This week on Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Franck Carisey from Uluwehi Coffee Farm, tucked into the green, cloud-covered slopes just above Kona, Hawai‘i. Franck and his partner have built a small but mighty operation producing award-winning coffee that captures the true character of the island.

We talk about how they found themselves running a coffee farm in Kona, what makes the region’s growing conditions so distinct, and how subtle differences in microclimate translate into flavor. Franck also breaks down the differences between the varietals on his farm and the rhythm of a coffee season from bloom to harvest.

This episode wraps up my Hawai‘i series — a journey filled with good people, good stories, and a whole lot of learning about what it means to farm with respect for the land.

🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Dash from Starseed Ranch, a lush, coastal farm tucked into the northern side of Hawai‘i’s Big Island. What started years ago as a small coconut farm has grown into a thriving landscape that blends farming, education, and cultural restoration.

We talk about the roots of Hip Agriculture, the nonprofit that now shares the land, and how their team is using regenerative practices and traditional Hawaiian food systems to reconnect people with place. From canoe crops to community programs, Dash shares how Starseed is cultivating abundance — not just from the soil, but within the spirit of everyone who visits.

🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

This week on Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Troy and Vi from OK Farms — a 320-acre operation rooted in the heart of Hilo, Hawai‘i. We talk about what real sustainability looks like on the ground: restoring soil health, growing diverse crops through agroforestry, and navigating the challenges of farming in one of the most beautiful and unpredictable places on Earth.

They share the story behind their new conservation easement, their approach to regenerative practices, and how these techniques are helping them build resilience from the soil up. It’s an inside look at the balance between tradition, innovation, and stewardship in Hawai‘i’s modern farming landscape.

🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Eva Lee, co-founder of Tea Hawai‘i, tucked into the Hawaiian jungle on the lush slopes of Mt. Kīlauea. Eva has been at the forefront of Hawai‘i’s tea movement for decades, helping transform the islands into an unexpected haven for high-elevation, small-batch teas.

We talk about the art and science behind cultivating tea in volcanic soil, how elevation and environmental factors shape the flavor of different cultivars, and what it takes to grow a truly local tea industry in the middle of the Pacific. From traditional methods to modern experimentation, Eva’s passion and knowledge pour through every cup.

🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt

Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TalkinDirtPod⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Stephen Yundt of Puna Gold Estate on Hawaiʻi’s Big Island. Stephen is not only a farmer cultivating a diverse food forest, but also a chocolate maker bringing out the best of cacao grown right in the islands. We talk about how he and his wife Liz have transformed three acres into a thriving mix of tropical crops, the journey from cacao pod to finished bar, and why Hawaiʻi has become such a unique place for chocolate making. Whether you’re a farmer, a foodie, or just love chocolate, this conversation offers a rich taste of what it means to grow and craft chocolate in Hawaiʻi.

🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Nat Bletter, a PhD botanist, chocolate maker, and plant-grafting wizard in Honolulu. We dive into high-density urban farming, the art of grafting dozens of varieties onto a single tree, and the surprising ways food, science, and community come together in his garden.

🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt

Website: ⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Darren Story, the founder of Coastal Sun Farm in Watsonville, California. Coastal Sun is a regenerative cannabis and blueberry farm that uses living soil and biodiversity to grow in harmony with nature. Darren shares his vision for farming that goes beyond products, focusing on healing the land and raising the standard for the industry.

🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I visit a Seattle farm that turned a simple idea into a thriving pumpkin patch. You’ll hear how a young entrepreneur’s dream grew into a community tradition, bringing families together each fall. From the challenges of starting out, to the joy of seeing kids pick their first pumpkins, this story is all about passion, perseverance, and a love for farming.

🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm

In this episode of Talkin’ Dirt, I sit down with Shannon from Headwind Farm in North Saanich, British Columbia. Shannon is running a small organic farm on about half an acre—and she’s doing it largely on her own.

We talk about how a lifestyle change unexpectedly led her into farming, what it takes to make a living from such a small piece of land, and the constant balancing act of deciding what to grow, when to plant, and how to get the most out of limited space. Shannon also gets into some of the realities behind the work: crop failures, pest pressure, access to land, the cost of farming, and the organization and resilience it takes to keep everything moving.

We also talk about her experience as a woman in agriculture, the community of female farmers she’s found along the way, and what she hopes Headwind Farm might eventually become.

Shannon’s got a ton of passion for what she does, and after spending a couple hours working alongside her before we recorded, it was pretty easy to see why farming has become such a big part of her life.

You can follow Shannon and her work on Headwind Farm's instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/headwindfarm/

This was actually the very first interview I ever recorded for Talkin’ Dirt, and it’s where this whole thing started. If you enjoy the conversation, follow Talkin’ Dirt, leave a rating or review, and share the show with somebody who might enjoy it. It really does help the show grow.

🌱 Connect with Talkin’ Dirt

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Talkin.Dirt⁠

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TalkinDirt.farm