Fresh Take

Send us Fan Mail

Founded in 1990, Rural Advancement for Farmers International (RAFI-USA) challenges the root causes of unjust food systems, supporting and advocating for economically, and ecologically just farm communities.  

Lisa Misch, Director of Farmer Outreach and Technical Assistance at RAFI-USA, highlights some of the organization’s programs and funding resources for farmers. 

Tune in to hear about: 

- RAFI-USA's mission and vision 

- RAFI-USA's programs and funding opportunities 

- How RAFI-USA assists with Farm Service Agency (FSA) Disaster Relief Loans 

- Upcoming events and workshops 

Learn more about RAFI-USA on their website: https://www.rafiusa.org 

RAFI-USA’s Farmer Crisis Hotline is open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and toll-free at (866) 586-6746. Learn more about the hotline here: https://www.rafiusa.org/hotline/ 

More Resources: 

 How to Work with Your FSA Office Webinar: https://www.rafiusa.org/blog/webinar-how-to-work-with-fsa/ 

 Learn about funding resources and farmer assistance on Farm Aid’s website: https://www.farmaid.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

Jen Speedy is a farmer and Collective Member of Siembra Farm, a small-scale, sustainable farm in SE Gainesville, FL. With plans to open a new flower farm, Jen talks to us about things people should consider when setting up a new farm. 

In this episode hear about:  

- Challenges new farmers may face when starting a farm 

- Avoiding farmer burnout  

- Methods and tools for farming sustainably 

- Risk-management strategies  

Learn more about Siembra Farm on their website: https://siembrafarm.com 

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

In Episode 1 of FOG’s Food Safety for Farmers Podcast Series, Dr. Keith Schneider, Professor and Extension Specialist in the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at the University of Florida, discusses microbiology concepts that help farmers better understand how to produce food safely. 

Tune in to learn about: 

• The Produce Safety Rule 
• Problematic foodborne pathogens 
• The role of indicator organisms and methods to test for their presence 
• Preventative controls 

Resources: 

Learn more about food safety, new podcast episodes, upcoming events and webinars on our website: https://foginfo.org/food-safety-for-producers/
 
For more information about food safety, visit the UF/IFAS Southern Center for FSMA Training website: https://sc.ifas.ufl.edu
 
For the latest news on FSMA, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Website:
https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-regulation-food-and-dietary-supplements/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma 

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

Aviva Asher and Daniel Robleto are founders and owners of Nicoya Farm, a family fruit and vegetable farm located in Gainesville, Florida. In 2015 they began Nicoya Farm on leased land in South Florida and transitioned the farm to collectively owned land in SE Gainesville.   

In this episode, hear about: 

- How Aviva and Daniel got started farming 

- Their shift from leasing to purchasing land  

- Owning land as part of a collective 

- Considerations for farmers looking for farmland 

Learn more about Nicoya Farm on their website: https://nicoyafarm.wordpress.com 

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

Fleet Farming is a non-profit urban agriculture program of IDEAS For Us located in Orlando, Florida. With a mission to empower all generations to grow food to increase local food accessibility, Fleet Farming transforms the average American lawn into a bio-verse, productive micro farms and edible gardens.  

In this episode, Fleet Farming Program Manager Caroline Chomanics, tells us about: 

- The history of Fleet Farming  

- Involvement in community development and programs 

- Opportunities to get involved 

Learn more about Fleet Farming on their website: https://fleetfarming.org 

Learn more about IDEAS for US on their website: https://ideasforus.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

The use of technology to solve challenges in organic agriculture is increasing. Jessica Shade, Director of Science Programs at The Organic Center, joins us for a conversation about agricultural technology in organic farming and the upcoming Hack@Organic event. 

In this episode, hear about: 

- Challenges that sustainable and organic farmers often face when growing crops 

- How Hack@Organic will provide a space to collaborate on solutions using technology 

- Updates on research being done at The Organic Center 

Learn more about The Organic Center on their website:  https://www.organic-center.org 

Learn more about the Hack@Organic event: https://www.organic-center.org/hackorganic 

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

The Sustainable Living Project (SLP) is an urban farm and education center located in Tampa, Florida. Georgea Snyder, Director of SLP, speaks about her experience and how current programs at the farm are helping educate the community.  

In this episode, hear about: 

- Educational opportunities that the Sustainable Living Project offers 

- Implementing “learning by doing” strategies to generate better understanding of the food system 

- Strengths and challenges of urban farming systems 

- Suggestions for creating similar community garden projects 

Learn more about the Sustainable Living Project on their website: https://www.slptampa.com 

Learn more about the Coalition of Community Gardens on their website: https://coalitionofcommunitygardens.weebly.com 

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

Aaron and Derek, Founders and Owners of Handsome Harvest Farm, discuss their experience starting a farm and share thoughts on how to become more knowledgeable in organic and sustainable farming practices. 

In this episode, hear about: 

- How Derek and Aaron got into sustainable agriculture 

- Ways to get started and develop experience in organic farming 

- Considerations when scaling up from a home garden to a for-profit farm 

- Thoughts on managing farm operations and systems on the farm 

Learn more about Handsome Harvest Farm on their website: http://handsomeharvest.com/ 

Learn more about Red Hills Small Farm Alliance on their website:  https://www.redhillsfarmalliance.com/ 

Learn more about WWOOF USA on their website: https://wwoofusa.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

Fresh Take welcomes Wendy Wesley, Registered Dietician and Nutritionist, for a conversation about how to be healthier with food in the New Year. 

In this episode, Wendy shares with us:  

- Reprioritizing time for healthier “shopping, chopping and eating” 

- Foods we should add to our diets 

- What to look for when shopping for groceries 

- The importance of connecting with our food and food system 

Learn more about Wendy Wesley on her website:  https://wendywesleynutrition.com

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

The holidays are here! This season, more consumers are looking for sustainable, organic and local gifts. Jillian Childs, Founder of Florida Farm Finder, and Juan Carlos Rodriguez give us some ideas on how to find and support local growers and businesses through gift-giving this holiday season. 

In this episode, hear about: 

- How Florida Farm Finder is connecting farmers and local businesses with consumers 

- Sustainable gift ideas you may not have thought of  

- Resources for finding and supporting food-related businesses 

Learn more about Florida Farm Finder on their website: https://www.FloridaFarmFinder.com and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FLFarmFinder/ 

Join Florida Farm Finder’s Facebook Groups:
Kind of A Big Dill Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/floridafarmfinder/ and Brand Builder Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/389257258778481/ 

Learn more about the Florida Farmers Market Association: https://farmersmarkettoolkit.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.