Surviving Hard Times

Are you ready to step up your gardening knowledge? In this episode, we chat with soil scientist Ashley Esakin about her informative Youtube channel, Gardening in Canada. Here, Ashley brings science to gardening in a way that is both informative and helpful to those learning how to garden.

Ashley has a background in soil science and is currently pursuing a career in agriculture. Gardening and keeping houseplants all her life, Ashley became the “go-to” contact for people seeking information on plant cultivation during the pandemic. Out of this, her Youtube channel was born – providing a gardening resource for people around the world… 

Press play to explore:

• How Ashely translates large-scale gardening data into a small-scale resource.
• What makes hydroponics a more nutrient-rich gardening method. 
• The advantages and disadvantages of gardening in soil.
• How to get started with your own garden in the face of potential food shortages.

You can connect with Ashley’s content for yourself by visiting Gardeningincanada.net!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

Today we connect with Todd Riley Callaway to discuss microbiome and dairy science-related issues. Todd is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal and Dairy Science at the University of Georgia, where he unravels “the microbial ecology of the gut in food animals, and how this can affect foodborne pathogenic bacterial populations as well as antimicrobial resistance transfer.” 

Todd grew up on a small horse, dairy, and beef farm, and pursued a career path as a ruminant microbiologist as an undergraduate at the University of Georgia. Since receiving his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal and Dairy Science in 1993 and 1996, Todd has gone on to research topics related to the microbial population of the gastrointestinal tract of animals – seeking to improve animal health, animal welfare, and food safety. 

Click play to hear Todd discuss:

• How microbes across various ecosystems interact with each other. 
• Why it is difficult to understand what good and bad microbiome really is. 
• How microbial populations affect meat quality. 

Want to find out more about Todd and his work with animal and dairy science? Click here now!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

John Sheppard joins this episode to discuss the biological processes attached to beer fermentation. As a Professor in the Department of Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences at NC State, John teaches in the Bioprocessing Science major with particular interests in upstream processes and validation.

Click play and you will discover:

• The difference between major beer production and craft beer production.
• How John’s brewing research influenced his career path.
• The physical and chemical factors that determine beer quality.
• How breweries make low and non-alcoholic beer.

Wondering how scientists contribute to the innovation behind beer fermentation? If so, this episode is sure to pique your interest!

Click here to learn more about John and his work!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

Joining the podcast today is Katie J. Field, Professor of Plant-Soil Processes at The University of Sheffield. With a deep fascination for plant and fungal interactions, Katie spends her time exploring the huge impact this relationship has on the world we live in today. 

Presently, Katie’s research focuses on plant-fungal symbioses and their applications in sustainable agriculture, and the evolution, diversity, and ecology of plant-fungal symbioses. These investigations have led her to an array of interesting discoveries – all having to do with the innate complexities within our planet’s ecosystem… 

Tune in now to discover:

• Typical plant-fungi associations, and how they arise. 
• What plant-fungal symbioses is, and how it occurs in nature. 
• How fungal roots can protect plants against disease.
• The complexity of soil, and how it influences plant-fungal interactions. 

So much of the plant life that we are familiar with has connections with fungal partners. Wondering how this plays into the overall functionality of our planet’s ecosystem as we know it? Jump into the conversation now to find out!

You can learn more about Katie and her research by clicking here!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

What might the next few months look like in terms of the economy, and how could it impact you personally? What about the next few years?

This is just one of many important questions answered by today’s guest, real estate investor, and mentor, John Williams. Before the age of 30, Williams sold $100 million in real estate and has represented many high-profile individuals in the real estate and investment sectors. 

He also creates educational YouTube videos packed with economic insights to help you anticipate and plan for what's to come.

Press play to learn:

• Advertising: how major corporations will use it in the coming months, and what this will do to small businesses
• Why brick-and-mortar businesses might disappear over the next five years, and what will take their place
• Why Williams believes real estate is in bigger trouble now than ever before, and how this will impact rent costs and rent control across the country
• Tips for securing your place in the market, especially if you hold a traditional job (e.g., roofer, plumber)

Tune in and visit https://www.youtube.com/c/ThisisJohnWilliams to stay informed on the latest. Also, check out https://thisisjohnwilliams.com/.

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

Engaging with sustainable horticulture is both a responsible and practical way to cultivate plants. In today’s day and age, developing skills in gardening is more important than ever – and you’d be shocked by how accessible and interesting this area of expertise really is… 

In this episode, we sit down with horticulturist Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez. Juan is a Professor in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia where he does extensive research on vegetable production and physiology. 

Sustainability is an important facet of Juan’s work, and he is uncovering ways to effectively farm vegetables while also taking into account the welfare of our environment.

Join us now as Juan discusses:

• How climate change is impacting agricultural production.
• The advantages and disadvantages of using plastics in agriculture.
• How mulch affects plant growth, and why researchers are looking into ways to make mulch more sustainable. 

You can learn more about Juan Carlos Díaz-Pérez and his research by clicking here!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

Scott Wilson joins the podcast today to discuss all things gardening-related. Scott is a Master Gardener in the state of Colorado, where he educates people both in person and with his instructional Youtube videos.

Since 2004, Scott has been refining his approach to gardening and sharing his knowledge with people near and far. From starting seeds to harvesting crops, Scott is deeply familiar with every step of the gardening process. In this episode, he shares his techniques with us and reveals just what it takes to cultivate a healthy garden.  

Join the conversation now and you will uncover:

• Why raised beds work so well for gardening, and what dimensions work best.
• How hoops can benefit crop growth.
• Different approaches to watering plants, and which methods work best.
• The importance of saving seeds for future growing seasons, and where to store them.

Want to hear about helpful tips that will help you with your own gardening endeavors? Tune in now!

Visit gardenerscott.com to find out more about Scott’s gardening methods for yourself!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

Pecan pie season is just around the corner! Are you ready?

In this episode, Lenny Wells, professor of horticulture and extension pecan specialist at the University of Georgia, tells you everything you could know about pecans – where they come from, how they’re grown, and what it takes for them to land on your dessert plate.  

Press play to explore:

• What it means to say that pecans don’t grow “true to seed” and the practical implications of this
• How long it takes to grow pecans
• The main varieties of pecans
• The nutritional benefits of pecans (hint: it has to do with cholesterol and antioxidants!)
• Disease challenges to pecan production

Tune in to hear the entire conversation and visit https://pecans.uga.edu/ to learn more.

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

Joining us today to discuss sustainable agriculture and food systems is Andy Smith. Andy is the Farm Manager at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU), where he works in collaboration with the Department of Sustainable Agriculture’s teaching faculty. 

Andy and his colleagues are putting forth an effort to expand and enhance KPU’s 20-acre urban teaching and research farm – which includes acquiring organic certification for the farm. By allowing students to interact with hands-on agricultural methods, Andy is cultivating the next generation of sustainable farmers…

Join the conversation now to learn about:

• Challenges that farmers are facing in today’s age.
• The importance of providing students with hands-on farming experience.
• What peat moss is, where it grows, and how it affects seedling growth. 

What does it take to grow plants efficiently and sustainably? Andy answers this question and others like it in this informative discussion on agriculture!

Want to find out more about Andy and his work with KPU? Click here now!

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q

Enjoy wine with dinner? Many of us do! But few consider the challenges and delicate process behind producing wine grapes and other fruit crops.  

Press play to learn from the experts and explore:

• The number one limiting factor in growing fruit crops
• Whether it’s better to grow grapes in greenhouses or nature (and why)
• How long it takes to grow wine grapes
• Strategies for reducing the risk of a dangerous, widespread infectious plant disease
• How one year’s perennial crop production impacts the following year’s
• The tradeoff between crop volume and crop quality

Jim Kamas is an assistant professor and extension fruit specialist in the AgriLife Extension Viticulture & Fruit Lab at Texas A&M; Jacy Lewis is the program manager at the same lab. Learn more about their work by visiting https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/vitwine/.

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3bO8R6q