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Join us today as Melissa Desa speaks with us about how the organization Working Food is involved in growing resilient local food systems.  

With over a decade of experience, Melissa Desa is a seed steward, artist, educator, and ecologist living in Gainesville, Florida. She is a co-founder of the non-profit Working Food based in Gainesville, Florida which focuses on regional seed biodiversity, and lends itself to research, stewardship, distribution, and outreach. Working Food works closely with the community, collaborating and supporting adults with disabilities, youth, farmers, and the general public.  

In this episode, learn about:  

- Melissa Desa and her role in the Working Food Organization  

- Building a robust local food system  

- Collaboration and community engagement surrounding food systems and food access 

-  Initiatives and efforts currently taking place to increase equitable food access 

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  

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY- Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a Sponsor of Florida Organic Growers! Your contribution will not only help to advance an organic and sustainable future but gain brand awareness through our growing audience. If you are interested, click here  

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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Monica Hampton, Ph.D, national and international agriculture consultant for TerraNutri, converses with Lana Chehabeddine on the topic of nutrient and weed management techniques.  

Monica Hampton, Ph.D., brings 20 years of research on agriculture and crop production. She serves on the board of trustees at the Compost Research and Education Foundation at the US Compost Council and shares with FOG her extensive knowledge on organic soil health and control techniques that allow for more sustainable and healthy crop production.  

In this episode, learn about: 

- Dr. Hampton’s background in agriculture and crop production 

- Crop production issues we are currently facing 

- Nutrient management techniques for crops  

- Mechanisms to control for pests, weeds, and nematodes 

Learn more from Dr. Hampton’s book, “Compost Utilization in Production of Horticultural Crops”: https://www.compostingcouncil.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=21109188  

Checkout additional resources and events below:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Monica-Ozores-Hampton  

2023 Florida Composting Council Annual Composting Conference- June 21, 2023 Bonita Springs, FL 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Veransa Group Inc.  Veransa’s REGEN Florida Organic Compost® is the only certified organic, OMRI Listed®, and STA Approved compost available in industrial scale in SW and Central Florida.

Learn more about Veransa at: https://www.veransa.com/

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 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY- Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a Sponsor of Florida Organic Growers!  Your contribution will not only help to advance an organic and sustainable future but gain brand awareness through our growing audience. If you are interested, click here  

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

We are thrilled to have Anne Yasalonis with us today, as she discusses Spring Gardening for residents in Florida. 

Anne Yasalonis is the residential horticulture agent and master gardener volunteer coordinator at UF/IFAS in Polk County. The residential horticulture program focuses on providing research-based education to Polk County residents on topics of Florida-Friendly Landscaping and best management practices for the home lawn and landscape.  Anne began her journey with horticulture at Virginia Tech University, and went on to get her masters from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It is her vast knowledge that gives her the name, “The Master Gardener”.  

In this episode, learn about:  

- Anne’s background and current role with UF/IFAS  

- How to lay the groundwork for your own spring garden  

- Vegetables suitable to grow in Spring in North, Central, and South Florida  

- Additional ways to tend to your Spring garden  

Locate state gardening events: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/mastergardener/events/index.html 

Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide:  

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/VH021 

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  

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY- Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a Sponsor of Florida Organic Growers! Your contribution will not only help to advance an organic and sustainable future but gain brand awareness through our growing audience. If you are interested, click here  

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 for a chat with one of FOG’s very own Board of Directors, Teresa Pemberton-Jouany, as she gives us a rundown of Earth Day and organics’ role in this celebratory day. 

Teresa Pemberton-Jouany is a Florida native from generations of cattle ranchers and citrus growers. After leaving the farm and working around the globe through her career in fashion and advertising, she returned to her roots to follow her passion for organic growing and working with local growers to encourage organic systems. 
 

In this episode, learn about:

- Teresa’s background and current role with Florida Organic Growers

- The history of Earth Day and her experience in rallying for change

- Organics’ role in the environment 

- Additional ways to join the fight to protect the Earth

 
Find the official Earth Day toolkit here and more planet-friendly resources:

2023 Earth Day Toolkit 

Eight Tips for Eating for the Planet 

Checkout the upcoming Earth Day events near you or learn how to start your own:

https://earthday.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/8d15cc3da12d4338a109c7d64c97c02a 

Today’s episode is brought to you by Veransa Group Inc.  Veransa’s REGEN Florida Organic Compost® is the only certified organic, OMRI Listed®, and STA Approved compost available in industrial scale in SW and Central Florida.

Learn more about Veransa at: https://www.veransa.com/

SUBSCRIBE- 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 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY- Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a Sponsor of Florida Organic Growers!  Your contribution will not only help to advance an organic and sustainable future but gain brand awareness through our growing audience. If you are interested, click here 

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 for a conversation with our Virtual Market Manager, Courtney Ward, to learn about the Backyard Market Initiative and the exciting updates for local consumers and vendors!

Get ready to join a new wave of local food shopping, through the Backyard Market—a virtual farmers market platform developed by Florida Organic Growers that enables producers and consumers to sell and purchase food with flexibility and efficiency. With over a decade of culinary experience, in farm-to-fork and waste-less environments, Courtney proudly shares her knowledge to enhance food access at a local level.  
 
In this episode, learn about: 

- How Courtney’s culinary background led to her current role with Florida Organic Growers 

- The Backyard Market Initiative and how it differs from a typical farmer’s market  

- How to purchase or sell products on the Backyard Market  

- A rundown of our current vendors and updates on how to sign-up as a new vendor 

Browse the current products on the Backyard Market website and FAQs on FOG’s project page: 

www.backyardmarket.org  

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 

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY- Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a Sponsor of Florida Organic Growers!  Your contribution will not only help to advance an organic and sustainable future but gain brand awareness through our growing audience. If you are interested, click here 

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

Get the inside scoop with Ira Wallace, also known as “the Godmother of Southern Seeds,” as she sheds light on all things seeds and its importance in the food industry. 

Ira Wallace is an organic grower, author, speaker, and one of the original pioneers behind organic seed saving. For the last 25 years, Ira has been a worker/owner of the cooperatively managed Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, which offers over 700 varieties of open-pollinated heirloom and organic seeds selected for flavor and regional adaptability. Ira serves on the boards of the Organic Seed Alliance and the Virginia Association for Biological Farming. 
 
In this episode, learn about: 

- Ira’s background and current role with Southern Exposure Seed Exchange 

- The various categories of seeds that exist, their differences, and ownership of seeds 

- A brief overview of harvesting, saving, and exchanging seeds and the challenges farmers face 

- The impact of seeds on historical and current food pathways  

Find resources here for new and advanced seed advocates:  

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange 

Organic Seed Alliance 

Checkout the upcoming event: 

Roots & Herbs Festival, April 8th: https://bit.ly/3JuNxQS

 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 

 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY- Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a Sponsor of Florida Organic Growers!  Your contribution will not only help to advance an organic and sustainable future but gain brand awareness through our growing audience. If you are interested, click here 

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

Leslie Touzeau, Organic Policy Manager at QCS (Quality Certification Services), chats with Juan Carlos Rodriguez about how she came across this career path, experiences that contributed to her current role, and places to look further to launch oneself into the organic food industry.  

Tune in to learn about: 

- Leslie’s background and pathway to her current role 

- Applicable skills and experiences to get started in organics 

- Specific roles and opportunities at QCS 

- Resources for careers in organics/ the food industry 


Find more organics career info and opportunities here: 

• International Organic Inspectors Association 
• World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms 
• Organic Trade Association 

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

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY- Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a Sponsor of Florida Organic Growers!  Your contribution will not only help to advance an organic and sustainable future but gain brand awareness through our growing audience. If you are interested, click here  

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

Anna Cesarotti, Associate Director of Organic Certification at QCS (Quality Certification Services), speaks with Juan Carlos Rodriguez about career opportunities in the growing industry of organics. 

In this episode, learn about: 

- How Anna came to work in organics 

- Types of careers in the organic industry 

- Why the organic industry is growing  

- How to find careers in organics
 

 Learn more about QCS on their website: https://qcsinfo.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

Organic Materials Research Institute (OMRI) is an international 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that reviews and lists allowed materials that organic producers can use. 

In this episode, learn about:

• How OMRI began  
• OMRI’s mission and role in the industry today 
• What it means to be "OMRI Listed®"   
• Technical support and training opportunities for professionals in the organic industry  

Learn more OMRI on their website: https://www.omri.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

Interest in growing and buying local flowers has grown immensely over the past few years, helping consumers embrace local agriculture, support local farmers, and access even more varieties of local grown flowers. 

In this episode, learn about: 

- Floriculture and why it’s becoming an increasingly popular industry today 

- The Slow Flower Movement 

- How consumers can support local flower farmers 

- Opportunities and profitability for new and upcoming flower farmers 

Resources: 

Learn more about the Slow Flower movement at https://www.slowflowers.com. 

Listen to our previous podcast interview with the Florida Wildflower Foundation Executive Director Stacey Matrazzo: https://foginfo.org/freshtake-podcast.php?florida+wildflower+foundation%3A+creating+and+restoring+native+wildflower+habitats+&oid=11141819 

Visit the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers website: https://www.ascfg.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.