What if the process of healing and personal growth worked the same way nature transforms compost—slowly, organically, and in cycles?

This week on The Robyn Ivy Podcast, I’m joined by Jayne Merner, second-generation steward of Earth Care Farm, to talk about composting—but not just in the way you might expect. Yes, we talk about the real, soil-based kind (with plenty of practical tips for starting your own), but we also explore composting as a metaphor for transformation, healing, and what it means to tend to both land and legacy with care.

Jayne brings deep wisdom about what the natural world can teach us—about grief, rebirth, family, and creating something new from what’s been left behind. Her life on the farm is rich with lessons on sustainability, community, and why even what we want to discard can hold the seeds of growth.

This conversation is down-to-earth in all the best ways—and it reminded me how powerful it is to stay rooted in rhythm, gratitude, and connection to the cycles around (and within) us.

Your 3 Key Takeaways

1. Composting shows us how change works

Whether it’s organic matter or a chapter of your life, what feels like an ending might actually be the beginning of nourishment for what’s next.

2. Nature heals us when we let it

Even small acts—stepping outside, breathing fresh air, or tending to a plant—can restore presence, calm, and a deeper sense of belonging.

3. You don’t have to do it all to make a difference

Starting small with something like composting food scraps or sharing your gratitude shifts more than you think. Tiny choices matter—inside and out.

If this episode speaks to something stirring in you, and you’re ready to grow into your next season with more clarity and care, let’s talk.

💫 I’d love to support you through coaching, community, or a quiet 1:1 conversation.

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MORE ABOUT JAYNE:

Jayne Merner is passionate about revitalizing the world’s soil. Raised among the fertile compost piles of her family’s Earth Care Farm in Charlestown, Rhode Island, she now leads the operation of the farm, which has expanded to a second location in Sterling, Connecticut. Supported by three generations of the Merner family and a dedicated team, Earth Care Farm is Rhode Island’s first and largest compost facility, transforming hundreds of tons of organic material each year into nutrient-rich compost used in gardens across New England.

Jayne has traveled globally to teach about composting, assist in setting up composting facilities, and share her deep connection with the natural world. Yet, no matter where her work takes her, she always finds joy in returning home to Earth Care Farm. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Economics and Management from the University of Rhode Island, along with a lifetime of hands-on experience working with soil.

Find out more at www.earthcarefarm.com

Listen to The Composter Podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/composter/

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