugar field burning 

- How green harvesting has the potential to overhaul sugar burning 

Learn more about Sierra Club’s Stop Sugar Field Burning Campaign on the website: https://stopsugarburning.org/ 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Behind every episode is a community of supporters who believe in a healthier, more resilient food future. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue connecting farmers, food, and communities through education, resources, and conversations that inspire positive change. 🌱

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

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Join us as we dive into the world of food systems and community development with Kim Hines and discover how strategic planning and innovative tools are shaping a more resilient future.   

Kim Hines is a Leadership Co-Chair of the North American Food Systems Network with an interest in following national trends in local and regional food systems employment. We will be discussing challenges faced by food systems practitioners, as well as highlighting ACRE and CARAT as tools for creating a more resilient food system.  
  

In this episode, learn about:  

- Kim’s background and current role at NAFSN  

- How the AgriCluster Retention and Expansion helps farmers work together 

- The development and utilization of the Community Agriculture Resiliency Audit Tool 

- How to get involved  

Learn more about NAFSN on the website:  https://www.foodsystemsnetwork.org/ 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Behind every episode is a community of supporters who believe in a healthier, more resilient food future. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue connecting farmers, food, and communities through education, resources, and conversations that inspire positive change. 🌱

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

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Join us for an informative discussion with Tom Wichman, an expert on eco-friendly landscaping with nearly 50 years’ experience in the industry.  

A self-proclaimed plant nerd, Tom is currently the Assistant Director for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program and the statewide coordinator for the Green Industries Best Management Practices Program. Tom is also the radio host for Florida-Friendly Landscaping in a Minute radio show, and he and his team just completed filming season 3 of the television show Flip My Florida Yard. We’ll highlight the importance of eco-friendly landscaping and break down its core tenets. 
  
In this episode, learn about:  

- How to build biodiversity in your home landscape 

- Water wise practices 

- Recycling yard waste 

Learn more about Florida-Friendly Landscaping on the website: https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ 

And check out the Free Florida-Landscaping Handbook: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeysnTNBRS6LK6Kcqvdv6gcM6dk5KuUVc-KH2K0OG4BOHkOxQ/viewform 

Find your local agricultural extension agent for local events: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/ 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Behind every episode is a community of supporters who believe in a healthier, more resilient food future. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue connecting farmers, food, and communities through education, resources, and conversations that inspire positive change. 🌱

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

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Join FOG’s own Lana Chehabeddine and Juan Carlos Rodriguez for a conversation about the Florida Local Food Project. 

We will delve into the Florida Local Food Project, a compelling initiative led by FOG, focused on enhancing local food systems across Florida. Through six key objectives, the project aims to bolster food security, sustainability, and community well-being. By driving engagement, empowering local producers, and hosting informative events, the Florida Local Food Project seeks to create a resilient and interconnected local food ecosystem. 

In this episode, learn about: 

- Lana and Juan Carlos’ experience and expertise 

- How FOG is building a Florida Local Food Network and driving food security and food sovereignty  

- How LFPP is fostering sustainability and community engagement  

Learn more about LFPP on the website: https://foginfo.org/our-programs/local-food-promotion-project/

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Behind every episode is a community of supporters who believe in a healthier, more resilient food future. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue connecting farmers, food, and communities through education, resources, and conversations that inspire positive change. 🌱

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Send us Fan Mail

Mike Campbell, founder and lead farmer of South Florida’s first commercial aquaponic farm Bare Roots Organics, joins us to talk about how aquaponics fits into his vision for the future of sustainable farming. 

Mike shares his journey and passion for building a sustainable world, driven by his background in film/television and love for nature and quality food. We will explore the importance of sustainable farming and the role of aquaponics in conserving resources compared to traditional agriculture. We will also discuss the cooperative relationship between plants and fish in aquaponics, highlighting the symbiotic environment involving three main players: fish, bacteria, and plants. 
 

In this episode, learn about: 

- Mike Campbell and Bare Roots Organics 

- The basics of aquaponics  

- Resource conservation  

- Labor requirements to run an aquaponics farm

Learn more about Bare Roots Organics on the website: https://www.barerootsorganics.com/ 

For those interested in Mike’s products, he is a vendor on our Backyard Market, which is our virtual farmer’s market. Check out his variety of fresh greens at:  https://backyardmarket.org/

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Behind every episode is a community of supporters who believe in a healthier, more resilient food future. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue connecting farmers, food, and communities through education, resources, and conversations that inspire positive change. 🌱

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Send us Fan Mail

Continue our conversation about food sovereignty with the University of South Florida’s Nicole Brand and Will Schanbacher. 

Nicole Brand is the Director of the Environmental Conservation Outreach, Research, and Education (ECORE) System at USF, overseeing the USF Forest Preserve, the USF Botanical Gardens and a geological park. Will Schanbacher is an Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at the University of South Florida with a research concentration in religious and social ethics, specializing in the global food system, poverty, and food sovereignty. Additionally, he is the Director of USF's Urban Food Sovereignty Group. We will discuss the impact of food sovereignty on food systems, as well as Florida's unique landscape efforts, and the potential impact of food sovereignty projects in the Tampa Bay area. 
 

In this episode, learn about: 

- Nicole and Will’s important work at USF  

- The relationship between land, food, and conservation 

- Urban Food Sovereignty Group 

- Feeding the Future 

Learn more about USF’s Urban Food Sovereignty Group on the website: https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/centers/ufsg/index.aspx 

Learn more from Will Schanbacher’s forthcoming book: Food Insecurity: A Reference Handbook 

https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/food-insecurity-9781440878398/ 

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Behind every episode is a community of supporters who believe in a healthier, more resilient food future. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue connecting farmers, food, and communities through education, resources, and conversations that inspire positive change. 🌱

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Send us Fan Mail

Dell deChant joins us for a discussion about food sovereignty and its aim to challenge existing food structures and place power back into the people’s hands.  

Dell deChant is an Instructor at the University of South Florida, specializing in religion and contemporary cultures. deChant's current research focuses on Agrarianism in American popular culture, with an emphasis on religion, literature, and ecology. He holds various positions, including Chair of the Environmental Committee of the City of New Port Richey and Convener of the USF Urban Food Sovereignty Group. Tune in for a discussion that explores the origins and principles of food sovereignty and highlights its potential to transform the current food system into a more just and sustainable one. 

In this episode, learn about: 

- Mr. deChant's background  

- Demystifying food sovereignty 

- Challenging power structures  

- Empowering the people and discussing “the right to food” 

Checkout additional resources below: 

La Via Campesina: https://viacampesina.org/en/ 

US Food Sovereignty Alliance: http://usfoodsovereigntyalliance.org/   

Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Behind every episode is a community of supporters who believe in a healthier, more resilient food future. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue connecting farmers, food, and communities through education, resources, and conversations that inspire positive change. 🌱

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.

Send us Fan Mail

Join us today as Kabir Parker discusses everything you need to know about seaweed and its contribution to sustainable agriculture. Learn what makes seaweed, “The Secret Sauce”.  

Kabir Parker is a passionate ocean entrepreneur. Born in Greenwich, Connecticut and raised in New Delhi, India, he developed a vast knowledge of global oceanic issues. Kabir studied marine science and microbiology at the University of Miami and went on to pursue a career in ocean entrepreneurship.  

In this episode, learn about:  

- Kabir’s background and current work with his foundation Ocean’s Bounty  

- The role that seaweed plays from the sea to the soil  

-  Process and benefits of seaweed farming  

- How seaweed might impact the future of agriculture 

 We hope you enjoyed the episode! Please help us continue to produce more valuable content by subscribing to our Fresh Take Podcast Series! Subscribe here  

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Support the show

Fuel the Work Behind the Mic—and Beyond

Behind every episode is a community of supporters who believe in a healthier, more resilient food future. Sponsorship support helps Florida Organic Growers continue connecting farmers, food, and communities through education, resources, and conversations that inspire positive change. 🌱

👉 Visit our sponsor page to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can grow real solutions.