In this episode of Rooted Wisdom, host Tish Mindemann sits down with Dr. Christie Poitra, a former academic turned specialty crop farmer in the Great Lakes region. As a first-generation descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, Dr. Poitra shares her journey from university halls to healing soil, weaving together themes of stewardship, cultural preservation, and ecological balance.

Listeners will hear about the joys and challenges of starting a farm from scratch, the importance of respecting the land and its rhythms, and how farming can be a powerful form of activism.

Key Topics:

• Transitioning from academia to agriculture
• Indigenous approaches to land stewardship
• Building community through farming
• Symbiotic relationships in nature and on the farm
• Farming as cultural preservation and creative problem-solving

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re curious about sustainable farming, Indigenous knowledge systems, or simply love a good story about resilience and growth, this episode will leave you inspired and grounded.