How does food bind us to the land we call home? From pecan groves in Georgia to the datil peppers of St. Augustine, in today’s episode we explore how Indigenous plants—both wild and cultivated—help us forge deeper connections to the land and the people around us. The stories shared in this episode come from the unceded, occupied lands currently known as the United States. We recognize the profound and enduring connection that Indigenous peoples have to these lands, and how their stewardship has shaped the food systems and traditions that continue to nourish and sustain us. We honor their wisdom and amplify their voices to reclaim and preserve their traditional foodways, supporting their sovereignty and resilience in the process.

Further Reading: 

Curious about Jaskrit’s work? Check out her on IG, @innergarden. You can also visit their website for workshops and events !

Watch the documentary Harvest of Shame here

Find out more about desert plants at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Learn more about Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms here

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This episode of Meat and Three was reported by Maya Okindo, Bean Metcalf, Kia Damon, and Hieu Huynh

Our lead producer on this episode was Maya Okindo, with support from Kiki Canuto, Ash Tyler, Jessie Nicely, and Taylor Graham

Our Executive Producers are Taylor Early and H Conley.

Our audio engineer is Sam Gerardi.

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Music/SFX Licenses:

stormy.wav by barrymoon -- https://freesound.org/s/48680/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

coyote2.wav by rogerforeman -- https://freesound.org/s/68068/ -- License: Attribution 3.0

Forest Birds Ambience —------https://mixkit.co/free-sound-effects/ambience/ - Mixkit Sound Effects Free License 

Dances and dames.wav by kevin macleod — https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Jazz_Sampler/Dances_and_Dames/

Aim to Stay by William Ross Chernoff’s Nomads -- https://freemusicarchive.org/music/William_Ross_Chernoffs_Nomads/