Shared Soil

Kendall and Rebecca discuss Integrated Pest Management (IPM) with UNH Extension field specialist Liza DeGenring. Liza explains that IPM is a holistic approach to managing pests, including insects, diseases, and weeds, by combining various strategies to minimize damage. She emphasizes the importance of education, sanitation, cultural practices, and physical/mechanical controls before resorting to chemical pesticides. The trio note the economic and environmental benefits of IPM and the importance of consumer education.

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Show notes:  

Integrated Pest Management Triangle: 

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-12/pyrhumananimals-900px.jpg

NH Vegetable IPM Reports: https://extension.unh.edu/resource/vegetable-ipm-reports

Over-Informed IPM podcast episodes: https://extension.unh.edu/blog/category/over-informed-ipm-podcast

New England Vegetable Management Guide: https://nevegetable.org/

Fruit and Vegetable page on Extension website: https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/fruit-vegetable-crops

Liza DeGenring: [email protected]

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0  

Kendall Kunelius – [email protected]  

Rebecca Dube – [email protected]  

Kendall Kunelius and Rebecca Dube discuss the process of buying a new teaching tractor for UNH Extension and the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture. Kendall emphasized the importance of knowing what features you want, such as a cab and instructor seat for safety, adjustable features for ergonomics, and a 75-horsepower tractor for ease of maintenance and travel. The tractor will be used for various workshops around the state including tractor safety, operation, and maintenance. Upcoming workshops are scheduled for April and July, with a focus on hands-on, quality education. Rebecca highlights the Women in Agriculture newsletter and encourages listeners to sign up and engage with the podcast.

Show notes:

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0  

Kendall Kunelius – [email protected]  

Rebecca Dube – [email protected]  

In the first episode of Season Two, Kendall Kunelius and Rebecca Dube discuss food preservation with Sean O'Brien, a home horticulture program manager at UNH Extension. They explore various methods of food preservation, including canning, freezing, and drying, and emphasize the importance of planning for food preservation needs. Sean explains the math behind calculating how much to grow for preservation, the benefits of growing extra, and the impact of conditions on yield. He also highlights the importance of using reliable recipes from trusted sources like UNH Extension and the National Center for Home Food Preservation to ensure food safety. The conversation also touches on the equipment needed for preservation, the significance of following proper canning processes, and the joy of experimenting with different preservation methods.

Show notes:

NH Department of Health and Human Services Homestead Food Operations: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/programs-services/environmental-health-and-you/food-protection/homestead-food-operations

Legal Guide for NH Agricultural Producers - https://extension.unh.edu/resource/legal-guide-new-hampshire-agricultural-producers

Pressure Gauge Testing at UNH Extension: https://extension.unh.edu/sites/default/files/migrated_unmanaged_files/Resource002139_Rep3153.pdf or https://extension.unh.edu/resource/testing-pressure-canner-dial-gauges

Penn State University Preservation Recipes: https://extension.psu.edu/food-safety-and-quality/home-food-preservation-and-safety/lets-preserve

University of Georgia National Center for Food Preservation: https://nchfp.uga.edu/

USDA Complete Guide to Food Preservation: https://nchfp.uga.edu/resources/category/usda-guide

Drying Vegetables – NDSU Extension: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/sites/default/files/2022-12/fn1588.pdf

Drying Fruit – NDSU Extension: https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/sites/default/files/2022-12/fn1587.pdf

Ball Blue Book: https://www.ballmasonjars.com/products/essentials-accessories/ball%C2%AE-blue-book-guide-to-preserving-38th-edition%2C-recipe-book/SAP_2194619.html

So Easy to Preserve Book: https://www.fcs.uga.edu/extension/so-easy-to-preserve

Shared Soil Food Episodes - https://extension.unh.edu/resource/shared-soil-podcast

UNH Extension Education Center InfoLine: https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/yard-garden

NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food - https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0  

Kendall Kunelius – [email protected]  

Rebecca Dube – [email protected]  

Kendall and Rebecca discuss the complexities of agricultural product labels, focusing on terms like "organic," "all natural," and "no hormones added."  They also address the nuances of "local" and "native" labels, emphasizing consumer education and the significance of informed purchasing decisions. Resources for further learning are provided, including the Legal Guide for New Hampshire Agricultural Producers and the University of Nebraska's meat labeling series.

Show notes:

Legal Guide for NH Agricultural Producers - https://extension.unh.edu/resource/legal-guide-new-hampshire-agricultural-producers

UNH Dairy Research TMR (Total Mix Ratio) -

USDA National Organic Standards Board - https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb

NOFA – Northeast Organic Farming Association - https://nofa.org/

MOFGA – Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association - https://www.mofga.org/

University of Nebraska – Lincoln Extension, 3-part series on meat labeling  - https://newsroom.unl.edu/announce/beef/3039/17310

Vermont Law College - https://www.vermontlaw.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Local-Food-Definitions.pdf

Poultry and Rabbit Producers class at Extension - https://extension.unh.edu/event/2024/10/food-safety-poultry-rabbits-producers

Shared Soil Food Episodes - https://extension.unh.edu/resource/shared-soil-podcast

NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food - https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0  

Kendall Kunelius – [email protected]  

Rebecca Dube – [email protected]  

Thumbnail Photo for episode: 

Transcript:  

Kendall Kunelius  0:09  

Welcome to this episode of Shared Soil, a podcast dedicated to creating community, honoring challenges and encouraging personal and professional growth for all people in agriculture. My name is Kendall Kunelius, and I'm a field specialist in the area of agricultural business management.

Rebecca Dube  0:25  

I'm Rebecca Dube, and I provide technology and support to the members of Extension. 

Kendall Kunelius  0:32  

And in this episode, it's just us, just the two of us. We've had a lot of episodes where we interview people, but we thought today we'd have a conversation on the topic of technical terms. So since this podcast really focuses on educating farmers and educating consumers, which it's kind of like that Venn diagram, right? Like we overlap between the two. Not all consumers are farmers, but all farmers are still consumers. We want to make sure that we're touching on these topics of agricultural products, because it's the people who make them and the people that consume them that need to be educated about what they actually are and the labels that go on those products. So labeling is a very tightly controlled aspect of the agricultural industry. So we have things like marketing labels, we've got Weights and Measures that tells you how much the product contains or weighs. And it's for many good reasons that it's tightly controlled, because we're looking at terms that have a certain meaning associated with them, that either carry understand better understanding things about your health if you consume that product. But also, some of these terms are just used as marketing, so to kind of incentivize you to purchase that product. And we're kind of digging into that, what do these mean, and why should these marketing terms, or why should these labels entice you to either purchase that item? Or do they really mean what they say? Are you getting the bang for your buck if you're purchasing an item that has a label that maybe a product right next to it doesn't. So we also wanted to pay attention to this topic at this time of year when farmers markets may not be as readily available. So if you are someone who shops at farmers markets or on-farm Farm Stores - the growing season is over, so you may be transitioning from accessing your food at a farm stand or a farmer's market back to going to the grocery store. So I think this is a very timely topic for us to cover. I also want to add that we are going to be citing our sources very carefully for this podcast, because we are going to be using some really technical definitions, so you can find all of these sources that we're going to be touching on in the show notes. And I highly recommend that you take a look at one source in particular, the Legal Guide for New Hampshire Agricultural Producers, it's a free resource on the Extension website. You can download it and take a look at it and use this to help guide your shopping decisions, but also, if you're a producer, guide your labeling decisions as well. Sure. Yeah. So with that, let's set up a scenario. You're walking down the meat aisle at the grocery store, and you see two packages of chicken next to each other. One has labels like organic, non GMO, vegetarian-fed. The other has a marketing call out that says the product is all natural and no hormones added. What do these terms mean? And how do you know where to look to understand their definition in the context of the food?

Rebecca Dube  3:31  

Yeah, you know, Kendall, it can be so confusing. I can look at one package of chicken and see in larger letters that it's all natural and the package also boasts no antibiotics ever, and in smaller print, the animal has no hormones or steroids, that it's 100% vegetarian-fed and raised cage free. Now, does this package make me want it more than another brand? That's what it's made to do. But let's take a closer look at each of these claims. Now, first of all, all natural is not the same as organic, and we'll get to that in a minute. But first, let's talk about the claim of no hormones or antibiotics. This is a great claim, something you want in your meat, but it's not the special extra effort of this one supplier giving you extra bang for your buck. According to the USDA, added hormones cannot be used in hog, poultry, or bison production. So that's going to be a given for any of these products that you buy. In fact, producers can only make the claim on their packaging if it's followed by the statement "federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in poultry or pork." However, this is usually in tiny print somewhere else on the package. It's not that big in your face, hey, we're great. We have no antibiotics or hormones! Or, I should say, additional hormones. Of course, every animal has its own hormones. They're talking about additional added in. And if a producer is going to make that claim on other forms of meat...

A Discussion with Kendall, Rebecca and Jennifer Bosco-Webb of Extension Marketing Communications

Kendall Kunelius and Rebecca Dube discuss the importance of marketing for farmers, emphasizing that it should be a key part of their business plan. They compare creating a marketing plan to planning a crop, highlighting the need for strategy, target audience identification, and regular updates. Jennifer Bosco-Webb, an expert in social media, shares her experience in building a personal business and stresses the importance of having a clear buyer persona and a well-planned marketing campaign. She recommends Facebook and Instagram for agricultural marketing, noting their ease of use and community-building potential. The conversation also touches on the value of visual consistency, the role of graphic design, and the significance of understanding return on investment in marketing efforts.

Show notes:  

Gold Shaw Farm: https://www.goldshawfarm.com/ 

Linked In Learning: https://learning.linkedin.com 

Udemy: https://www.udemy.com 

Fiverr: https://www.fiverr.com 

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/ 

Canva: https://www.canva.com/ 

UNH Cooperative Extension Events: https://extension.unh.edu/events  

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0  

Jennifer Bosco-Webb – [email protected] 

Kendall Kunelius – [email protected]  

Rebecca Dube – [email protected]  

An Interview with farmer and non-profit Executive Director Lauren Judd
 Kendall and Rebecca talk with Lauren Judd, Executive Director of the agriculture education non-profit Cornucopia Project and co-owner of Pack Mountain Farm, about managing and leading on a farm (and other enterprises). Lauren emphasizes the importance of leading with joy and creating cultural change in the nonprofit and agriculture sectors. Lauren highlights the challenges of budget constraints and the need for adaptability and support for her team. She advises women in leadership to delegate tasks and focus on their areas of expertise. Lauren also stresses the importance of networking, professional development, and seeking funding opportunities to support sustainable farming practices and community growth.

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Show notes:  

The Cornucopia Project: https://cornucopiaproject.org/ 

Pack Mountain Farm: https://www.facebook.com/PackMountainFarm 

Northeast Organic Farming Association of NH (NOFA): https://www.nofanh.org/ 

TOPP Program with NOFA: https://www.nofanh.org/topp 

Antioch University New England: https://www.antioch.edu/new-england/ 

UNH Cooperative Extension Events: https://extension.unh.edu/events 

UNH Professional Development and Training (PD&T): https://training.unh.edu/ 

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0  

Lauren Judd: [email protected] 

Kendall Kunelius – [email protected]  

Rebecca Dube – [email protected]  

An Interview with organic farmer Becka Gagne of Schoodic Hollow Farm

Kendall, Rebecca and organic farmer Becka Gagne discuss the importance of regenerative agriculture and sustainable farming practices for the long-term health of the land and the environment. They share their experiences and perspectives on transitioning from traditional farming approaches to regenerative agriculture, emphasizing the need to challenge common misconceptions about its profitability and feasibility. They also discuss hands-on learning opportunities in agriculture, highlighting the value of apprenticeships and online resources.

Links

Penn State article on Women farmer effects on the community - https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/women-farmers-quantitatively-linked-better-community-well-being/#:~:text=Penn%20State%20and%20University%20of,Credit%3A%20Lance%20Cheung%2FUSDA.

Schoodic Hollow Farm Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/hogbayfranklin/

MOFGA – Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association - https://www.mofga.org/

MOFGA Apprenticeship program - https://www.mofga.org/apprenticeship

UNH Extension Ag web page - https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens

UNH Extension Info Line - 1-877-EXT-GROW (398-4769) or https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/yard-garden

Women in Ag Newsletter signup - https://unhoutreach.tfaforms.net/217751?CID=701G0000001AiKCIA0

Kendall Kunelius – [email protected]

Rebecca Dube – [email protected]

 An Interview with AOR Farm on Growing Kiwi Berries 

Summary: Kendall Kunelius, Rebecca Dube, and AOR Farmers John and Erin discuss the benefits of diversifying farm enterprises for risk management, financial sustainability, and personal enjoyment. They emphasize the importance of choosing enterprises that fit the farm's operations and vision, rather than solely focusing on profits. The speakers share their experiences with enterprise diversification, highlighting the potential for alternative revenue streams and the importance of learning as they go. They also discuss the importance of soil quality and proper watering for growing Kiwi berries in New Hampshire, and emphasize the benefits of peer-to-peer learning in agriculture. 

Show notes: 

Sustainable Harvest International: https://www.sustainableharvest.org/ 

AOR Farm: https://aorfarmstead.com/ 

Gooseberry Regulations in NH: https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2024/05/can-i-legally-grow-currants-or-gooseberries-new-hampshire 

Iago/Kiwiberry project: https://www.noreastkiwiberries.com/ 

Nourishing all aspects of you with growing food.

Summary: Kendall and Rebecca talk with Health and Wellness State Specialist Amy Hollar about the connection between nutrition, overall wellness, and gardening. They discuss the concept of 'food as medicine' and the importance of moderation in consuming various types of sugars. They explore the personal and intellectual fulfillment that comes from gardening, highlighting the joy of growing plants and connecting with one's community, heritage, and land. Amy encourages listeners to embrace imperfection and self-compassion in the gardening process.

Show notes:

Wellness Wheel Assessment: https://extension.unh.edu/health-well-being/programs/wellness-wheel-assessment 

National Produce Prescription Collaborative: https://nppc.health/

4-H Plant a Row Program: https://extension.unh.edu/new-hampshire-4-h/pathways/healthy-living/nutrition/plant-row

Title: Finding Your Voice in the Ag Community 

Subheader: How to get involved if you don’t have a farm 

Summary: Kendall interviews co-host Rebecca and Volunteer Manager Danielle Albano about different ways to can get involved in the Ag community if you are not a farmer. Danielle talks about the Master Gardener program at UNH Extension and volunteering on the Infoline. Rebecca discusses a variety of ways people can be involved with the Ag community including farmer’s markets, agritourism and the Natural Resources Stewards program.  

Show notes: 

2024 Farmer’s Market Directory  

https://www.agriculture.nh.gov/publications-forms/documents/farmers-market-directory.pdf 

Farmer’s Market Scavenger Hunt Sheet 

https://extension.unh.edu/resource/farmers-market-scavenger-hunt 

UNH Extension Info Line 

https://extension.unh.edu/agriculture-gardens/yard-garden 

NH Master Gardener Program 

https://extension.unh.edu/resource/about-new-hampshire-master-gardener-program 

NH Natural Resources Stewards Program 

https://extension.unh.edu/resource/learn-about-natural-resources-stewards 

UNH Cooperative Extension website 

https://extension.unh.edu