Our Farms, Our Future

By SARE

What's Our Farms, Our Future about?

Our Farms, Our Future brings together the sustainable agriculture community for thought-provoking conversations about the state of agriculture, how we got here, and where we're headed. The series is produced by the USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Learn more at www.sare.org.

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Our Farms, Our Future episodes:

05.03.2019
027 - Why On Farm Research Matters - Dean Baas and Alan Sundermeier
For this episode, our guests discuss the importance of on-farm research. Dean Baas works for Michigan State University Extension, serves as SARE Coordinator for the state of Michigan, and is on the Midwest Cover Crops Council. He’ll be speaking with...
04.19.2019
026 - Aquaponics - JP Knobloch and Tim Hydar
For this episode, two aquaponic experts discuss growing food indoors while saving water and minimizing waste. JP Knobloch and Tim Hydar are co-owners of Straw Hat Aquaponics in Ferguson, Missouri. They talk about the trials and tribulations of starting their business,...
04.05.2019
025 - Building Resilience - Laura Lengnick and Don Teske
For this episode, our guests discuss implementing shifts in our food system to value the family farmer. Don Teske is a 5th-generation farmer in Northeastern Kansas, and he has seen the livelihood of the average family farmer steadily decrease throughout...
03.15.2019
024 - Protecting Our Pollinators - Eric Lee-Mäder and Rachel Coventry
For this episode, our guests discuss the role of native pollinators in agriculture. Eric Lee-Mäder is the Pollinator Conservation Co-Director at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation in Seattle, WA. He’ll be speaking with Rachel Coventry, beekeeper at Curtis Orchard...
03.01.2019
023 - Women In Agriculture - Jen Filipiak and Maud Powell
For this episode, two women in agriculture discuss their projects to create more access and support for women-identified farmers in the U.S. Jen Filipiak is Midwest Director of the American Farmland Trust, a national organization that seeks to protect farmland...
02.15.2019
022 - Bridging the Rural-Urban Divide - Becca Jablonski and Charlie Jackson
For this episode, our guests discuss the benefits of connecting farmers to diverse metropolitan markets. Becca Jablonski is an Assistant Professor and Food Systems Extension Economist at Colorado State University. She’ll be speaking with Charlie Jackson, Executive Director of the...
02.02.2019
021 - Finding a Catalyst for Change in Agriculture - Sami Tellatin and Elizabeth Reaves
Our two guests on this episode are all about finding ways to connect to the land. From their perspective, that experience of connection is what keeps the sustainable agriculture movement alive. Sami Tellatin is currently enrolled in an MBA program at...
01.18.2019
020 - Advocating for Sustainable Agriculture - Margaret Krome and Paul Wolfe
For this episode, two agriculture policy experts discuss the importance of local, grassroots organizing AND national lobbying when it comes to getting federal funding appropriated for sustainable agriculture programs. Margaret Krome works as the Public Policy Program Director for the Michael...
01.04.2019
019 - Sustainability on the Farm - Eric Klein & Wayne Martin
For this week's show, our guests discuss the importance turning a profit in sustainable agriculture operations while also balancing efforts to give back to the land. Wayne Martin is an Extension Agent at the University of Minnesota with a specialization...
12.21.2018
018 - Sustainable Agriculture: Nourishing Communities - Jim Freeburn and Hannah Smith-Brubaker
This time on the show, two farmers from different regions, one from Pennsylvania and the other from Wyoming, discuss how sustainable farming practices can impact small town environments and economies. Hannah Smith-Brubaker runs Village Acres Farm & Food Shed. She...
12.07.2018
017 - The Fight for Equal Rights in Agriculture - Barbara Norman and Savi Horne
For this episode, our guests discuss breaking down barriers of entry for farmers of color. Savi Horne is the Executive Director of the Land Loss Prevention Project in North Carolina. Barbara Norman is a third-generation Michigan Blueberry Farmer. Both...
11.16.2018
016 - Serving Our Land: Veterans in Agriculture - David Paulk and Margo Hale
Our guests on this episode discuss opportunities in agriculture for United States Veterans. David Paulk started farming in 2011 after a long career in the military. He owns and operates Sassafras Creek Farm in Southern Maryland with his wife. He’ll...
11.02.2018
015 - Soil: The Heart of Our Farms - Heather Darby and Julia Gaskin
For this episode, two soil specialists discuss how soil health came to be at the forefront of the sustainable ag conversation. Heather Darby is a life-long dairy farmer in Vermont and soil specialist with University of Vermont extension. She'll be...
10.19.2018
014 - Accessible Food Systems - Molly Rockamann and Karen Washington
This week's guests are committed to creating food systems that are accessible to all. They emphasize the importance of community organizing and political engagement in the sustainable ag movement. Karen Washington is co-founder of Rise & Root farm in Chester,...
10.05.2018
013 - Production on Pasture - Greg Brann and Robin Way
Our guests on this week's show have spent years learning how to create livestock operations that give back to the land. Greg Brann runs grass-fed cattle and sheep on about 220 acres in Southern Kentucky. He’ll be in conversation with...
09.21.2018
012 - Agroforestry - Michael Gold and Chuck Talbott
We begin this episode with a visit to the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center at the University of Missouri. Education Program Coordinator Hannah Hemmelgarn gives us a brief tour of some of her team's current projects and explains their rootedness...
09.07.2018
011 - Making A Difference: Teaching Sustainability - Xiochi Ma and Krista Jacobsen
For this episode, two academics discuss educating a new generation in sustainable agriculture. Xiochi Ma, also known as Max, is a graduate student at Washington State University researching efficient irrigation systems for grapevine cultivation in drought-ridden areas. Krista Jacobsen is an...
08.17.2018
010 - Finding a Better Way: Engineering On The Farm - Chris Callahan and Trevor Hardy
For this episode, two agricultural engineers discuss adapting innovation on the farm. Trevor Hardy is manager of one of New England’s largest distributors of agricultural supplies at Brookdale Fruit Farm in Hollis, New Hampshire. Chris Callahan is an agricultural engineer...
08.03.2018
009 - Maintaining Values While Making a Profit - Jeanne Carver and Hilary Corsun
For this episode, two farmers managing vastly different scales of production discuss staying grounded in sustainable principles while keeping their bottom line out of the red zone. Jeanne Carver raises grass-fed cattle and sheep for wool at Imperial Stock Ranch...
07.20.2018
008 - Quality of Life in Farming Communities - Beth Nelson and Doug Constance
As the Quality of Life Rep for Southern SARE's Administrative Council and a professor of sociology, Doug Constance is constantly thinking about how current policies, cultural norms, and industry trends are affecting farmers and their communities. For this episode,...
07.06.2018
007 - Building Community in Rural America - Spencer Wood and Kim Niewolny
This episode, two rural sociologists dig into why they feel passionately about building connections among farming communities. Kim Niewolny is an Associate Professor of Agricultural Leadership and Community Education at Virginia Tech. Spencer Wood is an Associate Professor of Sociology...
06.15.2018
006 - SARE: The Early Years and Lasting Impact - Ferd Hoefner and Andy Clark
This week, we take a bird's-eye-view of the sustainable ag movement and the research initiatives that sustained it's beginnings. Ferd Hoefner is a Senior Strategic Advisor for the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, (N-SAC). He has worked on national food and agriculture...
06.01.2018
005 - Farming as Heritage - Nathan L'Etoile and Travis Krause
Our fifth episode features Nathan L'Etoile and Travis Krause. For this pair, farming runs in their blood. Nathan L'Etoile is, by best count, a fifteen-generation farmer. His family runs Four Star Farms in North Field, MA, a small grain and...
05.18.2018
004 - Creative Succession Planning - Hana and Hiu Newcomb
Our fourth episode features mother-daughter pair Hiu and Hana Newcomb. Together with family members from three generations and a crew of dedicated farmhands, Hana and Hiu run Potomac Vegetable Farms in Vienna, Virginia. At a time when small family farmers often...
05.04.2018
003 - Water Challenges - Amy Garrett and Ron Rosmann
Our third episode features Amy Garrett and Ron Rosmann. Amy Garrett is an Assistant Professor for Oregon State University Extension Service Small Farms Program. Her work focuses on drought mitigation tools and strategies for growing with little or no irrigation....
04.15.2018
002 - Everybody Eats - Greg Judy and Adam Saunders
Our second episode features Greg Judy and Adam Saunders. Greg Judy is based in Rucker, Missouri and raises livestock on grass pasture in balance with nature, using no antibiotics, hormone implants, or grain. He is known for his high density...
03.31.2018
001 - Land-based Livelihood - Dan Kuebler and Emily Wright
Our first episode features Dan Kuebler and Emily Wright. Dan Kuebler has been market gardening since 1990, providing a variety of organically grown vegetables and value-added products such as "Farmer Dan's Sauerkraut" for the mid-Missouri area. He is a fixture...
03.19.2018
000 - Teaser
Our Farms, Our Future is a new podcast by SARE, the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. The purpose of this project is to foster community and connection, encourage conversation and share different perspectives within the sustainable agriculture community. Through...

What's Our Farms, Our Future about?

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Our Farms, Our Future episodes:

027 - Why On Farm Research Matters - Dean Baas and Alan Sundermeier

026 - Aquaponics - JP Knobloch and Tim Hydar

025 - Building Resilience - Laura Lengnick and Don Teske

024 - Protecting Our Pollinators - Eric Lee-Mäder and Rachel Coventry

023 - Women In Agriculture - Jen Filipiak and Maud Powell

022 - Bridging the Rural-Urban Divide - Becca Jablonski and Charlie Jackson

021 - Finding a Catalyst for Change in Agriculture - Sami Tellatin and Elizabeth Reaves

020 - Advocating for Sustainable Agriculture - Margaret Krome and Paul Wolfe

019 - Sustainability on the Farm - Eric Klein & Wayne Martin

018 - Sustainable Agriculture: Nourishing Communities - Jim Freeburn and Hannah Smith-Brubaker

017 - The Fight for Equal Rights in Agriculture - Barbara Norman and Savi Horne

016 - Serving Our Land: Veterans in Agriculture - David Paulk and Margo Hale

015 - Soil: The Heart of Our Farms - Heather Darby and Julia Gaskin

014 - Accessible Food Systems - Molly Rockamann and Karen Washington

013 - Production on Pasture - Greg Brann and Robin Way

012 - Agroforestry - Michael Gold and Chuck Talbott

011 - Making A Difference: Teaching Sustainability - Xiochi Ma and Krista Jacobsen

010 - Finding a Better Way: Engineering On The Farm - Chris Callahan and Trevor Hardy

009 - Maintaining Values While Making a Profit - Jeanne Carver and Hilary Corsun

008 - Quality of Life in Farming Communities - Beth Nelson and Doug Constance

007 - Building Community in Rural America - Spencer Wood and Kim Niewolny

006 - SARE: The Early Years and Lasting Impact - Ferd Hoefner and Andy Clark

005 - Farming as Heritage - Nathan L'Etoile and Travis Krause

004 - Creative Succession Planning - Hana and Hiu Newcomb

003 - Water Challenges - Amy Garrett and Ron Rosmann

002 - Everybody Eats - Greg Judy and Adam Saunders

001 - Land-based Livelihood - Dan Kuebler and Emily Wright

000 - Teaser